Inaugural Tampa Bay Margarita Festival is May 25

Seminole Heights margarita fans, unite.

The inaugural Tampa Bay Margarita Festival is headed to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park in downtown Tampa from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 25. In addition to top shelf margaritas, attendees can expect a fireworks show, beach volleyball and the sounds of four local bands.

Admission is $10, but goes up to $15 on May 10. Margaritas range in price from $6 to $8. A portion of proceeds benefits a University of South Florida nonprofit called Students in Free Enterprise, said Monica Varner, who is helping organize the festival.

Fresh lime juice, tequila and fresh agave nectar are some of the ingredients included in the margaritas. No mixes allowed.

Varner, who is working with business partner Ferdian Jap on the margarita festival, has also coordinated Tampa Bay events such as the Gasparilla Film Festival and Tampa Tee Off.

The idea for the festival came about during a brainstorming session, Varner said.

"We kind of always throw out ideas," she said. "We are business partners, and we text each other. Some ideas stick, some don't. This was one where we said, 'yes.' There isn't a margarita festival here."

Varner said she hopes the event promotes the idea of people coming to downtown Tampa for both work and play.

"Part of our mission is to to get people used to coming downtown," she said. "If we can get people downtown on a Saturday afternoon, that's great."

For more information, go to http://www.tampamargaritafest.com.