Spring Beer Fling Takes Over Curtis Hixon Park

By Kathleen Schiop

Anyone who was present at the inaugural Spring Beer Fling at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa on March 30, knows that a good time was had by all. After the monsoon-like weather on Saturday, sun and beer worshipers turned out in droves to enjoy not only the gorgeous weather, but also a selection of premium beer and great tasting food, as well as live music.

The retro surfer-themed event, put on by Big City Events and sponsored by Samuel Adams, showcased beverages from New Belgium Brewing, Cigar City Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Strongbow, Twisted Tea and Deep Eddy Vodka. Local food trucks, including PaniniRiffic and I Wanna Wok, offered a variety of delicious fare selections for festivalgoers alongside Brats Sensation, Anise Global Gastrobar, Dochos Concessions and our friends Jenifer and Travis from the Flaming Taco.

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And, of course, perhaps the biggest draw for the Fling were the six surf-rock bands – Surfer Blood, Pretty Girls, Beach Day, The Intoxicators, Florida Kilos, The Heavy Metals and the Johnny Zoom HiFi Show – providing danceable, “rockin'” head-nodding music throughout the day.

Adventuresome attendees with no balance issues, you could try your luck on the mechanical surfboard challenge without the risk of getting dunked in the ocean. Also offered were Hula-hoop contests and retro-themed VIP lounges to add to the nostalgia. The all-day, beach-themed romp ended at 10 p.m. with a “Lighted Beach Ball Drop Spectacular,’ as thousands of LED-lighted beach balls rained over the Tampa skyline. Organizers had plenty of bicycles and cabs available, and the event kept a visible Tampa Police presence nearby in case of emergencies.

So, does Tampa Bay know how to party? If the thousands of attendees were any indication, the event was a complete success, and this correspondent is eagerly looking forward to attending it again next year.

Before that, however, Big City Events will be hosting its second annual Margarita Festival (also at Curtis Hixon Park) on Saturday, May 24, which also promises to be a perfect summer bash.

For more info, visit TampaMargaritaFest.com or BigEventsTampa.com.