The Taste of Pine Island is the primary fund-raiser organized by the Pine Island Kiwanis Club as its funding for college scholarships for Pine Island youth. Since it’s inception, The “Taste” has provided over $250,000 in scholarships to our young people. This 2-day event takes place the last Saturday and Sunday in January - Jan. 30 and 31, 2016, and is held at Phillips Park at Pine Island Center. Between 5000 and 6000 attendees come for the food, arts and crafts, music, children’s activities, and more. Events taking place over the 2-day period include a chili cook off, a seafood chowder tasting contest, and a “Fish Drop” - 2500 brightly colored, numbered fish are dropped from a crane onto a bull’s eye, with cash prizes going to the top 3 winners. Local bands provide musical entertainment throughout the event. The updated music schedule is as follows:
The schedule for Saturday will be Cindy Walsh (11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.) The Freecoasters (12:30- 2:50 p.m.), Pine Island Dance IMPACT (3:00- 3:30 p.m.) and Honey Creepers Band (3:45 p.m.-6:00 p.m.). On Sunday the day begins with The Coast Connection Band  (11:15 a.m. - 12:55 p.m.), Pine Island Playhouse (1:00- 1:15 p.m.), Brother Love Too and the Insiders (1:20- 3:00 p.m.) and Pappy Mellon’s New Road Show (3:15- 5:00 p.m.)