We're Talking Shrimp Festival Tomorrow - Beach Talk Radio News | The #1 Source for News on Fort Myers Beach

At some point during the conversation on this festival I hope its history is finally corrected. The festival did not begin in 1956 when the Lion’s Club took over sponsorship. It began in 1952 sponsored by the leaders of the island’s shrimp industry – John Ferguson, Bennie McDowell and the owners of Columbia Shrimp Company where Nervous Nellie’s now stands.
The first parade began across the bridge on Main Street at John Ferguson’s St. George Shrimp Company, now Trico, and crossed the bridge ending at the county park. It consisted of the small troops of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, American Legion color guard and a small replica of the Shrimp boat Columbia Star placed on a wagon pulled by a truck.
The Shrimp dinners in the park began in either 52 or 53.

1 COMMENT

Lee Melsek October 22, 2021 At 9:12 am

At some point during the conversation on this festival I hope its history is finally corrected. The festival did not begin in 1956 when the Lion’s Club took over sponsorship. It began in 1952 sponsored by the leaders of the island’s shrimp industry – John Ferguson, Bennie McDowell and the owners of Columbia Shrimp Company where Nervous Nellie’s now stands.
The first parade began across the bridge on Main Street at John Ferguson’s St. George Shrimp Company, now Trico, and crossed the bridge ending at the county park. It consisted of the small troops of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, American Legion color guard and a small replica of the Shrimp boat Columbia Star placed on a wagon pulled by a truck.
The Shrimp dinners in the park began in either 52 or 53.

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