Sun City Center's Big Day

FunFest, the focus of community arts, crafts and entertainment efforts each spring, was held March 22 on the Central Campus in Sun City Center. Crowd estimates varied, ranging up to 5,000, and the day was highlighted by mild temperatures and bright skies. Clowns, wizards, a magician and even a traveling accordionist helped keep the pace lively throughout the fairgrounds and the craft buildings.

Food committeeman, Bill Griffin,reported brisk sales at the dozen foodbooths starting at 7:30 a.m. with a wide variety of ethnic and picnicbooths opened by lunchtime.Ice creambars were still being sold well after the announced 4 p.m. closing time. Fred Kroog and Ed Myers had their hands full keeping the performances at three entertainment vistas on schedule, but everyone agreed things ran like clockwork.

The Security Patrol's Ray Peterson was able to direct visitors to any of 4 major parking areas while keeping the areas reserved for food and entertainment performers clear for last-minute arrivals and deliveries. Golf carts filled the corner parking area at Cherry Hills Drive and the buses from Community Hall that ran from 10 a.m. to late afternoon, afforded more relief to the reduced parking area caused by the construction of a new crafts building on Cherry Hills Drive this year.

This was the fourth FunFest and the theme this year was "Celebrating Sun City Center" with a circus theme. Not coincidentally, a new book was unveiled on Saturday tracing some 80 life stories of residents, telling how they found Kings Point and Sun City Center, what attracted them, and why they feel this is the only place for them.

Sales of the book "Celebrating Sun City Center" will continue at several places around town, call633-1427.