MICA: A holiday worth remembering

What a wonderful time was had by all at Residents’ Beach on the Fourth of July for Uncle Sam’s Sand Jam!

The fly over by the crafts from Homestead Air Force Base was certainly impressive. The Sailing Association of Marco Island sailed along our beachfront in stately quietude. Those on the beach were treated to a full day of Marco sunshine without even so much as a drop of rain!

MICA staff and volunteers can put another notch in their caps for creating a wonderfully successful Fourth of July Event. Of course, we could not pull it off alone. We must thank the Marco Island Police Department, the Marco Island Fire Department and the Marco Island Police Foundation for their excellent coverage.

We must also thank the Marco Eagle, which sponsored Mobile Sound Entertainment, the DJ music that kept the patriotic and dance tunes going all day long, right through the fireworks.

The Kiwanis Club of Marco Island handled the sandcastle contest and with more than 30 entries this year, it was difficult to choose winners. Everyone worked so hard on their sculptures, and we appreciate the time that went into each piece. We didn’t know there were so many talented sand artists sitting on Residents’ Beach each day!

Games and crafts for the kids are always a hit and many restaurants and businesses on our island contributed prizes including Arturo’s Restaurant, ASE Telecom, Big Al’s, Collier Tropical Landscaping, CJ’s Restaurant, Cold Stone Creamery, Kerry’s Café, Kretch’s Restaurant, Obsession, Marco Community Bank, Maria Elena’s Salon, Paradise Seafood, Porky’s Last Stand, Publix Supermarket, Snook Inn, Subway, and Sunset Grille.

MICA’s celebration had a first of its kind — a hot dog eating contest! The contest was fashioned after the famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. With seven contestants and 10 minutes to chow down, the winner ate nine hot dogs! And we all have newfound amazement for the guys who enter the Nathan’s contest — 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes? How do they do that?

The fireworks were spectacular and went off without a hitch. Of course, leading up to the fourth there was a massive community effort to collect the $42,000 necessary to fund Marco Island’s one-of-a kind display and due to the generosity of businesses, groups, and individuals, the funds were collected.

The Marco Island Veterans of Foreign War Post 6370 is responsible for raising funds for the finish work for a memorial at Veterans Park. Their goal of $200,000 was reduced by $1,200 when they sold American flags at Residents’ Beach during the holiday. In fact, it was a sell out. They sold all 500 flags by 8 p.m. and thanked everyone for their generosity. Look for donation stations to be situated around your island’s favorite businesses in the near future.

So, thank you Islanders for keeping the tradition and creating an unforgettable celebration in honor of our nation’s independence!