Clergy from St. Andrews Episcopal Church, the
First Baptist Church, the Lighthouse United
Methodist Church and Our Lady of Mercy
Catholic Church participate in the program.
Each year an individual or organization from
the community is recognized as the “Offi cial Tree
Lighter” in recognition of their contributions to
the Boca Grande Community. Past honorees
include Joe Wier, Lee County Department of
Parks and Recreation; the Boca Grande Fire
Department; and Dr. Tom Ervin, Boca Grande
Health Clinic. The 2019 honorees were Boca
Beacon publisher Dusty Hopkins and the paper’s
editor, Marcy Shortuse.
For more than 30 years, Boca Grande has
celebrated the beginning of spring with an annual
Fair and Bike Path Parade, sponsored by the Boca
Grande Woman’s Club and the Lee County
Department of Parks and Recreation.
Held on the grounds of the Community
Center, the event is widely attended by families
from throughout the island. Activities include a
cake walk, carnival games for young children,
face painting, clowns and balloon artists, a
caricaturist, pony rides and a petting zoo. Each
year has a different theme.
There is an old-fashioned bake sale and a
concession stand with hot dogs, hamburgers,
chips, water and soft drinks. Don’t miss the snow
cones and popcorn ladies!
The morning of the festivities begins with the
annual Bike Path Parade, which assembles north
of town and ends at the Community Center.
Each year the committee selects a different
theme for the day and businesses and individuals
are encouraged to decorate their golf carts and
participate in the parade. Prizes are awarded in
several categories.
The date for the 2020 Annual Bike Path Parade
and BGWC Spring Fair is Saturday, March 28.
Festivities will begin with the parade at 10:30
a.m., followed by the Spring Fair.
Every two years the Boca Grande Woman’s
Club sponsors The Dog Show on the grounds of
the Community Center. The event is held on a
Saturday in March and in recent years, more than
60 dogs have participated in the event.
The Dog Show is a fundraiser for the
Woman’s Club and for the Suncoast Humane Society.
Funds are raised by attendance fees, entry
fees and the sale of dog posters.
Look for news on the 2021 Dog Show in the
Spring of 2020.
We thank the Boca Grande Woman’s Club
for their tireless efforts in helping to make our
community a better place, and for going above
and beyond for all of us.
62 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE January/February 2020