It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To

I’m throwing a big party, but will anybody come? That’s the question I’m always faced with when putting on an event. You go through all the preparation, the promotion and it is left up to the fates as to whether people will show or it will be a bust. You get all the businesses ready for a big influx of potential customers and hope the weather cooperates and the people arrive. 

With most events there are months of preparation by multiple individuals and the stakes are higher. With the Concert on the Point it still takes a team but the lead time is not as lengthy to get out the word. On Friday, June 10 the next Concert on the Point will feature "Act 3" and their Motown sounds. There will be beer and wine served and CERT will now have the honors of the grill.  The Worthington brothers have the grill skills down pat so the Chamber gratefully passes the grill torch to them. 

A little known fact about having beer and wine at an event is that a non-profit organization has 3 days within a calendar year in which they can have that permit. That can be consecutive days or individually. Jerryanne Hindman of the Chamber has to file papers, get them certified by the City Clerk and building department then head off to Clearwater for Pinellas County approval, then over to Tampa for final review. All for one little permit to allow us to provide you with a cool frosty beer while listing to Free Motown. 

Remember, June 10 Concert on the Point featuring “Act 3” Motown sounds from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Beer, wine and hot dogs will be available for purchase. Bring your beach chair and dancing shoes, but no coolers. 

For the coming year we will be taking the smaller Concerts on the Point to a larger level and making them Saturday events with many other additions to keep you entertained.  Stay tuned for more information on what’s coming!!!  www.exploregulfport.com

For any event, City Council needs to approve the event and any ordinances or rules that need to be suspended for that event. Usually this list of events is presented in August and covers the next year or more. Last year over 75 events were approved. That’s outside of the weekly markets and twice monthly Art Walks. If that doesn’t give you a perspective on how much Gulfport has to offer I don’t know what will. But I do know, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around town!