TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Novemberfest's Bounty Of Fun And Food Awaits Visitors

ADVERTISEMENT

By BARBARA ROUTEN, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 14, 2007

BRANDON - This is the day Brandon area kids have been waiting for - Novemberfest begins at 4 p.m. today on the grounds of Nativity Catholic Church and School, 705 E. Brandon Blvd.

The Rev. Arthur Proulx, church pastor, and Novemberfest co-chairmen Ernie Garateix and R.J. Brauneker, a Nativity alumnus, will open the festival at 7:05 p.m. under the big tent.

The hallmark of the annual event is the midway, with carnival rides, funhouses and games of skill. Booths offering ethnic food, including churros and quesadillas, will join offerings of Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, corn dogs, barbecue, cotton candy and temptations for every palate.

Entertainment will include music, dance, karate and twirling by students of area teachers such as Joy Rodgers, Kim Hall, Judy Comiskey, Earl Harris and June Bryan. The church's Life Teen Band, under the direction of youth director Justin Lantz, will perform at 8:05 p.m. today. The winner of last year's Riverview Idol competition, Amy Bueno, will sing at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Also Thursday, Blake High School for the Arts student Alfred Sheppard and his band N-Version will perform at 9:05 p.m., and the band Crystal Blue will play dance tunes in the beer tent at 9:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Battle of the Babies will begin with registration at 11 a.m. The event starts at noon and will include a diaper derby and beauty contest for children who were born after Nov. 15, 2005.

Registration for the talent show is free and will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday under the big tent. Trophies for adults' and children's divisions will be awarded. Categories include dance, vocal, drama, baton, gymnastics and musical instruments. For information, call Bryan at (813) 653-2199.
Nativity Catholic School Alumni Family Day will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and will include games, prizes and giveaways as well as discounted food tickets for alumni and their families.

The festival will be open from 4 to 11 p.m. today and Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free. Armbands for unlimited rides cost $22.

Novemberfest is the major fundraiser for Nativity Catholic School and parish religious education programs. For information, call the stewardship and advancement office at (813) 657-9787. Visit www.nativitycatholic school.org for an hourly schedule of events.

School Production To Double As Audition

PLANT CITY - The Durant High School Thespian Troupe 5444 will present Ernest Zulia's musical, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten," based on several of author Robert Fulghum's books, at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

"'Kindergarten' gives us lessons on life and how to live it by using short snippets of meaningful dialogue and music," said Ed Mason, drama and thespian sponsor at Durant. "The production is lighthearted, cute, thought-provoking and just a real good time. You will learn the values in sharing, caring and even flushing."

Onstage will be Sarah Mitchel, Meagan Stevenson, Jordan Dorsey, Sam Roberts, Lindsey Mutert and Travis Duncan.

"I saw this production years ago and fell in love with it," Mason said. "I think our audience will enjoy the characters' antics.

"There is a two-fold reason that this show could be something special for Durant's thespians," he said. The production will be judged by the Florida State Thespian Society with hopes that cast members will be selected to perform again in April at the Florida State Thespian Festival at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are $8 for adults and $7 for students and seniors, and may be reserved by contacting Mason at (813) 757-9075, Ext. 280, or at Edward.Mason@sdhc .k12.fl.us.

Trick-or-Treat Street Attracted Characters

RIVERVIEW - More than 5,000 trick-or-treaters attended Trick-or-Treat Street on Oct. 27 at Riverview High School.

The event was sponsored by the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Kitty Cunningham, chamber executive director, and Walt Vickers, chamber board member, broke a ribbon at 4 p.m. to start the event.

More than 300 children participated in costume contests in four age categories. Thirty-five decorated booths and vehicles introduced visitors to businesses and services. Prize winners for best decorated booth went to Foster Angels of Hillsborough County for scariest; Tbay Tutoring for most kid-friendly; Huntington Learning Center for best use of materials; Sweetbay Supermarket for best technical display; Girl Scouts for best artwork; and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office for most original.

Overall category winners were the U.S. Postal Service, first place; Christ the King Lutheran Church, second place; and South Bay Hospital, third place.

For information about the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce, call (813) 234-5944 or visit www.riverview chamber.com.

Snippets

The Marine Corps League Auxiliary, Riverview Unit 1226, invites the public for a meal of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad, green beans and dessert from 4:30 p.m. until the food is gone Saturday at American Legion Post 148, 7420 U.S. 301 S., Riverview. The meal costs $6 per person and can be eaten in or taken out. For details, call Pat Skelding at (813) 672-1778.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampabay .rr.com or call (813) 657-4531

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT