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!