Reflections on the Punta Gorda Block Party

The annual Punta Gorda Block Party is next Saturday.  Recently we talked to Brenda Ryan, long-time Punta Gordan, currently President of the organization that runs the Punta Gorda Block Party, about the beginnings of this annual event some twenty-five plus years ago and its importance to the City over its history.  Brenda has been concerned about the future of the Punta Gorda tradition that helped establish Punta Gorda's Historic District,  that started "For the Love of Kids," that has supported many other local  charities, and  that has brought together both "old-timers" (people with long Punta Gorda roots) and new full-timers in an annual get-together just as the snow birds are departing.   

Sure Punta Gorda has plenty of new, fun events, mostly during the winter season when tourists and part-time  residents fill its streets, but the Block Party is a special Punta Gordan event -- put on by people who have lived most of their lives here and people who have settled here -- to celebrate their home town.  It draws folks from surrounding towns looking for a day of music and festivities and brings visitors in to our town just when our local restaurants are starting to slow down with the snowbirds taking flight, giving these businesses an added boost and an opportunity to attract full time southwest Florida residents back  during the off-season.   

But this year, as most of us have read in the local paper and heard, the Block Party is struggling, and need of support -- support from attendees in the form of a slight boost in admission fee, support from local businesses in sponsorship.   This is our town, our block party.  It wouldn't be the event it is without the main stage big act draw. Come on Minnie Pearl was the first person to perform here and she promoted Punta Gorda at the Grand Old Opry. It wouldn't be the Block Party without the many bands blasting their sounds from several stages all day long.    

Punta Gorda had a block party long before the one that Gussie Baker and friends started for Punta Gorda's 100 year anniversary in 1987.  It was Gussie who brought the tradition back to Punta Gorda... let's help continue it.  


Here's the lineup of entertainment for this year's event with Three Dog Night Singer, Chuck Negron, headlining:

West Marion Avenue Stage

1 p.m. Charlotte High Jazz Band

2:30 p.m. Opening ceremony

3 p.m. Gotta Love It

4:40 p.m. Dennis Lee Show

6:30 p.m. Gotta Love It

8:30 p.m. Dennis Lee Show

Main Stage

2 p.m. The Gold Tones

2:45 p.m. The BoogieMen

5 p.m. Jim Morris

6:30 p.m. Chuck Negron

8:30 p.m. The BoogieMen

Community Stage

2 p.m. Daisie, Brownie, Girl Scout Choir

2:45 p.m. DC 3 Worship

4 p.m. Cover Art

4:45 Tayzer

6 p.m. Michael's Hibiscus Band

East Marion Avenue Stage

2 p.m. Copperhead

3:20 p.m. Democracy

4:40 p.m. American Made

6 p.m. Copperhead

7:20 p.m. Democracy

8:40 p.m. American Made

Sullivan Street Stage

2:30 p.m. Nick's Kids Show

4 p.m. Nick's Kids Show

5:30 p.m. Nick's Kids Show