Help Support Gulfport Events

Why are there so many events in Gulfport? It’s two-fold. Events bring in potential customers to our businesses and serve as an introduction to the outside areas. They are also part of the economic engine the fuels non-for-profit organizations. Different events are sponsored by different non-profits, the majority are organized by Suzanne King of SIK Promotions because of the sheer volume of details in communicating with vendors and accounting. 

I put out a request on Facebook for individuals who would like to volunteer to help organize and assist in day of activities. That begged the question doing what? If you want to participate in the planning of event and can attend a few meetings we could use help with arranging entertainment (street and stage); parades and contests; sponsorships (in-kind and monetary). The day of the event we are always in need of folks to help direct vendors, put up tents and man tables, sell tickets, check id’s etc. 

A sampling of upcoming events:

• November 5: Art Under the Oaks (Clymer Park) Senior Center Foundation/SIK Promotions
• December 10: Holiday Hoopla (Beach Blvd) Merchants Assoc./SIK Promotions
• February 11: Womens Fishing Tournament (BCYC/Marina) Chamber
• March 31: Springfest (Beach Blvd) Chamber/SIK Promotions
• June 24: Aquamania (Point/Beach) Chamber/SIK Promotions
• September 2: Geckofest (Beach Blvd) Merchants/SIK Promotions
• October 6: Beachtoberfest (Point/Beach) Chamber/SIK Promotions

Several of these events are new or at least reincarnations. “Art Under the Oaks!” is a juried art show that will take place in Clymer Park. This community event is a Juried Art Show scheduled for Saturday, November 5, 2011, at Clymer Park on the corner of Beach Blvd. S. and 26^th Ave. S. (Shaded, outdoor venue, under the oaks) in Gulfport and hosted by the Gulfport Senior Center Foundation. Eligible applicants works must be original and created by the artist. A multitude of art is accepted including: Painting, Drawing, Textile, Collage, 3-Dimentional, Ceramic, Metal, Glass, Wood and Photography. The “Acorn” youth category includes young artist up to age 18. Application Deadline is Friday, October 4th, 2011. All applications- including young artist,- will be juried by committee and photos of work are required. Ribbons, certificates and purchase awards will be given in several categories. General artist space is $75 and Gulfport resident artist with discount is $50. Qualified “Acorn” students are free. 

You may download your application at www.suzieking.com and mail to Suzanne King, C/O Art Under the Oaks, PO Box 530234, St. Petersburg, FL 33747. Please make your check payable to: Senior Center Foundation, Inc. For more information, contact Suzanne King- 727-322-5217 or suzfest@gmail.com

The Women’s Fishing Tournament is the first ever done by the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce and will use the Marina and facilities of Boca Ciega Yacht Club. You may fish by boat or land. There will be a Captain’s dinner the evening before to give you all the rules and then bright and early Saturday morning we will start the tournament and end with a fish fry open to all for a small fee.  If you have experience,or want to help, please contact Linda Craig at lindacraig60@gmail.com. 

Aquamania and Beachtoberfest will take the place of the former Concerts on the Point. Instead of just a 3-hour event we will expand from 2-9 p.m. The thinking behind each is Aquamania (beginning of summer event). It will be water-themed with kayak, paddle board and build your own boat races. Kids area with water slides and other activities. Beer and wine sales and vendors.

Beachtoberfest will be more of a carnival atmosphere without the major rides, but games, buskers, vendors and beer and wine.  Of course we hope for some German themed additions. This will be a 2-9 event as well. Information for Aquamania and Beachtoberfest will be on www.sikpromotions.com.  

So, you can see it is lining up to be another fun filled year and we are looking for fresh faces, new ideas and folks that like to celebrate. We are always on the look out for businesses that want to be sponsors, so if you know of someone or work for someone that does sponsorships, please ask them to consider Gulfport. For ideas or information please contact me at rsvp@seabreezemanor.com or info@gulfportchamberofcommerce.com  

As always, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around town.