Name the Flamingo contest announcement delayed as judges review more than 65,000 entries

The good news: Tampa International Airport’s Name the Flamingo contest has been wildly popular! TPA received more than 65,000 entries from people worldwide eager to name the Airport’s famous 21-foot sculpture in the Main Terminal.

Because of the high volume of entries, however, TPA’s judges need a little more time. The panel was tasked with thoroughly reviewing tens of thousands of names and choosing the three most deserving options for public voting. With so many creative entries and compelling reasons from contest participants, Airport officials have decided to extend the judging period.

The contest was free to enter and highly publicized when it opened on Nov. 29. TPA originally aimed for a Dec. 12 reveal of the three name choices for the public vote.

The judges, made up of Hillsborough County Aviation Authority employees who have been closely involved with the flamingo’s installation and public interaction, are in ongoing discussions about the names. The three finalists will be named later this month on TPA's social media pages.