Pancakes, pirates, classic cars and more

BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
Hot chili, cool blues — Blues singer Ben Prestage performs at the 2008 Chili Cook-Off. Prestage will be back to entertain cook-off attendees this year and help raise funds for the West Volusia Historical Society and MainStreet DeLand Association.

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Oct 15, 2009 - 3:45:59pm

Saturday, Oct. 17, begins at 8 a.m. in Downtown DeLand. While Chili Cook-Off contestants begin stirring up concoctions on East Indiana Avenue, the Kiwanis Club will be serving up the traditional Kiwanis pancake breakfast on West Indiana Avenue.

The cost for breakfast is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

While breakfast is being served, the DeLand Fall Run will take off, also at 8 a.m.

Some 250 runners are expected to take part in 5K and 10K runs sponsored by the DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber hopes to make it an annual event.

“It’s the first inaugural run,” Chamber marketing director Sally Updike said.

Also 8-11 a.m. on West Indiana Avenue, the Chamber will present a Family Health Fair and Kids Zone.

It’s truly a day with something for everyone.

The Central Florida Zoo in Sanford will bring in animals for the Kids Zone. The Junior Service League will paint children’s faces, and the DeLand Family YMCA will offer children’s activities and races.

More than 20 local health-and-wellness businesses will showcase products and services.

As the morning events begin to wind down, look for pirates and wenches on West Indiana Avenue from noon to 4 p.m. They will help you throw your friends and relatives in the brig — for a small donation of $5 or more. The pirates’ booty will go to Second Chance Animal Shelter.

It’s the second annual ARRF event, sponsored by the Mystic Crew of Maravedi.

Updike expects members of the morning crowd to “saunter on down to the Chili Cook-Off” across Woodland Boulevard on East Indiana Avenue. Tasting of chili recipes will continue until 4 p.m.

But the day in Downtown DeLand doesn’t end at 4.

MainStreet DeLand Association Executive Director Jack Becker said classic cars and rods will take over at 4 p.m. for “Cruisin’ Downtown DeLand.”

West Indiana Avenue will be shut down for the automotive display. A disc jockey will spin tunes.

There’s no admission charge. Becker asked attendees to bring a can or box of food for Second Harvest Food Bank, for the food pantries of local charities.

“It will be a great day to celebrate Downtown DeLand,” Becker said.

He noted there are fewer than 70 days until Christmas.

Shops and restaurants will be open.

Also Oct. 17: Musical Memories at Woman’s Club

DeLand’s weekend night life will include a special musical program 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17.

Produced and directed by Anne Sollien, Musical Memories will include local talent and will benefit the DeLand Woman’s Club.

Sollien, along with Bob Sollien, will be featured, as will Cynthia Hansen, Kelly Elizabeth Fagan, Ray Wood and Ann Smith.

Hansen, Smith and Anne Sollien are former students of DeLand Woman’s Club President Mildred Clark Beach, who taught choral music at DeLand Middle School for 25 years. The three have all achieved some prominence in musical careers.

Sollien is a graduate of DeLand High School and Florida Southern College. She starred in The Sound of Music at the Athens Theatre. Her Musical Memories performance will include songs from The Sound of Music and other Broadway plays, such as Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma and Camelot.

Hansen is a Stetson University graduate who teaches piano and takes part in musical productions at Shoestring Theatre.

A graduate of DeLand High School and the University of Central Florida with a major in vocal performance and music education, Smith performed at Disney World between 1985 and 2001, and also at Disney in Japan. She is currently performing at the Portofino Hotel at Universal Studios.

Bob Sollien, Fagan, Lara Larberg and Ray Wood are among other musical and dramatic performers in Musical Memories.

Tickets cost $15, and may be purchased from DeLand Woman’s Club members or at the door at the club at 128 W. Michigan Ave., DeLand.

— pat@beacononlinenews.com

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