Great American Picnic helps troops

By Lindsay Downey

Special to The News-Press

Patriotic Pomeranians and star-spangled Shih Tzus ruled the stage Sunday during Cape Harbour's Great American Picnic.

A trio of miniature golden doodles rested in a flag-adorned wagon, while a sheepdog boasted bands of red-white-and-blue in preparation for a pet contest during the fifth annual event.

The picnic took place the day before Independence Day for the first time in order to give Cape Harbour staff the Fourth off, said Glenda Swager, event coordinator.

Cape Coral resident Terry Thomas, 67, outfitted dogs Bailey, Cody and Shiloh and cat Trista with patriotic bandannas for the pet competition, which was free to enter and included prizes for 18 categories that ranged from Funniest Pet to Best American Pet and Mr. and Miss Cape Coral.

Thomas matched his pets' enthusiasm for the event with his flag top hat, striped suspenders and a U.S.A. banner attached to his motorized wheelchair.

"People will stand up for freedom. It's really something to see so many people out - so many different people," Thomas said.

Caira Everly, a 20-year-old Cape native who's been singing since 13, kicked off the festivities with her rendition of the national anthem. Farmer's Market vendors sold watermelons, bright red tomatoes and Georgia peaches, while people sipped beers and waited for apple pie-baking and banana split-eating contests scheduled for later in the afternoon.

"Born in the U.S.A," blared over the speakers as Kaye Caple, of Adopt-A-Troop Foundation, urged passersby to sign a banner that would be sent to servicemen and women.

Amanda Inscore/the news-press

Cape Coral resident Gae Horrigan, 66, worked with her grandson to create a kayak for Tammy, her westie.

- What: Cape Harbour

- Where: 5828 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral

- Info: 945-4330; capeharbour.com

Caple's group sent approximately 800 care packages to troops last year and food sales from the picnic benefited the organization.

"I don't want what happened in Vietnam and Korea to happen again," Caple said of her motivation.

Gae Horrigan, 66, spent about $12 for supplies for a "Stars and Stripes" kayak that she and her grandson decorated for westie Tammy to rest in during the pet contest. The Cape resident said she was having a good time and hoped the pride on display would teach her grandson more about freedom.

"A lot of people come out and I think it teaches the younger generation what independence is about," Horrigan said of the picnic. "Any time you put kids and dogs together, you'll have a crowd."

Photos by Lindsay Downey/special to The News-Press

Terry Thomas, 67, of Cape Coral, dressed his three dogs and cat in patriotic get-ups for the picnic's pet contest.

Retired Navy chief Lou Fernandez, 81, of Cape Coral, signs a banner Sunday that Adopt-A-Troop Foundation will send to members of the military.

- Gae Horrigan,

Cape Coral resident

"A lot of people come out and I think it teaches the younger generation what independence is about. Any time you put kids and dogs together, you'll have a crowd."