This year, Grouper Fest will arrive in a pirate's clothes
By SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA
Published October 27, 2004
MADEIRA BEACH - John's Pass Village and Boardwalk will celebrate its third annual Grouper Fest and Art Festival Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fresh local grouper will be prepared in a variety of recipes along with shrimp, crab and an assortment of other seafood favorites.
The theme of this year's Grouper Fest is "Ghosts of Pirates Past." Staff at village businesses will join in the revelry by dressing up in their best pirate wear.
The event features food, entertainment, the work of local artists, a play area for children, an educational environmental area with demonstrations and hands-on displays hands on displays that teach care and preservation of the Gulf Coast environment, a children's Halloween costume contest at the north end of the Village Saturday at 3 p.m., and trick or treating throughout the village. A History Center will feature earlier times along the Gulf Beaches, a Fishing Expo and a Merchant Expo.
Free shuttle buses will be provided from the Madeira Beach Middle School parking lot and a boat shuttle also will be available for a small fee. For more information, contact Kathleen McDole at 393-8230.
* * *INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - The Indian Rocks Beach Fall Festival is scheduled for Nov. 20 in Kolb Park, across from the Beach Art Center. The event features artists and crafters, food and drink provided by local civic clubs and restaurants, a library book sale and a bake sale. Beach Art Center galleries will be open throughout the festival. Picnic tables will be provided. For information about the Fall Festival, call 596-4331, or write the Beach Art Center, 1515 Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 33785.* * *
INDIAN SHORES - Senior Bridge Experts meet for duplicate bridge every Wednesday, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the city auditorium. For information, call Nora Harvey, 733-7138.
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MADEIRA BEACH - The eighth annual Veterans Boat Parade, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 6, will start at Madeira Beach City Hall.
The boat parade will pass by the new Madeira Beach Causeway Park, where flag-raising ceremonies are scheduled for 11:50 a.m., and then continue under the Tom Stuart Bridge, proceeding along the shorelines through Madeira Beach, John's Pass and Treasure Island. The boats will turn at the Treasure Island bridge and travel north, past the Veteran's Administration Hospital, under the Tom Stuart Causeway and past the American Legion building to finish north of Sea Towers.
The skippers' meeting is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. at the Pub Waterfront Restaurant. For a chart and estimated times, visit www.veteransboatparade.tripod.com or call 544-6410 between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 572-6200 weekdays.
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REDINGTON BEACH - The Redington Beach Property Owners Association will host a Wine Fest Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. to benefit a local scholarship fund. A $20 donation includes appetizers, music and a silent auction. For information, call Nick Simons at 421-0885.
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REDINGTON SHORES - A town-wide garage sale is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 12, and Saturday, Nov. 13. For more information, call Ed Magaldi at 397-1256.
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ST. PETE BEACH - The city's Family Fall Festival, sponsored by the St. Pete Beach Recreation Department, is scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 7701 Boca Ciega Drive. This year's event is in conjunction with an arts and crafts sale featuring handmade gifts by the Community Club. Activities include a petting zoo, hay wagon rides, games, a costume parade, contests and entertainment. For more information, call 363-9244.
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ST. PETE BEACH - The 74th Annual Fish Broil and Carnival at Gulf Beaches Elementary School is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 13, from 2 to 8 p.m. The indoor food sale of char-grilled fish or baked turkey will be 4 to 7 p.m., with take-out dinners starting at 3. The silent auction is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m., with the live auction from 5 to 8 p.m.
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TREASURE ISLAND - The Art Guild is seeking artists interested in displaying their framed paintings at the guild's November art show. Entry date for the show is Thursday, Nov. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Entry fee is $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers. A reception will be held Saturday, Nov. 13, 1 p.m., at City Hall, 120 108th Ave. The show is open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Local artist Ruth Philipon will critique paintings at the show. For more information, call 360-8390.
News for Neighborhood Notebook may be emailed to sheila.estrada@knology.net faxed to 398-6054, mailed to Beaches Notebook, 13472 Bellewood Ave. N, Seminole, FL 33776, or by calling Sheila Estrada at 399-9197.
