No, it’s not exactly stop-the-presses stuff. But Flugtag is coming back.
That’s the festive, funky competition that features teams and their home-made “flying machines,” and it will return to Tampa this fall. The Red Bull Flugtag, which began in Vienna in 1991, was here in 2008 when it drew some 100,000 spectators–and three dozen participating teams–to the downtown (Seddon Channel) waterfront. It was a salute to teamwork, youthful exuberance, the creative use of PVC pipe and duct tape, and unadulterated fun. It was laugh therapy–from goofy choreography to a “flying machine” designed as a Cuban sandwich–when the economy seemed headed off a cliff. We needed a diversion desperately.
Here in Tampa, we’re used to hosting stuff. Super Bowls and Final Fours and now a national political convention next year. And Gasparilla every year. We think in terms of national profile, economic impact and signature, celebratory event. And we’re lucky to have them.
But sometimes, it’s refreshing to just, well, gather and laugh. In an era of an individually-wired citizenry and virtual experiences, there are decreasing opportunities to literally come together as a community. And as opposed to a game or a concert, this one is free. Belly flops and belly laughs on the house.
And here’s a stat from Flugtag I: A crowd of 100,000 and only five misdemeanor arrests. That’s some serious fun.