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For some silly fun, head to Marco Island

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Key lime pies, silly hats and a crack at the Guinness Book of World records for the biggest water balloon fight ever.

All that and more is expected today as the Marco Island Parks and Recreation Department hosts the city's second annual "Simply Silly Celebration!"

"The effort here is to have a lot of fun," Parks and Recreation Director Dana Souza said. "This is going to be a wonderful event like it was last year."

The celebration starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. at Mackle Park.

Music and games such as a rubber chicken toss, sunflower seed spitting contest and potato sack race, along with sand and sponge art, bounce houses and kite making, will be ongoing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m..

The Kiwanis Club will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs and cold drinks, while the Mothers of Marco will offer sweets for sale.

The Sour Power Key Lime Pie Baking Contest and the Silliest Hat Competition are expected to be big draws.

And then there's the water balloon fight.

"It would be nice to break the record," Souza said.

To comply with Guinness Book of World Records rules, certain standards must be followed.

The soccer field will be divided into two sections with a 30-foot space, or no man's land, between the two sections. People must register before entering the field area to document the number of participants in the water balloon fight, as required by the Guinness Book of World Records.

City staff and volunteers will preregister people all day at the park and wrist bands will be given to each participant as they register.

Those planning to get soaked will be counted as they enter the field.

Approximately 10,000 balloons will be set inside the roped-off area on the Mackle Park soccer field. The record is based solely on the number of people participating — 2,850 people are needed to break the current record of 2,849 set in Australia last year.

"Whether you think you make the best Key lime pie in Southwest Florida, want to listen to some great blues music, make history in attempting the world's largest water balloon fight, or you think you have the silliest hat of all, (today) is a day to just be plain silly!" city spokeswoman Lisa Douglass said.

The schedule of events is as follows:

• 10 a.m. — Games, face painting, and music by DJ Dominic of Mobile Sound Entertainment.

• 11 a.m.— Science and Art of Mr. Glen.

• Noon— Judging for the Sour Power Key Lime Pie Baking Contest. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Verdi's American Bistro and bragging rights for the best Key lime pie on Marco.

• 1 p.m. — Banana Peel the Clown. Banana Peel will make his own attempt to break the World Record for the most jumps on a pogo stick while jumping rope.

• 1:30 p.m. — Silliest Hat Competition sponsored by the Marco Island Hilton. Judges will mingle with the crowd throughout the day. The winner will receive a two-night stay at the Marco Island Hilton.

• 2 p.m. — Music by nationally recognized blues musician Joey Gilmore.

• 3 p.m.— Attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Record for the World's Largest Water Balloon Fight. Participants should start to arrive at Mackle Park between 1 and 1:30 p.m.

Parking for the event will be available at Mackle Park, but it is expected to fill up fast, Souza said.

City Hall, Winterberry Park and First Baptist Church have been designated as satellite parking areas, and there will be a trolley shuttling patrons to and from Mackle Park.

For more information call Souza at (239) 642-0575, or visit www.cityofmarcoisland.com.

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