Rain and wind may have delayed some parts of the GOP convention, but the kick-off party at Tampa’s Tropicana Field went on with no problem on Sunday night, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
The party for delegates and guests featured belly dancers and a trio of flamingos from Busch Gardens, as well as Tampa-based “American Idol” contestant Shannon Magrane, the paper reports. Delegates enjoyed a red, white and blue buffet.
Police at the party estimated between 8,000 and 10,000 people were in attendance, though missing from the festivities was Karl Rove, who was at a private convention party in nearby St. Petersburg.
