Anna Maria Island Merchants, Beach Businesses, Arts Groups and Community Organizations Plan Fall Events...
Bridging the Gap ton Anna Maria Island
Merchants on Anna Maria Island, members of the local business community, groups and organizations are helping to plan 30 events between September 29th and November 16... in an effort to draw people out to the island during bridge renovations.
It's being reported in the local Anna Maria Island media that "beach businesses, arts groups and community organizations have combined to sponsor more than 30 events slated for this fall in an effort to draw people out to the gulf islands while the Anna Maria Island Bridge is closed for repairs."
As previously posted on this blog, the Anna Maria Island Bridge that carries traffic along Manatee Avenue to and from the island's beach communities is scheduled to be closed for major repairs between Sept. 29 and Nov. 13 of this year.
Bridging the Gap Events
As reported by SARA KENNEDY of the Bradenton Harold, "the series of events, collectively called Bridging the Gap, is set to begin Oct. 2 and continue through Nov. 16, according to organizers. The schedule calls for concerts, sports contests and open air markets, art walks and a scavenger hunt, among other festivities."
According to organizers, "in addition to Bridging the Gap events, businesses preparing for the bridge closing are urging beach residents to shop locally to minimize its negative effects."
"People out on the island need to use the local businesses," said Becky Garbus, owner of Island Lumber & Hardware, 213 54th St., Holmes Beach. "I'm basically telling my suppliers to come early in the morning to get across the bridge," said Garbus about the Cortez Bridge, the only connection to Manatee's gulf beaches while the Anna Maria Island bridge is closed.
According to Ginny Dutton, co-owner of Ginny & Jane E's at the Old IGA, the closing of the Anna Maria Island bridge is nothing more than a "bump in the road". Ginny is one of the local Anna Maria Island merchants involved in organizing "Bridging the Gap" events.
"I have enough faith in the community and people on the island, that they would support our efforts out on the island," she added.
Shirley Rush Dean is a member of a nonprofit group of artists, musicians and writers on Anna Maria Island. She says her group had already planned an ArtsHop for Nov. 14th. The event is to involve galleries featuring art, food, music and raffles. "Its timing was a fortunate coincidence. It just fits right in with what they're doing," she said.
Briging the Gap Beach Events Scheduled for Oct. 2 - Nov. 16.
- Oct. 4 is the Skimboard Bash at the Beachhouse Restaurant
- Oct. 18 is Bayfest on Pine Avenue at Anna Maria
- Nov. 14 is the ArtsHop featuring various art galleries and the Historical Society Museum
For more information about the Anna Maria Island Bridging the Gap events, or if you want to include an event of your own, call Ginny Dutton at Ginny and Jane E's.
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