Tourism backers say this year’s "Shellabration!" event in late February on Bowman’s Beach in Sanibel island, Fl will break a Guinness Book World Record as the largest shell scavenger hunt ever held.
The event began as an annual affair 75 years ago when Hallie "Granny" Matthews hosted the Shell Show & Fair in her Sanibel Island hotel lobby.
"Little did she know that the event would celebrate its 75th year in 2012 with a record-breaking shell scavenger hunt" destined for the Guinness record, say tourism officials.
The event encourages visitors to show up for an aerial photo and to sign their names to be sent to Guinness to prove the island has broken the 208-person record.
By David Wilkening
