Music Festival tabbed as annual affair after hundreds turn out for inaugural event - Observer News

More than 600 people turned out Nov. 8 for the South Shore Music Festival at the Showman's Club in Gibsonton. The success of the event, which has already lined up sponsors for next year, has convinced organizers to make the festival an annual affair.

The festival was a joint project by South Shore businessmen James Pulkowski, CPA, Eros Dahl of Riverview Mortgage and Mike Self of S&S Tacos/Pizza & Stuff, who wanted to showcase area musical talent while also providing a concert to benefit a local cause.

'It was just excellent,' Dahl said. 'Especially if you consider where the weather was at - and it held out most of the day - it was definitely a success. We had a good team in place and marketed it pretty well,' added Dahl, who said organizers are looking at putting on the concert next year at around the same time. He added a special thank-you to all the volunteers, sponsors, performers and those who turned out for the event.

Funds raised at the festival benefited area veterans, including Honor Flight of West Central Florida. Honor Flight flies local veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the monuments created in their honor. Organizers, who are still in the process of adding up just how much was raised, are also planning to donate to local veterans groups. Funds were also raised for Feeding America Tampa Bay.

The concert featured country music star Jason Michael Carroll, Gwen Sebastian, Mason Grace, Soul Circus Cowboys, Makaylah Caschette, who sang the national anthem, Matt Billor and the Randy McNeeley Band and others.

'It was phenomenal,' Self said. 'Even when it got cloudy, and I think the rain hurt us a little bit at the end, the people stayed, but all in all, it was a beautiful day. All the bands and performers were just great.'

Almost all this year's sponsors have signed up for next year's concert, Self said. 'We even have already picked up two more sponsors for 2015. The support the local community gave was just great. The Showman's Club was excellent. I am humbled and blessed by all the support.'

The chili cook-off contest had 13 entrants and was a particular hit with attendees.

The food and music was a big hit with Regina Dexter.

'I had a great time at the festival,' Dexter said. 'It was a great turnout by all of the vendors; they had some unique items for sale. The food was great. My stomach led the way to the chili cook-off contestants.'

For more information on the event or to find out how to be a sponsor for next year's concert, visit http://ift.tt/14p1bja.

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Entities 0 Name: Self Count: 2 1 Name: Dahl Count: 2 2 Name: Dexter Count: 1 3 Name: Makaylah Caschette Count: 1 4 Name: CPA Count: 1 5 Name: Gwen Sebastian Count: 1 6 Name: Jason Michael Carroll Count: 1 7 Name: South Shore Music Festival Count: 1 8 Name: Gibsonton Count: 1 9 Name: James Pulkowski Count: 1 10 Name: West Central Florida Count: 1 11 Name: Mike Self of S&S Tacos\/Pizza & Stuff Count: 1 12 Name: Randy McNeeley Band Count: 1 13 Name: D.C. Count: 1 14 Name: Matt Billor Count: 1 15 Name: Mason Grace Count: 1 16 Name: Regina Dexter Count: 1 17 Name: America Tampa Bay Count: 1 18 Name: Washington Count: 1 19 Name: Soul Circus Cowboys Count: 1 20 Name: Eros Dahl of Riverview Mortgage Count: 1 21 Name: Showman 's Club Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1rAdF0J Title: The Concert For Valor Description: HBO, Starbucks and Chase present The Concert for Valor live from Washington D.C., November 11th.