Earth Day is here and there is no better way to celebrate Mother Earth then at the 13th Annual EcoFest. EcoFest will be held on the grounds of the Museum of Science and Industry(MOSI) on Fowler Ave. in Tampa 0n Saturday April 22 from 10a-3p. It is a totally free event with safe, friendly, family fun for everyone.
EcoFest has partnered to be the Official Earth Day Event for the City of Tampa and the University of South Florida. This years event will be bigger and better then ever! There will be over 110 various vendors and a bunch of food trucks on hand.
Photo: Learning Gate Community School
2023 will be the 53rd year the United States recognizes Earth Day. It all started when then Senator Gaylord Nelson, the junior senator from Wisconsin, led the effort for an "Earth Day" to draw attention to environmental issues that the United States and the world were facing. The first Earth Day was held on April of 1970, thus giving birth to the modern environmentalist movement.
In Tampa, EcoFest is presented by Learning Gate Community School in North Tampa. Michele Northrup, the Develop Director at Learning Gate Community School says “Learning Gate Community School is excited to partner again with MOSI to celebrate Earth Day Tampa Bay at Ecofest! We hope to inspire attendees to make eco-friendly choices and develop a deeper appreciation of the natural world and the importance of preserving it for future generations.”
Photo: Learning Gate Community School
According to Northrup "EcoFest is dedicated to the principles of Sustainability, Ecology, Equity, and Economy". This years EcoFest event promises live music and entertainment, demonstrations, informational booths, and green living products. In addition to local vendors, there will be organic farms and gardens with fresh produce, alternative health practitioners, renewable energy specialists, and a variety of green businesses on hand.
Photo: Learning Gate Community School
For more information: Email ecofest@learninggate.org or call (813)948-4190 extension 313 or check out the event on Facebook
9 Fun Events At Tampa Riverfest 2023
It's spring! Now, time to celebrate what we have in Tampa with Tampa Riverfest 2023. Riverwalk gets its own festival each year the first week of May. Here's a list of what you can experience.
Tampa Riverfest will take place along Riverwalk, at Curtis Hixon Riverfront Park and at Water Works Park on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Downtown Tampa celebrates Riverwalk 2023<br>(Photo by Geno/BBGI)
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Taste of the Riverwalk
Try samples from local restaurants at Taste of the Riverwalk. It happens Friday, May 5, 2023 at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park from 5:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Get your wristband that gets you access to the food tent area here.
RiverFiesta
RiverFiesta is a new part of the Riverfest celebration. On Saturday, May 6, RiverFiesta takes place at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park from 11 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.
Check out RiverFiesta for tacos, bowls and nachos. Enjoy samples at RiverFiesta by ordering your wristband online.
Paddle Invasion
The City of Tampa will be invaded Saturday morning, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and running, or rather, paddling through 1 p.m. Not by pirates, but by paddleboards, surfskis and canoes.
Join Urban Kai and Friends of the Riverwalk in one of their two races. There's a long one (6 miles) or a short race (2 miles). Learn more here.
Riverfest Lantern Parade
Saturday evening, you can participate in the Riverfest Lantern Parade or just enjoy it from the sidelines. Decorated paper lanterns travel a mile down the parade route lighting up Riverwalk. It begins at Water Works Park at 8:30 p.m. Saturday night, May 6.
Riverfest Market
Another new event is the Riverfest Market at Water Works Park. It's free to explore the vendors from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. There will be music on the Water Works Park Stage plus food trucks for when you get hungry.
Hot Air Balloon Glow
Returning for 2023 is the Hot Air Balloon Glow. Enjoy as hot air balloons light up the sunset sky. The balloons take to the sky beginning at 8:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday evenings at Curtis Hixon Park.
Yoga In The Park
Yoga in the Park is back for Riverfest 2023. Join the hour-long morning yoga Saturay, May 6th beginning at 9 a.m. Yoga in the Park is hosted by The Calm Collective. There's no registration necessary but they welcome donations. Bring everything you think you'll need, including at mat. They will not be provided.
Weiner Dog Derby
Among the most popular events from Riverfest is The Florida Wiener Dog Derby. Saturday, May 6th at 10 a.m., check out the derby as Curtis Hixon Park goes to the dogs. Dachshunds race in what may be the largest gathering of weiner dogs in Florida.
There's the derby, plus "Best Nose," "Speed Trap," "Costume Contest," "Kissing Contest" and "Best Tail." Dachshunds are welcome to participate from 4 months to 18 years of age. Winners from the various division champions my qualify for the Florida Circuit Championship of the National Dachshund Race Circuit.
There will also be fun races for all dog breeds, plus games, raffles, auctions and the chance to adopt a dog! Click here for more information about the event and registration.
Riverfest VIP Tent
Interested in being a VIP? If you get a ticket to the VIP tent in Curtis Hixon Park, you can partake of refreshments, light foods, plus front-row for the entertainment.
Friday, May 5th, 5 p.m ,until 10 p.m. and Saturday, May 6th from, 4 p.m, get your wristband for access to the VIP Tent. Drinks include beer, soda, water and cockatails. (Guests must be 21 or older to enter VIP Tent)
Live Music
Don't forget the stages with live entertainment! Click here to see the full lineup of artists.
