MICA announces July Fourth plans

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Angelina Sawicki, Kayla Yowler, Bobbie Joe Yowler, and Jordan Jowler show of their patriotic bathing suits during the 2008 July Fourth Celebration at Residents’ Beach.

The clock is ticking and July Fourth is approaching quickly. It is just 21 days away, but at the Marco Island Civic Association we have been preparing for months. MICA’s July Fourth Uncle Sam’s Sand Jam is the busiest day of the year at Residents’ Beach.

If you want to attend our Sand Jam, first you must be a member of Residents’ Beach. If you are an improved property owner or if you rent on Marco Island for one month or longer, you are eligible to join. Second, you must come relaxed and ready to have fun with the friends, neighbors and fellow members. Third, you must not bring glass or personal fireworks.

Dominick Buonantuono of Mobile Sound Entertainment will be playing non-stop music, beginning at noon through the conclusion of the fireworks. He’ll mix it up with favorite dance and oldies tunes, fun family music and patriotic numbers. The Marco Eagle, is sponsoring the DJ for the day. Our thanks to the Eagle!

You might want to practice your sand digging and construction skills to prepare for our famous Sandcastle Contest. When you arrive at the beach, please be sure to register and get your marker flag at the sandcastle tent. Then get to work building and sifting! Judging begins at 3 p.m. and winners will be announced at 5 p.m.

Kids’ games start at 1 p.m. on the beach. No sign up is required and all children are encouraged to participate in the coconut toss, tug-of-war, fastest kid races and various other good time games, such as hula hoop and limbo.

There’s also a new addition to the games this year – MICA’s hot dog eating contest. Each year on July Fourth, Nathan’s in New York hosts its famous hot dog eating contest, and this year we will feature the inaugural Residents’ Beach Hot Dog Eating Contest! The first 20 individuals to register will participate. Sign-up will be at the big MICA tent and anyone 18 or older is eligible to take part. The contest starts at 3 p.m. at the DJ’s stage.

The patriotic swimsuit contest is always a hit with beachgoers and that is scheduled following the hot dog eating contest.

Hot dogs and hamburgers are a must for a July Fourth celebration, so the folks from Paradise Grill will be grilling them up on the beach and will also offer their full menu at the pavilion.

MICA will be selling beer and wine all day long on the beach. All proceeds will be applied to the costs of the event.

Fireworks will be shot from a barge and, if all goes as planned, are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. They can be seen from anywhere along the beachfront or Collier Boulevard. MICA is pleased to contribute the final $5,000 to the $42,000 cost of the fireworks. In this difficult economy coming up with $42,000 is no small feat, and it took the entire community to make the fireworks display happen this year.

We look forward to a wonderful full day at the beach on July Fourth. Hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please call the MICA office at 239-642-7778.