March events include car show, gardening demonstration, craft fair, kids activities

By Tammy Roberts

Senior staff writer

troberts@hometownnewsol.com

INDIALANTIC - In the mid-1920s, what is now known as Indialantic was home to a wooden bridge, stretching across the Indian River Lagoon, a few hundred residents and the Indialantic Casino, a vacation hotspot that stood where Nance Park is today.

People would travel from all over the world to this casino, which featured recreational activities, an elegant shopping center and a saltwater swimming pool.

While the casino is no longer up and running, the appeal and attraction to the one-square-mile town of Indialantic is stronger than ever.

As a way to commemorate its 60 years as a town, Indialantic will host a three-day celebration March 9-11, and everyone is invited.

In the spring of 1952, a group of residents got together and formed the Indialantic Civic Association, with the goal of transforming the then-subdivision known as "Indialantic-by-the-Sea" into its own town. The following fall, the group got its wish, and the town was born.

"Our goal is to honor this earlier group of residents by creating an event where our families, friends and neighbors can all come together and celebrate our town," said Denise Bozeman, chairwoman of the Indialantic's 60th Anniversary Celebration Committee. "Turning 60 is an exciting accomplishment and an excellent reason to celebrate."

The anniversary extravaganza will kick off Friday, March 9 at Nance Park from 6-9 p.m. with a Classic Reflections Car Club auto show, a U.S. Army Color Guard presentation, hula-hoop contest, music, snacks and drinks. Guests are asked to bring along a blanket or lawn chair.

On Saturday, March 10 from 8-10:30 a.m., guests are invited to the Indialantic Volunteer Fire Department for breakfast with the firefighters, a fire truck demonstration and a meet-and-greet with the fire and rescue team.

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., area residents and visitors are invited to Douglas Park for an "Athletic Jam," featuring a rock-climbing wall, kayaking and standup-paddleboarding lessons, sports vendors and exhibitions.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be a craft and art show, featuring the work of local artists, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, and from 2-3:30 p.m., the Indialantic Heritage Committee and the South Brevard Historical Society will host a "Sixty Years and Counting" presentation at Indialantic Town Hall.

Saturday's events will conclude with a historical marker unveiling at Nance Park, honoring the Bahama Beach Club, originally known as the Indialantic Casino.

The celebration will continue through Sunday, March 11, beginning with a gardening presentation and demonstration by the Indialantic Garden Club from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lily Park.

The 60th Anniversary Celebration will conclude at Orlando Park from 1-4 p.m., featuring such activities as the Roses are Red Croquet Tournament, live music, cake, walk, petting zoo, games, mini-cupcake bake-off, sidewalk chalk art contest, and a rock-climbing wall.

As individuals, each committee member brought his or her own ideas to the initial discussion about celebrating the town's birthday, Ms. Bozeman said.

"We quickly realized we were all extremely excited about multiple events and locations, and that one day or even two days were not enough for everything we wanted to happen," she said. "We all determined that organizing a weekend celebration would have challenges, but in the end it would be an amazing birthday party."

Today, Indialantic is home to 15 parks, 13 beach-access points and approximately 2,720 residents.

Indialantic Mayor Dave Berkman said the anniversary celebration is important for a small town like Indialantic for a variety of reasons, primarily because such events help maintain the town's character.

"The activities planned will also help highlight our local businesses, artists, town knowledge and the unveiling of our new fire truck," he said.

For more information, to pre-register for activities or to volunteer, visit www.indialantic60th.com or call (321) 536-4218.

The Indialantic Casino was constructed on this site in 1923. The two-story Mediterranean Revival style building was designed by architect William Christen and developed by Herbert Earle. It opened on December 22, 1923, and boasted shops, an Olympic-size saltwater pool, a tall diving tower, and wading pools. The casino became a center for social activity in the Melbourne area, offering rooms for winter guests and space for club meetings, socials, and galas, such as wedding receptions, banquets, and cotillions. Special events included a Midnight New Year’s Eve dinner, a Fourth of July celebration, and the Miss Melbourne and Miss Florida Beauty Pageants of 1925. Weekly rates in 1924 for ocean-view rooms (including board) were $20 for singles and $35 for doubles. The casino’s pool was used for training World War II military personnel from the Banana River Naval Station. Following a major renovation in 1942, Karl Abbott purchased the casino in 1944 and changed its name to the Bahama Beach Club. From 1949 until it was purchased by the Town of Indialantic in 1967, the building was an exclusive private club. Following a period of decline, the building was razed in 1970.

A FLORIDA HERITAGE SITE

SPONSORED BY THE BREVARD COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION

THE BREVARD COUNTY TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE

2011

Good news!

Thanks to the Indialantic Heritage Committee Indialantic's first historical marker has

just been approved by the state. Details to follow. Linda Glass, who did the heavy lifting

on this project, received a call this afternoon with the news. Details to follow.

Have a great outdoor weekend!

Jenifer