2019 was a year for the books at Panther Island Pavilion. The venue hosted 47 events which attracted over 228,000 people. Read below fun highlights from the past year.
- Raising funds and awareness for worthy causes were the shining stars of 2019. Panther Island Pavilion served as the host venue for 12 various third-party walk, runs, and rides. Nearly $2 million dollars were raised and more than 200 miles of the Trinity Trails were utilized for fundraising events such as Mimosa Run, Jude Walk/Run, JDRF One Walk, and, Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
- Disco Donnie’s inaugural festival, Ubbi Dubbi, was a new addition at Panther Island Pavilion this past April. Featuring national acclaimed EDM artists bands such as (names). This sold-out event hosted a wide array of fans from all 50 states and 6 different countries bringing in around 45,000 attendees over two days! After the festival was completed, Disco Donnie donated $15,000 to three local Fort Worth nonprofits, Fort Worth POA “Cops For Kids”, Fort Worth B-Cycle, and Girls Rock Fort Worth. Lastly, Ubbbi Dubbi helped Panther Island Pavilion be mentioned in “Is Fort Worth the Next Big Festival Destination” by Mix247EDM!
- Another new event that made its debut at Panther Island Pavilion was the nation-wide Water Lantern Festival. Visitors were able to create their own personalized rice lanterns that were made out of rice paper and wood. Lanterns were decorated with anything from a picture of a loved one to an inspirational quote. Once released, the lanterns gathered and floated down the Trinity River together in harmony.
- The Cody Johnson Throwdown returned to Panther Island Pavilion for its fourth year. Cody Johnson not only brought the party but brought another sell-out show to Panther Island Pavilion! Chris Colston kicked off the concert and despite the pop-up thunderstorm, the party continued throughout the night with Ronnie Milsap performing before COJO took the stage.
- A signature Panther Island Pavilion event, Fort Worth’s Fourth, returned for its 12th year. This year the entertainment was stacked with the returning of the 95.9 The Ranch Battle of the Bald Eagle, Party Machine Band, and Poo Live Crew. Patrons witnessed an F-16 Flyover provided by 301st Fighter Wing as well as the singing of our national anthem by Fort Worth’s very own and a star of the hit TV show “The Voice”, Austin Allsup. The night ended with the largest fireworks show in North Texas on July 4th. See y’all at the same place, same time next year!
- Summer brought more music, tubing, and sunshine! Eight years rocking the river banks, Rockin’ the River, the all-day Saturday event brought in around 14,000 people over six weeks. The summer tubing and music series showcased 30 Texas Country, Rock, and Blues bands and six firework shows to end each night.
- PROST y’all! This year’s Oktoberfest Fort Worth This three-day German Festival ended on Saturday, September 28. The festival was full of authentic German food, bier, entertainment, and shopping vendors and the biggest yet bringing in a record attendance of 18,000!
- The second Koe Wetzel’s Incredible Music Festival was hosted at Panther Island Pavilion this fall! This all-day festival brought a sold-out crowd full of fun and music. Koe brought the party with Parker McCollum, Cody Canada & the Departed, and Chris Colston. Attendees enjoyed a large 50-foot water slide, Ferris wheel, mustache rides and the more. The night ended with a BANG, large fireworks show across the riverbank.
- Recreation on the river was bigger than ever thanks to Backwoods Paddlesports. The retailer operated 9 months (March-November) of the year for their 7th season! Renting more than 5,600 kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddleboards on the Trinity River at Panther Island Pavilion. Customers also had the opportunity to help clean the Trinity and helped collect 207 bags of trash during their time out on the river. With the growing popularity of the river recreation, Backwoods added on Sunset and Night paddles which hosted 69 people! Participants were treated to complimentary beer at the conclusion of the paddle courtesy of our community partner, Wild Acre Brewing Co.
- Fort Worthians and visitors were able to experience a part of the Trinity River most have never seen. Panther Island Boat Tours opened at Panther Island Pavilion in July! Spectators chose from several types of tours that included the rich history of the river and how it shaped Fort Worth. PIBT even had a sunset cruise with dinner! They served a total of 2,100 customers and picked up 25 bags of trash while out on the river.
- Lastly, Bike-sharing on Panther Island Pavilion has made it easier than ever to hop on and off at the venue and enjoy the Trinity Trails for an outdoor, emission-free adventure. Averaging more than 7.46 per day, over 2,350 bikes were checked out at the Taylor Circle station ranking it as the 7th best performing location out of 46 stations in 2019!