Buccaneers bring NFL draft celebration to downtown St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WINK)—The Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought their draft party to the streets of downtown St. Petersburg for the first time as fans gathered to see who would join a roster with playoff hopes.

The team filled Central Avenue with fans, music and anticipation for the NFL Draft. WINK News sports reporter Alex Orenczuk was at the event as the excitement built ahead of the first-round selection.

Die-hard Bucs fan and season ticket holder Rena Smart attended the party along with Gilmer Reisiger, who drove from Fort Myers for the event.

"I come to every draft event. I never miss a game. I never sell my tickets. I always go to every home game. Last year, I went to several away games. And what brings me up here, I want to see who we draft, and I want to be here to experience the hype," Smart said.

The Buccaneers held the 15th pick in the first round after finishing last season with an 8-9 record.