I would like to thank everyone who participated, volunteered and attended our annual Fall Festival on Boca Grande Saturday Nov 5. While this year the event was scaled down by design to allow us to add another event next May, it was still a success for the Chamber as well as for our area businesses.
The opportunity for networking at events like this, allow many of our service area businesses to benefit and I was glad to see so many of you take advantage of it.
The Boca Grande Area Chamber is now planning our annual Christmas Walk scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday Nov. 26. This year our theme is "A Silver King Christmas."
Our local businesses in the downtown village are encouraged to decorate to the theme but we're sure that whatever displays the creative minds our merchants come up with will attract the eye and fill the hearts of all who visit with holiday spirit.
Plans are moving forward for the "World's Richest" Tarpon Tournament set to return May 17-18, 2012. This high-profile event will be linked to a weekend that will include the Gasparilla Island Kid's Classic on Saturday, May 19, and the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament on Sunday, May 20.
The focus will be on conservation as all of these tournaments will be all-release, no-weigh, no-kill, lending awareness of the need to preserve our fishery for future generations to enjoy as well as promoting sportsmanship and safe boating in and around Boca Grande Pass. Sponsors are already lining up and entries will be limited.
The goal is to promote a family friendly vacation destination week where there will be something for every member of the family.
A "Silver King" Festival scheduled for that weekend will include music, art and games for the kids in addition to all that Boca Grande has to offer. Accommodation services, restaurants and merchants from all over our service will benefit from this event and the Chamber will need everyone's help ensuring a successful week.
The significance and history of this tournament will be front and center in the months and weeks leading up to the event as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the "World's Richest" Tarpon Tournament next May.
Please contact the Chamber office at 964-0568 and let me know how you would like to participate.
Thank you and have a great day!
Lew Hastings
Managing Director
Boca Grande Area
Chamber of Commerce
