4th Family Fun Community Cookout to feature games, pool party and more
The islands community is invited out to a free event to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday.
The city of Sanibel’s Recreation Department will host the 4th Family Fun Community Cookout on July 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sanibel Recreation Center on Sanibel. Free and open to the public, it will feature games, a magician, pool party, an inflatable obstacle course, face painting, music and more.
Gabby Cooper Angeles, program coordinator with the Sanibel Recreation Center and Recreation Department, explained that the annual parade and fireworks display are not taking place this year due Hurricane Ian, so the city council asked staff to organize an alternative event to mark the holiday.
“It’s free to the community,” she said. “Anyone can come, off-island or on-island.”
“There’s a lot of stuff going on,” Angeles added.
Games like three-legged races, corn hole, and a javelin throw with a pool noodle will be held in the gymnasium. The winners will receive a goodie bag with a holiday-themed bracelet, necklace and more.
“Just some fun games in the gym with prizes,” she said.
The gymnasium will also feature an inflatable obstacle course.
“We will have a craft room set up,” Angeles said, noting that the supplies will be provided by the Children’s Education Center of the Islands and Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church.
“We’ll have one of the rooms full of balloons,” she added.
A magician will roam the grounds before switching to silt walking and then to balloon artistry.
“We’ll have two staff members doing Fourth of July-themed face painting,” Angeles said.
At the pool, attendees can enjoy pool games with more prizes.
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District will be on site with one of its trucks. Families can tour the apparatus and the fire hose will be set up for youths who want to try their hand at being a firefighter.
Also taking part will be Hubbard Farm with its rescue animals.
“It’s a rescue out of Naples,” she said. “They will be smaller animals like baby chickens, bunnies.”
Husband-and-wife duo The Keys will provide live entertainment from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“They’re local,” Angeles said. “They kind of play a little bit of everything.”
Attendees can satisfy their hunger with free treats, including pizza by Island Pizza, hot dogs from Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, ice cream by Boops By The Bubble Room and popcorn from the center.
The event sponsors are Bailey’s General Store, CECI, Doc Ford’s, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, Kingfisher Vacation Rentals & Real Estate, IntuneHealth, Island Pizza, Publix, Saint Michael & All Angels and Sanibel fire district.
The community is welcome to come on out and enjoy the day.
“It’s important to keep supporting Sanibel in the recovery process,” she said. “There may not be the parade and fireworks this year, but there will be a lot of fun stuff available for those of all ages.”
“Enjoy time and the holiday with family, friends and neighbors,” Angeles added.
For more information, call the center at 239-472-0302 or 239-395-1860.
The Sanibel School is at 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
4th Family Fun Community Cookout
When
July 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where
Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel
Details
Free and open to the public
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email