Visitors and local residents wandered through the 300-plus vendor tents at Founders Park, all while enjoying a cold beverage or bloody mary and some food truck fare at the 29th annual Gigantic Nautical Market at Founders Park in Islamorada on Feb. 24-25. Organized by the Upper Keys Rotary Club, the two-day shopping event raises more than $200,000 in scholarships for Coral Shores graduates, college students and those in technical school. Patrons bought everything from fishing rods and anchors to fishing apparel and local art at the shopping extravaganza. Attendees also viewed some of the top boats on the market. An army of volunteers, from local Rotarians to high school students, welcomed and helped thousands of visitors during the two days.
Pro Football Hall of Fame coach and Islamorada resident Jimmy Johnson walks through the vendor aisle inside Founders Park.Captain, a blind golden retriever, attends the Gigantic Nautical Market with his owner.Holding bags, Coral Shores High School students await event patrons at the entrance.“Young employees “with Lobster Slapper.Upper Keys Rotarian Richard Engel guides motorists to handicapped parking.Visitors stroll between vendor tents and a line of boats from local shops.The massive shopping event couldn’t go on without the many people working behind the scenes — these two especially. Pictured are Frank Derfler, Upper Keys Rotary Club president, and Maria Jones, Upper Keys Rotarian and vendor organizer.Keys Weekly’s Jill Miranda Baker, an Upper Keys Rotarian, transports student volunteers.Jocelyn Tiedemann with a spearfish gun.Coral Shores High School students give bags to Nautical Market goers.
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