Tampa’s annual River O’Green Festival will return to Curtis Hixon Park on Friday, March 17 from 4pm-8pm. This fun St. Patrick’s Day celebration includes dying the Hillsborough River a brilliant emerald green. The River O’Green Fest is put on by Tampa’s Downtown Partnership with the City of Tampa and takes place along our award winning Riverwalk.
The event was originally scheduled for Saturday, March 18, but the Tampa Downtown Partnership opted to move the event a day early due to inclement weather.
“The safety of all our guests and vendors is of the utmost importance,” said Tampa Downtown Partnership President and CEO Lynda Remund. “With storms in the forecast on Saturday, we decided it was in everyone’s best interest to reschedule. The blessing in disguise is now we get to host the River O’ Green Fest on St. Paddy’s Day! We haven’t had the event on the actual holiday since 2018. It’ll be a great way for families to kick off the weekend and wrap up spring break.”
The Hillsborough River provides a perfect backdrop to the celebration which includes live entertainment, games, kids activities, food trucks, and of course, beer.
“We’re so excited to work with the city and Grow Financial again to bring this Irish-themed celebration to our residents and visitors,” said Tampa Downtown Partnership President and CEO Lynda Remund. “I love seeing the hundreds of people who come downtown, decked out in green gear, for a day full of food and fun. It’s a great way to support our local businesses and bask in the beauty of this incredible city.”
Hillsborough River turns green this March
While there is plenty to enjoy for adults, the River O’Green Fest is totally family-friendly, and your four-legged friends are more than welcome to attend.
“Seeing our Hillsborough River turn emerald green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day is a great reminder of the excitement and fun that Tampa has to offer,” added Mayor Jane Castor. “I know how much I look forward to this annual tradition and the opportunity it brings to come together and celebrate all that makes our city great.”
For those worried about the river, organizers have assured that the dye used is completely safe. The dye used is safe for the environment, non-toxic, biodegradable, meets all EPA standards and is certified for use by NSF Std 60. In fact, it’s the same dye often used in water systems to trace the flow of drinking water.
Visit the official River O Green Festival event page for more details. After River O’ Green Fest, residents can prepare for the huge Riverfest event arriving in May.
