Hundreds of people packed the Clearwater Travel Plaza parking lot Tuesday for its customer appreciation patio party.

 

In its eighth year, the gathering has become one of the most anticipated events in the area with free food, entertainment, prizes and special recognition for employees and veterans.

 

The event began with the Clearwater Legion Riders, along with riders from other areas, escorting busloads of veterans from the St. Cloud VA to take part in the celebration.

 

“They were welcomed by the color guard and the crowd. We rolled out the red carpet for them,” said Travel Plaza Vice President Wendy Johnson.

 

The veterans got a free meal of burgers, brats, all the fixins’ and something cold to drink.

 

But it wasn’t only the veterans who got free food. Everyone who attended lined up for a meal prepared by Plaza volunteers and help from Apperts/Sysco. There was enough food to serve 3,000 people. 

 

“We’ll serve well over 2,000,” said Johnson. “Some people who come won’t eat.”

 

But most did. And many took part in the raffle, which was sold out early in the afternoon. Some people played in the beanbag competition, where all proceeds went to the St. Cloud VA.

 

At 5:30, employees lined up along the red carpet and Johnson read the names of every Plaza employee with at least five years of service. It was a long list, and each received a card with something valuable inside - cash.

 

At the end of the line was the Plaza’s elder statesman, Donny Niebolte. It is his 38th year, and he got a huge round of applause from co-workers and the rest of the crowd.

 

Later in the evening, the crowd enjoyed free music courtesy of Chaser, a band that plays country, pop and rock.

 

Johnson said the party is a way the Plaza can thank its customers, staff and veterans all at once.