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Many mega-festivals planned for fall, winter

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BY MARK SCHANTZ

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: October 24, 2009

North Pinellas is the place to be this fall and winter to experience a variety of festivals.
Tarpon Springs touts its Hellenic heritage, during tourist season, with a monthly series of festivals along the Sponge Docks from October until June.

A Night in the Islands - the Greek islands, not the ones in the Caribbean - will take place the first Saturday of each month. Festivities will feature plenty of authentic dishes, with Greek music and traditional dance. There will be lessons on Greek-style backgammon from the World Tavli Association and instruction on Hellenic dancing and bouzouki playing.

Dining will take place under the stars along the Sponge Docks. Several restaurants in the riverfront tourist district will serve up specialties from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. Because of the New Year's holiday, there will be no festival in January.

The city received a grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs to preserve and showcase its Greek heritage.

In downtown Palm Harbor, merchants will present Witchstock 2009, a Halloween celebration, Saturday, Oct. 31. In its third year, the street party is presented by Oak Trail Books and Witches Brew, on Florida Avenue.

The festivities will feature music by The Witches Brew's house band, The Defendents, and adult, children's and pet costume contest, starting at noon.

On Nov. 21, Old Palm Harbor Main Street will present its seventh annual Bike Fest that includes a rock concert, motorcycle and car show, which are held on Florida Avenue.

Playing at the event will be AC/DC tribute band, Highway to Hell, along with rock groups The Defendants and the Greg Billings Band.

In Dunedin, the Junior League of Clearwater-Dunedin will present the largest fall art show of the season. The 46th annual Art Harvest will be held in Highlander Park, on Michigan Avenue, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 8. Artists from all over the world will display their works to an expected 50,000 spectators.

The largest wine and blues festival in north county, Dunedin Wines the Blues, will be expanded to two days for its 19th year. It will be held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14, in downtown Dunedin. The festival, which features top rock and blues bands and samplings of fine wines, is being combined with Dunedin's Second Friday series.

On Friday night, Dec. 4, Dunedin will create a winter wonderland downtown with its Old Fashioned Christmas. It will include sleigh rides, family games, music of the season and the area's biggest holiday street parties.

In the city of Dunedin, its Community Redevelopment Agency and the Downtown Merchants Association present the county's largest Mardi Gras Parade, musical concert and street party. The 2010 version will be staged Tuesday, Feb. 16, along Main Street.

On March 17, there will be a St. Patrick's Day street party at Peggy O'Neill's Irish Pub & Eatery, in the historic Palm Harbor downtown district, and outdoor party at Flanagan's Irish Pub, in downtown Dunedin.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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