ANNA MARIA – While celebrating Anna Maria Island’s historic past, the Anna Maria Island Historical Society’s annual Heritage Day celebration raised more than $3,000.
Taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 26 at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum and Historical Park, Heritage Day featured free tours of the museum and the historic Belle Haven cottage, a yarn maker, a basket weaver, other crafters and vendors, face painting and other kid’s activities, live music by the Anna Maria String Band, strawberry shortcake sales by historical society members, food sales by Poppo’s Taquerias and the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ capture, confinement and ransom-inspired release of Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth.
At noon, the Privateers captured Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth and held them hostage in “The Old City Jail” until more than $1,000 was raised in ransom to secure their release. The ransom donations included $350 from Titsworth’s husband, Steve, and donations Murphy secured using his cell phone while held captive.
After being released, Murphy said, “It was a lot of fun and it’s always a good cause to help the Anna Maria Island Historical Society. I’m pleased that we were able to do so much in terms of raising money.”
Titsworth said, “That was a lot of fun and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. I love the historical society. We’ve got so much history here and I just love the fact that’s there’s so many citizens who are willing to contribute to the success of the historical society.”
Sold and served by historical society members Barbara Murphy and Karen Gardner, the strawberry shortcake sales featured fresh Plant City strawberries provided by Ed Chiles and shortcake provided by Hometown Desserts.
After displaying her old-fashioned methods to young Hattie Neaton, traditional yarn maker Donna Stansbury said, “It’s fun to show the kids and that little girl learned quick.”
Historical Society president and museum docent Liz Hager said, “We’ve been doing Heritage Day now for a long time at the museum and Heritage Day is better today than it’s ever been. We have unbelievable vendors selling beautiful things, people enjoying strawberry shortcake, a face painter, live music and so much more.”
In addition to being an important annual fundraiser, Hager said Heritage Day is also a great way to attract new visitors and passersby to the museum and museum grounds as they wander in to see what’s going on.
“People are walking through Belle Haven and walking through the museum. We hope it teaches them about our Island’s history. The museum is free and completely volunteer-run Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in season, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside of season,” she said.
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