Happy Independence Day, y’all! This year’s theme for the Sanibel 4th Of July Parade was “Shellabration” …. so we couldn’t miss out on a shelling theme, now could we?
We plopped that big honkin JUNONIA right on top of our cart, added some shell garland, mixed in our patriotic colors then revved up the “Junonia Jalopy” and headed to Periwinkle Way to shellebrate our country.
Oh yeah, AND we threw out over 500 shells (CONCHS, WHELKS, OLIVES, MUREXES, COCKLES, etc) to the crowds along the streets. Everybody loved getting real shells!
There were 55 other “floats” that were having just as much fun as we were…
Shell Museum
Sanibel Sea School
Cips Sanibel parade 2011
The “Shellabration” theme was to kick off the 75th Sanibel Shell Fair and Show that will be held March 1-3, 2012. Yep! That’s SEVENTY FIVE years the Shell Fair has been on Sanibel so this next one will be a doozy. This is the fabulous poster designed by local artist Pam Brodersen.
Speaking of Pam Brodersen, she sent me pictures she took of our cart in the parade today. Thanks Pam!
The Junonia Jalopy is taking a short rest to take us on to the next stop…. Fireworks!
Happy 4th Everyone! The parade floats are awesome! Have a safe and happy day/evening :)
That is so cool, Pam!! What a great way to celebrate today!! Your Junonia Jalopy is awesome!!
Looks like so much fun! Thanks for posting! I like the Junonia Jalopy–very cute!
Up here it is tractors and pickup trucks rather than golf carts in the parades—
and they toss candy to the kids. I like the shells better– no calories and longer lasting. Happy Fourth of July everyone! May your fireworks be bright and safe!
Pam and Clark: The Junonia Jalopy is so jolly!!! Loveit!!! Looks like a fun parade :)
Your float is so cute! Nice job! Happy 4th of July everyone, and enjoy the fireworks tonight!
Looks like a lot of fun!! Nice that the weather was beautiful. It has been so rainy lately.
Great Float!! Did they have fireworks on Sanibel this year? Last I heard, they weren’t due to lack of funding!! I hope that changed!! BTW…we’re heading back down there the beginning of August…maybe one of these times we’ll get to meet each other!! I sure would love to be there at the Shell show!!!
How FUN, Pam!!!! Wish I had been there to see that parade down Periwinkle! Thanks for sharing the fun photos! :)
xoxo laurie
How Highlarious!!!!! and fun, galore!!
OMG! My wonderful husband thinks the Shellabration might be interesting!
I betting you need hotel reservation far in advance, right? Poster gives the dates as Feb 26- Mar 4, but Pam, you say Mar 1-3. If we’re coming I’d hate to miss it by a day or two! So which is it?
Also the poster is beautiful– is it possible to purchase a copy?
Yes, okay- This is what I understand- the actual shell fair exhibits will be March 1-3 but the “Shellabration” has some added events which will take place starting Feb 26. I have talked to some of the organizers and it is still just coming together so I’m not sure of the whole schedule yet but they have a website now that I linked in this post (it’s highlighted and bolded). I’m going to add a button this week that will link it again to be a handy info spot. More info to come. Oh and Yes- Info on how to buy the poster is on that link too. It’s going to be quite a week!
Thank you, Pam! I’ll start panning our next visit right now!
We haven’t been shelling on Sanibel since 2005– I’d say were overdue!
Happy 4th of July everyone!
Can hardly wait; I’ll be there in just a few days shellabrating my birthday!
Thanks! That was fun!
Very Cool…Looks like so much fun!
wow , sure wish I could of been there for the shellabration !!! Your little buggy is so cute , now that’s the way to get around the Island for sure !!
Pam , I’m needing info please . Just 13 more days and we will be in our beloved Sanibel !! YEAH !! We have never made it to Blind Pass before . Was wanting to know the best place to park to get to the beach . Any input would be very much appreciated . Hope we run into you & your Master shell finding hubby .
THANKS !
Carla, I’m not Pam but hopefully I can help. There are small parking areas on both the Captiva side and the Sanibel side right next to the bridge. The Captiva side parking lot is a little bigger. It is easiest to get a spot earlier in the day but people come and go all the time so if you wait a few minutes, something opens up. You do have to pay to park so bring a few dollars. I was there in March and I assume nothing has changed. Enjoy your trip to my favorite place. Katherine
Oh Katherine- thank you so much for the great answer! I’ve been without my computer for a few days so it’s taken me a while to get to emails. You guys are so sweet!
Just discovered a new children’s book that I think you’re going to LOVE! It’s called “Junonia” by Kevin Henkes and the publisher is Harper Collins. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but it looks adorable. The cover of the book is covered with Junonia shells! It’s about a young girl named Alice who wonders if this will be the year she finally finds the junonia shell! Enjoy!
Your “shell buggy” looked great. You look like one to be reckoned with!! We are definitely planning on being at the 75th Shellabration – I have been coming to Sanibel over 50 years and haven’t been to one yet!!! We will be there next February. P & F
I loved seeing the parade on my PC from the northern woods, that was great!! Last year we were on Sanibel for the 4th, enjoying the parade, the road rally, the fireworks. This year at our cottage in Door County, enjoying parades fireworks & all the 4th festivities. I honestly don’t know where I’d rather be—-both places are delightful & I feel very Blessed to have these choices. Happy Shelling!!!!
My kiddos got one of the shells you threw out but you zipped by so fast around the corner that sadly we didn’t get to meet you! It was a fun parade and we were excited to watch the parade. Great floats this year. :-)
This is kind of random but are flat zigzag scallops a common find?
OH MY! I’ve never seen anything like that! I love the shell floats…yours is great! I would love to be there some day for the Shellebration! ♥