The Sebastian Chamber of Commerce has a winner in it’s Light Up Night event presented every year, and now it’s sponsoring a new program for the summertime called “Light Up Your Grill Night” to encourage community spirit in the dog days of summer.
Although it won’t take place until Friday, Aug. 7, the project will be a big one and businesses are urged to sign up now to get into the fun.
As with Light Up Night, members of the community will be invited to visit local businesses and enjoy free food, beverages, prizes, giveaways and coupons.
There will even be a contest for the best watermelon, whether it’s grown and presented, carved in a sculpture to cakes shaped from the juicy fruit. There will be a list of participating retailers published here in the column. Entry forms are available at the Chamber office or you can e-mail them at
info@sebastianchamber.com. There is a $25 fee for advertising costs and materials.
Members of the Chamber will enjoy a get together Thursday, June 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Inlet Wines 13401 U.S. 1, Riverwalk Plaza. Members of the active organization meet once a month at various member businesses in the area.
It was National Tourism month last month, and if you think that the business of getting tourists to visit this area is not important then you will have to notice the figures. According to figures released by the local Chamber, there were 82.5 million visitors that came to Florida in 1998; and more than 1 million Floridians are employed because of tourism. The payroll generated is 13.3 billion and the sales tax is close to 4 billion dollars.
Now that’s important.
Here is another important project that our Chamber is involved in..the extension of the Scenic Highway that will include a 27-mile loop which would encompass Fellsmere.
Called the AIA Scenic and Coastal Byway, it is an adventure of travel which explores wildlife refuges seashores, historic districts, and even the intricacies of the NASA Space Program along the Indian River Lagoon. You will find yourself in the most biologically diverse estuary in North America.
The Lagoon is home to more than 4,000 species of plants and animals and it allows you to visit the McLarty Treasure Museum and it’s many examples of Spanish treasure lost in shipwrecks just off the Florida coast.
A special musical treat comes to the Riverview Park on Friday, June 19, when the Ben Robinson Band will be performing starting at 5:30 p.m. for the popular Concert in the Park series.
Young Ben Robinson brings in a plethora of credits to the old bandstand that evening with bookings on the David Letterman Show, the Donny and Marie Osmond Show and Martin Short’s Show, still ringing with rave reviews. Legendary guitarist Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame, had this to say about Ben, “I have seen a lot of smokin hot blues guitar players in my day, but I ain’t never heard anyone like Ben”.
Ben and his band continues the fine series at the Park, and of course Mad Dogs, Paul’s Port-A -Pit and Sunside Fun will be selling food and refreshments. The local Lions Club will be offering their famous popcorn to munch on.
During intermission, the crowd will have a chance to win giveaways from the local business community. Bring a comfortable lawn chair, a flash light and enjoy listening to Ben and the Band play songs from their album “Heart of Stone”. It will be a great night.
Bill Valyo writes the Sebastian Column every Friday. If you have items you wish to be published please submit them 10 days before the event. You can reach Bill at (772) 770-0598 or on the internet at
catcherwjv@bellsouth.net.