Kiwanis seeking vendor applicants
With the Taste of Pine Island 2009 just weeks away, the Greater Pine Island Kiwanis is calling on local vendors to participate in this well-attended event.
According to chairman of the event, Pat Burman, the promotion process for the taste festival has commenced, however her concern is that a few island businesses have yet to return applications.
“If you are one of these businesses still waiting, don’t, get it mailed today. If you did not get an application, call and have one mailed or e-mailed to you,” she said. “This is the time to promote, promote, promote Pine island business and services.”
All businesses who participate in the Taste of Pine Island will be part of the promotion package for the event.
“This is an island event which is held to raise money for the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island, to be used for scholarships, and is an excellent opportunity to showcase, promote and educate visitors about what Pine Island has to offer,” said Burman. “At this point, vendors have been slow to come on board, but we are hoping they will take advantage of this great opportunity and join us.”
This year’s president is hopeful that more island businesses and vendors will participate in the taste — the biggest fund-raiser sponsored by the Kiwanis each year to support youth charities.
“This event is definitely our primary fund-raiser. While we hold several other smaller events throughout the year, we really rely on the taste to provide 90 percent of the $13,000 to $17,000 we present in the way of scholarships each year as well as for funding the Halloween party for the island children, and donations to FISH and the Beacon of HOPE are among some of the things we support,” said Kiwanis president Nick Mohar. “In the past, this event has been well attended and it is our hope that folks will turn out and support the Kiwanis as well as our local businesses and restaurants.”
Arts and craft vendors, Realtors, restaurants and others who provide products and services are encouraged to participate and bring brochures, business cards, menus, property listings, lists of services, products and other materials when participating in the taste.
Local chefs also are reminded that the Taste of Pine Island will once again feature a chowder cook-off contest. For the sixth consecutive year, attendees to the event will serve as judges for the contest and will sample chowders of all kinds to determine the winner. To participate in the Southwest Florida Seafood Chowder Cook-off, all contestants are asked to provide 10 gallons of their best chowder for the public to taste and then vote for their favorites in the “People’s Choice” category. The chowder should be prepared on-site and all contestants will not be permitted to sell any chowder until the contest is over. There is no cost to participate and the best chowder chef will receive a cash prize for their effort.
In addition, area restaurants are being asked to fill the air with the aroma of their specialties such as fresh fish dishes, burgers and fries, barbeque offerings and more. Committed so far are vendors with locally made jams and jellies, jewelry, stained glass, painted furniture, tin fish, and other art forms.
Vendor spots for the event which takes place on Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Phillips Park at the island center are available starting at $40. To secure a vendor spot, call Pat Burman at 283-0777.