The iconic Port Boca Grande Museum and Lighthouse Christmas lighting event once again beamed with holiday spirit Saturday as a throng of more than 350 people partied on the south end of the island.
Even Mother Nature got in on the fun by granting eventgoers a reprieve. Massive storm clouds pierced with at least two rainbows and lightning on the horizon rolled up to the south end of the island at roughly the same time as golf carts and cars were.
Yet what looked to be a nasty storm suddenly stalled without ever bogging down the celebration. Museum Executive Director Sharon McKenzie and Jim Grant, Barrier Island Parks Society chairman, flicked the lighthouse Christmas lights on at precisely 6:15 p.m. as scheduled.
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Nasty storm clouds dissipated just as the lighting event began.
"It was a great success," McKenzie said. "Last year we had 350 people and had food and wine left over. This year we bought more wine and cookies and we ran out of food and wine."
Cellist Julie Cornwall of Englewood supplied elegant accompaniment although McKenzie said next year she will be given a better sound system.
"We've already hired her for next year," McKenzie said.
Fact Box
To Go
What: BIPS Board meeting
When: 9:30 a.m. Jan. 14
Where: Amory Chapel
Contact: Call 964-0060
To Go
Who: Barrier Island Parks Society
What: Swashbuckler's Ball
When: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 22
Where: Amory Chapel
Contact: Call 964-0060
In other BIPS news:
BIPS membership is up to 369.
Joan Ardrey and Larry Hannah are co-chairs of the Green Gala, which will have a Swashbuckler's Ball theme Feb. 22. There will be table for eating, no gambling and tickets cost $100.
"It's going to be a really fun party," Ardrey said at Monday's BIPS meeting. "Be thinking about your pirate outfit."
Park Ranger Chad Lach reported the Don Pedro docks have nearly been rebuilt after being blown apart by Tropical Storm Debbie.
