Dog Island, click to enlarge.
For those whose idea of a perfect weekend includes the words “beer,” “boats” and “smoked mullet,” there’s a party just for you.
And, as if that wasn’t enough incentive, throw in the words “Dog Island” and “no facilities.” What you have then is the Harvest Moon Celebration on October 18 and 19, sponsored by the Red Neck Yacht Club.
Jerry Hargis, the drummer for the locally-legendary Smoked Mullet Band, and his wife, Lee, sat fishing and thinking one night and came up with the idea.
“We were sitting out there fishing like we always do, and said we ought to bring a band out,” he said. “So we did one like this before, in June, too. Everything worked out well then.”
So when Hargis got a phone call from the State of Florida saying that he and his band couldn’t perform on Little Dog Island, he was confused.
“It‘s not because of the last party,” he said. “Somebody was going around saying we made a big mess last time and that’s why they said no … but that’s bull.”
Now, Hargis is looking for more sponsors for the event, due to the fact that unexpected bureaucracy has sprung up.
“They said we’re not allowed to set up and play on the island, because it’s not considered to be a boating-use island,” he said. “By the time we found out from the state that we couldn’t do it that way, it was too late. We couldn’t stop it. I told the people at the state that we’re trying to do this because the economy is in the dumps, and we’re trying to raise people’s spirits and boost the local economy. Then they said no.”
Hargis said the alternative was to rent a barge and set up the band’s equipment to play right on the water. “We’ll be setting up on the barge back behind the big island, in a little bay,” he said. “We’ll be facing out towards the little island. We’ll let all the bands use the same equipment so we won’t have to haul stuff back and forth.”
He continued, “Now that I have to rent a barge, though, I need more sponsors.”
Hargis said that the state told him they are reviewing their current regulations in these situations, as this isn’t the first time that such a request has been made.
Little Dog Island is near Marker 17, just south of the Boca Grande Causeway. Driving past The Fishery Restaurant on CR 771 headed east, the Red Neck Yacht Club can be seen in the water while crossing Coral Creek Bridge. Some may have noticed the large barge that looks more like a floating cottage there.
The Harvest Moon Celebration will feature not only The Smoked Mullet Band. Other popular local bands such as Bandana, Kenny Rose, The Fat Tones and the Caribbean Cowboys will also be featured, as well as guest artists. Music will start on Saturday at 12 p.m., and will end at 12 p.m. on Sunday.
On Little Dog Island, a portable generator will be on hand, but there will be no facilities. Hargis said that some limited availability to the Gasparilla Marina restrooms will be available. Volunteer EMS workers will also be at the event.
And don’t forget the beer … there will be beer.
For those who are interested in camping, Hargis suggested contacting Grande Tours at 697-8825.
The event is sponsored by local vendors, including Kleen All Boats, Gulf Side Hurricane Protection, Boca Grande Sea Planes, Gasparilla Marina and Marine Max.
Three hundred to 500 people are expected to attend. “This party is open to the public …we’re not closing anybody out,” Hargis said. “It’s totally free. We’ve got lots of houseboats coming in, it’s going to be a big weekend. And it’s going to be a beautiful weekend, because that big old harvest moon will be out.”
