Parade outruns rain; fireworks follow showers
In a day filled with rain-soaked clouds, Mother Nature was kind enough to allow residents and visitors of Fort Myers Beach to watch and participate in a parade and fireworks show on Independence Day.
The third annual FMB Civic Association Fourth of July Parade had barely finished before a torrential downpour came down upon the Estero Boulevard festivities. The rain continued for much of the day, and the skies cleared minutes before another spectacular fireworks show by the Semmer Team.
“I think we had the biggest crowd for the parade that we ever had,” said Beach Civic Association member and organizer Dennis Boback. “We snuck it in. Everybody (floats and participants) went through before the rain started.”
The beginning of the day didn’t seem so bright for a day of events on the Beach. Heavy clouds hung in the air, and the question was when not if it would rain. For those who braved the conditions, the 1 p.m. Beach Civic parade was fun-filled with nonprofit and business floats during the more than 30 minutes of action.
“We have a lot of quality in the parade, and they were putting out a good time for everybody,” said Boback. “People are learning about us out here. We are still in our infancy. We’re only three years old. I think it’s going to keep getting bigger and better every year.”
The Civic Association partners for the 2010 parade were The Surf Club, The Beached Whale, The Beach Observer, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grill, Charley’s Boathouse Grill, Mermaid Lounge and Liquors, Winds, Mango Bay and the Times Square Alliance.
The businesses along Estero Boulevard were bustling with party goers and families registering for overnight stays. The rain lightened up just in time for Yucatan Beach Stand to hold their second annual hot dog eating contest, a local version of the national competition which is a staple on the Fourth holiday.
Like clockwork, rain started coming down in bucket loads directly after the contest and continued into the evening hours to threaten a cancellation of the Semmer Team Fireworks Show. Again, fate and luck intertwined and one of Southwest Florida’s best fireworks displays was not to be denied.
With the crowd swelling around the beach front of the Lynn Hall Park area, the Semmer Team unleashed a well-planned arsenal of fireworks into the air above the Beach Pier. The 9 p.m. booming start awoke a soggy standing-room-only crowd, and anticipation was replaced by jubilation.
“It was absolutely wonderful and a professional job by Garden State Fireworks,” said Joanne Semmer of The Semmer Team. “We want to thank our huge volunteer group. It was just a great group of people involved during the Fourth of July weekend.”
BOX
Best Decorated Float: Yucatan Beach Stand
Best Musical Unit: The Semmer Bus
Best Bike: Segways on the Beach
Best Business: Pieces of Eight Pirate Crew
Best Overall Theme: FMB Fire Department/CERT
Best Patriotic Theme: Bay Oaks Recreational Campus
Best Non-Business: Turtle Time
Best Car: Gulfshore/Mustang Club
Best Truck: Beasley Broadcasting Company
Best Marching Unit: FMB Boy Scouts