We, here at the Shell Factory look forward to dressing up and expanding our imagination. That is why we had an employee Halloween costume contest, we also had trick-o-treating throughout the store which was followed by an age group costume contest. Here are some pictures that were taken.

Have a spookalicious day!

Photographs by Nancy Pezzella

The Shell Factory in North Fort Myers, Florida has been celebrating it’s 70th Anniversary/Birthday and in honor of this special event they are hosting 70 events in 70 days.

The photo grouping below is just some of the kids in the Kid’s Halloween Costume Contest & winners, which was held at the Shell Factory! Enjoy!

Photographs by Alene Greto

Things are always changing at The Shell Factory and Nature Park, but occasionally there is something that sparks our interest because it is really unusual. This weekend the landmark tourist attraction is opening Gator Dave’s Swamp. HUM, you may say is this about Florida Alligators (the reptiles) or the award winning blue and orange critters that inhabit the area from Gainesville south? Interestingly enough it is about both. The fun little outdoor area that serves food and beverages looks like the sloughs of the everglades and has blue and orange shelves that frame Saturday Football! Fans are close enough to have their children ride the bumper boats, play miniature golf or shoot water wars balloons at one another and they can still root their team to victory.

And, so, how does it get its name? Gator Dave is the legal hunter that provides the Shell Factory with the hides, claws and other Gator paraphernalia that the locals and tourists adore.

Is Gator Dave a real fellow? Why, yes he is! Enamored with alligators since about the age of 13 this interesting man has been fascinated with how the swamp critters looked and felt since his first encounter with them.

Does Gator Dave understand conservation management?

Since this early age he became very concerned about how the Gator population would be maintained. Once, the alligator was an endangered species, but that is not true today. We call them a nuisance because there are over a million alligators in Florida. It is the desire of Gator Dave and The Shell Factory and Nature Park to live in harmony with all animals, plants, flora and fauna.

The opening of Gator Dave’s Swamp is yet another of the festivities of the 70th Anniversary celebration of The Shell Factory! Can you imagine, 70 EVENTS In 70 DAYS.

The children from New Testament Baptist Church located in Cape Coral, Florida and their parents joined us for hot dogs and painting in the Nature Park at the Shell Factory Today! A big thank you to all who came out to help out today with this event.

Some other special guests joined us as well and some of those special guests included; Puffy the Alpaca; our new addition “bearded dragon”; & Maggie the miniature horse.

Everyone had a great time while giving our Nature Park some beautiful artistic additions that will be treasured for years to come by all.

Why now come out to the Shell Factory’s Nature Park and view these pieces of work which will be displayed for all to see. They will be placed throughout the Nature Park just as soon as they dry.

Some kids took a break and played miniature golf at the Shell Factory’s Miniature Golf course behind Capt’n Fishbones’ Restaurant.

This was part of our 70 Events in 70 days as part of our 70th Anniversary Celebration!

Photographs by Alene Greto, Nature Park Manager

What a great concept… The Shell Factory is celebrating its 70th anniversary and sharing activities and savings with its customers.

I hit upon the Christmas specials, not only had I never paid attention to their Christmas department but I never shopped in it. Oh my, it was terrific, I purchased such cute gifts for my friends and family that are out of state and of course, picked up “gifts” for me, in the line of decorations.

I want to tell you what I truly loved though and it was bringing my husband & son back to see their incredible trains and village area in their Christmas department! Everything is just gorgeous, fun, & outstanding, I could go on & on.

By the way, the cookies and Christmas music was just what I needed to get into the mood for Christmas. Thank you Shell Factory for the great day, and prices! I intend to do more Christmas shopping at your store and not only in the Christmas department.

Santa even has his workshop setup in The Shell Factory’s Christmas Holiday Department and you can see children giving Santa their holiday wish lists!

I hope all of you have a terrific holiday, and thanks for starting mine off in the perfect way.

A early Merry Christmas to all!

Happy Halloween from all the animals at the Petting Farm at the Shell Factory’s Nature Park!

This what the pigs do after ‘Pigs on Parade’, they have a pumpkin fest. A big thank you to Shecklers Produce who donated 10 Pumpkins to the animals at the Nature Park.

The Petting Farm’s piggies were trying to carve up some pumpkin at the Nature Park, but instead they ended up eating it all up! Try not to make a pig of yourself this Halloween, eating all that pumpkin!

Why not carve up your own pumpkin face using some templates we found that might help you on your quest. This is the typical smiling pumpkin with an X for eyes that you normally might see for a carved pumpkin face. Or here’s a list of a few other carved pumpkin templates you might be interested in this Happy Pumpkin (oops - Halloween) Season; Jaggedy Face , Cat Moon, Triangle, Dog, Cat, Dude, Sun Face, Lion, Jack and the Classic Face.

Photographs by Alene Greto, Nature Park Manager

On Monday there was someone from just about all aspects of Lee county that attended the “Shell Factory’s 70th Anniversary Bash kickoff”.

Also featured was the grand opening of “Pirate’s Cove” which was a dream come true to owner Tom Cronin. He put his personal touches and thoughts into every little detail in that park.

Pirate’s Cove would be a great event venue for class and family reunions, company parties, and family gatherings. If you’d like more details please call 995-2141 ext 145 and we’d be happy to help you plan your next event at Pirate’s Cove.

Pam Cronin looking lovely as always greeted every guest that attended with her famous radiant smile. The night went with out a hitch.

The delicious food at this memorable event was prepared by the famous “Captain Fishbones”, located on the Shell Factory property. Capt’n Fishbones is known for it’s excellent food, catering services, and staff.

Nancy Michell the CEO of the Shell Factory and Nature Park, welcomed all the guests at the door and garnished them with color coordinating beads for the event.

Sunny Lee Grabert a long time friend and fabulous artist, painted while the guests watched. She was painting a new “photo op” that will be placed in the remodeled miniature golf course at the Shell Factory located behind Captain Fishbone’s Restaurant.

The atmosphere of the evening was graced with Victor’s smooth Jazz melodies. The smoothness of the horns gave guests the sense that they were in a smooth jazz club.

Santa was spotted at the Shell Factory again working in his workshop there. He was talking with a little girl asking her what she wanted for Christmas. Already Santa’s elves are busy making up her requests and making his list so everything is delivered on time.

A picture in front of Santa’s workshop would make a great picture on a holiday card for your families to enjoy!

Bring the kids to see the train that drives on the tracks hanging from the ceiling in the Holiday Palace.

Don’t forget to whisper your Christmas wish list in Santa’s ear while at the Shell Factory this year!

Happy Shopping!

Santa’s helper, Benjamin Smith, was spotted driving Santa’s sled in the Holiday Palace at the Shell Factory on Sunday! Thanks for helping Santa! He drew quite a crowd who cheered him on as he drove; followed by clapping.

Santa has already been busy this year making & delivering toys, ornaments, stuffed animals, miniature villages buildings, Christmas trees, and so, so much more to the Shell Factory’s Holiday Shop!

Why not get a head start on your Holiday shopping and decorations by visiting the Shell Factory! If you can’t find the holiday decoration here at the Shell Factory it probably doesn’t exist. There are thousands of holiday items here and it will make you have the holiday spirit just strolling through this section while listening to the holiday music!

Bring your appetite and reward yourself for finishing all that holiday shopping early this year by eating out at Capt’n Fishbones.