Beach school musical begins busy weekend
With at least five major events going on this weekend, who would believe it is late May? From a youth musical to a national indoor sporting meet to an outdoor team sporting championship to a fishing benefit tournament to a fireworks benefit cookout, choose one or two to attend or drive to all … traffic is not a factor.
Start your weekend pentagon of action early with a Friday mid-morning stretch at the Senior Showcase Invitational Gymnastics Meet at Bay Oaks (the meet is also on Saturday). Later in the afternoon, the Beach Soccer Championships at the Holiday Inn on the Beach will offer a free beach soccer clinic for registered children before the tournament begins Saturday. Friday evening features Beach Elementary School hosting its first ever musical production with The Wizard of Oz (also Saturday evening). The 2010 Onshore/Offshore Fishing Tournament at Salty Sam’s Marina has an earlier start Saturday and can be followed by an afternoon bite at the 13th annual Surf Club cookout benefit for the Fourth of July Fireworks. If you haven’t had enough yet, more Beach Soccer Championship action is slated for Sunday.
Here is a capsule look at each event:
Beach school holds first musical
Beach Elementary School students have been practicing for a presentation of the first school musical production of The Wizard of Oz. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the school cafeteria stage on Friday, May 21, and Saturday May 22, at 6 p.m.
Doors will be opening at 5:30 p.m. for general admission seating. Tickets can be purchased at The Beach School Box Office starting May 17, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tickets prices are $4 per seat.
If you have any questions call Ms. Linda at 463-6356.
Bay Oaks hosts national gymnastics event
The National High School Gymnastics Association will host the Senior Showcase Invitational Gymnastics Meet on Friday, May 21, and Saturday, May 22, at the Bay Oaks Recreation Center. The event is expected to be a wonderful competition of the nation’s most outstanding high school senior gymnasts.
On Friday, the gym will open at 9:30 a.m. with an Olympic-style march-in. The opening ceremonies begins at 10:40, and competition starts at 11 a.m. The Team Champion and All Around Champion will be determined on this day.
On Saturday, the gym will open at 9 a.m. with the march-in at 10:20 and the competition starting at 10:30 a.m. This will include the Individual Championships on all four events with awards to follow.
Admission to this event is $5 for one day or $8 if you want to attend both days.
Beach Soccer Championship at Holiday Inn
The Holiday Inn at the Beach will host the Beach Soccer championships
during the weekend of May 22-23. The tournament will involve children of all ages (under age 8 teams up to under age 19 teams) as well as male, female, co-ed, college and professional players.
The format of play features U8 and U9 teams competing with six players aside, while all other squads playing five versus five. For registered teams, there will be a free beach soccer clinic for children (suggested for U13 and younger) on Friday, May 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. A check-in reception will also be held at Holiday Inn. Go to www.lifethrusports.com/beachsoccer for more information.
“We are excited to be able to bring The Beach Soccer Championships to our beautiful beaches,” said Jeff Mielke, executive director of the Lee County Sports Authority. “LifeThruSports, the organizer, is a top notch organization with a proven track record of delivering a first-class, family-based Festival atmosphere.”
In March, Mielke spoke to Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce members about the signing of the event.
“The Beach Soccer Championships can potentially become the second largest beach soccer festival in the United States,” he said. “When they came down here and saw the beach in front of the Holiday Inn, they were amazed. We signed a three-year contract.”
The Holiday Inn at the Beach has hosted soccer events in the past. Last August, the 19th annual “Soccer on The Beach” tournament was held at the Fort Myers Beach location.
Salty Sam’s hosts Offshore/Onshore Fishing Benefit
Anglers and other fishing enthusiasts throughout Southwest Florida are invited to participate in the 2010 Onshore/Offshore Fishing Tournament at Salty Sam’s Marina on San Carlos Island on Saturday, May 22, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The entry fee is $200 per boat (with a maximum of four people per boat).
There will be prizes for first, second, and third place plus other fun categories. Prizes include custom rods, and cash prizes up to $2,000.
The Offshore portion of the tournament will be a Grouper Tournament (prize for heaviest Grouper) and the Onshore will be a three fish combination (species to be determined).
Registration forms are available at Salty Sam’s Marina located at 2500 Main Street or go to www.Hischamber.org and click on “Upcoming Events” then select “Fishing Tournament.” Participants must be registered no later than Friday, May 21.
This event benefits the Christian Chamber of Southwest Florida, for more information about membership benefits call 481-1411 or visit the above website.
Surf Club hosts fireworks benefit
The 13th annual Surf Club cookout benefit for the “Light Up the Sky” Fourth of July Fireworks will be held Saturday, May 22, from 1 to 6 p.m.
Donations are still needed for raffle prizes at the 1167 Estero Blvd. location. Besides raffles, there will be live entertainment and other activities for the long-standing event.