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| Port Orange Family Days Community Trust |
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"Celebrating the American Family"
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The mission of the Port Orange Family Days Community Trust is to bring our community together in the spirit of family and friends and to broaden the awareness of our community to the benefits and quality of life Port Orange.
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| How it all Began |
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The most celebrated of all city events is Port Orange Family Days . It is an event that is worthy of special attention and praise, given its unique contributions to the community.
The Mission of Family Days is: "To bring our Community together in the spirit of family and friends, and to broaden the awareness of the benefits and quality of life that Port Orange has to offer."
What started as a thought of having a "BIG" block party, has become a dream come true! Al Bell, a Port Orange resident and volunteer, once imagined that the residents of Port Orange would come together for fun and a chance to get to know one another. After presenting his idea to then Mayor Allen Green and City Manager Ken Parker, the idea began to catch on. The event was coined "Family Days" and committees of volunteers emerged. This included school district employees, city employees, interested residents and business owners. After a year of initial planning, with Al Bell and associate/volunteer Pete Atwood at the helm, the Mayor kicked off the first Port Orange Family Days on September 26, 1996. Among the 15,000 people who attended the festival, Florida Governor Lawton Chiles served as the City"s honored guest.
As the years continued, the crowds grew and many features were added. In 1997, the theme was "Celebrate the Family" . We were entertained by the "Grand Marshal" of our parade, "Mickey Mouse" . There were jet ski rides by our very own Beach Patrol, an antique car show and entertainment by our local school bands, choruses and dancers.
As the years continued, our Community Expo was expanded from the original 20 exhibitors to more than 200. Also, the first Annual Miss Port Orange Leadership Contest was held. It recognized scholarship and community service.
During 1999, "Hurricane Irene" blew in Friday morning. We made the best of the situation, bringing some of the entertainment indoors. We had suffered a huge blow, but we started planning for 2000, immediately.
Family Days 2000 went off very well. The Florida State University High Flying Circus performed under the "Big Tent" . We were all involved in celebrating the restoration of Rose Bay. Chalk artists transformed the sidewalks near City Hall into beautiful displays of color and talent. Our first Family Days Golf Tournament was held that year.
During 2001, we added Corporate sponsorship to Family Days. Generous sponsors helped with money, time and in kind donations. We had a rousing kickoff with Beatle-Mania and crowds were wowed by this original London Cast.
2002-2003 brought out the biggest crowds - some 80,000 people attended the event. It included a Job Fair, a Health Expo and a Senior Olympics. One of the new performances, the Spruce Creek Flying Gaggle teams, entertained us with their flyovers.
2004 was a year of hurricanes. How can we forget that we had to postpone our beloved Family Days until the second week of November? Although we were ready, the hurricanes kept coming. We never lost our "can do" attitude, though. We put our best foot forward and the event was well attended, despite the heavy winds that had tried to defeat us. We were happy to make this event special to all of our residents, their families and friends. We gave thanks to all the city Employees, the MANY volunteers that helped to put our city back together, again.
In 2005, we celebrated our 10th Birthday. Many new features were added, including a Dessert Cook off sponsored by the Inlet Harbor Restaurant, Dignity Memorial and WNDB. We had the beginnings of a small "home show" with "how-to" seminars. Great entertainment included hot air balloons, a parade with floats, a fun-filled Carnival, and an opening night Birthday Party& with cake! A "movie night" with popcorn and fireworks over the lake finished off the night! There was something for everyone!
2006 was our biggest event yet. More than 200 exhibits filled our Community Expo around the lake. Jet ski rides, Storybook Land, and the carnival followed the pancake breakfast. The parade that year was led by our grand marshal, John Evans. On the soccer fields we had the Daytona Thunder football. Kids' Night Out took place as well as entertainment all day long in the amphitheater.
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| The Event |
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The Event is hosted by a large group of Volunteers who work hard all year to make this the best "Family Days" ever. There is not a single paid position in our organization which is comprised of local area business men and women, school leaders, retired folks, Moms and Dads, and students. All ideas are heard, many are used, and many will be implemented at some future time. We strive for fun for everyone.
Entertainment can be enjoyed in tents located around the lake and on the stage at the Ken Parker Amphitheatre. The Business Expo has grown, the spaces are reasonably priced, and it enables the locals to showcase their businesses and organizations. Non-profit groups can set up a space for free. We feature local area restaurants, and businesses can sell their items.
All in all, this year, 2007, we will make history once again. This event is for everyone! You can take part in all the festivities at no cost.
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| 2007 Board of Directors |
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Al Bell
Founder/President
Retired |
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Pete Atwood
Vice President Operations
Retired |
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Robin Lasky
Treasurer
Riverside National Bank |
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Deb McCall
Administration
Volusia Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens |
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Kim Ball
Entertainment Director
Art and Soles
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Jill Geddy
Community Expo
Retired |
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Mark Thornell
Director
Port Orange Y.M.C.A. |
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Judy Andersen
Director
Retired |
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Lillian Berard
Director
Wal*Mart |
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John Evans
Director
Festival Cruises |
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Jane Katona
Director
Daytona Beach News Journal |
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Joe Cordaro
Director
Bright House Networks |
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Debbie Connors
Director
Port Orange South Daytona Chamber of Commerce |
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Heather Baker
Director
Port Orange South Daytona Chamber of Commerce |
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Lana Alliott
Director
Teacher DBCC |
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Robert Hall
Director
Robert Hall Architects |
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John Cardullo
Director
Retired
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Bud Ritchey
Director
Hall Hunyadi
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Brendan Galbreath
Director
Aunt Catfish's on the River
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| The Family Days Theme Song |
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Performed by the Spruce Creek High School 12:00 Jazz Band Directed By Andrew Kidd
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| Vocals: |
Bernadette Rossi |
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Band Members: |
| Saxophones: |
Chris Atwood, Shannon Ballard, James Brooks, Chris Hood, David Hollingsworth, Ricky Latkkis, & Dennis Scaccia |
| Piano: |
Jon Allen, Geoff Weeks |
| Guitar: |
Brian Lilly |
| Bass: |
Daniel Ortiz |
| Percussion: |
Tony Hamilton, Aaron Shore |
| Trumpets: |
Adam Aiello, Asim Fagins, Marie DeBellis, Lauren Williamson, John Valentino |
| Trombones: |
Katie O'Connor, Ryan Schmied, Geoff Weeks, Andy Ames, Jessica Giannini |
| Arranged by: |
Dennis Scaccia |
| Lyrics by: |
Bernadette Rossi |
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© 1997 All rights reserved |
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| Accomplishments - The Riverside Pavilion |
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Project description is being written now, check back soon for "The Story" |
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