(To the tune of “When the Saints Come Marching In”)

Oh Tampa Bay!

Oh Tampa Bay!

Oh Tampa Bay is wonderful!

We have the beach,

Beer,

And the Lightning!

Oh Tampa Bay is wonderful!

As a sports community, Tampa is often overlooked on the map as serious sports fans because of the lack of history and tradition that teams and fans of the area have compared to more established cities and franchises across the United States.

Since being granted two professional sports franchises in the 90’s, the Rays of MLB and the Lightning in the NHL, fans in the Tampa Bay area have slowly traded in the colors of the teams they grew up cheering for in other cities for the colors of their new, exciting home town teams. As time has gone on, the relationship between these teams and their fan bases has blossomed, especially with the hockey team.

When the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004, it came in what has been the closest thing to a “golden-age” of sports in the Tampa Bay area; the Bucs had won the Super Bowl two years earlier, the Rays were in the beginning stages of building a contender, and the Bolts were one of the best teams in hockey. After the Lightning won the Cup that year, their popularity in the Tampa region exploded. Countless new, young hockey fans that may have never been exposed to the fast-paced, frozen sport were born out of the success of that team and the ability to connect with those stars.

Fast forward 11 years, and the young, hungry fans that were made during the days of Lecavalier and Andrechuk are now experienced fans; rabid followers that are ready to lead a new generation of Tampa Bay sports fans.

The Sticks of Fire is a group of these young fanatics that over the past two seasons have built a following at Lightning home games. Making camp in section 307 of Amalie Arena, the rowdy cavalry of Lightning supporters are known for being the most boisterous, passionate, and proud Floridian hockey fans that the city has possibly seen in the two decades of Lightning hockey.

Starting at the beginning of the 2014 season, the group was conceived by a group of friends native to Tampa that regularly attended home games together, looking to bring more excitement to an already energetic atmosphere at newly renovated Amalie Arena. Inspired by fans of soccer clubs in England and all over Europe, the group marches from their tailgate to the arena one hour before each home game, carrying large team flags and singing in unison original chants that they came up with to give energy to the team and surrounding Lightning fans.

“We just wanted to do something different,” says Sean Ruane, who is one of the original members and creators of the group. “We have amazing fans here in our community, we just wanted to show everyone else what we already knew.”

Before each game, the group meets on the corner of Jefferson and Whiting St. for a family friendly tailgate complete with games for all ages and large smoker to feed the masses. The Sticks of Fire do not look to make money, only gain new followers to join their crew. However, they do accept donations for the food supplied out of pocket from family friends giving their time and resources to the cause.

As the group looks to grow and the Bolts march toward a potential second Stanley Cup, the Sticks of Fire encourage all to come and join the festivities during this playoff season. Tailgates will be held before every home game at their traditional location, with the march down Jefferson St. beginning one hour before game time.

As the team travels on the road, so will the Sticks, hosting watch parties across the bay area. Lightning owner Jeff Vinik’s Channelside District will be the site for today’s Game 3 watch party, giving plenty of room to all to wave Lightning flags, sing along with the Sticks of Fire, and experience a new culture of hockey fans.

Traditions are built over time, and for the city of Tampa, that’s all it’s taken to establish a fan base that is ready to build those traditions with the sports franchises they have grown up with. The Sticks of Fire remind us that Tampa really is wonderful.

Be the Thunder. Be Tampa.