SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN
Alodia Alcala, center, sings the national anthem as Charlotte County Commissioner Tricia Duffy and state Rep. Ken Roberson, R-Port Charlotte, stand by, during an opening ceremony for the Parkside International Fall Festival and kickoff event Saturday in Port Charlotte. The festival continues at 10 a.m. today at the back side of the Promenades Mall, near Aaron Street.

SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN

Parkside volunteer Linda Taylor whips up some Lithuanian pancakes at a concession booth during the Parkside festival Saturday.

SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN

Arlene Shepherd, left, and Angie Madey get ready to sample some spinach lasagna and chicken tenders during the fest.

SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN
Allan Mercado, left foreground, and Rowena Mercado, right foreground, of North Port celebrate with friends and extended family members after one of them, Alodia Alcala, seated to the left of Allan, performed the national anthem at the Parkside celebration. The Mercados own a physical therapy business near Parkside, so they wanted to participate, according to Allan.

SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN

Mom Casie Porter and daughter Olivia have plenty to look at on the grounds of the Parkside festival Saturday. Porter also was accompanied by son Jackson (not pictured) and friend Tina West.

SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN
Janet Walker, from left, Mattie Brown and Barbara Guilliams, who call themselves the Three Musketeers while on outings together, take a cruise along a concourse at the Parkside festival.

SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN

Team Port Charlotte director Susan Swanson, from left; Charlotte County Commissioner Tricia Duffy; state Rep. Ken Roberson, R-Port Charlotte; and volunteer organizer Tess Canja cut a ribbon to mark the launch of the Parkside revitalization initiative Saturday.

SUN FILE PHOTO
Team Port Charlotte director Susan Swanson, from left; Charlotte County Commissioner Tricia Duffy; state Rep. Ken Roberson, R-Port Charlotte; and volunteer organizer Tess Canja cut a ribbon to mark the launch of the Parkside revitalization initiative.