Pig On The Pond Community Festival: All the stars aligned this weekend at Clermont Waterfront Park producing fantastic weather, family fun, carnival rides, and all the carnival foods you could possibly imagine, including fried butter, funnel cake, fried ice cream, corn dogs, cotton candy,
This year, the Fall FunFest was added to the event, which included fall-themed activities for children and fall-themed food and crafts. This area was presented by Clermont Urgent Care. Other new additions, were wrestling exhibits and racing dachshunds.
The 24th Pig On The Pond Festival brought well-over 25,000 people to the Clermont downtown area as well as vendors, volunteers and community organizations. There were 52 sponsors, 42 food and beverage vendors, 16 nonprofits, and 10 retail vendors.
Project Scholars Board President Paul Rountree reported, “This year’s Pig on the Pond Community Festival was a big success. While we don’t have exact numbers in, we were blessed with great weather and big crowds all three days. We heard rave reviews for everything from the fireworks display on Saturday night to the new additions, like the Fall FunFest. After all these years, I still am inspired to see the community come out and support this special South Lake tradition. Many of our scholarship recipients were there this weekend volunteering, and they join me and our board in saying a big thank you.”
Throughout the weekend, there were Pig Races and Hot Dog Races plus a gallery of fantastic offerings
On Friday evening, the Mayor of Clermont provided welcoming remarks, the Chili Cookoff officially started, and Lakeside Church Worship Band provided entertainment.
The hottest event was the People’s Choice Awards. The Winners were:
People’s Choice – Hulo’s Jalapeno Sauce
Best Table – Monique McGuire Realty
Chef’s Showdown – Tres Amigo
Community Showdown – Mainstreet Bank
Saturday, kicked off with a 5K race, and 1-miler for the kids.
Clermont Ukeleles and Trilogy Ukeleles Group entertained as well as the Lost Lake Elementary Chorus, Full Force Dance Academy, Not Just Dance Team, East Ridge High School Band, Rocktown Band, Burn Demonstration, Starbound Performers, Chick-fil-A Cows Experience, Lake Minneola Jazz Band, Eleven 10 Music Collective Butterfly Release, Roaring C’s, Sandy Back Porch, Classic Rewind Band, Rob Nichols, and more!
The evening ended with Spectacular Fireworks presented by Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys, with Lake Minneola High School Band putting music to the display.
Sunday, the last day of the festival, continued with fun activities including The Art Carter Band, Same is Lame Jazz Ambassadors, Gray Middle School Chorus, Past Tense, Patrick Gibson, and PG Country, and the Sound Check Band.
The People’s Choice BBQ Grand Champion Award was presented to Uncle Kenny’s BBQ. Although Uncle Kenny’s BBQ has closed, Uncle Kenny came to the festival to compete and won pitmaster bragging rights.
The 2nd Annual Junior Grillmaster Competition was one of the Highlights of the day.
All 18 finalists did a fantastic job. They cooked 10-ounce steaks to perfection!
Winners of the 2nd Annual Junior Grillmasters competition presented by Publix were: Elementary division: A.J. Mason.
Middle school division – Elijah Hodge.
High school division: Julian Toscano.
The Junior Grillmasters Competition (pictures provided by Boardmembers Patty Delaney and Jill Swidler)
