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Tag: Anna Maria Christmas

Holiday Walk of Treasures packs Pine Avenue

Holiday Walk of Treasures packs Pine Avenue

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Shops stayed open late offering food and drinks, bands played and people mingled around Pine Avenue businesses at the 2021 Holiday Walk of Treasures, an event that encouraged locals and tourists to get out and explore all that Pine Avenue has to offer. 

“We’re so glad to have this back,” said Lauren Collins, owner of Island Charms. “I don’t think we’ve hit the busy holiday week just yet, but we can see it building up. We are seeing Canadians and our first Europeans coming in. After not having much going on last year, it feels ‘normalish’ with precautions.”

After the cancellation of events like this last year due to COVID-19, business owners are happy to see things returning to normal, even though they are aware that things are still different than the pre-COVID era.

“Thanksgiving week was a great week this year. Early December is always a little slow, then it picks up as people start coming back,” said Amy Fleece, owner of Pink and Navy on Pine Avenue. “Things will pick up the week before Christmas, that’s usually how it goes, and we’re excited for a great season.” 

Holiday Walk of Treasures packs Pine Avenue
Lauren Collins, owner of Island Charms and Amy Fleece, owner of Pink and Navy, get together to pour drinks for visitors during the Holiday Walk of Treasures on Pine Avenue. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

In addition to business owners, visitors were having a great time getting to know the area shops, restaurants and other businesses that make Pine Avenue one of the most exciting streets on Anna Maria Island.

“This is amazing, what a great turnout, we’re so happy to have everything coming back to normal,” said Maria Yatros, an Island resident.

“It’s so exciting to see we are all going in the right direction here,” said Island resident Gy Yatros.

The fact that gatherings like this are even possible after the past 20 months of just about every activity being canceled or scaled down seems to be on the top of the majority of people’s minds when attending gatherings such as the Holiday Walk of Treasures.

“I’ll tell you what, we’re happy to live in Florida,” said Jim Strathmeyer, who is visiting the Island from Jupiter, Florida. “I still travel a lot, and I go to a lot of areas in this country that are still basically locked down. They won’t let people go out unless they’re vaccinated, it’s just nice to be here in Florida where we’re living a normal life.”

Holiday fun the old fashioned way

Holiday fun the old fashioned way

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – It’s worked for nearly two decades, and the 19th Annual Lester Family Fun Day at The Center of Anna Maria Island did not disappoint.

Holmes Beach residents Joey and Chuck Lester sponsored the all-ages event on Saturday, Dec. 4 with plenty of activities for everyone.

Higher than a two story building, this slide was not for the faint of heart. Jason Schaffer | Sun

“I love how there’s things for any age. The drum line, the dance-off, things for the younger kids, cookies and then the raffles and stuff for the grown-ups,” said Lara Malone, who works for The Center.

Inside, there were activities such as cookie decorating, balloon tying, crafts and more. Outside, there were pony rides, a rock-climbing wall and an inflatable slide that was taller than The Center. Adults enjoyed the 50/50 golf ball raffle. A standard golf hole cut in the grass at The Center was the target for a helicopter that seemed to come out of nowhere, hover over the hole and drop the balls. The closest ball (which turned out to be lucky number 14) won the jackpot.

Holiday fun the old fashioned way
Cookie decorating is a great way to get in the holiday spirit. Jason Schaffer | Sun

In keeping with the theme of “old fashioned fun at old fashioned prices,” admission was free and tickets for activities were only 25 cents each.

Burgers from Duffy’s and ice cream from Small Town Creamery were also on hand to keep appetites satisfied.

Anna Maria Holiday of Treasures elf

Holiday of Treasures Open House is Friday

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Art, Entertainment, Events, Family fun, Holiday.

ANNA MARIA – As part of the Holiday of Treasures Open House, Anna Maria merchants invite folks to stroll through the city and enjoy light refreshments at participating businesses along Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive on Friday, Dec. 14.

Taking place from 5:30 to 8 p.m., the annual holiday event is sponsored again this year by the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and the Anna Maria Island Sun.

Free cookies and cider will be served at the AMI Historical Museum, 402 Pine Ave., and the Roser Memorial Community Church’s Joyful Noise Children’s Choir will perform a free outdoor concert in the museum’s Historical Park at 6 p.m.

Up and down Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive various participating businesses will be serving free hot dogs, hamburgers, Christmas cookies, eggnog and rum, hot buttered rum, Moscow Mule cocktails, bourbon ball candy, craft beer, coffee, tea and even pasta fagioli. Stroll through the businesses Friday to see for yourself what holiday surprises they have in store. You might even find a porch party along the way.

Holiday Carols in the Park

The Anna Maria Holiday of Treasures Open House will be preceded that day by the city’s second annual Holiday Carols in the Park holiday event. The city event will take place at City Pier Park on Friday, Dec. 14 from 4-6 p.m.

The Saint Stephen’s Upper School Band, the Falcon Voices high school choir and the Major Minors middle school chorus will perform holiday music and sing-alongs. Santa will pay a visit to the park, goodies will be given to youngsters and free eggnog and refreshments will be served.