Matlacha Mariners’ to hold annual Southwest Florida Mullet Toss Championship
The Matlacha Mariners’ annual Southwest Florida Mullet Toss Championship will take place on Saturday, March 19, Matlacha Community Park.
“It’s really just a day where the community gets together, throws a party and everyone has lots of fun,” coordinator Rick Williams said. “Last year we had several hundred people come to the party and I expect a great turnout this year.”
There are five divisions based on age: Fry Mullet Division Ages 1-5 boys and girls; Fingerling Mullet Division Ages 6-10 boys and girls; Juvenile Mullet Division Ages 11-15 boys and girls; Adult Mullet Division Ages 16-60 men and women; and Grey Mullet Division Ages 61+ men and women.
Plaques will be awarded to all of the division winners.
“This isn’t our biggest fundraiser,” Williams said, “but it is the most fun. The Mullet Toss Championship gets the island people involved and brings in a lot of people from surrounding communities as well as winter visitors from Ontario, Michigan and all over. Best of all we get to give something back to the island.”
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m and the event will go through the day until about 4 p.m.
“This year we’ve added something new … a ‘grudge’ match between the Fire Department and the Sheriff’s Department,” Williams said. “This should be very competitive and lots of fun. We are also planning a competition between several local restaurants. The day’s events will include 50/50 drawings and Mullet Toss T-shirts will be available.
“Lisa Dence deserves a lot of the credit for pulling this together,” Williams said. “She contacted the vendors and Olde Fish House Marina will be providing all of the food. We couldn’t have pulled this off without Lisa.
“The Mariners have set a large goal for ourselves,” Williams said. “We are planning a future purchase of land here on the island. It’s possible that we may be able to provide a place for the Taste of Pine Island and MangoMania some time down the road. Unfortunately, the county property that includes the ball field is now off limits for almost any event. These large goals actually helps with membership”
Matlacha Mariners Inc. is a community oriented 501c3 non-profit corporation. The Mariners were officially incorporated Feb. 15, 2002. The Mariners are a group of men who organized to help with some of the local needs of the Pine Island community that were not being met otherwise. The Mariners’ main focus to date has been to help Elementary School Students and specifically Pine Island Elementary Music Education Students.