Shrimp Festival begins with Princess Ball
Twelve local princesses have a chance to be crowned queen at the 53rd annual Fort Myers Beach Lions Shrimp Festival on Saturday, March 12. This Friday, get a chance to meet and greet the girls at the Princess Ball at 7 p.m. at Historic St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church at 5601 Williams Dr.
The festival’s Princess Ball will feature food, dance and entertainment. Tickets are on sale for $10, and can be obtained at the door on the day of the event. For more information, call Lion Sheila Kelley at 233-8250.
“The princesses look forward to the ball. They get to dress up, invite their families and are allowed to bring an escort. It’s a nice social event for them,” said Kelley. “This the first opportunity to meet everybody including their sponsors. It also gives them a chance to say a few words as well.”
Kelley said the girls had a chance to meet each other during a photo shoot on the beach last week then attended a pizza party to make their parade signs Tuesday evening.
“This is a great opportunity for them. It’s not a beauty pageant. It’s based on character and personality,” said Kelley. “As always, it will be very well attended.”
The crowning will take place at the beach pavilion at Lynn Hall Park at 1 p.m.
The princesses and their sponsors are as follows in alphabetical order: Hannah Albion (Red Coconut RV Park); Katy Bonkowski (Charley’s Boathouse Grill); Adrienne Castro (Tommy Tire); Miranda Conidaris (Lani Kai); Jamie Costa (Kater Construction); Liz Costa (Semmer Electric); Carolyn Coyne (Island Sand Paper); Missy Gavin (Timbers & Prawnbroker restaurants); Devin McDaniel (Moss Marina); Sam Miller (Surf Club); Megan Sabean (Wolf Florist); Kassea Shrock (Erikson & Jensen).
The day after the Princess Ball (Saturday, March 5, 8:30 a.m.), children from kindergarten through grade 5 will take part in the Shrimp Run on the beachfront at Gulf Beach Road. They will race for the Lions Trophy.
These events precede the festival’s main activities the following weekend.
On Saturday, March 12, the Shrimp Festival Parade begins at 10 a.m. This two-mile long parade runs down the main street of town (Estero Blvd) from the beach school to the Lynn Hall Park where the festival grounds are located. Call Lion Diane at 454-0043 for information.
At Lynn Hall Park, enjoy the 53rd Annual Shrimp Festival Food Fun & Crafts Expo. More than 100 vendors hit the Beach from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The expo continues on Sunday and will be open during the same times. For information, call Lion Ted at 454-0043.
Remember: Official Festival T-shirts, tank tops and hats will be sold along with the World Famous Lions Shrimp Dinners, food, cold drinks and more at the festival grounds. For more information, call Lion Patsy at 463-1027.
NOTE: Off-islanders take heed. Matanzas Bridge will be closed from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 12, in preparation of the 53rd annual Fort Myers Beach Lions Shrimp Festival.