Tampa Bay Tailgate Fest Saturday At Curtis Hixon Park. It’s After USF-ECU Game. You Should Go.

For the third straight year, I’ll be a judge at Tampa Bay Tailgate Fest on Saturday. It is one of the best jobs in the city even though I gain multiple pounds every year doing it.

You can watch college football for free on two huge screens that overlook the Hillsborough River and UTampa’s campus. You can get food from over a dozen area restaurants while a bar serves beer and other libations. There’s live music playing as well. It’s a really fun day.

And fortunately for Bulls fans this year, USF kicks off at 12 p.m. in Greenville against ECU. So watch USF win, and then head down to the park for good times, good food, and good drinking. The first band hits the stage at 3 p.m., the food ends at 9 p.m., and the booze stops at 10 p.m.

You can buy your wristbands in advance here so you don’t have to wait in line, and keep in mind the VIP ticket comes with unlimited food and open bar.

Here’s the restaurant lineup:

Champions Sports Bar
Fuzzy's Taco Shop
Jeremiah's Italian Ice
Pokey's Rock & Roll
Sonny's BBQ
Cuatro Restaurant & Bar
The Pub
4Rivers Smokehouse
Beach Bar & Restaurant
Roux
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Little Donut House
American Social
Grillsmith
BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse