1. Any Rainstorm Can Cause Flooding
We all remember that crazy week in the middle of this past summer where it rain so much that the flooding actually closed down 275. Although no matter if it rains for 2 minutes to 2 weeks, it always floods in Tampa. The city should give out rain boots with every new Tampa Dweller as a welcome gift.
2. Tampa Weather Is Crazy
You can be walking through river walk in shorts and tank top, but make sure you are carrying an umbrella. Even though you are dying because of the heat in 5 minutes it will be pouring down rain. But don’t worry, it won’t last long so in 10 minutes it will either be over or you will have walked out of the rain cloud and back into the sweltering heat.
3. I4 Corridor War
UCF is a dirty word around here. Everyone in Tampa - whether they are a University of South Florida (USF) student or a University of Tampa (UT) student - hates UCF with a passion. They are Tampa’s collegiate arch nemesis. Anything they can do we can do better and will ALWAYS do it better.
4. Gasparilla Is A Major Holiday
Anyone who lives in Tampa knows about Gasparilla, it is what makes January the best month of the year. This pirate invasion is the best one of the year; with a 4.8 stars out of 5 Gasparilla is an event that no Tampa dweller will miss.
5. People Turn Their Hazards On In The Rain
No matter whether you are driving on I75, 275, Fowler, Hillsborough Ave, Dale Mabry highway or Nebraska Ave anytime it starts raining you will have those dumb drivers that turn on their hazards in a second. These drivers are usually the cause of your "normal" horrible Tampa traffic. These drives in Tampa must not know that it is illegal to turn on your hazards in the rain, using your hazards are for stopped vehicles only (with the exception for funeral precession). For all you confused drivers here is a link to the 2014 Florida Driver's Handbook.
6. Instead Of Worrying About A Hurricane You Start To Plan Your Party
Anywhere else in the country people will get prepared for hurricanes, buying sandbags, boarding up windows and stocking up on water and nonperishable items… But in Tampa we get prepared for hurricane parties! We go out and buy chips, alcohol, and make sure we have enough board games in case the power goes out.
7. We Don't Participate In Winter Months
While almost every other state in the United States takes part in Winter Florida likes to sit back and laugh. Most start to bundle up in December, buying big winter coats and taking out the long sleeves we just continue in our “a little less hot” time of year. This November Tampa has been experiencing some record breaking heat. While it has started to snow in the New England here in Tampa the temperature hit a (record breaking) high at 92 degrees. This temperature broke the 1960 record high of 90. For more information of the heat destroying our November check out Bay News 9 and The Weather Channel.
8. We Have Busch Gardens
On March 31, 1959, Tampa opened its very own theme park. Tampa is home to Busch Gardens where many records were made and broken since the opening in 59. Busch Gardens was the first theme park in the United States to have a dive coaster aka SheiKra. In addition to breaking that record, Busch Gardens very own Scorpion was opened in 1980 and is one of three left in the world of its kind. For more interesting information on Busch Gardens check out BGWFans.
9. Everyone Hates the Walmart on Fletcher
This is the one Walmart that everyone is happy that it closes at midnight. Everyone hates it. Even celebrity visitors that we have had to Tampa say that it's crappy. Anthony Chico Bean came to USF's for the "Nick Cannon presents Wild 'n' out" earlier this year and said during his routine that he went to the Walmart on Fletcher and "turned around as quick as he could."
10. We Have Our Own Flag
In 1930, the official Tampa Bay flag was created by F. Grant Whitney.On July 1, 1930, the Board of Representatives passed Mayor D. B McKay's recommendation for the flag to be adopted. Earlier this year a petition was started to actually change the flag of Tampa. You can find the petitions here and talk with fellow Tampa Dwellers about changing the Tampa flag.
11. You Go To The Beach In December
Most people (outside of FL) spend their Decembers staying inside trying to keep warm. While here in Tampa it is actually our "niceish" time of the year. We still spend our days of December traveling to Clearwater, Madera Beach, and Treasure Island. We build “sandman’s” swim in the water and keep our tans… or for some of us keep our burns.
12. We Love Our Sports
Whether you are going to Raymond James Stadium to support the University of South Florida Bulls or Tampa Bay Buccaneers you can always see the pride flowing through the streets of Tampa. We cannot forget about our other great sports teams, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Lightning otherwise known as the Bolts play at the Amalie arena it's always fun to watch them play. You can find tickets for them here. The Rays - Tampa's baseball team - plays their games at Tropicana Field, you can find tickets for those games here.
