Some time you just get it right the first try and Bayfest, the first festival of the season, has been extending that streak for 14 years.

Bayfest, sponsored by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, begins on Friday, Oct. 17, and continues through Saturday, Oct, 18, on Pine Avenue. Friday’s kickoff starts in the city of Anna Maria on the six lots field, at the corner of Pine Avenue and North Bay Boulevard.

For the kids

There will be a Kids’ Zone with a variety of games, bounce house, climbing wall and more, sponsored by AMI Fitness. The AMI Privateers’ ship will also be there.

For the adults

On Saturday there is the free Classic Car Show, a judged event featuring antique and unique cars and trucks on display along Pine Avenue.

There are plenty of opportunities for shopping as well, with more then 100 vendor booths along Pine Avenue offering unique and one-of-a-kind gift items, jewelry, local artists’ works, collectable items, T-shirts, Island crafts, gifts and more.

The food

Bayfest is where local restaurants and food outlets offer their best. The lineup includes:

• The Waterfront restaurant serving fish tacos, carnitas and pork tacos;
• Ribfest winner T&L BarBQ with ribs, BBQ pulled pork, chicken and rice, mac and cheese and collard greens;
• The Feast restaurant serving conch fritters, lobster salad, lobster rolls and coconut shrimp;
• T-bone’s selling its famous brisket, cole slaw and more;
• Quality Foods offering gyros and other Greek food;
• J Burns Pizza with subs, pizza and sandwiches;
• Tyler’s homemade ice cream;
• Hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, homemade lemonade and candy apples;
• Soda, bottled water, beer, wine and more.

The music

Friday’s musical lineup kicks off with emcee Scott Prichard at the helm, featuring live music by Koko Ray and The Keepers from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by Uncle John’s Band from 8 to 10 p.m. There also will be food and drinks available at the food court in the field.

Saturday begins with Can’t Turn Left from 11 a.m. to noon, soulRcoaster from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Scott’s Garage from 3 to 5 p.m., Kettle of Fish from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the final performance of the day by The Dr. Dave Band from 8 to 10 p.m. The event ends at 10 p.m.

Sponsors

The following sponsors contributed to this worthy event:
• Miller Electric – which lights all the Chamber’s events each year;
• LaPensee Plumbing and Pools – which sponsors the car show every year;
• Anna Maria Island Resorts, which is sponsoring the final performance of the Dr. Dave Band;
• Island Real Estate, the sponsor of Friday Night’s music;
• The AMI Sun newspaper, The Bradenton Herald, Grooms Motors and Automotive, Hancock Bank, The Feast restaurant and Budweiser
Parking is available as you enter the city of Anna Maria at CrossPointe Fellowship, and the free trolley can be ridden the rest of the way to the festival.

Classic wheels and shopping

 On Saturday there is the free Classic Car Show, featuring exotic, vintage and muscle cars on display along Pine Avenue. There are plenty of opportunities for shopping as well, showcasing over 100 vendor booths along Pine Avenue with unique and one-of-a-kind gift items, jewelry, local artists’ works, collectable items, T-shirts, island crafts, gifts and much more. Parking is available as you enter the city of Anna Maria at CrossPointe Fellowship. Ride the free trolley to Pine Avenue and Bayfest.