Chamber’s Bayfest returns to Pine Avenue
Festivalgoers gather on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria for Bayfest. The event featured an all-day street festival with live music, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and a classic car show. The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce hosted the event after a 2024 wipeout due to hurricane impacts.
Anna Maria Island Privateers Robert “Cook Master” Warner, left, Debra “Flash” Kilpatrick and Terry “Colonel Krash” Kilpatrick, are on hand for mischief-making and fun during Bayfest. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
The Jack’d Up band pumps out the music Oct. 18 at the 24th annual Bayfest in Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Wendy Diaz, left, gets a free sample from Jill Howarth at the Cocoroo skincare booth at Bayfest. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Eileen Van Lieshout of Manatee Pottery sells a hand-thrown coffee mug to Juda and Zoe Kubassek. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
People stroll Pine Avenue in Anna Maria during Bayfest, held Oct. 18 and presented by the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. The annual event featured musical entertainment, food and beverage stands, retail vendors, nonprofit booths and a classic car show. Last year’s event was canceled due to widespread damage on the island from Hurricane Helene. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff
At Bayfest’s adult beverage tent, Bob Slicker of Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez is all smiles — and so are the customers. Last year’s Bayfest was canceled due to widespread damage on the island from Hurricane Helene. Proceeds from beer and other alcohol sales as well as vendor fees benefit the event sponsor, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff
The Batmobile, one of the entries in a classic car show, draws attention Oct. 18 at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff
The “Dancing Turtle” brings festivalgoers into the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring tent at Bayfest, held Oct. 18 on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff
The Tropicats take the stage Oct. 18 at Bayfest on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria, opening with “Me and Bobby McGee.” Islander Photo: Lisa Neff
The VIDA Sports team invites festivalgoers with giveaways to learn about a campaign to bring “hope through soccer to the slums of India.” VIDA Sports and the Center of Anna Maria Island will hold a Monte Carlo Night Nov. 8 to raise money for the effort. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff
Mike Sales entertains the mid-day crowd on Pine Avenue during the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s Bayfest. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff