Chains for charitable cause

Anna Maria Island Privateers March 18 escort Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth, center, along with Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short to the old island jail, where they were held for charitable “ransom” dollars during the Anna Maria Island Historical Society’s Heritage Day Festival. The festival took place in the AMIHS’ museum and on the museum grounds on Pine Avenue. Islander Photos: Lisa Neff

The island mayors, wearing chains, are guarded by Privateers at the festival.

Mike Sales performs at the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Heritage Day Festival.

A festival table is stocked with offerings in a raffle benefiting the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, which has reopened after repairs due to damages from hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024.

Imprisoned in the old Anna Maria jail less than 5 minutes, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short, left, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth and Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie await their release at the Heritage Day Festival.

Mary Lange serves strawberry shortcake March 18 at the Heritage Day Festival in Ann Maria. The festival featured historical museum visits, music by singer-songwriter Mike Sales, raffles, auctions and 12 arts and crafts vendors and two food vendors.

Island artist Joan Voyles, right, and Anna Maria Island Historical Society representative Barbara Murphy show off a painting Voyles made about nine years ago that she donated to the AMIHS museum ahead of the AMIHS Heritage Day festival. Voyles recently rediscovered the painting is of an exhibit at the historical society, which now hangs in the museum, 402 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, with treasures in the painting.