Agenda 10/26/2010 Item # 4CAgenda Item No. 4C
October 26, 2010
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PRO CL AMA TION
WHEREAS, the Swamp Buggy, invented by Ed Frank in Naples, origins //y um t a travel the
vast, boggy swamps of the American South, proving invaluable during the early
development of the Everglades in the 1930'r and 1940'x, and,
WHEREAS, known as Swamp Buggies, Wood Buggies, and Hunting Buggies, these vehicles were
used for everything from Sunday afternoon outings to hunting expeditions in the
Everglades; and
WHEREAS, by the late 1940'r racers would Bother the week before hunting season to race
for the valued prize, which was usually a new shotgun donated by a local
merchant; and
WHEREAS, on November 12, 1949, the first 'Official" Swamp Buggy Races were held in
Naples, motoring their way into history, with a field of almost 50 competitors
being won by Johnny Tones; and
WHEREAS, organized by a group of civic and community leaders, 'Swamp Buggy Days" was
born. A parade through Nap /es was organized, all the shops cased for the day,
and from that point on, Naples could lay claim to the most unique motorsport in
the world,' and
WHEREAS, Swamp Buggy Races are held every .Tanuary, March and October at the Florida
Sports Park in Naples. Swamp Buggy, Inc, is a non -profit corporation dedicated
to three principles: To produce fundraising opportunities to a// area charities and
civic or to preserve the tradition of swamp buggy racing and to
Protect the heritage and culture of Collier County,• and to provide affordable
entertainment and recreational activities to all citizens of Collier County,• and
WHEREAS, in 1985 Swamp Buggy, Inc. purchased the land currently known as the Florida
Sports Park, hosting their first swamp buggy races at their new location in 1986;
and,
WHEREAS, in 1949, -loan Ozier was voted the first Swamp Buggy Queen. Today, Swamp
Buggy Queen selection has evolved into a highly or community funded
scholarship pageant naming Chr/sta To Roberts, a senior from Palmetto Ridge High
School as the current Swamp Buggy Queen.
NOW THEREFORE, be It proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County,
Florida, that October 301^ and 31N 2010 be designated as
SWAMP RUCC6Y RACES WEEKEND
DONE AND ORDERED THIS 26th Day of October, 2010,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
FRED COYLE, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST••
DWIGHT E. BROOK, CLERK
Agenda Item No. 4C
October 26, 2010
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COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Item Number:
4C
Item Summary:
Proclamation designating October 30, 2010 and October 31, 2010 as Swamp Buggy Races
Weekend. To be accepted by The Honorable Chuck McMahon, Casey Homback, The
Honorable Thomas Cannon, Norman Tester, Rob Swiss, Randy Johns and Mark Creel.
Sponsored by Commissioner Coletta.
Meeting Date:
10/26/2010 5:00:00 AM
Prepared By
Paula Springs
Executive Aide to the BCC Date
BCC
BCC 10118/2010 11:25:32 AM
Approved By
Ian Mitchell
Supervisor- BCC Office Operations Date
BCC
BCC 10/18/2010 11:28 AM
Approved By
Michael Sheffield
Assistant to the County Manager Date
County Managers Office 10/18/2010 11:33 AM