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‘Firehouse Flameout’ to raise funds for local fire prevention and awareness group

4 min read

The second annual Firehouse Flameout benefit for the Lee County Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association will take place along the back deck of Nervous Nellie’s, 1131 1st St., on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., featuring an award-winning BBQ team serving up some tasty selections, live music all day long from fantastic bands, a wealth of raffles, 50/50s, and fire-prevention demonstrations.

“We were approached by the Lee County Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association last year because of our previously successful events, and asked to help with an annual fundraiser. Within a few moments we came up with the concept of having a family friendly barbecue, small-scale festival, that promotes fire safety and fire prevention,” said Stephen de Angelis, general manager of Nervous Nellie’s, “This second annual event will raise funds so the association can fund their educational aspects, as well as their other projects, such as installing fire sprinkler systems for Habitat for Humanity houses and carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to families who otherwise wouldn’t have them as well as continuing education of school kids on fire safety fire prevention.”

de Angelis said after such a great event last year, he only hopes this year’s is even bigger and better. To ensure that, he’s brought in some heavy hitters from the regional music world.

“This year, the Doerfels will be performing during the Firehouse Flameout, as well as ZZ’s Best, a ZZ Topp tribute band,” he said. “The Doerfels is a great nine-piece family band from Key West. They’re a real family kind of group, playing blues/folk, alternative and some contemporary. They were friends with Gator John, who makes appearances at the restaurant weekly. Rob DeGennarro (owner of Nervous Nellie’s) saw them before, and when he heard about our planning of the next benefit, he couldn’t wait to get them up and show Fort Myers Beach what they’ve been doing down in the Keys for years. They’re fun, really nice people, down to earth and a great group.”

As for the ZZ Topp tribute group, “ZZ’s Best does a really great job. They do the whole costume-change thing, the fuzzy guitars. We’re really looking forward to their show.

The full lineup of music on the back deck that day is:

1 to 3 p.m.: Dave Collaton

3 to 5:30 p.m.: The Doerfels

6 to 8 p.m.: ZZ’s Best

You can be sure you’ll have a great collection of live music to enjoy Saturday. Going with all those great tunes, be sure to partake in the very special barbecue that’ll be offered that day.

“We’re really looking forward to the food that day, around the fountain area. Cheney Bros., Inc.’s barbecue team is coming in, bringing their two show/competition smokers, offering whole hog, brisket, ribs, pork butt, BBQ pulled pork, all things BBQ,” de Angelis said. “These guys are the rockstars of the barbecue world. They’re actually staying the night before to set up and prep for the full day of smoking and roasting. So, we’ll have a lot of food.”

Along with the raffles and 50/50s, a portion of all the proceeds raised from the sale of the Cheney Bros. barbecue that day will go to the association.

Speaking of raffles, Stephen said the firemen associated with the local group have been hard at work gathering a great array of prizes and prize packages for the benefit, ranging from hotel stays and gift certificates from local restaurants to spa retreats and gift baskets.

“They’ll have quite a few things to raffle off throughout the benefit that day,” Stephen said. “We’ll also host one big 50/50 raffle around the end of the benefit, at 6 p.m.”

The dining area and upstairs bar will still be open for enjoyment, and Rich Lancaster and Papo will be performing upstairs at Ugly’s that night, from 6 to 10 p.m.

This is a free admission event with plenty of free parking along San Carlos Boulevard and Nervous Nellie’s. So, come one, come all to this second annual benefit for great local cause.

“Come out and help us support a great cause and bring your own toothpicks,” Stephen concluded.

For more info, visit NervousNellies.net or call 239-463-8077.