Exhibits Wow at the 89th Sanibel Shell Show & Festival

This past weekend, the island celebrated the 89th Sanibel Shell Show & Festival at the Sanibel Community House. This year’s show also boasted RECORD attendance for the event, though it has quite humble beginnings.

In 1928, the first Community Fair was held and the ladies of Sanibel set up their baked goods, “fancy work” and homemade gifts to sell and raise money for the community. In order to add more interest to their displays, they decided to bring their collections of Sanibel shells. Visitors marveled at the display and a new tradition was born. The following year, the shell displays expanded and visitors were coming to the island by ferry just to get a glimpse of these marvelous marine specimens (and eat the delicious treats, too, of course). Today’s Shell Show has come a long way since those early years, but at the heart of it is still the love for shells and for community. 

Magnificently Detailed Sailor’s Valentine Featuring an Albino Peacock Centerpiece

Artistic Awards

Exhibits vary from floral arrangement, intricate single and double Sailor’s Valentines and multimedia (including photos, sketches and painting. These entries are judged based on:

• Quality of craftsmanship 50%
• Choice of materials used 25%
• Arrangement, beauty and originality of creation 25%

Display of Family Tonnidae

Scientific Awards

The shells in the scientific category can be self-collected or from any source and they are categorized by location found, unusual variants, fossils, land or saltwater or freshwater shells and sea life. Judges consider aesthetics, specimens, labels and text and educational value. 

Variations in Scotch Bonnet Coloration

A Rare Corded Junonia 

The range of designs, specimens and creativity on exhibit is truly remarkable. From floral bouquets that look straight from the greenhouse to Sailor’s Valentines so intricate that they must have been created with a magnifying glass and tweezers, we were in awe of everything we saw. 

A Tribute to Ding Darling

A Farmstand at the Sanibel Farmer’s Market

A Whimsical Rooster

A Floral Display Any Green-Thumbed Florist Would Be Proud Of

A Crown Worth of Royalty

Last but not least…a SHOWSTOPPING Shell-Encrusted Mermaid Named Calypso