This past weekend a who’s who of Marco Island eateries provided grazing-sized portions of some of their most special dishes. Food vendors hustled to keep up with demand, and all proceeds benefited the Marco Island YMCA. Longtime Marco Island entertainer Miles Loud took the stage, providing vocals of hits from the 50’s and 60’s. Loud had attendees dancing and singing along with songs such as the Temptations, “Get Ready,” and Wilson Pickett’s “Midnight Hour.” Close by there were diversions for the kiddies which included a bounce house, inflatable slide, candle and sand art, and a climbing wall.
The food was the main event, however, and everyone ranted and raved how good it was. One offering, the blue cheese chips from CJ’s chef Laura Owen, was newsmaking, winning second prize for “best happy hour snack” in a national competition sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission. The chef recommended they be eaten with a cold beer.
 
YMCA board member Tiffany Homuth said “we’re having a lot of success”. Organizers had been concerned it would be smoky from the fires burning in the Big Cypress National Preserve, but the only smoke evident came from the numerous barbecue grills in use.