Kiwanis Taste of Pine Island rescheduled to Feb. 27 and 28
Due to the unprecedented amount of rain during the previous few weeks, The Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island has had to reschedule the annual Taste of Pine Island, which is the cover feature on this week’s Lee County Shopper.
Originally scheduled for this weekend, the Taste has been rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 27, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 28, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The event will take place at Phillips Park, 5675 Sesame Drive) on Pine Island Road behind the Pine Island Fire Station. Single day tickets are $6 and two-day passes are $10. Children 10-and-under are free. Attendees that bring a donation of three or more non-perishable food items for the Pine Island Pantry will receive $1 off their entrance fee.
The Taste of Pine Island will feature a large variety of food and craft vendors. The live entertainment will offer something for everyone with a wide variety of music. All of the bands on the lineup are either from Pine Island or play regularly on the island, so they offer an authentic “Taste” of Pine Island music. The schedule for Saturday, Feb. 27, will be Cindy Walsh (11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.), The Coast Connection Band (12:30- 2:15 p.m.), The Freecoasters (2:30 4:15 p.m.) and Strange Arrangement (4:30-6:00 p.m.). On Sunday, Feb. 28, the day will begin with the Honey Creepers Band (11:15-1:00 p.m.), Brother Love Too and the Insiders (1:15-3:00 p.m.) and Pappy Mellon’s New Road Show (3:15- 5:00 p.m.) The Taste of Pine Island is a family-friendly event with children’s activities and games. No Coolers or pets are permitted.
In conjunction with Taste of Pine Island, the 13th annual Southwest Florida Chowder Cook-off Contest will take place Feb. 27 and the fifth annual Chili Cook-off Contest will be held Feb. 28. The public will be able to sample and judge the entries.
The Fish Drop Drawing will take place Feb. 28 at 4p.m. with a $1,000 grand prize, $500 second place prize and $250 third place prize. Fish Drop tickets and Taste of Pine Island tickets may be purchased at the event or in advance at Century 21 Realty in St. James City and the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce in Matlacha.
The Taste of Pine Island is the primary fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island Youth Scholarship Fund. This year the club hopes to raise over $25,000 at the event to assist Pine Island students with their higher education costs. Since 1985, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Pine Island has provided over $250,000 in scholarships, and has supported many projects and organizations that benefit the youth of the area.
The 2016 co-sponsors of Taste of Pine Island are Cambio Dermatology, Lee County Electric Co-op, Budweiser, Waste Pro, Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, Honc Industries, Pine Island Realty, Inc., Beasley Broadcasting Group, Island Commerce Park and Circle K.
The club is still seeking vendors for the event. Those interested can e-mail Taste of Pine Island chairman, Tim Saulsbery at timsaulsbery@yahoo.com or call (239) 910-2263.