MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre

The MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre is the largest concert-only facility in the Tampa Bay Area. Originally Ford Amphitheatre and formerly Amphitheatre and Live Nation Amphitheatre) it 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.

MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Full nameMidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Former namesTampa Bay Amphitheatre (planning/construction)
Ford Amphitheatre (2004–10)
1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre (2010–12)
Live Nation Amphitheatre (2013)
Address4802 N U.S. Hwy 301
Tampa, FL 33610
LocationFlorida State Fairgrounds
Coordinates27.994060°N 82.364609°W / 27.994060; -82.364609
OwnerFlorida State Fair Authority
OperatorLive Nation
TypeOutdoor
Capacity20,000
OpenedJuly 25, 2004 (2004-07-25)
Website
www.midflorida.com/amphitheatre

MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre has a capacity of approximately 20,000 (9,900 reserved seats and 10,000 on the lawn[1]).

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.[2] 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".[3] 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.[4] On May 15, 2013, MidFlorida Credit Union, a Florida-based financial institution acquired the naming rights for three years.[5]

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.

MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre was also the venue for a nearly 20,000 person Presidential Campaign rally for Donald Trump on October 24, 2016.[6]

Events

See also

References
  1. Ford Amphitheater
  2. http://www.theledger.com/article/20100610/NEWS/6105043/1338
  3. 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.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-06-24.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. 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
  6. http://wfla.com/2016/10/24/donald-trump-to-hold-campaign-rally-in-tampa/
  7. http://www.livenation.com/events/265609/nov-9-2013/coastline-festival-a-musiculinary-experience
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