TAMPA, Fla. — Local officials are warning residents and visitors to plan ahead for a logistical whirlwind this Saturday, March 14, as a wave of high-profile events is expected to bring tens of thousands of people into the downtown area. With the River O’ Green festival, the Rough Riders St. Patrick’s Parade, and a Zach Bryan concert all landing on the same day, the City of Tampa is urging the public to consider alternatives to driving.
The day kicks off early with a volleyball tournament at the Tampa Convention Center at 8 a.m., followed by the annual dyeing of the Hillsborough River at 11 a.m. in Curtis Hixon Park. Sports fans will also be out in force for a 1 p.m. Yankees spring training game at Steinbrenner Field and a 7 p.m. Lightning game at Benchmark International Arena.
To keep things moving, the city is promoting the use of the free TECO Line Streetcar, DASH service, HART buses, and rentable scooters or bikes. Officials noted that all downtown city-owned parking garages offer free covered bicycle parking for those looking to skip the gridlock.
A significant hurdle for drivers will be the St. Patrick’s Parade, which begins at 2 p.m. Due to the route, the Poe Garage will be completely inaccessible between 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., with no vehicles permitted to enter or exit during that window.
Road closures will be rolled out in stages. Staging areas around North Boulevard and Laurel Street close at 9 a.m., followed by the main parade route—including major sections of Ashley Drive and Cass Street—at 11 a.m. By 1:30 p.m., key stretches of Florida Avenue and Tampa Street will also shut down.
“Do not just leave your drive to luck,” the City of Tampa stated in a traffic advisory. “Prepare for a packed Saturday in and around downtown.”
For those needing to navigate the area, the city has posted a full list of closures at Tampa.gov/road-closures and parking details at Tampa.gov/parking.
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