ANNA MARIA – Summer is on the wane and it’s time to get outside, out of the air conditioning, and party.

It’s also time for the first festival of the season, Bayfest.

This year, the 14th Annual Bayfest, which is sponsored by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, and continues through Saturday, Oct. 18, on Pine Avenue. Friday’s kickoff starts in the city of Anna Maria on the six lots field, at the corner of Pine Avenue and South Bay Boulevard.

Friday’s music lineup kicks off with emcee Scott Prichard at the helm. There will be live music by Koko Ray and The Keepers from 5:30-7:30 p.m., followed by Uncle John’s Band from 8-10 p.m. There will also be food available at the food court in the field and refreshments, so come and enjoy dinner outdoors with the music.

Saturday, the fun continues as all of Pine Avenue closes off to showcase local area arts and craft vendors and the car show with more than 100 classic cars sponsored by LaPensee Plumbing and Pools. There will also be a Kids Zone with all kinds of fun games, bounce houses, climbing walls and more sponsored by AMI Fitness. The AMI Privateers ship will also be there.

Saturday’s musical lineup begins with emcee Mike Sales, who will introduce us to Can’t Turn Left from 11 a.m.-noon, soulRcoaster from 12:30-2:30 p.m., Scott’s Garage from 3-5 p.m., Kettle of Fish from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and the final performance of The Dr. Dave Band from 8-10 p.m. The event ends at 10 p.m.

The Food Court

Participating restaurants and food servers include Waterfront restaurant, serving fish tacos, carnitas and pork tacos; Ribfest winner T&L BarBQ with ribs, BBQ pulled pork, chicken and rice, mac and cheese and collard greens; The Feast restaurant serving conch fritters, lobster salad and lobster rolls and coconut shrimp, T-bone’s selling its famous brisket, cole slaw and more; Quality Foods offering Greek gyros and Greek food; J Burns Pizza with subs, pizza and sandwiches; plus hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages, homemade lemonade, candy apples and, of course, Tyler’s famous homemade ice cream.

Sponsors

Bayfest is proud to have the following sponsors contribute to this worthy event:

Miller Electric – which lights all the Chamber’s events each year;

LaPensee Plumbing and Pools – which sponsors the car show every year;

Anna Maria Island Resorts, which is sponsoring the final performance of the Dr. Dave Band;

Island Real Estate, the sponsor of Friday night’s music;

The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper, The Bradenton Herald, Grooms Motors and Automotive, Hancock Bank, The Feast restaurant and Budweiser.

Classic wheels and shopping

 On Saturday there is the free Classic Car Show, featuring exotic, vintage and muscle cars on display along Pine Avenue. There are plenty of opportunities for shopping as well, showcasing over 100 vendor booths along Pine Avenue with unique and one-of-a-kind gift items, jewelry, local artists’ works, collectable items, T-shirts, island crafts, gifts and much more. Parking is available as you enter the city of Anna Maria at CrossPointe Fellowship. Ride the free trolley to Pine Avenue and Bayfest.