‘Party on the Bar’ to benefit PI Little League
Pine Island is often thought of as a boaters’ haven. Surrounded by water and ample access to Pine Island Sound, Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf many of the residents spend nearly as much time on the water as they do on dry land. Utilizing this fact, the group, Sand Bar Productions will capitalize on the affection boaters have for any reason to take a cruise, when it hosts, “Party on the Bar” this weekend. On Saturday, April 30 and on Sunday, May 1, boaters can enjoy two days of live entertainment while anchored off of Two Pines, located one-half mile due east of Marker 79 in North Matlacha Pass. On Saturday, attendees will rock the boat to music from noon until 6 p.m. Taking the floating stage will be the cooperative efforts of the groups Funk Bone and the New Vinyls and Sunday will feature entertainment from the popular bands Soap Box and Ground Zero from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A fund raising two-day event, an donation of $5 per person or $20 per boat will be collected to benefit the Pine Island Little League. With donations like those to be collected at Party on the Bar, the Little League is able to purchase new uniforms and equipment for players as well as help to maintain the ball field located at the island center.
Organizer of Party on the Bar, Jim Frock, anticipates a good turnout for this, second of its kind event.
“The last Party on the Bar drew over 200 boats. That fund raiser was held last November to benefit the employees that lost their jobs because of the Low Key Tiki fire,” Frock said. “We collected over $12,000 and for this upcoming event, we are shooting for a goal of $10,000 for the Little League.”
The Pine Island Little League is a non-profit athletic organization that relies on registration fees, team sponsors and donations from the community to pay for the day-to-day operation of the only organized sports organization for children on Pine Island. Adults who participate as coaches, referees and concession stand attendants are all volunteers with no money to go toward salaries of any kind within the league.
“The main reason we decided to donate the proceeds from Party on the Bar is that we had heard that this year the Little League board decided to waive registration fees for any kids who wanted to play. We realize that this had be have been a big sacrifice for them and we hope to help out as much as we can,” Frock said. “The Pine Island Little League has been around a very long time and is the only organized after-school sport offered to the kids on the island and it is personally important to me to help support its efforts. Also, if this benefit works out, we hope to make it an annual event for the Little League.”
To help defray the cost of a barge rental to serve as a stage, Frock, the owner of Seven Seas Bait and Tackle in Matlacha, has enlisted the assistance of other area businesses. Sponsors of the event include Olde Fish House Marina, Island Crab Co., A-21 Marine, Bert’s Bar and Grill, Friendly Franky’s Liquor Store and Bubba’s Roadhouse.
“I played Little League as a kid and have since become a life-time fan of the game,” said owner of Bert’s Bar and Grill Bernard Johnson. “I am a big Cleveland Indians fan, but more importantly, who is more important than the kids, that is why I gladly agreed to help sponsor this fund raiser.”
For more information, to make a donation or become a sponsor of Party on the Bar to benefit Pine Island Little League, contact Jim Frock at Seven Seas Bait and Tackle at 283-1674.