TARPON SPRINGS, FL – The third time was the charm for August’s Night in the Islands, the outdoor event along Dodecanese Boulevard in Tarpon Springs’ historic Sponge Docks that takes place on the first Saturday of every month from April to September.

The original date, August 6, was canceled due to anticipated rain (that never actually materialized). “I’m sorry I’m going to miss the rain date,” Tarpon Mayor Chris Alahouzos told The National Herald at the time, because rather than rescheduling for the following Saturday (August 13), as would have been expected, it was decided to push the event to August 20 so as not to conflict with the pre-Panagias celebration taking place at the hall of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Cathedral, at which Alahouzos was made an honorary member of the Pan-Macedonian Association. The mayor was unable to attend the August 20 event because he is traveling in Greece, visiting his native Kalymnos and other Dodecanese islands.

Dr. Tina Bucuvalas, Curator Arts and Historical Resources of the Tarpon Springs Historical Society organizes the event and is everpresent month after month, year after year. She told TNH, as she has on many occasions, why the event is particularly family-friendly: rather than a late night of bouzoukia (which does, in fact, take place on Saturday evenings a half a block away from the docks, at Mama’s Restaurant), the family-style seating and dancing in the street – music provided by the band Ellada – provides the ideal atmosphere.

The weather held up quite well – though it was a bit too humid – and so the enthusiastic crowd danced in the street – closed off to traffic – until 11PM.

Many sat at tables right in the heart of the music, while others opted for quieter conversation on the other side of the street, at the Sponge Exchange – a plaza replete with shops, tables, and benches.

The final Night of the year is scheduled for September 10, when the weather is still warm enough to allow for a rain date, should it be necessary.