It has been 11 years since Stan Niemczyk, a Rotarian at the Marco Island Sunrise Rotary club, realized his dream for a major fund raiser and created the Marco Island Seafood and Music Festival. Like his fellow Rotarians, Stan was always looking for new projects to raise money for charities and the less fortunate in our community. He realized that his small club could not possibly organize such a large undertaking on their own. That brought the novel idea to look for cooperation with not only the other Rotary Club on the island, but also the very active Kiwanis. This proved to be a wise decision and the seafood and music festival was born. Over the years it has grown from a 2 day Seafood Festival to a 3 day Food & Music Festival that has become the largest yearly single event on Marco Island with some 10,000 visitors annually. The organization is handled by a small core group of voluntary members of the three service clubs and over 200 volunteers during the three day entertainment and seafood extravaganza. A wide variety of seafood and some land lubbers fare will be available. New this year will be lobster meals and lobster rolls from locally owned Bill’s Steak & Seafood in Naples, as well as offers from Pinchers Crab House on Marco Island. 60 handicraft and artists will offer their wares and crafts. Music entertainment is planned all day long. Following are the three headliners. – Friday 6 – 9 pm. Ben Allen Band. – Saturday 6 – 9 pm. Almost ABBA – Sunday 2 – 5 pm. Deb & the Dynamics Band Back by popular demand is our VIP experience in cooperation with the Seminole Casino Hotel. – $75 p/p will offer seating in a reserved large tent covered area with prime viewing of the entertainment. – $15 In Food Vouchers – The VIP ticket is valid for all 3 days. – The VIP ticket also includes 4 drink tickets. – Private Facilities. The festival opens on Friday, March 23rd at 11:00 am, closing at 9.00 pm. Saturday 11 am – 9:00 pm. Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.