Longboaters jam with Big Z Band to close out season

The Longboat Key Club held one of its final farewell events of the season with a music-centered lawn party.

By Dana Kampa
| 5:00 a.m. May 20, 2026

Karen and Gregg Sweeney, Chris and Cathy Goglia, and Debbie McPeak socialize at the Longboat Key Club's farewell lawn party on May 15.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Beneath a tent filled with twinkling lights, Longboat Key Club members took a final chance to celebrate the end of season with departing friends.

On May 15, about 70 guests joined the lawn party for an evening of dining, getting on the dance floor to the tunes of The Big Z Band, and sharing their summer travel plans.

The end-of-season social replaced an original Kentucky Derby-themed event previously rained out by heavy storms.

Longboat Key Club event manager Stephanie Kaelin-Bare said it is one of the last major events at the club — which total about 250 annually — until the island welcomes back many traveling residents in the fall. However, there will still be plenty of activities for members to enjoy over the summer.

The Big Z Band took the stage at the May 15 farewell lawn party for Longboat Key Club members departing for the season.

Michael and Jaleigh White check out the tent at the Longboat Key club lawn party farewell.

With pastel decor, woven chandeliers, and lights twinkling under the white tent, the Longboat Key Club farewell party set a dreamy scene on the lawn outside the Harbourside Ballroom.

Marcia and David Gutridge were among of the early arrivals at the Longboat Key Club's lawn party farewell for the season on May 15.

Agi Peterson and Jerry Marsh join the end-of-season festivities at the Longboat Key Club lawn party on May 15.

About 70 people attended the end-of-season soiree under the big tent, going on to dance the night away.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.