After 65,000 Entries TPA Picks 3 Basic Names For Flamingo Contest

Tampa International Airport held a contest to name the new flamingo art statue in the main terminal. The week long entry period brought in over 65,000 entries to name the giant bird. The winner of the flamingo contest chosen name gets free 4 roundtrip plane tickets to anywhere in the U.S.. On Friday, December 30 the airport announced the finalist names for the competition. After thousands of entries we find it hard to believe that these basic names were the best of the best. The names we get to vote on are:

It's time to close the chapter to 2022 and look forward to the next year. Luckily for us in Tampa, there's a lot to be excited about in 2023. Be on the look out for these new businesses and experiences in Tampa Bay next year.

Champa Bay seems to be growing and expanding more and more each year. There were so many new places and experiences that popped up in 2022 it was hard to keep track. We discovered a bunch of new hotels, restaurants, and adventures that opened up this past year. 2023 might be even better! We get to look forward to new restaurants with Michelin-starred chefs, roller coasters, and so many big acts playing Tampa venues (just to name a few). With the help of ABC Action News, we made a list of 9 things to look forward to in Tampa in 2023.

Ever heard of Detroit Style pizza? It's nothing like your typical deep dish pizza. It's baked in a steel pan with cheese baked into the crust and the sauce on top. This new pizza fad is taking over Tampa next year when The Corners opens on Water St. 3 Corners Pizza, led by local restaurateur Noel Cruz, also known for his acclaimed restaurants Ichicoro Ramen, Ichicoro Imoto, and c.1949 Beer Garden.

There are a bunch of restaurants coming to Water Street next year. We're also looking forward to Ash, Boulon Brasserie, Wine on Water, and Predalina!

ZooTampa is revamping their Manatee Rescue Center as apart of their $125 million expansion. The Manatee Center won't be fully complete until 2026, but certain elements such as Stingray Shores will be finished in the fall of 2023. Stingray Shores will be a newly reimagined interactive habitat that will give guests a chance to touch and feed stingrays while they swim carefree.

St. Pete's favorite bagel shop, Pete's Bagels and General Store, will open a second location across the bridge in Ybor City in spring 2023. Unlike its flagship storefront in St. Pete that closes at 2 p.m. daily, the new Pete’s in Ybor City will be an all-day café that offers sandwiches, coffee, espresso, salads, beer and wine alongside its beloved bagels. The best part? They'll be overlooking a dog park so odds are you'll be able to bring your four-legged friend with you!

The business is currently baking out of Chocolate Pie's kitchen, but soon they'll be moving to a storefront in Ybor City. Elevenses plans to open by Valentines Day at the latest. Once the shop opens, they will continue with custom orders but options may be a little more limited in the beginning until they build their team. 

Not in Tampa, but across the bridge in St. Pete will be the new home of Cane & Barrel. This Cuban-inspired rooftop bar will be located on top of the brand new AC Hotel by Marriott. Designed by the same company who brought us Sal Y Mar, Cane & Barrel will feature a 1,000-square-foot interior lounge and bar along with a 1,900-square-foot rooftop terrace which will include a second bar.

Along with a new taproom that's expected to open in the beginning of 2023, Busch Gardens is also adding a new swing ride. The Serengeti Flyer will be the fastest and tallest ride of its kind!

After three years of building three different food trucks, Shiso Crispy is finally going to have a brick and mortar location. The restaurant is going to be located at Tyrone Gardens in St. Pete, next to a brand new Crunch Fitness. Shiso Crispy is known around the bay area for their amazing signature Asian fusion creations, like their lobster rangoon or handmade gyoza.

From the owner of Cru Cellars comes Bouzy, a champagne and cocktail bar. Whether you're a beginner or an enthusiast, their sommelier-trained bartenders will help you find and pop the perfect bottle so that you can toast tonight, any night.

There are so many acts coming to Tampa in 2023. Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, George Strait and more are playing big venues like Amalie Arena and Raymond James Stadium. Live Nation brought back their Lawn Pass for the summer of 2023, so you know there will be some amazing artists that will be announcing those tours soon!