Tampa is no stranger to big, signature events. We’ve hosted Super Bowls, Final Fours and–in less than a year–the Republican National Convention. They get us thinking about national profile and economic profit and civic pride.
Well, let’s hear it for last Saturday’s international Red Bull Flugtag competition that drew 125,000 spectators–and 38 teams and their home-made “flying machines”–to the downtown waterfront outside the Tampa Convention Center. It was a festive, funky salute to teamwork, youthful exuberance, the creative use of PVC pipe and duct tape and unadulterated fun.
“We want to be a hip city, and events like these are what will do that,” gushed Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, among the 125,000 onlookers.
Call it diversion therapy. This wasn’t Occupy Tampa. Or Gasparilla intemperance. Sometimes it’s refreshing to just gather and laugh.
In an era of individually-wired citizenry and virtual experiences, there are decreasing opportunities to literally come together as a community. As opposed to a game or a concert, there’s no admittance charge to bear witness to Willy Wonka’s Amazing Flying Adventure team, the St. Petersburg-based winner. Just hang out and watch. Belly flops and belly laughs on the house.
Thanks, we needed that.