Santa Has Arrived… and More Fun is on the Way

For the second straight year the Marco Island Academy provided families and children a spectacular evening of fun and excitement as the staff and students threw open their doors to welcome all, plus two special guests, to their campus on San Marco Road.

“This was just a spectacular event and opportunity to showcase this wonderful facility to the community which many had a big part in making possible,” said Principal Melissa Scott.

Wanda Burson would echo Ms. Scott’s words and the Christmas Island Style Committees’ appreciation for the hospitality of the school and the students. “It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm demonstrated by these wonderful young men and women who give their all to make this such a special evening,” said Burson who serves as Chairperson for the events.

Volunteer students would line the hallways and the various stations which allowed the children to write notes to Santa and participate in other activities as they waited to visit with the two guests of honor of the evening. Once there they would pose for their photo as the official Santa Photographer, John Cavanagh, would capture the excitement of the moment. Parents would later collect the photos from the Christmas Island Style website so they could remember it for years to come.

The volunteer group from Christmas Island Style would certainly be a busy bunch of elves this next week as they prepare to erect the Christmas Island Style Community Tree at Veterans Community Park in preparation for the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 3rd. 

This year the community will come together to enjoy a wonderful event which will begin at 5:00 PM when the City of Marco Island dedicates the newly completed capital improvements within the Veterans Community Park. The improvements are the result of two decades of planning and volunteer work within the community.

The community would get a glimpse of the potential of their $10 million investment when the Christmas Island Style Committee went to then City Manager Bill Moss and former Parks and Recreation Director Dan Sousa with the idea of relocating the Community Christmas Tree to that location in 2008. A further visualization of the benefit of the purchase of the park property came about when the local VFW Post came to the city and received permission to plan for and erect the Veterans Memorial on a corner of that property and later the Freedom Fountain was built in that same area.

The Grand Opening of the park will begin with a ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:00 PM on December 3rd. Christmas Island Style will then take center stage for the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and entertainment beginning at 6:00 PM.  Food, beverages and other treats will be available for purchase and attendees are reminded to bring their own beach or sand chairs to enjoy the event.

Christmas Island Style will also be hosting the Christmas Canine Pet Parade at CJ’s on the Bay at the Esplanade on Tuesday, December 6th starting at 5:30 PM. This is where you have the opportunity to dress up your favorite canine companion and compete for various prizes as you and your furry family member strut your best on the red carpet.