Thousands of people are expected to enjoy barbecue, beer, blues and a redfish tournament, all part of the Ruskin SouthShore Chamber of Commerce’s Pigs in the Park on Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2, at E.G. Simmons Park.
This is the first annual Pigs in the Park that is being tied together with the fourth annual Redfish Tournament put on to benefit the Ruskin SouthShore Chamber.
The event kicks of at 6 p.m., Friday, April 1 with a free “Blues on the Grass” concert featuring Sarasota Slim. Bring your blankets and chairs to enjoy the evening of entertainment under the stars.
Saturday will be packed full of activities starting with the redfish tournament. From 11 a.m.-7 p.m., there will be blues bands along with beer, barbecue, commercial vendors and a kid’s fitness area.
The lineup for Saturday’s Blues Fest includes the Bottomfeeders from 11 a.m-2 p.m., Gypsy Hyway from 2-4 p.m. and TopShelf Blues Band 4-7 p.m.
Chamber Executive Director Melanie Morrison said the seafood festival committee came up with the idea for Pigs in the Park after discussing the success of the organization’s annual event in the fall. “The Seafood Fest is the largest annual event in south Hillsborough County,” she stated.“We discussed how it would be such a great idea to do something like that in the spring. The ideas started coming and…everyone loves barbecue, right?”
She adds that it is a great way to bring the community together, showcase local barbecue vendors and other businesses in the community while also raising awareness about the chamber and how much its does for its members and the community.
Sponsors include the Tampa Tribune, TECO, MiraBay by Newland Communities, Mosaic, H&R Block, Zipperer’s Funeral Home and Pepin Distributors. Morrison says there are still sponsorships available.
Admission is free and the park entry fee is $2 per carload.
E.G. Simmons Park is located at 2401 19th Ave. NW in Ruskin. Additional information can be obtained by call the Ruskin SouthShore Chamber of Commerce at 645-3808.
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