Jennifer 'Bash, the co-president of the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota with her husband Jamie Miller, flashed a big smile when asked how important the My Hometown Fest will be to her nonprofit's mission.
"It's huge," said Bash, who was in the middle of the annual food and adult beverage frenzy March 30 at Nathan Benderson Park. "This helps us serve more families, help more kids."
My Hometown Fest was founded by Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota in 2016 to support the club’s charitable activities that include the Sertoma Kids Speech and Language Center, which serves families regardless of their ability to pay.
Not far away, the music group American Jones was pumping out music that had most within earshot dancing whether they were near the main stage or lined up at one of the booths to get food samples or adult beverages from the region's top restaurants, distilleries and breweries. Besides American Jones, Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio, and Hot Tonic rocked out as well during the all-day event.
Bash said she expected between 3,000 to 5,000 tickets sold by the end of the day.
"It's amazing, all these people coming out," she said.
Trey Jones handles the lead vocals for American Jones during My Hometown Fest at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota on Saturday.
Photo by Jay Heater
Jamie Miller and his wife Jennifer Bash, the Seratoma Club of Greater Sarasota co-presidents, expected more than 3,000 tickets sold to My Hometown Fest.
Photo by Jay Heater
Jon Kleiber (left) and Brenda Kleiber (right), the owners of Campfire Beverages give Tampa's Austin Aletriz, Tampa's Jake Lopez and Bradenton's Frank Grooms a taste of Campfire Coffee Liqueur at My Hometown Fest.
Photo by Jay Heater
Grillsmith Operations Director Benjamin Horstman serves up an order of Cajun shrimp and grits at My Hometown Fest. "We participate in as many charity events as we can," he says.
Photo by Jay Heater
Casey Pfabe and her son Cort Pfabe were serving pulled pork, a customer favorite at Glory Days Grill during Hometown Fest.
Photo by Jay Heater
Kona Grill's Isabella Morales, Luke Warrington, Jose Nurura, and Kyle Wampler are ready to hand out ribeye meatballs. Nurura, a corporate trainer, says such festivals are great for "getting to know the community."
Photo by Jay Heater
Heather King and Dan Williams, a pair of general managers for Oak and Stone, say their oven baked mac and cheese has been a beloved staple dish for the restaurants.
Photo by Jay Heater
Mission BBQ Area Director Nick Conner is handing out pulled pork and chicken at My Hometown Fest. Mission brought along the 5-ton military vehicle, Bam Bam, to the festival as well.
Photo by Jay Heater
The Meadows' John Bloomfield tastes some Siesta Key Rum as served up by Craig Lubkey.
Photo by Jay Heater
Evan Taylor Jones of the American Jones group entertains the crowd at My Hometown Fest at Nathan Benderson Park Saturday.
Photo by Jay Heater
Marcos Cruz, Stephanie Di Vanni, and Mallory Mathis serve up a Seasons 52 favorite — ceviche.
Photo by Jay Heater
Anthony Puccio and Attila Colaci get ready to serve up Buddy's bagels. Buddy's has been in business in Sarasota for 40 years.
Photo by Jay Heater
Kathy Collums tries a little Ringside Vodka at My Hometown Fest. Collums says with the different tastings, it was good there was plenty to eat at My Hometown Fest.
Photo by Jay Heater
Ringside Vodka's Russell Dale says he just likes interacting with people at festivals such as My Hometown Fest.
Photo by Jay Heater
Shawn Lane of the Splash Beverage Group pours Salt Tequila at My Hometown Fest. She says Splash Beverage always is "all-in" when it comes to charity.
Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.
