Matlacha Mariners first Home Town Carney Saturday
The Matlacha Mariners is teaming up with nearly every organization on the island to hold its 1st annual Home Town Carney Saturday, Nov. 19. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a couple of years,” Mariners’ president Wayne Reed said. “I thought, if we join with the Matlacha Hookers and as many local civic and charitable organizations as possible to bring a nostalgic, old-fashioned town carnival to Pine Island, we would have a successful event.
“We have about 20 booths so far but things are going very well and we may have more by Saturday,” Reed said. “We have put together a great lineup of musical talent that will run through the whole day. Annie Wenz, The Skinny Water Seagrass Band, Rosebush Theory and Pine Island’s own Strange Arrangement will be there.
“This is something completely new for the island,” Reed said. “We do expect a good turnout so we decided that the area next to the Winn-Dixie Shopping Center (9864 Stringfellow Road) would be a good location. Admission and parking is free and the money raised at the booths will help the Pine Island charities.”
“Fun Tents” are at the center of the event and will be provided by the Matlacha Hookers (Dunk Tank, Face Painting, Corn Hole Photo w/Props); Kiwanis (Food Booth Non Alcoholic Drinks); Greater Pine Island Chamber (Cast net throw or Ping Pong Toss Best fishing cast and Cotton Candy); Olde Fish House (Gold Fish Bowl Football Throw); Matlacha Mariners (Another Man’s Treasures Carnival T Shirt Sales); Pine Island Garden Club (Pine Seedlings and planting fun); Calusa Land Trust (Sand & Shell games, Rubber Duck Match Chuckaduck); F.I.S.H. (Tarot Cards or Crystal Ball); St James Civic Association (Bean Bag Toss Bottle Ring Toss); Fire Department (Rubber Duck Memory Game, Pet the Fire Truck); Greater Pie Island Lions Club (Bean Bag Pass to Lion); Pine Island Moose Lodge (Duck Pond) and Beacon of HOPE (to be announced).
“Tickets can be purchased at the event entrance for all of the booth activities,” Reed said. “We’ll have carnival-style food and snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and event T-shirts. There will be games, contests, face painting, corn hole toss, ring toss, a guess your weight and even a dunking booth.”
Community sponsors are Matlacha Mariners, Matlacha Hookers, Pine Island Kiwanis, Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, Olde Fish House Marina, Calusa Land Trust, Pine Island Garden Club, Beacon of Hope, Greater Pine Island Lions Club, and Pine Island Fire Department, in addition to several churches and other groups on the Island.
“We’re excited to join forces with most of the local civic and charitable organizations on Pine Island to provide a fun family event to raise money that will stay right here on the island to help local neighbors in need,” Reed said. “We are inviting the whole family to enjoy the food and join in the fun Saturday, Nov 19.”
For additional details, visit www.MatlachaMariners.org. For more event or sponsor information, contact Reed at wayne@waynereed.com or at 239-283-8045 (M-F, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.).
The Matlacha Mariners and Matlacha Hookers are independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that raise funds through several popular events year round and then contribute to deserving local community charities and support groups throughout the year.