Ziggy memorial poker tournament

Island residents are polishing up their poker faces for the First Ziggy Memorial Poker Tournament and Cook-out, which will be held on Friday, May 23, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Boca Bay Power House.

The event is being coordinated by several island residents to raise money for the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum, and was created in memory of earlier times at Whidden’s Marina.

“It kind of came from the idea that back in the old days, during tarpon season, the dance hall at Whidden’s was where everyone would gather after fishing and play poker,” said Dave Arner, one of the event coordinators. “It was kind of an old island tradition up until the ’40s and ’50s, and we thought it would be fun to have a poker tournament that would give people a chance to relive those days.”

The event at the Power House is open to the public. There will be a cash bar, and anyone will be able to participate in the mullet toss and casting tournament that will be held. The price to eat dinner and participate in the poker tournament is $125. The price for dinner only is $50.

The event is purely for fun and bragging rights. The cook-out starts at 6 p.m. and the tournament begins at 7 p.m.

Music will set the background for the mullet toss and casting contests, which will run concurrently with the poker tournament. Throughout the evening raffles will be held for a wide array of prizes.

Proceeds from the event will not only benefit the operation of the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum, but also toward development of environmental education programs for children of The Island School and other local elementary schools, as well as visiting grandchildren. An emphasis on the ecological balance between traditional fishing methods and protecting the local fishery’s habitat will be the hallmark of these programs.

Ziggy the pig was the mascot of Whidden’s Marina for 15 years, after taking the place of his predecessor pig, Susie.

Melissa Joiner Steyer inherited Ziggy when he was just 3 months old from islander Scooter Darna, and thousands of visitors paid tribute to the black pig who lounged with ducks and other animals at the entryway to the historic marina.

Tickets are available at Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum, Whidden’s Marina, The Seale Family Inc. Realtors, Paradise Gallery or by calling 964-0222.

There are sponsorship opportunities available for local businesses to participate in the event. Currently the event’s sponsors are:

• Italiano Insurance Services Inc. - gold sponsor

• McHugh-Porter Builders Inc. - silver sponsor

• The Seale Family Realty Inc. - silver sponsor

• Key Agency - bronze sponsor

• Hooked on Fishing with Capt. Bill Miller - bronze sponsor

• Dany Magill Inc. - bronze sponsor

• Boca Beacon - bronze sponsor

• Pirate Coast - bronze sponsor