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Tag: Tropical Storm Nestor

Bayfest 2.0 carries on despite Nestor

Bayfest 2.0 carries on despite Nestor

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Family fun, Festivals.

ANNA MARIA – As the wind whipped across the Island Friday, Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce President Terry Kinder knew that Bayfest, the Chamber’s signature fundraiser, was in jeopardy of missing a year for the first time in its 19-year run.

After a meeting with Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and representatives from arts and crafts vendors, food vendors and others, the decision was made to hold the event at The Center of Anna Maria Island. Due to space constraints, there were no craft vendors, auto show or kid’s zone, but the adults came out to listen to local musicians and enjoy the food, drinks and company of their fellow islanders indoors, away from the storm.

The majority of musical acts planned for the main stage at Bayfest embraced the new venue, including the popular Dr. Dave Band. Three local restaurants, The Fest, Tortilla Bay and The Ugly Grouper, all stepped up to provide food and drinks for the festivities along with other vendors providing sodas and beer.

The start time of noon allowed some of the water flooding the streets from the passage of Tropical Storm Nestor to drain away and locals and visitors alike came out to The Center to celebrate Bayfest and dance the night away, at least until 9 p.m. Though it wasn’t the Bayfest that locals have come to know and love, it proved that the Island community will come together to support each other against all odds, and that a little rain can’t stop the party on Anna Maria Island.

“Looks like a good crowd, considering all we went through,” said Corinn Tippett, a server at The Feast booth.

Nestor did little damage on the Island and Bayfest went on despite the odds against it. For their part, the members of the Chamber hope to not have to deal with temperamental weather during next year’s festivities and return the fundraiser to its traditional Pine Avenue venue.

“We knew we weren’t going to recover (financially) from this, but we had a one-day liquor license and we had to use it Saturday,” said Kinder. “Perhaps we won’t have to deal with this ever again. At least I hope not.”

Storm moves Bayfest inside to The Center

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Featured.

ANNA MARIA – Tropical Storm Nestor is pushing Saturday’s Bayfest indoors from its traditional Pine Avenue location to The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave.

The free festival, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, will begin at noon instead of 10 a.m., and remain open until 9 p.m.

The classic car show and arts and crafts vendors are canceled, according to the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce.

But “Bayfest 2.0 – Reimagined!” will still offer live music with the Trevor Bystrom Band, Memphis Rub, soulRcoaster, the Dr. Dave Band and the Karen & Jimmy Band, with Mike Sales as emcee.

A limited number of food vendors and a beer truck will be at The Center. No coolers or outside alcohol are allowed.

Parking and shuttles to and from The Center will be available at CrossPointe Fellowship, 8605 Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach and Roser Memorial Church, 512 Pine Ave. in Anna Maria.

The decision to relocate the festival was made because the storm could produce torrential downpours and local flooding, according to chamber officials.

Tropical storm Nestor, currently over the central Gulf of Mexico, is moving northeast at 22 mph and is expected to reach the Florida Panhandle early Saturday morning. Primary concerns along Florida’s west coast are heavy rainfall and minor to moderate coastal flooding, especially from Tampa Bay north, according to the National Weather Service’s p.m. report.