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Thousands Flock To Annual FunFest

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By LAURA CONE The Sun

Published: April 1, 2009

From Jazzmatazz in the Dance Studio and art demonstrations to the amazing return of "Elvis" in the Main Tent on Cherry Hills Drive, the activities and entertainment for the 10th annual FunFest drew thousands of visitors to Sun City Center.

Bruce Andersen of Sun City Center, walk coordinator, said he had hoped for 100 walkers but was pleased by the 35 people who entered the new event which raised money for the Hospital for the Manatee at Lowry Park Zoo.

"I am a runner so I enjoyed the walk," Andersen said. "The people were very enthusiastic and nice. It turned out very good."

He said the one-mile walk kicked off the FunFest event March 21 at the main complex of Sun City Center Community Association on North Pebble Beach. Organizers drew names of walkers to give away prizes such as t-shirts, tickets to Lowry Park Zoo and pedometers.

"We wanted to donate money from the walk to a worthy cause and Lowry Zoo brought animals from the zoo. It went over very well," he said.

Evelyn Lunsford, the chairman of the Community Foundation of Greater Sun City Center, said the Lowry Park Zoo participation this year was made possible by a grant from the foundation.

Community Foundation council members Roxann Seeley, Bill Richards and Barbara Van Eycken staffed the foundation's exhibit at FunFest, while representatives from the Zoo brought a variety of birds, animals and reptiles.

"There was a crowd around the animals the entire time," Lunsford said, adding the animals included a snake, parrot and barn owl. "They were very interested in the animals and had a lot of questions. There were children who were enjoying it too."

She said the foundation gave the Zoo $10,000 for a variety of senior programs in South Hillsborough County.

Sally Drain of Sun City Center performed on the guitar with the Front Porch Pickers by the swimming pool. She said members of the country western and gospel band rotated at the microphones.

"I thought we did very well," Drain said. "We had a big audience. They had to sit in the sun while we were in the shade. I thought we would get more competition from the entertainment in the tent but we had our crowd. We had a 10-minute break and when we got back, three quarters of the seats were already filled."

Drain said she took some time to enjoy the festivities. Drain said she bought a hamburger from the Tillers & Toilers booth but passed on the elephant ears since she is on a diet.

"They came up with good entertainment this year," she said. "The weather was perfect and it was a huge crowd. It was one of the best FunFest's yet."

Other entertainment included The Dukes, Tai Chai, the Pelican Players, the German-American Singers, Cloggers and the Sun Rays Line, Academy of Ballroom and Swingers square dancers.

Phyllis Hodges of Sun City Center, one of the organizers, said she estimates between 6,000 and 7,000 people attended the event.

"We never have any good way of counting it but this one seemed like the biggest one," she said. "It's an easy way for people to see the lifestyle and all the things there are to do in Sun City Center. All the clubs have a chance to be open. The entertainment showcases what people do in their spare time."

She said Elvis impersonator Billy Lindsey was a hit.

"This community embraces that era completely," Hodges said. "He played to a packed tent. It was standing room only."

Due to the support of more than 80 different sponsors, including Courtesy Cars, SouthBay Hospital and Bright House Networks, the event does not cost the Community Association anything, according to Hodges.

Editor Laura Cone may be reached at lcone@mediageneral.com.

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