Punta Gorda Weekend Happenings -- Citywide Garage Sale, ECOFEST 2010 and more

Lots going on this weekend in Punta Gorda including a boating event of the cardboard variety.

For the garage sailors though, the first Annual City-Wide Garage Sale makes its debut Saturday from 8 a.m until 1 p.m. at the Punta Gorda Herald Garage.  Entrants pay $15 for two parking spots, one for your car, one for a table.  If you just want to go and possibly buy something, admission is free.  While you're there, you might want to stop in at the market across from the court house.... have some tasty sweets, coffee, and other delights while picking up your weekly produce.

ECOFEST 2010 will be presented by Natural Awakenings Magazine at Fishermen's Village,. 10 am-6 pm. Free Admission! This is a  first annual Fishermen's Village event saluting Earth Day. There will be exhibitors throughout the village on health, wellness, environment, conservation.

Meanwhile at Laishley Park on Saturday the 5th Annual CCYP Cardboard Boat Race will launch at noon. If you haven't seen a cardboard boat sink at sea...don't miss this annual spectacle.

And get some exercise at Gilchrist Park -- Free Tai Chi/Qigong workout 9:30 - 10:30" Saturday.  

Here are some of the highlights of  Punta Gorda's  music scene this weekend:  

Bridget's Cross will be at the Celtic Ray all weekend starting Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sunday at 4 PM.  If you've never eard them it's said there are little like a fusion between The Chieftans and The Grateful Dead. These extraordinarily talented musicians are both energizing and funny. 

Singer/Songwriter Michael Hirst performs , 5-9 pm Center Stage on Saturday. Mike strums his guitar and sings melo sounds reminscent of a James Taylor, Jim Croce blend....you may have heard him outside Jack's.

If you missed the Crashers at the block party or saw them and want more, catch their bluesy jazzy sound Friday or Saturday night at Harpoon Harry's.  A little bit Van Morrison.. a little bit Otis Redding.. Here's their play list .

And if you're thinking Nav-a-gator afternoon, this Saturday, John Reno is worth heading up river for.  He does a mixture of trop rock (a la Jim Morris) and humorous edgy music that we caught at the Ice House a few weeks back...definitely a Parrot Head alert.