THE MAIN STREET BARTOW NEWSLETTER 
SEPTEMBER 2014
TOP 10 REASONS TO ATTEND FRIDAY FEST
Celebrate Our 10th Anniversary with live music by The Copy Cats, free ice cream and a 10-cent beer at Bartow's Friday Fest on Sept 19, 6-9pm
Popular cover band The Copy Cats were such a crowd favorite at the April Friday Fest, we've invited them back for our 10th Anniversary celebration. 


 

Time flies when you're having fun, so they say, and we sure have had a lot of fun over the last 10 years at Main Street Bartow's monthly Friday Fests.  From a small gathering on South Central, the 'Tow Jam has become the place to be from 6-9 p.m. on the third Friday of the month.

 

Music, dancing, classic cars, food and beverage, fun for kids and adults, plus special activities and celebrations - Friday Fest has become a Bartow institution encompassing two blocks of East Main and South Central.

Many volunteers have helped along the way and continue to be the backbone of the event, along with Mary Jordan, executive assistant for Main Street Bartow for 21 years - so far!

 

Back in 2004, Downtown Bartow, Inc., changed its name to Main Street Bartow to align itself with the Florida Main Street Program, which helps in revitalization and preservation of historic downtowns. As part of the efforts to promote the downtown area, a monthly street festival was proposed. Planning was led by then-MSB President Sue Hanson; Jim Duane, the Community Redevelopment Agency director; Mary Jordan; and volunteer Jennifer Daniels.

 

The first Friday Fest was held Sept. 17, 2004, on the block of South Central Avenue between Main Street and Summerlin. Jim Frazier offered Buffett tunes, followed in October by Taboo, and in November by the Sofa Kings, a crowd favorite that has returned every year. Jennifer remembers the crowd being small, maybe 10 people, for the first event. "Good thing I had twins or it would have been eight." Jim insisted, "if we build it, they will come," and he was right.

 

He and Gail and Tony Murray added a car show, which usually takes up the whole first block of East Main Street and sometimes spills over onto North Central. Kelley Buick GMC has become the sponsor of the classic car Cruise-In.

 

"There'll be music playing ... and dancin' in the street" during the 10th anniversary celebration of Friday Fest on Sept. 19.

 

 

When Mikel Dorminy became director of Main Street Bartow, she added kids activities, vendors and a stage. It's hard now to imagine Friday Fest without all these extras. 

 

Creating new activities was fun, but maintaining everything as the event grew took real work. Thanks to the consistent and ongoing efforts of volunteers like Deborah Wells, Peggy Kehoe, Lynn Jordan, Richard & Cheryl Dreyer, Virginia Condello, Dawn Wade, David and Susie Brewer, Richard and Anita Kokes and Avril Bodiford Friday Fest thrived.


 
The City of Bartow, the CRA and The Polk County Democrat have supported the event from the beginning.

 

Citrus & Chemical Bank was the first business sponsor, helping with the cost of a Patsy Cline show in 2005. Since then, MSB has been very fortunate to have longtime supporters from the business community, among them Clear Springs, the Law Firm of Frost Van den Boom,  Lilly, 


O'Toole & Brown, Madrid Engineering Group, PalletOne and our local State Farm Agents. 

Friday Fest is possible because of these sponsors and many more. And great music is a big part of the event's success. Besides the Sofa Kings, The Ladyz & the Boyz (AKA Rusty Bones or The Peanut Butter Company) has played the most.


Somehow, 10 years have passed and it's time to celebrate. You won't want to miss free

  
balloons and free ice cream donated by Dairy Queen, or 10-cent draft beer (limited to certain times and quantities). By the way, beverages at the Main Street Bartow tent remain at 2004 prices, just $1 for soda and water, and $2 for draft beer. Wine and recently-added bottled beer are $3.

Sponsors for the Sept. 19 street party are Community Southern Bank and  

Madrid Engineering Group.

 

 

Local kids from the Heartland Center receive their new bikes paid for by a portion of the proceeds from Tour De Tow
  riders, sponsors and organizers. 
 

100 BIKES DELIVER PEDAL POWER
Tour De Tow, Polk's largest organized cycling event, takes off Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8 a.m. with over 200 riders.

 

Tour de Tow is also celebrating a milestone on Saturday, Sept. 20: giving 100 bicycles to kids in need in just five years. Power Pedalers have big smiles when they receive their new bikes at each year's event.

 

"Our mission is cultivating a love for cycling and a healthy lifestyle," organizer Trish Pfeiffer said.

Bartow Cycling Events and Main Street Bartow present the scenic road tour which offers a 17-mile family fun ride, $20 registration; 35-mile road tour, $30 registration; and a 64-mile road tour, $35 registration. Tour de Tow is an on-road cycling tour along the scenic back roads of southern Polk County.


 
Registration starts at 7 a.m., and the ride at 8 a.m. Vehicle parking is in the Oaks Parking Lot, 395 South Central Ave. The staging area is in front of the Main Street Bartow office, 180 South Central.

 

Every route has a SAG vehicle following with drinks, snacks, tubes and a pump. Everyone will receive a ride map that will have a number on it for emergencies or problems.

This cycling tour is suitable for a variety of skill levels. Rest stops will have plenty of fluids and refueling munchies.  

 

For more info call Trish Pfeiffer at 863-640-1024.

 


SOMETHING NEW: FARMERS' 4TH MARKET

Join us EVERY 4th Saturday for an expanded market beginning Sept. 27, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 


Shoppers and vendors have a new day to shop an expanded farmers' market in Downtown Bartow.

 

For several years Main Street Bartow has sponsored a Farmer's Market on Saturdays at Fort Blount Park. That will continue, but now it will be expanded on every fourth Saturday to become the Farmer's 4th Market.

 

Produce, plants, food and crafts will be offered from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 22 and Dec. 27.

 

Vendor fee is $10. To reserve a spot, call Irene at 863-646-0644. For more information call Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508. 

 

 

GLENDA'S AT THE GALLERY

Art by Glenda Reeves will be featured in this month's show at {tay'-cho} an art gallery.


Visit the Glenda's Exhibit Opening on Friday, Sept. 19 starting at 5 p.m.

Glenda Reeves will be the featured artist at {tay'-cho} an art gallery this month. A talented painter and an art teacher, Glenda is the owner of the gallery, at 395 East Summerlin St., also the home of Carolyn's Gallery & Frame Shop.

 

The opening reception is Friday, Sept. 19, beginning at 5 p.m. Stop by before or during Friday Fest for art,
refreshments and conversation!


 
For more information call 863-519-5215.

 


PICK UP THE VIBE OF VINTAGE

Vintage Vibe Artisan's Market returns to Ft. Blount Park on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

 

Even with a slight rain, Vintage Vibe was a very popular and well attended event in February.   - Photo by Trish Pfeiffer
 

 

Another anniversary! Vintage Vibe Artisan Market began last October and a year later is still going strong. Shoppers and vendors will be in Fort Blount Park on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

 

Antiques, repurposed furniture and other objects showcasing artisans' creativity, plus fresh produce can be found, as well as gifts for friends and yourself.

 

For more information call Trish Pfeiffer at 863-640-1024.


Don't miss out! Order your Mr. Bartow calendar by calling Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508.

 

PIN UP THIS CALENDAR!

Mr. Bartow Calendars Are On Sale Now.

Be sure to get your order in for the exclusive Main Street Bartow 2015 calendar featuring full-color photos of Mr. Bartow, Rob Kendrick, and his court.


 

The very successful Mr. Bartow contest was held in May, with 12 of Bartow's favorite guys competing for the honor of being the first Mr. Bartow.


 

This calendar is sure to be a collector's item, so get your order in now. At $15 each, it's "hunky-dory!"


 

Call Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508.

 

 

COMING EVENTS DOWNTOWN
For More Info 863.519.0508
  


 

September

Sept. 19, Fri. - 10th Anniversary Friday Fest, 6-9 p.m., featuring The Copy Cats Band. Co-sponsored by Community Southern Bank and Madrid Engineering Group.

Sept. 20, Sat. - Tour de Tow cycling event, registration at 7 a.m. Three rides begin at 8 a.m. Staging at Main Street Bartow office, 180 S. Central. For info call 863-640-1024.

Sept. 20, Sat. - Uptown Yard Sale

Sept. 26, Fri. - Movie on the Lawn, "Rio2" Stephens Elementary will be selling snacks. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, bug spray. Movie begins at dark-thirty.

Sept. 27, Sat. - Farmers' 4th Market: produce, plants, food and crafts. Fort Blount Park, corner of West Main and North Broadway, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Vendor fee is $10. To reserve a spot, call Irene at 863-646-0644. For info, call Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508.


 

October

Oct. 4 - Vintage Vibe Artisan Festival, featuring eclectic and whimsical furniture and odds and ends from the past refinished to become works of art. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fort Blount Park. For info call 863-640-1024.

Oct. 7 and 14, Tues. - 12:15-1 p.m., Polk County History Center Book Club, "Gods and Generals" by Jeff Shaara. For more info, contact Shelly Drummond at 863-534-4386 or email shellydrummond@polk-county.net.

Oct. 11, Sat. - Monthly Antique Fair, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. along Main Street. Booth spaces are $20 each and can be reserved by contacting Irene at 863-646-0644 or the Main Street Bartow office at 863-519-0508.

Oct. 17, Fri. - Friday Fest, featuring The Ladyz & The Boyz, sponsored by Bartow Civic Clubs, 6-9 p.m., East Main Street and Central Avenue.

Oct. 18, Sat.  - Uptown Community Yard Sale, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Guardian Ad Litem parking lot, 205 East Main St. set-up beginning at 7 a.m. Vendors will be charged $10; no preregistration is necessary. For further info call Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508 or Irene at 863-646-0644.

Oct. 21, Tues. - Polk County History Center Lunch & Learn, 12:15-1 p.m., 100 E. Main St., "Weird Florida" presented by Charlie Carson. Free; bring a brown bag lunch if you like. 

Oct. 30, Thurs. - Annual Crickette Club Parade and Carnival. Parade starts at 4 p.m. East Main Street and First Avenue and ends at Mosaic Park with a carnival featuring games, rides, entertainment, food.

 

November

Nov. 8, Sat. - Fall Craft Fair. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Downtown Bartow. Call Main Street Bartow at 519-0508.

Nov. 21, Fri. - Magic on Main Friday Fest, Light Up Bartow Celebration, music, entertainment, food and fun. 6-9 p.m. Call Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508.

  Nov. 22, Sat. - Impurrial Polk County Cat Festival, 4-9 p.m., Downtown Bartow. Call Main Street Bartow at 863-519-0508.


 

Every Saturday - Farmers' Market, Fort Blount Park, fresh produce, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.


 

For more information on any Main Street Bartow events or to volunteer, please call our office at 863-519-0508. If you know someone who would like to receive our newsletter please call the Main Street office or email us at mainstreetbartow@verizon.net.


 

 


 


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