Star Spangled Bonita event set

The city of Bonita Springs' fifth annual Star Spangled Bonita event will kick off with a parade down Old 41 at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 1. Immediately following the parade, there will be a celebration featuring local businesses, food vendors and much more.

The event will take place through 1 p.m. at Riverside Park at Old 41 and Pennsylvania Avenue.

New to this year's festivities is the Hot Dog eating contest. This year's contest will be held on Saturday at Riverside Park. This is your opportunity to become "Bonita's Top Dog" for 2006. This year's Hot Dog eating contest will be sponsored by Russell's Clambakes. The event is sure to bring plenty of fun and friendly competition everyone will enjoy. No early registration is needed; participants can sign up at the contest.

Other festivities include the annual Bonita's Best Blue Ribbon Pie Contest.

This year's pie contest is sure to be tastier than ever. With four categories to choose from, participants may enter their most delicious blueberry, peach, or meringue pie and can enter more than one category. Judges will vote on the best pie in each of the Fruit, Cream, Chiffon, and Custard/Meringue categories.

Ribbons will be awarded in each category with one overall winner announced as the "Bonita Springs Best Blue Ribbon Pie." Other ribbons and cash prizes will be awarded.

All bakers are welcomed to show off the best Bonita has to offer. Participants must register for the pie contest no later than Thursday, June 29.

All entries are free to the public. Entry forms are available at City Hall. All pies must be brought to Community Hall, 10520 Reynolds Street (across from Riverside Park) no later than 9 a.m. on July 1. After submission, all pies become the property of the "Blue Ribbon Pie Contest." Once judging is complete, guests will have the opportunity to purchase one of these delectable treats either by the slice or in its entirety.

Proceeds from sales will be donated to the Zonta Club, a woman's organization who dedicates funds to help woman and children's causes in Bonita Springs.

This year's pie contest is part of a two-part celebration which includes the parade, Party in the Park at Riverside Park immediately following the parade, and a spectacular evening fire works display at Palmira Tuesday evening. For more information, contact Jean Byrnes at 495-2576 or Amy Arend at 947-6099.

On Tuesday, July 4, Star Spangled Bonita lights up the town with its fantastic fireworks display beginning at dusk. There will be free parking at Flamingo Island Flea Market with complementary shuttle to and from Palmira Gulf and Country Club. Supporters of Star Spangled Bonita include: Lee Memorial Health System, The News-Press, Bonita Daily News, the Ronto Group, Edison Farms, Meridian Broadcasting (U.S 98.5, Wide Open Country), Community Bank of Naples, and Henderson/Franklin Attorneys at Law.

Fireworks display set at Miromar

Miromar Outlets & Germain Arena will present a full roster of Independence Day celebration festivities, including center-wide sidewalk sales Saturday, July 1, through Tuesday, July 4. On Monday, July 3, there will be fun and entertainment for the whole family throughout the day. The Southern Extreme Water Ski Team will present a thrilling performances on the lake at 7 p.m. The Lee County YMCA will sponsor games for kids, beginning at 5 p.m. Musical entertainment will feature the Mambo Brothers Blues Band starting at 5 p.m.

Fireworks by Firepower Unlimited Inc. are scheduled to start at dusk; spectators are invited to bring their own lawn chairs and encouraged to arrive early. No coolers or personal fireworks will be permitted. The event is co-sponsored by Naples Fire Sprinkler, Germain Toyota of Naples, Modern Service For Home & Business, Coastal Beverage LTD, Firepower Unlimited, Inc and Beasley Broadcasting. Miromar Outlets is located at Exit 123 off I-75 in Estero. Store hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call the Mall Office at 948-3766.

San Carlos parade seeks participants

Residents are invited to participate in the San Carlos Park Fourth of July parade and celebration Tuesday, July 4. The parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Sunshine Ace Hardware shopping plaza, and the celebration at Three Oaks Park will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include live music by Punched Onion, carnival games, horseback rides, food vendors and more. See related story for details.

Parade entry forms are available at the community center.

For more information, call Bonnie at 267-2181.