Thanks, again, Mayor Bob. No, not for the two-term, Buckhorn run, although you’ve been the CEO-cheerleader-steward during downtown’s revitalizing makeover. No, this is for eight years of the River O’Green Fest, an homage to the Irish where the river and the beer both flow green.
When you are the O’Neills and you celebrate your wedding anniversary on St. Patrick’s Day, hanging out along an emerald-colored river while listening to live music courtesy of the Irish Buskers and Paddy O’Furniture is special. It’s also an exercise in goofy, Irish-themed costuming, including for pets, little lads and lasses and seniors multi-tasking as they savor a Guinness while navigating a walker. There was also good-humored winks and nods to those sporting (Larry Bird) Celtic jerseys and green-and-gold USF Bulls shirts. What the hell, close enough. T-shirts once again ranged from the witty to the semi-risqué. From “Save the Ales” to “Let’s Get Lucked Up.” My favorite: “So this Irishman walks out of a bar–no, seriously, it really can happen.”
But because this was St. Paddy’s weekend–and this is Tampa–the crowd was diverse. Like the Children’s Gasparilla Parade. White. Black. Hispanic. Old. Young. Laughing, dancing. No need to be authentically shanty on St. Patrick’s. Everyone’s honorary Irish. It’s the highest compliment.
Only one aberration. Amid the flotilla of watercraft near Curtis Hixon Park was a group of four boats that were anchored and tethered together. Most notable was a reminder that there’s a thin line between a sexy bikini bottom and a wedgie. Also notable, a prominent blue Trump flag.
No, you can’t avoid them. You just have to remember that you do outnumber them.