The Anna Maria City Pier Restaurant, the Anna Maria Island Privateers and The Islander newspaper are planning a couple of big parties May 14 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the pier.
City Pier manager David Sork along with The Islander and the Privateers will co-host a VIP reception and dinner at the restaurant starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 14, and lasting until the grand finale of the fireworks show in the bay.
Sork said the menu includes hors d’oeuvre at the reception, a main course of filet mignon and Florida seafood, a champagne toast and plenty of other refreshments.
The $10,000 fireworks show has been funded by the sale of commemorative planks for the pier, many of which are being installed this week. The planks, fireworks sponsorships and VIP seating for dinner May 14 were sold exclusively by The Islander newspaper on its website.
The Privateers are expected to arrive to the pier to open the celebration in a centennial parade starting from CrossPointe Fellowship at 6 p.m. May 13.
After a dedication ceremony that evening of the pier’s historical site marker, Privateers will join the City Pier Restaurant and The Islander in hosting an informal reception for the parade participants and officials in the north parking lot under a large tent.
Saturday at 10 a.m. will kick off the all-day centennial celebration in the parking lot, with loads of fun, food, beer and other refreshments provided by both the Privateers and the City Pier Restaurant.
The Island Rockers will tune up their band onboard the Privateer ship just in time to close the party and strike up the fireworks over Tampa Bay.
Reservations for the exclusive VIP reception, dinner and fireworks show at the T-end of the pier May 14 can be made at www.islander.org.
The T-end of the pier will be closed to other restaurant patrons and fishers from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 14 during the VIP event.