The Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club is proud to announce the 83rd annual Sanibel Shell Festival taking place at The Community House from March 5 to March 7. The Community House is located at 2173 Periwinkle Way and is a perfect mid-Island location for the show. Hours for the Festival are 9 – 5 Thursday, March 5th and Friday, March 6th. Saturday March 7th hours are 9 to 4.
Admission is free for the outdoor shell area and a $5 donation is requested to enter the indoor shell show. Parking is free, and food and beverages are available for purchase.
As anyone who has attended in past years knows, there are two parts to the show. There is lots to see and do outside, with live mollusk tanks, food vendors, t-shirt sales and shell crafter tables. Shells are also available for purchase.
Inside, shell creations from around the world are on display and shell crafters and collectors have gone through an application process to submit their work for judging. Entries are submitted for two divisions: Artistic and Scientific.
This year’s judges for the Artistic Division include Phyllis Gray from Orlando Florida, and Sharlene Totten from Clearwater Florida. Judges for the Scientific Division are Jerry Harasewych from Washington DC, and Harry Lee from Jacksonville Florida.
Also inside are author’s tables, with books on shells and mollusks on display, as well as authors available to sign their books. Craft shells and shell jewelry are displayed for sale. The suggested donation of $5 is well worth it, for all of the spectacular shell art and scientific exhibits to see. Don’t miss this very special, one-of-a-kind show.
