NHL All-Star Game caps busy weekend in Tampa

TAMPA (FOX 13) - It was a busy weekend in Tampa. It started with Gasparilla, the city’s biggest party, and culminated in the NHL All Star Game at Amalie Arena.

“You can feel it in the air, honestly, everyone’s in to it,” said bartender Christina Matthews.

It was one for Tampa’s history books.  

“It is awesome the All-Star Game is on Gasparilla weekend. It’s been crazy downtown, the streets packed,” said hockey fan Jake Tubbs.

Local businesses, especially Tampa’s watering holes, report seeing an influx of spending.

“I think its going to be the biggest weekend of the year by far,” said bartender Chloe Equizi.

Among the crowd taking in the All-Star game was FOX 13 reporter Evan Axelbank.

“The great thing about this it’s a celebration of hockey. It’s a celebration of what Tampa Bay has become in terms of a hockey town and to me that’s the most special thing."

Next year the NHL All-Star game moves to San Jose, California.