ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society will host its annual Heritage Day Festival on Tuesday, March 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Heritage Day Festival is a free celebration of the history of Anna Maria Island. The festival is held inside the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum at 402 Pine Ave. and on the museum grounds that also include the historic Belle Haven cottage that once sat at the end of the Anna Maria City Pier.
“Not even double hurricanes can keep us down and our newly-restored museum will be open for tours,” longtime Historical Society member and museum docent Judy Hildman said.
“Heritage Day celebrates the history of Anna Maria Island and our three unique cities. It is our gift to the community. This year, more than ever, we celebrate and thank the community for their generosity and support to help us build back. It is a fun, family-oriented event with live music, food, arts and crafts demonstrations and vendors, kids games and so much more. The Privateers will incarcerate the mayors of all three Island cities in our ‘Old City Jail’ for ransom donations,” Hildman said.
The Heritage Day Festival includes the sale of fresh strawberry shortcake as a Historical Society fundraising activity. The fundraisers will also include the sale of Settlers Bread and other baked goods as well as raffles and a silent auction.
Holmes Beach-based Pizzano’s Pizza will be this year’s featured food vendor.
No parking spaces will be available at the museum during the event, but there is free parking along Pine Avenue. Festivalgoers can take the free Island Trolley and get off at the Crescent Drive/Pine Avenue trolley stop in front of the museum.
For more information, or to become a museum docent or volunteer, please visit www.amihs.org or call 941-778-0492.
