Plans for the weekend in Florida

[SoFLGal]

The Annual Strawberry Festival, Bargain Sale and Auction will be held Saturday, March 1 at the Crowninshield House, 131 Banyan Street, Boca Grande from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The festival is the fund-raiser for the Women of the United Methodist Church of Boca Grande to support missions and programs to improve the lives of children locally, at the state level and worldwide.
There will be something for everyone. The day will feature:
• Favorite homemade Strawberry Shortcake
• Bargain Sale - huge sale of household items
• Boutique Shoppe - beautiful items for little prices
• Bake Sale - wonderful homemade strawberry and other baked goods
• Men’s Grill - hotdogs, brats, chips and beverages
• Music - by the Top Hats Swing Band from Friends of Boca Grande Community Center, 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
• For children - the youth group will be providing face and nail painting and bracelets
Silent Auction - bids will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. And new this year will be a live auction with Ron Thompson at 2 p.m. There are many items for the silent and live auction including several week-long stays at different resort and condo locations, rounds of golf at Gasparilla Inn and Coral Creek Club, original pieces of jewelry, fabulous original art work and sculptures from Del-Bourree Bach, Jane Carlson, Carolyn Humke and Stacy Phillips, tickets for Royal Palm Players performances, a pen and ink drawing of your home, fishing guide trips, kayaks and paddles, boat trips to Useppa Island for lunch and dinner, take out cocktail party for 12 people and many more items. The auction items can be seen at the community Pancake Breakfast Feb. 28, 8 to 10 a.m. held at the Boca Grande United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 325 W. Third Street.
Donations will be accepted for the Bargain Sale and Boutique Shoppe of household items, books, DVD’s, art work, linens, furniture, toys and games, jewelry, accessories, and collectibles at the Crowninshield House on Thursday, Feb. 28 and Friday, Feb. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please no clothes, electronics or Christmas items.
For information about the Bargain Sale call Marsha Dishman (964-0452), Boutique Shoppe call Nancy Lyons (964-2660) and books call Elle Lewis (964-8118).
Last year the festival raised funds for child-centered missions for the island children (Fust Library’s children’s room, Community Center’s Play Program and scholarships for the Child Care Center). Also beyond the island funds were provided for Christmas gifts for children of prisoners, for Arcadia’s children (Catholic Charities), For the Love of Kids in Punta Gorda and Charlotte Homeless Coalition and for children abroad in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Cuba through missionary relationships.
For more information about the Strawberry Festival call Jane Caple (964-0469) or Diane Klepser (697-7687).

[MrTudo]

Thanks SOFLGa, you're a peach! Dang , missed it though. Anything like this coming up again around here?

The Wife loves those strawberries!

[SoFLGal]

Florida Strawberry Festival

It's one of the biggest Festivals the state has. It's in Plant City an hour and 45 minutes away or 106 miles from Port Charlotte. I think it runs through next weekend. Plant City is where all the good Florida strawberries come from

[2bohemians]

1st Annual St Patricks Parade March 15th, Santa Rosa Beach
1st Annual 30a St Patricks Parade planned for Scenic 30a in Santa Rosa Beach.

Santa Rosa Beach FL – The 1st Annual 30a St Patrick's Parade is gathering steam. An idea that started a couple of weeks back, is evolving into what could be a great annual tradition.

“The object of the event is to provide a stimulus to the local businesses, and give us a good excuse to celebrate St Patricks Day, said organizer Paul Vizard. “As a native of Ireland I was curious why there had never been anything along those lines here, and where better to start one than the Emerald Coast and Scenic 30a.”

The Parade route is planned for Saturday March 15th at 2pm, to travel from Gulf Place to Grayton Corners. The South Walton Fire Department will be participating, and Deputy Chief Sean Hughes has graciously agreed to be the 1st Grand Marshall, kilt and all. We will even have a Bag Piper !!

Sally’s by the Sea Store will have several fun events such as green beer, (at Sally’s Backside) horseshoes, a darts tournament, and yards of Guinness, and Redd will be performing. Restaurant Fire has planned a Craw Fish Broil and a special dinner menu, local artists will have face painting at Gulf Place. (see website for updated schedule).

“The community of 30a is unique when it comes to supporting locals and local events, said Vizard. Although this is literally a fly by the seat of our pants this first year, every business we have talked to is keen to get involved. We already have 20 odd confirmed vehicles, maybe that number will grow. Realistically, it wont take long to line up and drive the 6 miles to Grayton Corners, so its going to be a short and sweet parade this year, but next year will be properly planned well ahead of time. We just wanted to get it started in 08. We could not get the Pipe Band this year, but will have have a Piper to lead the parade.”

Already confirmed for next year is the 23rd Highlanders Pipe band. If you wish to enter the parade, all that’s required is a vehicle with a sign on the side to promote your business, go to 1st Annual 30a St Patricks Parade Some have even planned to decorate in various ways to add to the fun.