Shrimp Festival is for fun lovers
Parade. Princesses. Prawns. Party goers. These are some of the things to expect at the 52nd annual Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival.
Estero Island’s largest annual event is a free, fun-filled festivity for those who are fanatic about frolicking through the roughly two-mile designated area on Estero Boulevard.
The parade, a long-standing local tradition that attracts many residents and tourists alike, kicks off the bash at 10 a.m. Saturday from the Bay Oaks/Beach school area on School Street with more than 100 parade units and several floats and meanders down the Beach’s main drag to the festival grounds at Lynn Hall Park near Times Square.
Ten sponsored princesses will be featured in the parade and at the 2010 Queen Pageant which starts at 1 p.m. at Lynn Hall Park. Come cheer for your favorite contestant at the final judging. Jessica Libak, the 2009 Shrimp Queen who was sponsored by Fish Tale Marina, will also grace the procession and the stage to pass the crown to this year’s lucky queen.
“This years Festival looks to be better than ever,” said Lion Jerry Tatarian. “We have been sold out of Expo spaces for a while and the parade will likely have more participants than ever. Our online poll for (selecting a) favorite Shrimp Festival Queen is drawing hundreds of votes. The public is invited to cast their vote on our Web site www.BeachShrimpFestival.com“
Fresh Gulf Pinks will be plentiful for a price. The locally caught shrimp can be found at the festival grounds where the 52nd annual Shrimp Festival Food, Fun & Crafts will be held. The Lions Club will have their world-famous shrimp boil, and more than 100 crafts and food vendors will be on site beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Live entertainment is also expected on Saturday.
The shrimp are being provided by two boats in our local Shrimping Fleet,” said Tatarian. “The Lions want to thank Captains Charlie Livingston and Scott Cowles and the crew of their boats, the “Babe” and “Penny V,” for their great contribution to the Festival’s success. There is nothing like the taste of local caught shrimp.”
Party goers can expect the fun to last all weekend long. Just make sure you arrive early and be safe! The Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed from 9:15 a.m. until noon on Saturday, March 13.
“Your Beach Lions have been holding the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival on the beach for 52 years and we believe this will be the biggest and best ever,” said Tatarian. “Hope to see everyone there!”
Parade applications are due March 10
Application forms for the Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival Parade are due March 10. All entrants are welcome. For information or your application, go to www.FortMyersBeachShrimpFestival.com to print the instructions and your application.
Bridge to close March 13
ATTENTION: The Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed from 9 a.m. until roughly noon on Saturday, March 13. This action is necessary due to the FMB Chamber of Commerce 5-kilometer race and the ensuing parade. Those drivers coming from the south end will be re-routed south at the mid-island yellow light near FMB Fire Station #31.
Lions Shrimp Festival t-shirts
The Fort Myers Beach Lions Club’s 2010 Shrimp Festival shirts and tank tops and caps are available at Sun Hardware in Santini Plaza; Beach Paints in Seagrape Plaza; The Fort Myers Beach Chamber Office on San Carlos Boulevard; and Erickson & Jensen on Main Street on San Carlos Island. An assortment of tees, tanks, collared shirts and tanks can be found at most locations and at the Shrimp Festival.
“We thank these businesses for donating their time and effort in selling these items,” said Tatarian. “All proceeds go to the Beach Lions Foundation for charity.”
Meet the princesses at the Shrimp Festival Queen Pageant
Ten princesses will compete in the Fort Myers Beach Lions 52nd annual Shrimp Festival Queen Pageant. The 2010 Queen Pageant will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, at Lynn Hall Park.
The princesses with sponsors are Adrienne Castro Tommy Tire & Sons; Angela Assink Trico Shrimp; Kaitlin Conidaris Lani Kai Island Resort; Kassea Shrock Erickson and Jensen; Katelyn Sundin Rose Auction Group; Melanie Byrd Fort Myers Beach Observer; Samantha Simmons The Island Sandpaper;Virginia Halcomb Beach Seafood Market; Rachel Whitehead Semmer Electric; and Ashlee Neal – sponsored by Lahaina Realty.