Festival, Fishing and Food Drive all on tap this Friday
Wether you are interested in fishing, festivals or feeding the hungry, Friday, March 18, will offer something for everyone on Pine Island.
Kicking things off with a two-day of event geared to all ages will be the inaugural Bokeelia Cracker Jam to raise funds and goods to benefit the Pine Island Food Pantry. Enjoy an evening of music on Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. and again on Saturday from 1 to 9 p.m. Entertainment will be provided at the Bokeelia Cracker Cafe with noted musicians including Strange Arrangement, Stringtown, the Fiddler and I, Nick and Corkey, Steve McCarter, Drew Reid and Kip Lawrence. Also offered will be hourly raffles sponsored by Pine Island Feed and Garden, Sebago Sailing School, Island Girl Charters, NRK Design and Pine Island Taxi. In addition to its regular menu, in observance of St. Patrick’s Day, the Cracker Cafe also will be serving corned beef and cabbage and shepherd’s pie as well as hamburgers, fries and salads. The price of admission on either day will be a donation to the Pine Island Food Pantry. Items needed at this time include non-perishable food items, diapers, paper goods and personal hygiene items.
Also on Friday evening, kids from 2 to 92 are welcome to celebrate the Pine Island Elementary School Spring Fest 2011. The festivities will take place at the school from 5 to 8 p.m. and offers fun for the entire community. On entering the grounds via the bus ramp, the purchase of a $10 wrist band entitles attendees to unlimited access to a bounce house, a 21-foot inflatable slide, obstacle course, and two alien lazer tag.
“We are opening this event to the entire community of Pine Island to express our thanks for all of their support and to provide an opportunity to get to know us better,” said school principal Rob Mazilo. “The Spring Fest is a carnival-like event and promises to be fun for everyone.”
Games with prizes as well as food and beverages will be available for an additional cost. Lending to the festive atmosphere will be live music provided by a professional DJ and a cake walk and silent auction will be offered during the course of the evening. Admission for non-ride participants is free, but those 18 years of age or younger, must be accompanied by an adult.
Fishing enthusiasts will want to venture to the south end of the island to get tips on improving their angling skills. On Friday evening, the Old Pine Island Marine and Tackle in St. James City, will present a free fishing seminar with Captain Matt Mitchell. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. Capt. Mitchell will share his secrets to fishing the flats for tarpon, snook and redfish. Following and preceding the seminar, also offered will be cast net lessons. No reservations are required for the cast net lessons or seminar, however, those attending are encourage to bring their own chair.
Art enthusiasts will want to plan a return trip to St. James City on Saturday, March 19, for Art on the Green, sponsored by the Paisley Parrot in the heart of St. James City. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., more than a dozen artists and craftsmen will be staged in the front yard of Paisley Parrot to provide demonstrations, answer questions and sell their wares during this third annual event.
Refreshments will be offered and door prizes will be drawn each hour during the event.