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SANIBEL HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND VILLAGE
The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village will host its Annual Benefit, “Olde Sanibel Cracker Fest,” on Jan. 30 at The Community House on Sanibel. From left, village volunteers Heather Corbin, Nancy Siegel, Tracey Tenney, Julie Peress, Celina Kersh Monte-Sano, Gayle Pence and Mary Henderson.
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SANIBEL HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND VILLAGE
King of the Florida Crackers Jake Summerlin
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Tickets are open for a fundraiser to support the preservation and sharing of Sanibel’s history.
The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village will host its Annual Benefit, featuring the theme of an “Olde Sanibel Cracker Fest,” on Jan. 30 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Community House on Sanibel.
“We do an annual event every year, but for this one we have certain specific needs that we’ll be focusing on,” village board Director and Benefit Committee Chair Celina Kersh Monte-Sano said.
She reported that the proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will support a variety of projects.
The funds will be used to continue to upgrade and restore the interior exhibits at the village, as well continuing to support its general programs and historical films. It will also cover expanding the outside visitor experience with new benches, picnic tables, pathway lighting, a youth area and putting green.
As for this year’s theme for the benefit, the village always tries to focus on a historical one.
“The Crackers are the old original inhabiters and settlers of Florida, Southwest Florida in particular. Their focus was on ranching,” Monte-Sano said, explaining that they would drive cattle to Punta Gorda for shipment to Cuba and elsewhere. “That’s where they got their name, cracking the whip to get the cattle moving.”
The fundraiser will feature a Southwest Florida-style barbecue by Mission BBQ. There will be brisket, chicken, and shrimp and grits, along with macaroni and cheese, green beans, salad and cornbread.
Attendees will enjoy classic Cracker cocktails.
“That will be signature cocktails that we’ll offer,” she said.
A deejay will provide live entertainment, with a special dancing demo from a professional.
“We’ve hired a line dancer who will come and do a demonstration,” Monte-Sano said.
There will be a live auction, with local celebrity Victor Mayeron serving as the auctioneer.
The items up for grabs will include a South African photo safari, gold and diamond pendant of the Sanibel Lighthouse by Congress Jewelers, weeklong Cape Cod getaway, Rachel Pierce painting party with wine and tapas, ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina vacation, week’s stay at a London flat, and boat charter with lunch at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Fort Myers Beach.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to place bids in a silent auction, which will feature goodies like bike rentals, a selection of wines, paintings, jewelry, dinner for four, golf outing and more.
In addition, there will be naming opportunities for the new benches, picnic tables and such.
During the fundraiser, there will be a rolling pictorial display of “life as a Cracker.”
“It’s going to be old-time pictures that we’ve pulled out,” she said.
Tickets are $180 and are available through Jan. 15.
The community is encouraged to reserve their seat.
“The importance of the historical museum, in terms of our community, is very clear,” Monte-Sano said. “It is a collection of buildings that we’re preserving and restoring, which are not replaceable.”
“We need the support of the community to preserve and share the history of the island,” she added.
For tickets or more information, visit sanibelmuseum.org or 239-472-4648.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Annual Benefit, “Olde Sanibel Cracker Fest”
Who
Sanibel Historical Museum and Village
When
Jan. 30 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Tickets are $180