December 7, 2012 – The Pahokee Marina was once again the backdrop for our most popular event of the year, the annual Tri-Cities Barbecue.  The weather was perfect as our ‘West Coast’ host cities of Pahokee, Belle Glade, and South Bay welcomed 600 people for an afternoon of food, friends and fun.

Pahokee Commissioner Allie Biggs says this year’s toy drive surpassed last year, and even included a bicycle.  All toys collected will go to local children.  We thank everyone for their caring and generosity.

Before the picnic, our golfers teed up for the annual Catfish Open at Belle Glades’ ‘Sugarcane Golf Club.’

The Air Force Junior ROTC Honor Guard opened the event, and Marlon Boone kept the party going on his saxophone.

The main attraction, of course, was the food.  Catfish, ribs, corn, slaw and hush puppies.   No one complained about waiting in line –it was worth it.

The Farm Tour proved popular this year.  Hosted by Rick Roth of Roth Farms, participants visited fields of corn, lettuce, field greens, sugar cane, and green beans.  They ate corn right off the stalk, visited a sugar mill, crop rotation, and soil.  “It was a great experience and I’d do it again,” said Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem Patti Waller.  The tour was organized by the City of Pahokee and the Pahokee Chamber of Commerce.

No one left empty handed – all received goodie bags filled with beans and corn picked that morning.  Royal Palm Beach Councilmember Martha Webster jumped in to help fill the bags.

We thank our host cities and all of the staff members who worked so hard to put this together.  We also thank all who donated to the event – this couldn’t happen without you.

DONORS

Florida Crystals
Southern Waste Systems
Bergeron Family of Companies
Councilor Robert Gottlieb, Town of South Palm Beach
Mayor David Stewart, Town of Lantana
Bill Thrasher, Manager, Town of Gulf Stream
Richard Radcliffe, Executive Director, Palm Beach County League of Cities
Councilmember Jerry Beavers, Town of Haverhill
Mayor Woodrow Hay, City of Boynton Beach
Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie, Boca Raton
Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell, City of Lake Worth
Village of North Palm Beach
Corbett and White, P.A.
REL Enterprises, Inc.
Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust
Town of Jupiter Inlet Colony
Town of Palm Beach Shores
Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance
Lake Worth Drainage District
Calvin, Giordano & Associates
Dorothy Gravelin
Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative