Anna Maria’s City Pier Centennial Celebration is now a part of the Congressional Record.
At the celebration committee meeting March 28, chair Sissy Quinn displayed the official document to committee members that U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, read into the Congressional Record on March 1. That makes May 13-14, the centennial dates, part of the permanent record of Congress, Quinn said.
But with less than six weeks to go before the centennial, the meeting was more about “firming up” planned events than patting each other’s back for the Congressional Record notice.
Stamp collector Charlie Fields said plans for the special cancellation postmark the U.S. Postal Service will use May 14 in Anna Maria are going well.
Fields said the Anna Maria post office has ordered the special postmark, which includes a drawing of the Anna Maria City Pier, and he expects it to arrive this week. The post office has not announced the times that the cancellation will be available, but the service will set up in the city pier parking lot, Fields said.
Anna Maria Mayor Mike Selby will sign a commemorative letter to accompany specially printed envelopes for the occasion that will be sold by the Anna Maria Island Historical Society.
Volunteer Caryn Hodge said the Food and Wine on Pine festival scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14 has 27 vendors 40 artists planning to attend.
Hodge presented a map showing food vendors, artists, entertainment and performers, but said the performers, who will be in period costume and act out a pre-written script, will stroll Pine Avenue.
Former Anna Maria Mayor SueLynn said the U.S. Coast Guard would perform demonstrations of search-and-rescue missions off the city pier using Coast Guard helicopters and boats shortly after 4 p.m. May 14.
City Commissioner Jo Ann Mattick is organizing the parade May 13 and is seeking more convertible automobiles for the event. If she can’t find more convertibles, Lauren Sato of Beach Bums has pledged as many golf carts as she has available, Mattick said.
Selby said the city will block off Pine Avenue at 6:30 a.m. May 14 and it will remain closed to vehicular traffic until after the fireworks display set to begin shortly after sunset.
Originally, the city planned to open that portion of Pine Avenue from Tarpon Street to Gulf Drive, but Selby said after consideration, it is much safer for pedestrians to keep all of Pine Avenue blocked until after the fireworks.
“It’s going to be much safer for Pine Avenue foot traffic,” he said.
Selby also said he received a letter from West Manatee Fire Rescue approving the fireworks display sponsored by the City Pier Restaurant and The Islander newspaper.
Hodge reported that a one-day liquor license application was submitted to the liquor board in Sarasota.
The committee still is seeking volunteers to assist in the centennial. People interested in volunteering can call Mattick at 941-778-3232.
As the event is a fundraiser for local charities, volunteer hours can be provided to local high school students.
The next committee meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, April 11, at the Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.