Get ready for a night of baseball, community spirit, and tradition! The 32nd annual Sam Bailey’s Islands Night will take place on May 7 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels taking on the Dunedin Blue Jays at 7:05 p.m. Gates will open at 5:45 p.m., and the pregame parade will begin at 5:50 p.m. — a lively and colorful celebration to kick off the evening.
“This is a celebration of the season that was and a look ahead to the rest of the year,” said John Lai, President and CEO of the SanCap Chamber of Commerce. “It’s an opportunity to bring the community together — residents and businesses alike — in one spot.”
The event is a beloved local tradition, started by the late Sam Bailey, a former athlete and island pioneer, who founded the event to bring the entire island together in one place.
A Tradition with Heart
In the early years, Bailey, whose descendants still own and operate Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel and The Island Store on Captiva, wanted to create an event that would unite the community. He approached the former Fort Myers Miracle organization to sponsor a game. After negotiating the deal, Bailey had to figure out how to fund the event. With support from his brother Francis and local businesses, Bailey was able to secure the necessary funding to rent out the stadium and give back to the island community.
In 2004, the event was renamed Sam Bailey’s Islands Night in his honor, keeping his legacy alive.
“It’s very important to us to keep this tradition going,” said Lai.
50th Anniversary Celebration
This year’s event marks the 50th Anniversary Edition of Islands Night, coinciding with the city of Sanibel’s 50th anniversary as a municipality. “There’s a celebratory component to many events this year,” Lai explained. The event will honor the milestone while continuing its tradition of community togetherness.
The Parade and Game Day Fun
The traditional parade will feature islanders from all walks of life — business owners, nonprofit groups, and residents — as they march along the field in floats, vehicles, or on foot. The parade will include the tossing of candy, trinkets, and gifts, embodying the spirit of Sanibel-Captiva.
“It’s a chance to celebrate a successful season and really kick off the game in true island style,” Lai added.
Following the parade, the evening will continue with the national anthem, sung by Joseph Giangreco, music teacher at The Sanibel School, and the ceremonial first pitch thrown by Mayor Mike Miller and City Councilmember Richard Johnson.
A Night to Remember
The game will be followed by the sale of beer by the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club, with all proceeds benefiting island scholarships. And for the first time in the event’s history, the night will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display to cap off this unforgettable evening.
“We’re really excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary and honor Sam Bailey in a big way,” Lai said.
Free Tickets for the Community
This year, tickets are free for everyone in the community! You can download as many tickets as you like online, or pick them up at several local spots, including the SanCap Chamber Visitor Center, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, Huxters Market & Deli, Jerry’s Foods, and The Island Store.
“This is a great way for the community to come together for one last celebration before many of our residents head back up north,” said Lai. “It’s a chance for businesses to high-five one another and for everyone to experience the true sense of community that makes these islands so special.”
Event Details
-
What: 32nd Annual Sam Bailey’s Islands Night
-
When: May 7 at 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:45 p.m.)
-
Where: Hammond Stadium, 14100 6 Mile Cypress Parkway, Fort Myers
-
Tickets: Free to the community (Download or pick up tickets at local spots)
For more information or to register for the parade, visit gofevo.com/event/Islandsnight25 or contact Aaron Walton, Director of Operations at the SanCap Chamber, at aaron@sanibel-captiva.org or 239-472-8759.
