PUBLISHED OCT. 20, 2016
Bayfest still going strong after 16 years
By ANDREA SHAY
ANDREA SHAY PHOTO
A lively crowd gets up on their feet and starts dancing while SoulRcoaster performs.
This weekend marked the 16th annual Bayfest on Anna Maria Island, the island’s biggest festival featuring live music, food trucks, and arts and crafts. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. During the event, there was also a classic car show featuring over 100 vehicles ranging from tricked-out muscle cars to restored status symbols like antique Rolls Royces and GTOs.
Pine Avenue was shut down to traffic, creating a pedestrian-friendly event where visitors could shop, eat, drink and meander. Music fans could dance or stand near the stage or set up lawn chairs toward the back of the live entertainment area. Vendors lined the streets, including local merchants and visiting artisans as well as local watersports and vacation rental agencies and entrepreneurs.
The crowd went wild when Mike Sales invited me on stage to get a photo from his viewpoint.
I spoke with the proprietors of Top Gun Flyboards about the event and their business. According to them, flyboarding is a relatively new sport and has only been around for four or five years. Flyboarding refers to “riding” or “wearing” a flyboard on one’s feet that is also attached to a jet ski. The flyboard is secured to the jet ski, and the water pressure expelled by the jet ski is what causes the rider to be able to ride the flyboard like a hoverboard or jet pack.
Having a presence at Bayfest allowed Top Gun to create a buzz about the sport and to offer a special “buy one, get one” package to eventgoers. Business owner David Swart was also hoping to gain greater visibility by promoting his businesses at Bayfest. Representing Tampa-based business Resort Property Promotions, Swart had a booth located near the middle of the festival. He also promoted his other business, Florida Prairie Nature Lover’s Retreat.
Live music filled the air throughout the day. Entertainer Mike Sales emceed the event, bringing the sweet sounds of island music with him, while the event’s other bands brought jazzy influences and rock ’n’ roll with classic and modern tunes by the likes of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Leonard Cohen, Pharrell and Bruno Mars.
Tyler Humphrey and Jonathon Brockhoff stand in front of the booth for Top Gun Flyboarding. They hope to get more people interested in the sport and are normally located right off the Palma Sola Causeway.
Bayfest attracts a large crowd every year and runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Food trucks and vendors could be found nearly everywhere on Pine Avenue during Bayfest.
Garrison and Chanhsy Hahn, owners of Hahn’s Kettle Corn, pose for a photo near the end of the night.
Jim Klein impressively plays a double-necked bass for SoulRcoaster.
Guitar player Tony Rizzo works up the crowd playing lead guitar for SoulRcoaster.
