Punta Gorda Block Party

The first Punta Gorda Block Party in 1987, the year of Punta Gorda's 100th birthday, featured Minnie Pearl as the headlining act. Gussie Baker, still involved in the Party, was one of the original organizers. Twenty-two years later and still going strong, this year's block party coming up Saturday will feature the national touring, 5-million record-selling southern-rock style band, Confederate Railroad and local favorites Jim Morris and the Bamboo Band and The Boogiemen.  The Party starts at 11 a.m. and goes into the night with the first band hitting the stage at 12:45 PM.  Here's the full music schedule:

Entertainment Schedule

Courthouse Stage 2:00 p.m. Buckshot 3:20 p.m. Yard Dogs 4:40 p.m. Adrenaline Junkies 6:00 p.m. Buckshot 7:50 p.m. Yard Dogs 9:00 p.m. Adrenaline Junkies East Marion Stage 2:00 p.m. Democracy 3:20 p.m. Low Rent 4:40 p.m. Stonewall 6:00 p.m. Democracy 7:20 p.m. Low Rent 9:00 p.m. Stonewall West Marion Stage 12:45 p.m. Charlotte High Jazz Band 2:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies with bagpiper 3:00 p.m. Jack Mosley Band 4:40 p.m. Power Outage 6:20 p.m. The Fall Guys and a Gal Main Stage - Retta Esplanade 2:00 p.m. Jim Morris  3:20 p.m. Boogiemen 4:40 p.m. Jim Morris 6:00 p.m. Boogiemen 7:30 p.m. Confederate Railroad There will be eight entry gates with a $3 fee for those 12 years and older.  The Block party is on the blocks north of Olympia between the two 41s.  Best to find some free parking in one of the unused lots south of Olympia and walk north or east of the area at the Justice Center.  Taylor, Sullivan and West Marion in the area of the block party will be closed to traffic.   Keep in mind that many of the vendors are non-profits, and money spent here supports their fundraising efforts to give back to the community.