MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Music venue at Florida State Fairgrounds, Tampa, United States.
The MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre is an outdoor amphitheater at the Florida State Fairgrounds in East Lake-Orient Park, Florida. A white fabric canopy in two curved sections covers the pavilion, supported by dark metal beams, trusses, and columns. The venue holds about 20,000 people: 9,900 reserved seats and 10,000 on the lawn.
The venue opened as the Ford Amphitheatre on July 23, 2004, with a concert by Michael W. Smith, David Crowder and headliner Mercy Me. From 2010 to 2012 it was named the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre, a change 95% of respondents in a St. Petersburg Times poll disliked. Live Nation dropped the naming rights in 2013, and MidFlorida Credit Union bought them on May 15, 2013.
The venue hosts 97X's Next Big Thing, an all-day alternative rock festival held on the first Sunday of every December. Bands must keep within a decibel limit after noise complaints from nearby residents, and a wall was built to help block the sound.
The grounds open two hours before showtime, with parking directly at the venue. Most shows go ahead in rainy weather, though performances may pause during lightning or strong storms.
The stage faces in a direction that lets the sun set behind the audience during most evening shows, avoiding direct glare on guests. Many visitors spot bats flying over the lawn during concerts, as they are common in the area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,460 contributors worldwide.