33rd Annual BaileyFest to offer day of fun for all
A free afternoon of entertainment, activities and raffle giveaways is planned for this weekend.
Hosted by Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel, the 33rd Annual BaileyFest will take place on Oct. 21 from noon to 4 p.m. in the Bailey’s Center. Open to residents and visitors, the festival will feature stage performances, free food, pony rides, water slides and more, plus the chance to win merchant prizes.
Roni Martorelli, event organizer, explained that it is a day to give back to the community.
“The idea is from Sam Bailey and Francis Bailey to give back,” she said.
“So we kept with the tradition,” Martorelli added. “We do it once a year.”
The lineup of performers will include entertainer and deejay Frank Torino, performer Sanderella, country singers The Country Chicks, and Joey Stey with his bluegrass and country. Conchalele Bob and the Seagulls will perform tropical rock, and the Country Rhythm Cloggers will kick up their feet.
Another band, Another Door Opens, is a ’70 and ’80s nostalgia band that features songs from the Eagles, Beatles, John Denver, Jim Croce, Bob Seiger and more. The Sanibel Sea School’s band and chorus will also perform, while Bob MacPhail and his Conchalele will play the national anthem.
“It’s just to have a fun laid-back day and enjoy entertainment,” she said.
A highlight of the event is the opportunity to win items from the island’s merchants.
“We have a raffle inside the store,” Martorelli said of Bailey’s. “Every store is giving a prize.”
This year’s list of prizes include:
– Billy’s Bikes & Rentals – Rent two bikes for 24 hours or $50 off of a rental
– Lily & Co. Jewelers – $100 gift certificate
– George & Wendy’s Seafood Grille – Four $25 gift certificates
– Island Cleaners – $100 gift certificate
– Select Vacation Properties – $100 gift basket
– Grog Shop – Two $50 gift certificates
– Bailey’s General Store – $100 gift certificate, plus ORCA cooler from hardware store worth $190
– Island Cinema – Five $20 gift certificates
– Joey’s Custard – Five $20 gift certificates
– Whims – Three $25 gift certificates
– Sanibel Spout – Two $50 gift certificates
Attendees can enter to win inside of Bailey’s or any of the businesses in the center.
“The merchants are giving these off to show them their appreciation for coming into the store and buying through the year,” she said. “It’s like giving back – the merchants are doing the same thing.”
People do not have to be present to win; the winners will be posted inside of Bailey’s later.
“We’re going to have pony rides,” Martorelli said.
There will be mule rides with the Bailey’s wagon.
“They put them basically on the back of the wagon and pull them around the shopping center,” she said. “It’s an oldie, but a goodie.”
Other activities will include water slides, inflatables and a rock wall.
Each year, the fifth-graders at The Sanibel School submit an essay on the topic, “What does Sanibel mean to me?” The submissions of one boy and one girl are chosen, and they are crowned royalty.
Anabella Del Valle and Stephen Sampas have been named this year’s queen and king.
“Last year’s king and queen will crown the new ones,” Martorelli said.
The Sanibel police and fire departments will be on hand.
“They’re going to bring their equipment,” she said.
In addition, representatives from the island’s various organization will have booths set up with information, like the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and Coastal Keepers. Trouper the Blind Raccoon, and his wildlife rehabilitator, will also be on site.
“They’ll be throughout the shopping center, showing what they have and talking about their organization,” Martorelli said.
There will be free food, such as hot dogs, hamburgers and popcorn, plus drinks.
“We’re going to have a lot of free food outside,” she said.
Queenie’s Ice Cream will serve up free cold treats.
“Usually we have about over a thousand or more,” Martorelli said of attendance.
Hoping for another great turnout this year, she invited everyone to stop by.
“We’re just giving back to the community as a family and we want people to come and have an enjoyable day,” Martorelli said. “We just want to get back together and enjoy this day because of what we’ve been through this year so far, with water quality. It’s a fun day, it’s fun for the community.”
For information, visit baileys-sanibel.com or 239-472-1516.
The Bailey’s Center is at 2477 Periwinkle Way.