Kelly Barrett could finally take a breath. People were starting to pour into the second Heroes Party at the Ranch March 12 at Lane Plaza Too.
Kelly and her husband, Tony Barrett, put the event together last year to raise funds for Heroes Welcome Home, the charity formed to help military veterans obtain housing. With the weather being beautiful on Saturday, coupled with the event's 4 p.m. start, it took a while for the crowd to build.
After about an hour, though, things were rolling with the lineup of three rock bands, plenty of craft beers and lots of food items. "It is a great turnout, and next year is going to be even better," said Matt Cornelius, a general manager of Darwin Brewing Company, one of the craft beer makers featured. "And what more could you say about the cause?"
"Anything to help the local vets," said John Breimer, owner of event sponsor Wolf's Head Pizza & Wings. Breimer also said he expects the event to grow.
"We don't get to do things like this if (the veterans) don't do what they do," said event sponsor Joel Henderson, who owns Scrambled.Â
Tony and Kelly Barrett, who founded Heroes Party at the Ranch, believe the event will continue to grow.
Lakewood Ranch's Ethan Skeim, a former United States Marine, came to Heroes Party at the Ranch to support the veterans, enjoy some classic rock and beer, and to show his patriotism.
John Breimer, the owner of Wolf's Head Pizza & Wings, enjoys the Heroes Party at the Ranch with Scrambled owner Joel Henderson. The two business owners were sponsors of the event.
Lakewood Ranch's Lori Ziegler dances with her grandson, 9-month-old Brandon Hibbert.
Frank Harris of Sarasota, Meredith Headings of Bradenton, Sean Storani of Miami, Whitney Rivera of Sarasota and Jorge Canepa all came to Heroes Party at the Ranch to support veterans.
Jaimi Filkins shares a laugh with her mom, Susan Filkins. The Port Charlotte residents came to Heroes at the Ranch to enjoy the music.
Brad and Jennifer McMillian of Bradenton were loving their first visit to Heroes Party at the Ranch.
Lakewood Ranch's Carol and Gene Sweeney wear Heroes Welcome Home t-shirts. Event organizers Kelly and Tony Barrett formed Heroes Welcome Home to help military veterans.
Those who attend Heroes Party at the Ranch found all kinds of ways to display their colors.
The band Archer was the first of three to perform at Heroes Party at the Ranch.
Nakomis residents Jim Mosher and Gerry Williams attended Heroes Party at the Ranch because they wanted to hear some great classic rock.
Kristin Martin takes a break from handing out craft beers for Motorworks Brewing to enjoy a slice of Wolf's Head pizza with Matt Cornelius of Darwin Brewery.
Tony Conte and Flor Williams of Sarasota are served craft beer by Justin Poppa, the territory sales manager for Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, an event sponsor.
