Shark Makes Great Escape from Main Event During Shark Bite Shirley Week

20-foot inflatable goes for a swim in St. Petersburg bay area

St. Petersburg, Florida, United States, July 30, 2026 -- The fun and games were in high gear for the Main Event Shark Bite Shirley Week until the Wesley Chapel center hit a snag! It’s beloved shark, Shirley, went missing on Monday night but was later found the next day cruising the waters in St. Petersburg, along the Boca Ciega Bay, and even went for a dip! The 20-foot blue inflatable shark made its own waves and caught the attention of onlookers with this unusual, but harmless, shark sighting.  

Shirley normally calls the Wesley Chapel Main Event (2839 Creek Grass Way, Lutz) her home, where she is on display for special occasions, including Shark Week.  

 “We were surprised to find Shirley missing but delighted that she was among her sea friends in the ocean,” said Laurie Curtis, Head of Marketing at Main Event. “It looked like a beautiful day on the water, so we can’t blame her for wanting to go for a swim. We’re happy she’s back home and safe in Wesley Chapel.” 

Did you catch Shirley in action this week? Main Event would like to see your photos or videos of their beloved shark in the wild. Share on social and tag @mymainevent with #shirelyswims for a chance to win a $500 gift card. 

 For more information on Main Event, visit www.mainevent.com.  

 About Main Event Entertainment  

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Coppell, Texas, Main Event Entertainment, Inc. operates 66 centers in 24 states across the country. Offerings include state-of-the-art bowling, laser tag, hundreds of games, virtual reality, and an in-center restaurant, making it the perfect place for families to connect and make memories. Main Event is part of Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc., a leader in entertainment and dining experiences across North America. For more information, visit www.mainevent.com and www.daveandbusters.com.   

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Photo: Shirley Goes for a Swim 

Contact Info:
Name: Kampi Chaleunsouk
Email: Send Email
Organization: Ink Link Marketing
Website: https://www.inklinkmarketing.com/

Release ID: 89199328

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