published: Friday, September 21, 2012

Feel free to Pig Out in AP on Saturday

Special to the News-Sun

AVON PARK - In a new effort to hold more activities in the downtown Avon Park area, the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce and the Avon Park Champions Club have found a lot of helping hands. From the Main Street CRA, the city council, Public Works, local businesses and the local citizens, everyone has pitched in to make this Saturday's event a great one.

This Saturday, the two entities are hosting Pig Out on Main Street, Family Fun BBQ from 2-7 p.m. in in front of the Hotel Jacaranda. This effort is a community push to have more events and activities for families. The event begins with music by the Dressel Band at 2 p.m. and then at 4:30 p.m. the Ransom Band takes the stage.

At 4 p.m. there will be a Corn Hole Challenge for two man teams. It is only $20 to enter the Corn Hole Challenge and the first place prize is $100, as well as second and third place prizes.

Homemade Creations will be supplying the jump houses, which will be bouncing for the kids all day long.

The barbecue dinners will be available for $10 each and include a mound of pulled pork, role, slaw, beans and sweet tea.

This event is a community effort with many different supporters coming together to make it a success. Winn Dixie is the primary supporter, donating nearly all of the food products, as well as Jeff Williams donating his tractor trailers to use as a portable stage.

"When permission was granted for the chamber to close the roads, even the FDOT expressed support by telling all to have fun and make sure we overeat," said Laura Wade, chamber president.

The Avon Park City Council gave the green light for this event and expressed interest in having more events like this one. Genpak has graciously donated the Styrofoam containers for the dinners and a many volunteers are donating their time to raise money for the local student athletes and local businesses.

"This is an example of how our community can come together in a positive way to support each other. I feel blessed to live and work in Avon Park. There is always someone there to help when help is needed. There is also a community spirit to want great things to happen downtown and I am pleased the chamber has the opportunity to be a part of it," Wade said.

For any questions on Pig Out on Main Street, call the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce at 453-3350.