Gourmet lawn party, raffle are good bet for Saturday

The odds of winning the Florida Lottery’s jackpot: One in 22,957,480.

The odds of winning the Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party’s raffle grand prize: Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key members hope tickets will sell out, making the odds one in 400.

But, right now, it’s less than one in 300 — and Kiwanians don’t like those odds. That’s because raffle-ticket proceeds provide scholarships to local students in need. Although the group has sold enough tickets to cover the cost of prizes, more tickets means more scholarships.

And, even though selling all 400 tickets will decrease the odds of winning slightly from where they currently stand, it will also increase local students’ chances of success.

Tickets are $100. The grand-prize winner will receive his or her choice of $20,000 cash; $20,000 toward any vehicle at any of the five Sarasota-Manatee Gettel dealerships; or a $20,000 “Uncrowded Serengeti” safari package from Admiral Travel.

Second prize is a three-day, two-night stay at the Longboat Key Club and Resort that includes use of all amenities.

Third prize is an oil painting by artist Malenda Trick valued at $1,500.

The event has 29 participating restaurants, along with beverages courtesy of Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Sysco, Premier Beverage, Coca-Cola and Southern Wine & Spirits, and will also feature flowers from Exotica Florist.

Blues Pig will perform with two prominent Steves of the Sarasota blues scene: Blues Pig’s Steve Mislyan, aka “Sizzlin’ Steve,” and Steve Avery, who has played professionally for more than 30 years and now lives in Sarasota. For party-goers who need an after-party, a group of local blues artists all named Steve will be playing later that night at Manatee Sports Bar, 7423 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Luncheon and raffle tickets are available at Lazy Lobster, Ace Hardware, SunTrust Bank, Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, BP Station and Barrier Island Realty on Longboat Key; Coldwell Banker, Edward Jones and Lynches Pub & Grub on St. Armands Circle; Bridge Street Bistro on Bradenton Beach; and the Observer Media Group in downtown Sarasota. Luncheon cost is $25 in advance and $30 at the gate.

The event will raise money for four local children’s charities: the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee and Sarasota counties, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Manatee and Sarasota counties, Child Protection Center and Children First.

IF YOU GO
What: Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party
When: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17
Where: Longboat Key Club and Resort Islandside Golf Course, 300 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive
Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Raffle tickets are $100 each.