MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre

MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds
Former names Ford Amphitheatre (2005-10)
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre (2010-12)
Live Nation Amphitheatre (2013)
Address 4802 N U.S. Hwy 301
Tampa, FL 33610
Location Florida State Fairgrounds
Owner Florida State Fair Authority
Operator Live Nation
Type Amphitheatre
Capacity 20,000
Opened July 25, 2004
Website
Venue Info

The MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre (originally Ford Amphitheatre and formerly 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre and Live Nation Amphitheatre) is an outdoor amphitheatre in Tampa, Florida. The venue is located on the Florida State Fairgrounds, adjacent to Interstate 4, in the eastern side of town. With a capacity of approximately 20,000, it is the largest concert-only facility in the Tampa Bay Area.

About the venue

Originally named the Ford Amphitheatre, when opened by The Cure's Curiosa Festival on July 25, 2004, it was renamed the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre when the naming rights were purchased by the lawyer referral service for 2010 to 2012.[1] The name change was not well received. In an online poll accompanying an article on the subject in the St. Petersburg Times, 95% of people responded with either "I hate it" or "I think it's pretty lame".[2] At the beginning of 2013, it was announced Live Nation chose not the renew the naming rights for the facility. For the first five months of 2013, the venue was known as the Live Nation Amphitheatre.[3] On May 15, 2013, MidFlorida Credit Union, a Florida-based financial institution acquired the naming rights for three years.[4]

The amphitheater has played host to many music festivals. On the first Sunday of every December, it hosts 97X's Next Big Thing, an all day rock festival, mainly featuring alternative rock bands.

Bands that perform there must obey a decibel limit, due to noise complaints from residents that live close to the venue. A wall was erected in an attempt to help shield the noise.

Events

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.theledger.com/article/20100610/NEWS/6105043/1338
  2. ↑ Sarah Hutchins and Kim Wilmath (10 June 2010). "Ford Amphitheatre gets a new name: 1-800-ASK-GARY". St. Petersburg Times. tampabay.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  3. ↑ http://www.wfla.com/story/20969903/do-not-ask-harry-no-more
  4. ↑ http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/blogs/soundboard/os-midflorida-credit-union-amphitheatre-tampa-live-nation-renames-tampa-venue-midflorida-credit-union-a-20130515,0,2495173.post
  5. ↑ http://www.livenation.com/events/265609/nov-9-2013/coastline-festival-a-musiculinary-experience

External links

Coordinates: 27°59′39″N 82°21′53″W / 27.994060°N 82.364609°W