City Displays Equipment During 25th Anniversary Celebration

Malcom Forbes has often been credited with the quotation that reads, “The only difference between men and boys are the price of their toys.” The truth of that quote was very much on display when the city chose to display a few of the pieces of equipment that help provide the services that it gives to residents on a daily basis. That display was part of the weeklong celebration of the Silver Anniversary of the creation of the City of Marco Island, held during the week of August 22 and concluding with the August 27 dinner dance at the Marco Island Hilton Resort and Spa.

The price range and sizes of what was on display last Friday at Mackle Park would boggle the mind, as residents of the island mingled with heads of various city departments and city employees. It would be during that three-hour display of equipment that residents would become more familiar with what it takes to provide those services to the community and its residents.

From an inflatable Fire Education House that allows fire/rescue personnel to teach youngsters how to properly react and escape should they wake to a house fire late at night, to the public works equipment used to remove hurricane debris and allows residents to return to the island after roadways were made safe to do so, visitors would view many of the pieces of equipment that allows employees to do their jobs.

Police cruisers as well as marine craft such as a jet ski, utilized by the Marco Island Police Department to patrol the many waterways around the island, were also on display as well as the always popular Harley Davidson Motorcycle. 

The Marco Fire/Rescue, not to be outdone by their sister public safety group, would have numerous pieces of equipment, including their 85-foot aerial platform vehicle as well as an ATV equipped for EMS deployment during large public events and school athletic events such as football games.

Councilors were also onsite to field questions from constituents as they would thank them for their participation during the weeklong celebration of cityhood.