‘Rhythm and Reels’ to combine fishing tourney with concert
If you like classic rock songs like “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Burnin’ for You,” “Godzilla” and “Tuff Enuff” from music icons Blue Oyster Cult and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, or enjoy top local bands like Deb & The Dynamics, mark your calendar for the upcoming Rhythm and Reels Redfish Tournament and Music Festival.
The weekend-long event will be held Friday, Oct. 5, through Sunday, Oct. 7, with a pre-registration date of next Friday, Sept. 21, for a special entry price for anglers.
This three-day event is centered around the Redfish Tournament offering multiple cash prizes, including the grand prize of $8,000, said Michelle Phillips, special events manager for The Resort at MarinaVillage. “We’ve also have prizes for first through fifth place, and we are also throwing in a prize for a wildcard fish.”
The event will be held at both The Resort and Tarpon Point Marina there.
“This tournament is the only two-day, non-elimination tournament in Southwest Florida,” she added.
There may be up to three anglers per boat.
If you enter and the redfish aren’t biting, you won’t be out of luck.
“Each morning, our tournament director will announce what to fish,” she said.
The cost and official date to pre-register is $500 until the 21st, and $550 after that date.
There are several ways to enter. You can enter and pay online or, if you are more comfortable with downloading the file and mailing it in with a check you can do that as well. You can go to the The Resort’s front desk to register as well.
Concerts will include Deb & The Dynamics on Friday night and, on Saturday, there will be an all day music festival featuring local band PUSH followed by legendary bands The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Blue Oyster Cult.
“The music festival also includes a whole vendor village area and food vendor area,” Phillips said.
Admission to the music festival is $5 for Friday, and for Saturday, $20 in advance, $25 day of event for festival seating, and $75 and $95 for VIP seating.
“VIP seating will give them closest viewing of the stage and the bands, a buffet and cash bar,” she said.
There will be beer vendors for those in festival grass seating. People can bring blankets and chairs, but no canopies or tents.
There is already a big buzz around town about the music.
“Blue Oyster Cult and The Fabulous Thunderbirds are our national acts and they are absolutely generating a lot of excitement. Many have seen them in the past and are excited to see them coming to the area,” Phillips said.
Of Deb & The Dynamics, she said, “They are back by popular demand. They were here for the Jazz & Blues Festival in March.”
A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit The Invest in America’s Veterans Foundation, a local charity that is committed to serving veterans and their families by offering assistance and counseling with housing, financial and career planning, education and business opportunities as well as personal counseling. They recently for opened a new veterans museum and library downtown.
“Sunday will be our Tribute to Veterans from noon to 4 p.m. There will be entertainment to be announced, and veterans recognition ceremonies,” said Phillips.
This is a family friendly weekend event.
“We are also having children’s activities, including Bass Pro Shop coming out,” she added.
Vendors and sponsors are still being accepted.
For a full list of all the times for the various parts of the event, or to purchase event and concert tickets, go to RhythmAndReels.com. You can also call 541-5000 or email to contact@RhythmandReels.com.