Maybe you should buy sunscreen! July 21-24, 2024, the National Association of Free Will Baptists will host its 88th National Convention in Tampa, Florida, returning to the city for the first time since 2013. This year, convention attendees will take a closer look at what it means to be “Doers of the Word,” while the Vertical 3 Conference theme is “Follow Me.”
I’m not sure we could pick a more beautiful destination for the convention. The historic city of Tampa sprawls along the Sun Coast on the Gulf of Mexico side of Florida. In 2023, the Tampa Riverwalk, located beside the convention center, was numbered among the top ten riverside walks/trails in the nation. Riverwalk attractions include restaurants, parks, an aquarium, museums, and even a bowling alley. In addition, you can tour the American Victory Ship, one of only four fully operational WWII ships in the country.
The population of the Greater Tampa Bay region has exploded during the decade since the convention last met in the city, expected to top 5 million residents during the next three years. Visitors may find it hard to recognize the vastly changed downtown Tampa skyline. Growth in the area has brought a wide variety of new businesses, flavors, and cultures. However, at least when it comes to eating, it is an old favorite that draws the most attention.
The Taste of Tampa
Tampa claims to be the birthplace of the Cuban sandwich, first served by restaurants in Ybor City. According to the menu at The Columbia Restaurant, a Ybor City landmark, the sandwich started as a snack for Cuban cigar factory workers in the 1890s and represents five “waves” of immigrants: “The Spanish brought the ham, the Sicilians the Genoa salami, the Cubans the mojo-marinated roast pork, and the Germans and Jews the Swiss cheese, pickle, and mustard.”
The sandwich and the city have become so inseparable that in 2012, the Tampa City Council approved a resolution establishing the “Historic Cuban Sandwich” as the city’s official sandwich (including a detailed recipe in the resolution). You will find numerous places to sample this savory sandwich made with ham, (mojo) roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard—and sometimes salami—on grilled Cuban bread. (Although expect each shop, stand, and restaurant to have its own “twist” on the traditional favorite.)
Transportation
Worried about transportation in this bustling metropolis? Take heart! Tampa International Airport is only a 15-minute drive from the convention center. And for a memorable way to explore the city, check out the TECO Line Streetcars. The historic trolleys run past the Tampa Convention Center and ten other key sites every 15 minutes. The best part? The trolleys are free! Find more info: tecolinestreetcar.org.
You can also hit the waterways without getting your feet wet with Pirate Water Taxi, a fleet of six pirate-themed vessels along the downtown Tampa riverway. The covered boats offer daily tours of Tampa, with stops all along the route near attractions, museums, restaurants, and parks. Purchase tickets online or at the home dock at the convention center. Once purchased, you will receive a wristband allowing you to hop on and off the taxi at any stop the entire day. Visit piratewatertaxi.com.
Tourist Tips
If you love nature and the outdoors, Tampa is a great place for you! Find these (and many other) beautiful Gulf Coast and Tampa Bay options within a 20-minute drive:
Bayshore Fitness Trail (1 min)
Palmetto Beach (7 min)
Davis Island (7 min)
Desoto Park (8 min)
McKay Bay Nature Park (8 min)
Ben T. Davis Beach (14 min)
Gardenville Beach (17 min)
Picnic Island Beach (19 min)
Gandy Beach Mangroves (20 min)
Like I said, buy that sunscreen, and let’s start counting the days until we gather in Tampa!
About the Writer: Tori Matlock and her husband Cody are members of the church revitalization team at Hilltop Church in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Tori is a member of National Convention press team.
