Yo ho ho, and *several* bottles of rum. This July, the 3rd Annual Summer Rum and Seafood Festival is taking over Tampa Premium Outlets, bringing a sprawling tropical celebration to the region. The spirited festival includes free samplings from some of the state’s best rum distilleries, an incredible array of rum cocktails, fantastic live music, and nearly a dozen of Tampa Bay’s best seafood chefs dishing up their best and tastiest seafood eats.
The Summer Rum and Seafood Festival is set for Saturday, July 13 from 4-9 pm, and tickets are available now. $15 early-bird tickets earn access to the fun, including free rum tastings. You can also upgrade your experience in two different ways. The $35 rum bucket option allows you to skip to the front of the line at every bar thanks to the Fast Pass VIP line. Then, the $75 Gold VIP Upgrade includes private reserved seating in front of the stage, rum buckets, private VIP restrooms, and two free drink tickets. All ticket options are available here. $20 walk-up tickets will be available, as well.
Organizers are encouraging guests to “embrace your inner vagabond,” as attendees will be taken to the islands and sail the high seas. The festival includes pirate-themed photo stops and selfie stations, appearances from special characters, crab races, live music all day, and of course, tons of great rum.
The entire celebration serves a dual purpose, also functioning as a highly impactful fundraiser for the North Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation, providing support for the many independent businesses in our area. The festival is put on by celebrated local event planners Florida Penguins Production, graciously hosted by the always popular Tampa Premium Outlets, and sponsored by the North Tampa Bay Chamber.
As for what to expect in food and drink, there will be plenty to wet every whistle and satisfy every appetite. Local chefs will have an assortment of great flavors to choose from including crab legs, fish tacos, lobster rolls, conch fritters, grouper, and more from local restaurants and food trucks. Plus, there will be plenty of festival favorites for those looking for more than seafood.
Meanwhile, the distillery lineup is truly impressive, featuring such local favorites as St. Pete Distillery, Everglades Distillery, 82W Distilling, Tarpon Springs Distillery, 90 Miles South, and Lugo’s Craft Distillery.
The Summer Rum and Seafood Festival also includes some incredible musical acts. Taking the stage at 5 pm is Turn It On Again, Florida’s No. 1 tribute band to Phil Collins & Genesis. Then, at 7:30 pm, the hottest country act in the Southeast takes the main stage: Southbound 75.
The Summer Rum and Seafood Festival takes place on Saturday, July 13, from 4-9 pm at Tampa Premium Outlets, located at 2300 Grand Cypress Drive. Learn more and get tickets here.
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