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For 2,000, lights art beats watching Bucs

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 8, 2006

TAMPA - Mayor Pam Iorio rolled up to the University of Tampa's Plant Hall on Saturday, rock star style, in a HARTline trolley bathed in pink lights.

She introduced the Lights on Tampa display, a new public art program that featured eight artists from as far as Paris to illuminate downtown.

"This is really a special moment for the city of Tampa," she said. "This is just the beginning of so many great things."

Despite a competing Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff game and temperatures in the 40s, an estimated 2,000 people turned out to see the display.

Bundled in blankets and sweaters, people milled around downtown sipping cocoa and coffee purchased from street vendors and visiting restaurants, some that stayed open late for the event.

John and Leslie Marsh of South Tampa brought their two young sons to learn about art firsthand.

"It is a sacrifice missing the playoff game," said John. "Plus, it's cold. We're Floridians, and we've got multiple layers on."

Jane Toombs of Davis Islands came with her sister LouAnn Ruppel of St. Petersburg. The Buccaneers' low score had a hand in their outing.

"They were losing," Toombs said, so she figured "we might as well go do something else."

[Last modified January 8, 2006, 00:43:05]