The Boca Grande Woman's Club Island Fair community thank you came off in a big way Saturday with a colorful Bike Path Parade leading into festivities at the community center.
"It's fun and work as well," said Dee Wheeler of the Woman's Club. "It's our gift to the community."
"It turned out to be a huge success for island residents and visitors," said Joe Wier, supervisor for Lee County Parks & Recreation and organizer of the Bike Path Parade. "I was extremely happy with the turnout."
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Bike Path Parade Queen Nancy Lyons and Princess Anna Crowley with unnamed cart driver.
The Island Fair is a salute to the community from the Boca Grande Woman's Club" said Penn Branin, Island Fair co-chair with Mary Keevil, done in tandem with the Lee County Parks & Recreation Bike Parade.
Fair attractions included a bake sale, book sale, children's games, cake walk and popcorn.
The theme this year is going "Boca Green," which Branin said represents conservation efforts to conserve our resources, our beautiful island and its green plant life.
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Island Fair chairs
Chairwomen, Penn Branin and Mary Keevil; bake sale, Renae Baker and Marjorie Webb; games, Shelley Lewis; decorations, Diane Johnson and Bonnie Slomkowski; cook book, Marcia Rose and Jodie Pearah; concessions, Marianne Schlecht and Pauline Mendez; cake walk, Lona Kissinger;
popcorn, Weezy Scott and Mary Jo Wilson; and snow cones, Susan Jewett.
More than 40 parade entrants took part. Wier said event would not be possible without the support of the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association, The Boca Grande Woman's Club, Friends of Boca Grande Community Center and Lee County Parks & Recreation.
"I want to thank the Boca Grande Fire Department, Lee County Sheriff's Department and all of the wonderful volunteers who made this event safe and enjoyable for the community," Weir said. "Special thank yous go to Lo Lo Weir, Larry Warner, Misty Nichols, Jane Moore and John Mendez, who did a fabulous job judging the event.
Bike Path Parade included:
Best Group: The Munchkins and teacher Laquata Meade.
Most Original: The Kendle family.
Best Theme Presentation: Hugh-Plumb.
Best Bike: Pierce Washburn
Most Entertaining: Ghriskey.
Most Creative: The Bennett family.
Best of Show: Larry and Kitty Jenkins.
Honorable Mention: The Steffan Family, The Island School, Relay for Life and Suncoast Humane Society.
