The city of Holmes Beach will celebrate its 61st anniversary with a weekend of planned festivities Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16.
Holmes Beach Mayor Rich Bohnenberger and the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce have worked together to plan the event, which has grown each year.
Bohnenberger said he started Founder’s Day four years ago as a way to recognize citizens who have made the city a better place with a Community Partner Award. Past recipients include the city’s original founders, individuals who have donated land and funds to the city, including Rex Hagen and the Anna Maria Island Privateers.
Two years ago, Bohnenberger asked the chamber to participate. Last year, the Real Florida Festival was already scheduled on the outdoor field and the Founder’s Day ceremonies were incorporated into the weekend.
This year, Bohnenberger said the chamber is planning a festival strictly for the city’s Founder’s Day.
The celebration includes:
Friday, April 15, at 9 a.m. there will be a meet-and-greet in the Holmes Beach City Hall lobby with music by the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra and refreshments provided by The Islander.
At 10 a.m. in the commission chambers, Bohnenberger will hold the founding day ceremonies. It will begin with a presentation of the flag by the American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24 Color Guard and Bradenton Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey will sing the National Anthem.
During the ceremony, the Community Partner Award will be presented and a naming and dedication ceremony of the city hall building will be held. The public also will be asked to share memories of the city’s history.
Tours of city hall will be available Friday until 3 p.m. and a celebration will begin in the adjacent field at 5 p.m.
The festival will run until 10 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 16.
Festivities will includes arts and crafts, live music, a children’s play area, an invitational car show and a skateboard demonstration.
The chamber is seeking volunteers to help with the festival. To volunteer, call Mary Ann Brockman or Deb Wing at 941-778-1541.
Bohnenberger said a display of the city’s origins would be in the city hall lobby throughout April. He also mentioned that the Anna Maria Island Art League displays work by its artists throughout city hall. This partnership is a result of the AMIAL’s participation in a previous founder’s day event, he said.
At the end of April, the city will host an astronomy event with the Deep Sky Observers from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 23, in the city field.