Every March, something remarkable happens in the heart of downtown Tampa. The Hillsborough River turns green.

It's the signature moment of the River O' Green Festival, Tampa Downtown Partnership's beloved St. Patrick's Day celebration that transforms downtown Tampa into a community gathering unlike any other. But how exactly do you turn a river green? And how do you do it safely? That's just one of the fascinating stories behind this year's festival, taking place this Saturday, March 14.

In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri sit down with Kenyetta Hairston-Bridges, President & CEO of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to pull off one of Tampa Bay's most visually stunning and community-driven events. Kenyetta walks us through every layer of what makes River O' Green a Tampa Bay tradition: the logistics of coloring the Hillsborough River, the parade, the pet costume contest, the one-of-a-kind kids’ market, and so much more.

The conversation goes beyond the festival too, as Kenyetta shares her vision for where downtown Tampa is headed in 5-10 years and why the events Tampa Downtown Partnership puts on are about so much more than a good time.

River O' Green is this Saturday, March 14 in downtown Tampa. Let this episode be your reason to go.

The Florida State Fair is an annual tradition, bringing classic rides, live entertainment, agriculture, and family fun to Hillsborough County every February. But for many Fairgoers, the real headline act is the food, with over-the-top creations and unexpected flavor combinations that beg the question, who would actually eat that?

We would.

For the first time ever, Unlocking Tampa Bay hits the road as hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri take the podcast on location to the Florida State Fair. The episode kicks off with a conversation with Fair CEO Cheryl Flood, who shares what guests can expect at the 122nd Florida State Fair, from new attractions to fan favorites, and how America’s sunniest celebration is coming to the Fair this year as they help celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

Then it’s time to eat. A lot. Bryan and Molly roam the Fairgrounds sampling some of the most unique and buzzworthy food creations of the season, from a Reese’s Pieces donut burger to a peanut butter and jelly funnel cake and everything in between, giving listeners and viewers a front-row seat to the sights, sounds, and flavors that make the Fair a can’t-miss experience.

The Florida State Fair runs through February 16, and this special on-location episode brings the experience straight to you while giving you plenty of reasons to grab a ticket and see for yourself. Whether you’re watching on YouTube on listening on your favorite podcast platform, this is one Unlocking Tampa Bay episode you will not want to miss.

🎧 Tune in to Unlocking Tampa Bay on your favorite podcast platform and step into the future of science, innovation, and boundless imagination.

🌟 Highlights of this Episode:

Florida State Fair: Florida State Fairgrounds Tampa | 2026 Fair Feb 5-16
2026 Fair Food & Drink: 2026 Fair Food & Drink - Florida State Fair

🧳Plan Your Visit:BOOK YOUR STAY IN TAMPA BAY: https://www.visittampabay.com/stay/

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What does it take to stage one of the largest and most beloved pirate festivals in the world? In this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri welcome Matt Moss of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla for a deep dive into the history, heart, and high seas spirit behind Tampa Bay’s most iconic celebration.

Matt shares the origins of the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Parade of Pirates, how the event evolved from a weekday tradition to the massive Saturday spectacle we know today, and how he himself became a member of the storied Krewe. From practical pirate wisdom—like why you should always stuff an extra Cuban sandwich in your pocket the morning of—to behind-the-scenes stories of parade routes and traditions, Matt brings Gasparilla to life in vivid detail.

The conversation also highlights the Krewe’s impact beyond the beads. Learn about the charitable work Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla does throughout Tampa Bay like visiting children’s hospitals in full pirate regalia to awarding scholarships that change students’ lives. Matt also explains how modern traditions like the bead-free bay initiative and manatee-spotting helicopters help protect Tampa’s marine wildlife during an event that draws nearly 300,000 people and generates over $40 million in local economic impact.

It’s a conversation about history, community, and why dressing like a pirate—at least once a year—can bring joy to an entire city.

🎧 Tune in to Unlocking Tampa Bay on your favorite podcast platform and step into the future of science, innovation, and boundless imagination.

🌟 Highlights of this Episode:

Gasparilla: https://gasparillapiratefest.com/

Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla: https://ymkg.com/

Gasparilla Season: https://www.visittampabay.com/tampa-events/gasparilla-season/

🧳Plan Your Visit:

BOOK YOUR STAY IN TAMPA BAY: https://www.visittampabay.com/stay/

📲 Stay Connected with Us:

Website: https://www.visittampabay.com

Online Visitor Center: https://shop.visittampabay.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisitTampaBay

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visittampabay/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/visittampa

🎧 Don’t miss an episode—subscribe and share to spread the Tampa Bay love!

What makes Tampa Bay a destination for history, culture, and world-class craftsmanship? In this brand-new episode, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri sit down with Holden Rasmussen, Company Historian at the J.C. Newman Cigar Company, for an inside look at one of the region’s most iconic attractions.

Located in Ybor City’s historic El Reloj building, J.C. Newman is home to the last remaining large-scale, fully operational premium cigar factory in the U.S. Holden shares the fascinating stories that make this place a Tampa Bay institution—from a hidden trap door once used to safeguard cash from the mafia, to the last bale of Cuban tobacco to enter the United States, and a letter from J. Edgar Hoover thanking the company for helping identify local subversion movements in the 1950s.

Discover the artistry behind cigar rolling, from years of training for new rollers to turn-of-the-century machines still producing non-hand-rolled cigars today. Learn what makes J.C. Newman a proudly American company and a living piece of Tampa Bay’s rich history.

A 2025 Visit Tampa Bay Hospitality Hero, Holden’s passion for sharing J.C. Newman’s story makes every visitor feel welcomed and connected to Tampa’s vibrant culture

🌟 Highlights of this Episode:

• J.C. Newman Cigar Co.: https://www.jcnewman.com/
• J.C. Newman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.c.newmancigarco/
• Factory Tours & Experiences https://www.jcnewman.com/el-reloj/book-a-tour-el-reloj/
• Holden’s Hospitality Hero Video: https://youtu.be/vjALcLrUYA0?si=EeO-BaE6OxVtM61w

🧳Plan Your Visit:
BOOK YOUR STAY IN TAMPA BAY: https://www.visittampabay.com/stay/

📲 Stay Connected with Us:

• Website: https://www.visittampabay.com
• Online Visitor Center: https://shop.visittampabay.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisitTampaBay
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visittampabay/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/visittampa

What does it take to save one of Florida’s most beloved marine mammals, and how can visitors experience that mission up close? In this brand-new episode, hosts Bryan Burns and Molly Barbieri go behind the scenes with Molly Lippincott, Senior Curator of Florida and Marine Life at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, for a peek into the highly anticipated expansion of the Straz Family Manatee Rescue, opening spring 2026.

The conversation explores how this landmark project will anchor the Zoo’s largest expansion to date, Florida Waters, and offer guests an immersive, eye-level look at manatee rescue, rehabilitation, and release. Molly shares what it takes to care for this threatened species, including temperature-controlled critical care pools, specialized nutritional feeding for orphaned calves, and the complex logistics of transporting manatees across the state.

As home to the world’s largest nonprofit manatee critical care center, ZooTampa has rehabilitated more than 600 manatees since 1991, made possible in part by visitor support and the Straz Family Foundation’s transformative gift. This episode highlights how conservation, innovation, and tourism intersect in Tampa Bay, giving travelers a meaningful way to connect with Florida’s wildlife while helping protect it for generations to come.

🎧 Tune in to Unlocking Tampa Bay to get an inside look at the future of manatee conservation—and discover how visiting ZooTampa helps save lives in Florida’s waters.

🌟 Highlights of this Episode:
ZooTampa at Lowry Park: https://zootampa.org/

Plan your trip to ZooTampa at Lowry Park: https://zootampa.org/visit/

Manatee Care Center: https://zootampa.org/conservation/florida-conservation/manatees/

Upcoming events: https://zootampa.org/events/

🧳 Plan Your Visit:
Book Your Stay in Tampa Bay: https://www.visittampabay.com/stay/

📲 Stay Connected with Us:
Website: https://www.visittampabay.com
Online Visitor Center: https://shop.visittampabay.com/
Facebook: /visittampabay
Instagram: /visittampabay
Twitter: /visittampa