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Let's get this party started: A photo review of Tampa

By Chip Weiner on Fri, Aug 24, 2012 at 11:45 pm

Wow, there's even an official welcoming committee.

This sign on I-275 by Armenia Ave. reminds me of the old bumper sticker, "Thanks for coming, leave your money and go home."

The food is hot

If there's a windfall from this citywide prom, it is going to be primarily for the service industry. The Bungalow Restaurant on Kennedy Boulevard is attempting to get its fair share.

The king's palace is lit

City Hall looks beautiful at night with its new lights, paint job and renovated clock.
There's even a head cheerleader

Mayor Bob Buckhorn keeps referring to his party dress and ruby red slippers. He's ready for the prom as well. Every party needs a little tokenism and he is it. I wonder what it feels like to be one of the only invited Democrats in a room of 50,000 Republicans?

The party decorations are hung with care.

This art display at Tampa International Airport was exhibited specifically for the Republican National Convention.

What kind of party would it be with no propaganda?

This sign was seen on Kennedy Boulevard.

And even the alleged party crashers (depending on who you ask) are getting thier act together.

Romneyville, which has been around for several weeks housing those who would protest, is getting bigger by the day. A spokesman there said they expect the population to double every day before the convention.

The chaperones are at their stations

Cliff Falkenhayn is one of the many volunteers at the airport. He believes he's a natural for the job of welcoming people to Tampa because he used to work at jewelry stores in Chicago and believes he is a good schmoozer.

Now… All there is left to do is to lock out the riffraff and… Hey wait a minute?

Here's what Curtis Hixon Park looks like today. If you're not somebody, you're not going in. Welcome!

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Chip Weiner

The party house is ready.

After years in the planning, months of preparation and attention to detail in the final days (along with the tens of millions of dollars that have been spent), Tampa is looking pretty sweet. Here are some pictures of the preparations for Tampa's big prom.

The Dance hall is ready.

The party hall is set to go. The Tampa Bay Times forum has been through a huge transformation — including a name change.

The invitations have been sent and the guests are arriving.

This weekend thousands of guests are expected to arrive at Tampa international Airport, which underwent several million dollars worth of recent renovations.