While 2020 was a challenging year, 2021 brought new opportunities. This year Panther Island Pavilion was determined to provide an outlet for people to get out and enjoy outdoor events safely! From concerts, festivals, runs and bike rides, this year had record-setting numbers and was PACKED with over 40 memory-making events! Check out our highlights below:
- We had a variety of NEW events that took over the pavilion this year! We jammed out with DJ Tiesto, Meduza, Deadbeats Tour and Lord Huron! We ran our heart out at Too Cold to Hold, St. Paddy’s Day Run and the Justice Reform! Lastly, we tasted delicious samples at the Go Texan Food, Wine and Music Festival and got together as a community for the ‘I am Juneteenth’ Festival. All these new events brought fun family-friendly activities to Panther Island Pavilion for the city to enjoy!
- One new nationwide festival that came to the pavilion this year was FitCon. This two-day fitness expo showed up and showed out with an attendance of 6,000! Attendees enjoyed vendors, meet and greets, shows, panel discussions, free ax throwing as well as the ability to witness multiple fitness competitions!
- As much as we are in love with the new, we are still head over heels for our fan-favorite returning events this year!! We got our steps in for the Run und Ride, Fort Worth Marathon and Pumpkin Spice runs. We spent time with loved ones at the Water Lantern Festival. Car seats for Cowtown and the Cigar and Spirits Tasting was a blast! Then we sang our hearts out at the River and Blues Festival and sold-out Cody Johnson concert. These returning events never disappoint and are fan favorites for a reason!
- The following events raised money during their events:
- The Justice Reform raised $156,937 for the Justice Residences, long-term residence homes for sex-trafficking survivors.
- The ‘I am Juneteenth’ Festival raised $20,000 for Unity Unlimited Inc. A non-profit that provides educational activities and resources to people to foster unity and harmony within the community.
- The River and Blues Festival donated money to the Ronal McDonald House. The goal of this non-profit is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children.
- The goal of Car Seats for Cowtown was to raise money and receive donated car seats for Fort Worth Cops for Kids.
- Summer in Fort Worth can always be described as hot and humid. What better way to escape the Texas heat than by spending your summertime at Panther Island Pavilion! Throughout the summer, thousands of people dressed in their favorite swimsuits and came out to enjoy our hot hangouts! Sunday Funday as well as our daily concessions and rentals allowed the city of Fort Worth and fellow tourists to relax in a tube on the Trinity River while enjoying time with their friends or family!
- A favorite Fort Worth summer tradition is Rockin the River. This event took over the pavilion 6 times during the summer! For the 10th year, attendees were able to enjoy five bands, tubing, and a fireworks show every Saturday from July 3rd to August 7th.
- Fort Worth’s Fourth had the largest turnout at the pavilion to date! This event had a record-setting attendance of 92,043 people. Families and friends came out in their best red, white and blue attire to celebrate this amazing holiday together at Panther Island Pavilion. It was definitely a crowd-pleaser, with the biggest firework display in the history of the event!
- Panther Island Pavilion was transported to Germany this year with Oktoberfest Fort Worth. This event had a record-breaking turnout of over 21,000 people! Attendees of this festival got to enjoy all the German festivities of Oktoberfest. There were numerous activities for everyone to enjoy from German bands, food and lots of bier! This family-friendly event was even the perfect spot for kids with a variety of carnival rides and food. It was without a doubt the best polka party of the year!
- On November 11, 2021, the 102nd Veterans Day Parade was assembled in the parking lot of Panther Island Pavilion. Prior to the start of the parade, the Golden Knights, members of the U.S. Army’s Parachute Team, landed at Panther Island Pavilion. Following the Golden Knights was an opening ceremony and a Marine Corps Flyover at 11:00 am to kick off the parade!
- For the 9th season, Backwoods Paddlesports offered canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals on the Trinity River at Panther Island! These rentals allowed for increased recreation activities for friends and families to enjoy the river!
- The Fort Worth Bike Sharing B-cycle station, located at Taylor Circle, allows for a fun and exciting way to enjoy Panther Island by seeing the Trinity Trails, Panther Island Pavilion, and more! This year the Panther Island Pavilion B-cycle location was ranked as the 4thoverall performing station with over 4,700 bike checkouts!