Longboat Key Fall Fest a big hit

On Sunday,  hundreds of residents, visitors, business owners and vendors converged at the Centre Shops for the inaugural Centre Shops Fall Festival benefiting the Longboat Key Historical Society — and it was a big hit. (Scroll below to see pics taken by Jeanette Billings!)

Not only did the Festival benefit the Historical Society, free space was provided to Longboat Key’s Turtle Watch.

“It’s great to see the community come together like this to support Key businesses, catch-up with old friend and make new ones,” said Freda Perrotta, Longboat Key Turtle Watch member and resident.

Centre Shops tenant, Festival organizer and owner of Steff’s Stuff, Stephanie Claussen, said the event was a huge success.

“We all worked so hard planning the event, permitting and spreading the word about the Festival, but none of us knew how it would turn out. It was a huge success! Many residents and business owners have called me to thank me for pushing the idea forward,” said Claussen.

“It was a beautiful sunny balmy day, we are happy to be back in our Longboat home. We read about the event in the paper and decided to come. It’s nice to see everyone out and about,” said Grand Bay resident Ruth Ades.

Ades and her husband Alan had just returned from their summer home and were excited to be back on the Key.

The event was such a success that planning the next Festival is already underway.

“We will have our next Festival for Sunday Dec. 9 as well as one Sunday Jan. 13.  With the same hours, from 10 a.m. thru 4 p.m.,” said Claussen.

The outdoor Festival had something for everyone. A wine vendor, organic honey growers, fresh organic hydroponic vegetables grown by Randy True of True Family Farm of Parrish; antiques; hot rod and antique cars for sale provided by Classic Cars of Sarasota; Authentic African artifact by Baga Bird Art; Doggin’ It hot dog and chili emporium provided by Lazy Lobsters’ Michael Garey; Barrier Island Realty and RVA auctioned off a weekend getaway; and a live jazz performance by Tom Barrett’s Sophisticated Jazz filled the air.