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Festival set to swamp community

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By GEOFF FOX

gfox@tampatrib.com

Published: November 5, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - Organizers have dubbed Swamp Fest as "the new community festival."

"We plan to repeat it, absolutely," said Mike Connor, a founder of the event that begins Friday at the Land O' Lakes Community Center, where the popular Flapjack Festival was held for 30 years.

The first Swamp Fest was held in February at Land O' Lakes High School. It moved to the Community Center after organizers realized the Flapjack Festival would not be using the space, Connor said.

Like the Flapjack Festival, Swamp Fest also will feature pancakes, which will be served starting at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is no admission, although there is a charge for midway rides and pancakes, among other things.

The event is hosted by the Land O' Lakes Junior-Senior High School Booster Club.

Live entertainment will start at 3 p.m. Friday and throughout the day Saturday in the event tent. Local bands include the Public Ed Band, the Slick Nickel Band, the Dony Simonds Band, Crystal Blue, and Amanda Drake and the Barnburners.

Sunday is Kids Day, when children can meet Ronald McDonald. There also will be a magician, balloon twisters and face painters, among other attractions.

The Tampa Bay Antique Vehicle Association is having a car show that day that will feature more than 100 vehicles.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Florida Championship Wrestling is holding an event at Land O' Lakes High's Gator Stadium. The FCW is a "developmental" territory run by Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment, an industry juggernaut. Budding pro wrestlers train at a sprawling facility off Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa.

"We just want everybody to have a good time," Connor said. "We're getting a lot of strong reaction to this one. It's probably a lot more visible at the community center."

COMMUNITY EVENT

WHAT: Swamp Fest, a three-day community event featuring midway rides, pancakes and a plethora of vendors

WHERE: Land O' Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd.

WHEN: 4 p.m. to close Friday, 10 a.m. to close Saturday and Sunday. Organizers say the event will be open until everyone leaves.

INFORMATION: Visit www.lolswampfest.com for a schedule of events and other information.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 731-1239.

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