Annual BBQ, beer and blue festival will move to Summerfield Crossings Golf Club in Riverview
By LOIS KINDLE
South Shore’s largest block party — the Pigs in the Parking Lot BBQ, Beer and Blues Festival — has moved to the Summerfield Crossings Golf Club in Riverview, where organizers say it should be the best ever.
Hosted by the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce, this 10th annual event will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. June 8 and include food vendors, arts and crafts, live entertainment and lots of cold beer and wine. Admission and parking are free; the food, beer and other beverages will be sold by vendors.
As always, Melanie Davis, the South Shore Chamber’s executive director, invites everyone to come kick back, grab a bite to eat and enjoy some time with friends and neighbors. You can also meet local business and nonprofit chamber members and hear some great blues music by the Damon Fowler Band (from 5:30 to 7 p.m.) and Ari & the Alibis (from 7:30 to 9 p.m.), she said. Both bands will jam from 9 to 10 p.m.
“It’s such a fun event, and the atmosphere is so laid back,” Davis said. “You can stop by for dinner and a drink, pick up some dinners to take home or spend the entire evening with us. ‘Pigs’ was designed many years ago as a way for us to highlight member businesses, while giving area residents the opportunity to enjoy an affordable community event,” Davis added. “It really is like a huge block party.”
Visitors often come back annually. Ann Hathaway and Jeff McGowan are regulars. “We’re looking forward to it,” Hathaway said. “It’s a fun annual event with great music, good food, and you can always count on meeting up with lots of friends and neighbors.”
The commercial vendor area closes at 8 p.m., but the food and beverage purveyors will remain open as the entertainment continues until closing. Several thousand people are expected to attend.
Hillsborough Community College – SouthShore is the presenting sponsor. Others include CenterState Bank, South Bay Hospital, Waterset, Thermal Tech Inc., TECO, Pepin Distributing, Sims Crane & Equipment, SmileLynn Dentistry, Firehouse Cultural Center, the Alvarez Company and The Observer News.
There’s still time to for businesses to become vendors. The cost is $150 for chamber members, $250 for nonmembers and $45 for nonprofit organizations. For more information, call Suzanne Ramella at 813-645-1366 or email admin@southshorechamberofcommerce.org.
If You Go
WHAT: Pigs in the Parking Lot BBQ, Beer & Blues Festival.
WHERE: Summerfield Crossings Golf Club, 13050 Summerfield Blvd., Riverview.
WHEN: June 8, 5 to 10 p.m.
COST: Free admission and parking; food and beverages for sale.
FEATURES: Includes food and business and nonprofit vendors, arts and crafts, live blues music and lots of cold beer and wine.
INFORMATION: 813-645-1366 or admin@southshorechamberofcommerce.org.