Fort Myers Beach boat parade to set sail Saturday
It’s best to find a spot early to watch the Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade – dockside seating fills up fast.
The 29th Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. The parade is put on by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is still accepting entries into the parade; the cost is $25 per boat or $50 for a sponsor boat. Applicants can register and pay online at fortmyersbeach.org but are required to attend the Captain’s Meeting scheduled for Friday.
The parade begins just after dark. Boat will depart from Salty Sam’s Marina on San Carlos Island, heading first north and passing Doc Ford’s, Dixie Fish Co., and Bonita Bill’s – all three restaurants are great locations to see the parade. The boats will travel around the tip of the island past Pink Shell Marina before turning around and passing down the other side of Matanzas Pass, sweeping by Nervous Nellie’s and Matanzas on the Bay before traveling south along the bayside houses and returning to Salty Sam’s. Bayfront Park, next to Nervous Nellies, is free for the public to use to watch the parade.
Chamber President Jacki Liszak said she’s expecting about 30 boats this year.