By Tom Vaught
sun staff writer

HOLMES BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce is becoming Holiday Central when it comes to coordinating annual Island events during the upcoming season.

According to Chamber President Mary Ann Brockman, all three Island cities have their own celebrations each year and the Chamber felt they needed to be coordinated to prevent duplication and overlapping.

Anna Maria will host the first holiday weekend on Nov. 24 through 26. City hall, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society and Ginny’s and Jane E’s at the Old IGA are working on events.

The following weekend, Dec. 1 through 3, will focus on Holmes Beach. Plans call for an open house of stores around the Island Shopping Center on Friday, Dec. 1, along with a Christmas tree lighting at the Chamber parking lot. The Anna Maria Island Privateers will be there along with Santa Claus and his sleigh.

The city of Holmes Beach will host a holiday movie outdoors at city hall on Saturday, Dec. 2, and there will be concert on Sunday.

The spotlight moves to Bradenton Beach the following weekend starting with the Holiday Prelude on Bridge Street on Friday, Dec. 8, featuring seasonal music and entertainment at the Bridge Street Pier parking lot under the bell tower. On Saturday, Dec. 9, the Privateers will hold their holiday parade, which ends at Coquina Beach. The merchants on Bridge Street are working on their plans for that weekend and will announce them when they are finalized.

For those who look forward to the annual holiday events, The Anna Maria Island Sun will publish a calendar each week starting around Halloween to make it easier to plan for them.

Churches, non-profit groups and other entities planning events leading up to the holidays that want them listed may call Tom Vaught at The Sun, 778-3986; fax the information to 778-6988; or e-mail it to tvaught@amisun.com.