Tour de Marco, Taste of Marco on horizon for YMCA

Steve Reynolds YMCA This couple was just one of many who enjoyed the Taste of Marco in 2011. Most likely a lot of folks will do it again at the 22nd Annual Taste of Marco at the Esplanade on Sunday, April 22.

Steve Reynolds YMCA Singer and band leader Greg Miller has a Taste of Marco attendee smiling in the 2011 event. Miller and his band will be back for the 22nd Annual Taste of Marco, at the Esplanade on Sunday, April 22.

Steve Reynolds YMCA The Marco Eagle Wheel of Prizes gets a spin at the 2011 Taste of Marco. The popular wheel will be back for the 22nd Annual Taste of Marco, at the Esplanade on Sunday, April 22.

The are two huge fundraising events to benefit the Greater Marco Family YMCA on the horizon.

The first is the 2nd Annual Tour De Marco on Sunday, April 1, from 7 to 11:30 a.m. The Tour de Marco is a bike ride, not a race, over the hills and dales of our beautiful city and also includes the majestic Estates area and the sleepy fishing village of Goodland.

The start and finish will be at the Y and you can pre-register for the event at active.com, or at the customer service desk of the Y. Pre-registration fee is $20. You can also register on the day of the Tour, starting at 7 a.m., at the Y south end Airnasium. Registration on the day of the race is $25.

The 30-mile ride begins at 8 a.m. and the 15-mile ride starts at 9 a.m. There will be goodie bags for the participants and a drawing for some great prizes after the rides. Expectations are to have more than 250 riders. Volunteers are needed to help out in registration, setup, directional volunteers, food distribution, breakdown, or wherever needed. Sign up to volunteer at the Customer Service desk of the Greater Marco Family YMCA.

The second event is the 22nd Annual Taste of Marco, at the beautiful Esplanade on Sunday, April 22. The event, which showcases the culinary delights from Marco Island’s finest restaurants, is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s entertainment lineup will begin with singer/guitarist Shane Totten, performing from 11:15 a.m. to noon. The featured entertainer is The Greg Miller Band, a soul and R&B group that will have you dancing throughout the midway. The band is brought to you by the good folks of Coldstone Creamery, located at the Esplanade. There will be 50/50 raffles, a special children’s area with a bounce house, giant slide, a sand art area, beer and wine booths and the return of the Waiter/ Waitress Races, brought to you by The Islander Restaurant and Town Center Liquor.

There is plenty of free parking at the Esplanade, Veterans’ Community Park, the Marco Lutheran Church and boat slips are also available. Admission is $5 for adults, with kids 12 and under free with paid adult admission. Food and drink tickets are sold in $1 increments. The event is sponsored by Mutual of Omaha Bank, The Esplanade, Condee Cooling & Electric and the Marco Eagle. Volunteers are also needed for this event. Sign up today at the customer

service desk.

Have a great week and we will see you at your Greater Marco Family YMCA.