Bike Parade, Fair right out of a story book

Monkeys were running through the streets and Dr. Suess was everywhere as an old locomotive passenger train made its way through Boca Grande for the first time in 40 years. No, it wasn’t a crazy drug-induced dream, it was the annual “Storybook Island” Boca Grande Bike Parade that wound down the bike path on Saturday morning, March 15. The floats were better than ever, and 39 separate entries displayed themselves to the judges at the corner of 5th Street and East Railroad before heading down south on the bike path to the community center.
The judges this year, Bill Winterer, Larry Warner, Misty Nichols, Skip McKean and Jim Miller were held spellbound as bikes, golf carts and other entries “floated” by, all following the parade’s theme of “Storybook Island.” Several attempts at bribery by some entries were welcomed.

The elite honor of winning “Best Group” went to the Munchkin Program, for their interpretation of “The Little Engine that Could,” complete with barrel cars holding the pre-schoolers and engineer “Bill” at the wheel. The float deemed “Most Original” by the judges was created by The Island School, and featured golf carts from “Jumanji,” “Charlotte’s Web,” “Strega Nona” and “The Bubble Factory.”

A “Best Presentation” trophy was given to the Tolsdorf family for their interpretation of “Alice in Wonderland.” There was more to the Tolsdorf float than met the eye though, as characters such as The Man in the Big Yellow Hat (played by Christopher Tolsdorf) chased Curious George (played by Katherine Tolsdorf) down the bike path.

The Loose Caboose went home with a trophy for their entry in the “Best Business” category featuring Blanche Boudreau as The Big Bad Wolf and Christine McNew as Little Red Riding Hood.

The Bennett family swept the “Best of Show” category with their “Winnie the Pooh” float, and the “Most Entertaining” win went to the Jenkins Family for their “Wizard of Oz” portrayal. The Wicked Witch of the West, played by Laine Jenkins, held her little “Tin Man,” played by Benjamin Wikenheiser.

The “Most Creative” category was taken by the Damiano dalmations. The family dressed in their black-polka-dotted finest as “101 Dalmations.”

Honorable mention ribbons were given to Madeleine and Noemie Moffatt for their bicycle decorations, to the Plumb-Sharp family float called “Magic Tree House,” and to the Larson and Kissick families for their “Yellow Brick Road” entry.

The Boca Grande Woman’s Club annual Spring Fair followed the parade, and all of those who coordinated the event agreed it lived up to its full potential.

“It really went great,” said Jan Decklever. “ We really lucked out with the weather, and all the kids who were there seemed to have an amazing time. All of the comments I have heard have been really positive, and everyone had a great time and got into the theme of things.”

“I think there were a few less people than in other years, and I’m not sure why,” said Bob Green, senior director at the Community Center. “It was another successful event, though. The games, the food, everything was great. We worked real well together with the Woman’s Club ladies, Jan and Jan … they were great to work with, and we hope they’re the co-chairs next year!”

The Cat in the Hat, who attended the fair and manned the book sale, said “he” was more than happy with the response from the children when it came to their interest in books, and that the whole “Storybook Island” theme really appealed to him.

“It was a wonderful day to come out and play, we read a few good books along the way,” the Cat said. “I manned the book tent and walked around, and had lots of admirers track me down. It was a lot of joy, a lot of fun, as usual there were good times for everyone.”