Getting ready for the Taste
The Taste of Pine Island will grace the Bobby Holloway Jr. Little League Baseball Field again next month to raise funds for the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island scholarship program.
Pat Burman, chairman of Taste of Pine Island, said she has organized the annual event almost every year since 2002. She said the Kiwanis Club puts on the two-day event to raise money for its scholarship program that supports all Pine Island high school graduates.
“It is our only fund-raiser that we do,” she said.
The club has given well over $200,000 to high school students through its scholarship program over the years. Burman said they normally give anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 away in scholarship funds a year. The most that has been given away in one year was $19,000.
The event will feature the Taste of Pine Island, the fish drop and a free chowder and chili cook-off. The event will kick off Saturday, Jan 28, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., and end Sunday, Jan. 29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event typically attracts many local restaurants, along with arts and crafts vendors for people to enjoy.
“We push for island businesses to participate because that is what it is all about,” she said. “It is a cheap way for them to promote themselves on Pine Island.”
There are a few vendor spots that are still open for the two-day event. Anyone interested can call Burman at 239-283-0777 or email her at info@pineislandkiwanis.com.
The fish drop features anywhere from 2,500 to 3,000 brightly colored plastic fish that are put into a box at the top of a crane. The plastic fish, which have numbers on them, are then dropped 50 feet to the ground.
She said whichever three fish lands closest to the target wins. The first place winner will receive $1,000, the second place winner will receive $500 and the third place winner will receive $250.
Those who wish to participate in the fish drop can purchase tickets at Winn-Dixie or through the website at www.TasteOfPineIsland.com. Burman said tickets are $5 per chance or six for $20.
This year Burman said they are adding a chili cook-off on Sunday because some people do not like seafood. The chowder cook-off will be held on Saturday.
“Our guests are the ones that judge it,” she said about the chowder and chili cook-offs. “It’s the people’s choice.”
Burman said the cook-off is a very popular event at the Taste of Pine Island. She said there are between 300 to 400 people waiting in line at all times on average to have a taste.
The Taste of Pine Island will also feature entertainment on Saturday and Sunday. Those who will perform include Gatormoon, Torched, Low Rent, The WholeTones, Strange Arrangement, Calendar Girls Florida, Hot Flash Dances and Pine Island Dance.
This year Burman said they are offering a discount on tickets. Individuals can either pay $5 for admission for a one-day pass or $8 for a two-day pass.