Rained Out Jazz Festival Rescheduled For Mar. 28!; No Word On Fitness Fest

With outdoor events, it’s always tough to bet on the weather, especially here in Florida, and unfortunately, this year’s second annual Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) Health & Fitness Festival (photo) and second Wesley Chapel Family Jazz Festival both fell victim to an entire day of heavy rains on Feb. 28, leading organizers to cancel both events.

There is good news, however, as the Jazz Festival has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 28, noon-9 p.m., at the same Wesley Chapel District Park (7728 Boyette Rd.), with the same great lineup of entertainment. Organizer Tim Hancock of Jazz Tyme Productions, LLC, says there also may be some acts added for the rain date.

So, rather than kick yourself for missing it again, check out all of the outstanding jazz, including the return from last time of Abnique & Friends (whose set was cut short by rain in August), the Cypress Creek Dixieland Jazz Band, Standing 8 Count and Marlon Boone, plus Festival newcomers the Rick Dahlinger Trio, Phillip “Jazz Dad” Thomas and Midnight Soul. The headliner will be smooth jazz saxophonist and national recording artist Chris Godber.

Hancock also promises more food and beverage vendors, more family-friendly activities (including bounce houses for the kids) and more fun than last time around.

For more information, please visit WesleyChapelJazzFestival.com or call Tim Hancock at 609-2531.

Also originally scheduled for Feb. 28 (along Paseo Dr. at the Shops at Wiregrass mall), the inclement weather caused the cancellation of the Chamber’s second Health & Fitness Festival.

“(Feb. 28) was not a ‘Chamber of Commerce’ kind of day,” admits WCCC executive director Hope Allen. “Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather. But, our vendors were ‘troopers’ and made it about two hours in the pouring rain.”

Allen says that the WCCC is exploring alternative events for its members to showcase their businesses and that she will be communicating with the vendors to figure out a better, and hopefully drier, day in the future for another event. 

“We also plan to give each vendor a credit towards sponsoring another event or for an enhanced listing on our website (WesleyChapel Chamber.com),” Allen says.

For more info, call 994-8534.