RiverFest 2016: What to Know Before You Go

TAMPA, FL – Downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk will once again become the center of entertainment this weekend for the annual RiverFest.

The free event, presented by Friends of the Riverwalk with support from the City of Tampa, invites the public to visit the Riverwalk and highlight the area’s restaurants, local musicians and cultural institutions. RiverFest is also a fundraising program for Friends of the Riverwalk.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re going to be visiting RiverFest, which takes place on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1:

Directions

The RiverWalk extends for 2.4 miles along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. All municipal parking lots and garages are available for parking. The trolley will also be available from the Ybor City parking garage.

• From locations south (Brandon, southern Hillsborough County, Bradenton, Sarasota): Take I-75 to the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, to Exit 7, and head west on Brorein.
• From locations north (Ocala, Land O’ Lakes): Take I-75 to I-275. Take Exit 45A (Downtown East) and bear right.
• From locations east (Lakeland, Orlando): Take I-4 to I-275. Take Exit 45A (Downtown East) and bear right.
• From south Pinellas County: Take I-275 to Exit 44A (Downtown West) and bear right.
• From north Pinellas County: Take Courtney Campbell Causeway to I-275. Take Exit 44 (Downtown West) and bear right.

Click here for a Downtown Tampa parking map.

Events

Nine locations along the Riverwalk will host RiverFest events during the two-day event. (Anchor Park will be closed during this year’s event.)

Water Works Park, 1710 N. Highland Ave., Tampa Heights

• Open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Local live music from 11 a.m. to noon
• Free Shakespeare in the Park on the stage from noon to 3 p.m.
• Live performances from the Tampa Gym & Dance from 4 to 5 p.m.
• Family-friendly activities
• Local food trucks, beer and sodas

Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. Macinnes Place, Downtown Tampa

• Free interactive performance art and live performances
• Open Saturday and Sunday all day

Click here for a full schedule at Starz during RiverFest.

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, Downtown Tampa

• Walk For Wishes – Saturday, April 30. Walk For Wishes is a national Make-A-Wish fundraiser that celebrates thousands of wishes that have been granted while raising funds for future wishes. Registration is available online at walkforwishes.wishcentral.org or in person from 8 to 9 a.m. The event is stroller and pet friendly, and live music and food for registered participants will be available.
• Mayor’s Mac & Cheese Throwdown – Saturday, April 30. Dozens of area restaurants will vie for the Bay’s Best Mac with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Mac and cheese tastings will take place between 4 and 7:30 p.m. Regular Tasting Wristbands are $13 and include five mac and cheese tastings, Fest Band access and free Pirate Water Taxi rides to RiverFest drop-off locations. VIP Wristbands are $30 and include five mac and cheese tastings, three drinks at the VIP Plank Park, Fest Band access and fast-pass access to free Pirate Water Taxi rides.
• RiverFest Concert – Saturday, April 30. Live performances from local and regional band, following the Mac & Cheese Throwdown.
• Riverwalk Brunch Festival – Sunday, May 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beer and classic brunch drinks available for purchase. Brunch Tasting Wristbands are $17 and include three brunch items, Fest Band access and free Pirate Water Taxi rides to RiverFest drop-off locations. Bruch VIP tickets are $40 and include three brunch items, three drinks at the VIP Plank Bar, Fest Band access, and fast-pass access to free Pirate Water Taxi rides.

Kennedy Plaza, underneath the Kennedy Boulevard Bridge on the Hillsborough River

• Live music and roaming food vendors
• MacDill Park, 100 N. Ashley Dr., Downtown Tampa
• SPCA Florida will host adoptions, vendors and healthy pet activities
• Live music from Hillsborough County Schools
• The Plank Bar from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Brorein Street Bridge, Downtown Tampa

• Roaming food vendors

USF Park, 233 N. Ashley Dr., Downtown Tampa

• Live animal displays from Busch Gardens from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tampa Convention Ceneter/The Sail, 333 S. Franklin St., Downtown Tampa

• Water activities include Eboats, Tampa Water Bikes, paddleboarding and more

Cotanchobee Park, 601 Old Water Street, Downtown Tampa

• 13th Annual Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races – Saturday, April 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free for spectators to attend. Food and beverages plus music will be available.
• Second Annual Gasparilla Stand Up Paddleboard Invasion – Sunday, May 1 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free to attend as spectators. Race divisions include elite, recreational, corporate teams, krewes, children and sprints. The Paddleboard Invasion will also feature a live emcee, with family-friendly food, music, exhibits, and a live raffle. Click here for more information about the individual races and spectator events.

Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Channel District

The Florida Aquarium will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 1.

For more information on RiverFest, visit www.tampariverfest.com.

Images courtesy of City of Tampa website and City of Tampa Facebook page

Sign up for the Tampa Patch newsletter and alerts!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, too!