Privateers host annual Snook Adams Kids Day in Anna Maria

Way back in 1954, Holmes Beach had a popular police chief named Willis Adams, whom everyone called Snook. He was devoted to the community, and he was especially fond of the young people of Anna Maria Island.

So he held a little event just aimed at kids. Maybe a dozen of local kids showed up to that first event 63 years ago, and Chief Adams bought a couple of pounds of hot dogs for them, and that was pretty much it.

The event became an annual tradition, and grew over the years. Adams was in charge of it himself until he retired in 1980. Then he turned it over to the Anna Maria Island Privateers. They’ve been hosting Snook Adams Kids Day ever since.

This year it’s set for 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria. It’s timed to help kids celebrate the end of the school year and the beginning of their summer break.

Hot dogs will still be available (pizza too), but the food kind of takes a back seat these days to games and other activities on the beach. Among the highlights: a treasure in the sand, a rat toss and other “pirate games,” water balloon tossing, a water pistol fight, a pirate costume contest, scavenger hunts and a 60-foot pirate ship that you can climb aboard.

Details: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 3, Bayfront Park, 316 N. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria. Free. amiprivateers.memberlodge.org.

This story was originally published May 31, 2017 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Privateers host annual Snook Adams Kids Day in Anna Maria."