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1st Swamp Fest Has Gators Chomping For Repeat

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By SHERRI LONON IN THE LOOP

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 11, 2009

With only seven weeks to put together a three-day festival, organizers of the first-ever Swamp Fest weren't sure what to expect. When all was said and done, the Land O' Lakes High School Gators came away from the event already looking ahead to next year.

"It went great," said Mike Connor, president of the high school's athletic booster club. "We are happy. We would have liked to have had more people, but for a first-year thing that was put together in seven weeks, it was great."

The Feb. 27 through March 1 Swamp Fest was put together to help the school's athletic teams and other organizations raise money. The festival was also staged to fill a void by the recent move of the Flapjack Festival - a longtime Land O' Lakes tradition - to the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

While final numbers were still unknown as of press time, Connor said the school and its athletic teams did walk away ahead of the game.

"We will write the school a check," he said. "We did make money."

Although Connor admits that many lessons were learned, he thinks next year will be better.

"There are a few things we'd like to change, but we'll work on that next year."
Festival goers didn't seem to notice any bumps in the road.

"I love it," Melissa Sanchez, 17, a junior at Land O' Lakes High School. "It's a good fundraiser for our school."

Fellow Gator Chiron Williams, also 17, agreed.

"It's going to benefit us so much," she said.

Both said they would like to see the event return next year.

For Mary Montsko of Odessa, the emergence of the Swamp Fest was welcomed.

"We like to go to any carnival that is around," she said. "I love the food and the rides for the kids."

While a final determination on whether or not the Swamp Fest will make a repeat appearance at Land O' Lakes High School hasn't been made, Connor is optimistic. He admits, however, when the festival closed on Sunday night he wasn't so sure. After a few days to recuperate, he's proud of what the organization and other supporters were able to accomplish, he said.

With 40 vendors, an active entertainment tent, nearly 30 rides, plenty of games and concession stands and special appearances by former professional wrestler Dusty Rhodes and Logan Payne of the Seattle Seahawks, Connor said the event did well.

"All of our feedback (was good)," he said. "The numbers could have been bigger, but the numbers are down everywhere."

Editor Sherri Lonon can be reached at (813) 948-4287 or at slonon@mediageneral.com.

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