2010 Brandon Idol Festival Offers Something For Everyone

April 15, 2010

1286

By Carisa Biesecker

Growing bigger and better every year, the week-long Momentum Festival with Brandon Idol aims to please everyone in 2010.Producer Dave Loebig, president of Pacesetter Media, comments, “There are more events and more fun this year, as we’re reaching a wider audience.” This year’s events, running from Friday, April 16-Saturday, April 24, tap into a genre of sorts, beginning with the Mo Fest Brew Fest on Sunday, April 18, from 12 Noon-3 p.m., where at Bootleggers Beer and Wine Home Brewing Shop’s staff, located at 650 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon, will be teaching the techniques behind home-brewed beer and wine, offering donation-based beer and wine tastings, prizes and tours of the facility. “We just opened September 22 and were looking for a way to get involved in the community when we heard about the MoFest,” said Darcy Hermida, who co-owns Bootleggers with Carol Faessler. “We chose ECHO as our charity because it’s nice to know there’s a charity in the community that takes care of residents during these difficult economic times.”That’s right: This year, vendors of events have a choice as to what charity their contribution benefits, as proceeds from all events are divided between their pick and Rotary Camp Florida, a camp for children with disabilities spanning 18 acres in Brandon.Taking part in the Mo Fest Brew Fest, Jana Broder, owner of Drum Magic, will be on-site in the parking lot of Atlantic Village helping attendees to learn how to drum to the beat, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s will be in charge of the food and Joan Miller, a consultant for PartyLite, will initiate the Candle Smack Down, hosting friendly competitions with the opportunity to win candles and much more. On Thursday, April 22, at 6 p.m., residents are invited out to Tres Amigos Cantina, situated at 2025 Brandon Blvd. in Brandon, for the Night of Original Music where songwriters, singers, instrumentalists, guitar players, key keyboardist and singers are welcome to come by and perform. The Brandon Idol, unleashing greater Brandon’s top talent, will unveil on Saturday, April 24, at 7 p.m. at the Brandon Elks Lodge, located at 800 Centennial Dr. in Brandon. Earlier in the day within the same venue, the Brandon Teen Idol will be held at 1 p.m., featuring performances via two categories: Junior for ages 10-13 and Senior for ages 14-17. Those who plan to attend this year’s Spring Jubilee have the chance to preview 2010’s talent on Sunday, April 18, at 8 p.m. Tickets for the Brandon Teen Idol competition are $10 for adults and $5 for children age 3 and up. Brandon Idol tickets are on sale for $25 until Monday, April 12, thereafter costing $30.Loebig concludes, saying, “The Momentum Festival is a win-win for the community and the charities it helps,” looking to broaden the festival even more so next year and spread more wealth to those in need.Details on the Florida Rift Masters Guitar Contest, inviting guitarists to show their skills electrically or acoustically, are still to come. Go to www.MomentumFestival.com for more information. To receive updates, residents can become a “Fan” of the Momentum Festival on Facebook or register for the newsletter on the Website. To learn more regarding Rotary Camp Florida, visit www.RotarysCampFlorida.org.