598 Fifth Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg
It's a sprawling tract of waterfront property within walking distance of downtown St. Pete — but far enough from the condos so that the volume can be cranked for rowdy events like Rib Fest and Warped Tour. Granted, The grounds get hot as a crotch in front of the main stage(s) during the mean summer months, but there's shade and usually a decent breeze found farther back, typically facing The Pier.
Memories: The Tampa Bay Blues Festival, held there since 1995, bringing to town acts ranging from Buddy Guy to Mavis Staples • Honky tonk hero Hank Williams Jr.'s appropriately patriotic performance shortly after 9/11 • Gainesville punks Against Me! rocking the mostly teen masses with a triumphant homecoming gig at last summer's Warped Tour • But our favorite memory? Watching the Goth Kids — in their black jeans and long-sleeve shirts — jump into the water at a mid-July Warped Tour several years back … and then frantically scramble to climb the seawall after they mistook frolicking dolphins for sharks.
Capacity: 30,000
Grub: Usually ample vendors
Booze: Usually beer and wine
Next big show: Rib Fest with The Doobie Brothers, Sat., Nov. 15
This article appears in Nov 12-18, 2008.