Tampa cancels annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition of dyeing the river green
TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa will not turn the Hillsborough River green this year for St. Patrick's Day due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement issued Saturday, the city said the decision was made with community health in mind.
The annual dyeing of the river is typically part of the Mayor's River O’Green Fest,' a St. Patrick's Day celebration in downtown Tampa that typically includes live entertainment, games, kids activities and food trucks.
Event organizers said they encourage everyone to celebrate safely by turning beverages green and supporting local restaurants for traditional Irish fare.
WATCH: Tampa tests green dye in Hillsborough River
Though the celebration has been canceled, the famous Larry the Leprechaun is still scheduled to make cameo appearances downtown.
The city plans to resume the tradition in 2022.
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