Fourth of July comes alive on Beach Friday
The second annual Town of Fort Myers Beach Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks Show will entertain American style this Friday on the island. Independence Day will rock on the Beach with a full day of enjoyment.
The festival will kick off with the annual parade down Estero Boulevard. The 10 a.m. procession, led by co-Grand Marshals A.J. Bassett and Fran Santini, begins at Bay Road next to the Fort Myers Beach Public Library and heads north into Times Square.
Parade awards will be given out to floats/entries in the following categories: Most Patriotic; Best Music; Best Decorated; and Best Of Parade. Four judges -Surf Club’s Bruce Cermak, Pete’s Time Out’s John Lallo, volunteer extraordinaire Betty Simpson and Krusty Pete’s David Anderson- will confer on the selections.
After the parade, live entertainment will be featured in Times Square. Two bands will play music from 1 p.m. until midnight, beginning with Big Al’s Fat Cats from 1 to 6 and local favorite High Tide from 7 to midnight.
At 2 p.m, head down to Bay Oaks Recreational Campus for the first annual Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. There will be a men’s, women’s and kid’s (under 16) division. The winner of each division will receive a championship trophy and $100. Spots will be limited to the first 15 people to register in each division. Cost to enter is $10. Spectators are encouraged.
When the sun begins to set, head back to Times Square area or anywhere along the beachfront to watch another spectacular fireworks show. The Town will again light up the night sky with a 30-minute display beginning shortly after sunset.
“Throughout the entire day, we will have something going on for people to be on the Beach,” said Bay Oaks Athletic & Fitness Coordinator Adam Leicht. “We are using the hot dog eating contest and live music as a bridge between the parade and fireworks to keep people on the island all day. It’s be a good time for everyone.”
So, celebrate America’s 235th birthday island-style. If off-island, make sure you come to the Beach early because the bridge will be closed at 9:30 a.m.
Fourth of July comes alive on Beach Friday
The second annual Town of Fort Myers Beach Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks Show will entertain American style this Friday on the island. Independence Day will rock on the Beach with a full day of enjoyment.
The festival will kick off with the annual parade down Estero Boulevard. The 10 a.m. procession, led by co-Grand Marshals A.J. Bassett and Fran Santini, begins at Bay Road next to the Fort Myers Beach Public Library and heads north into Times Square.
Parade awards will be given out to floats/entries in the following categories: Most Patriotic; Best Music; Best Decorated; and Best Of Parade. Four judges -Surf Club’s Bruce Cermak, Pete’s Time Out’s John Lallo, volunteer extraordinaire Betty Simpson and Krusty Pete’s David Anderson- will confer on the selections.
After the parade, live entertainment will be featured in Times Square. Two bands will play music from 1 p.m. until midnight, beginning with Big Al’s Fat Cats from 1 to 6 and local favorite High Tide from 7 to midnight.
At 2 p.m, head down to Bay Oaks Recreational Campus for the first annual Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. There will be a men’s, women’s and kid’s (under 16) division. The winner of each division will receive a championship trophy and $100. Spots will be limited to the first 15 people to register in each division. Cost to enter is $10. Spectators are encouraged.
When the sun begins to set, head back to Times Square area or anywhere along the beachfront to watch another spectacular fireworks show. The Town will again light up the night sky with a 30-minute display beginning shortly after sunset.
“Throughout the entire day, we will have something going on for people to be on the Beach,” said Bay Oaks Athletic & Fitness Coordinator Adam Leicht. “We are using the hot dog eating contest and live music as a bridge between the parade and fireworks to keep people on the island all day. It’s be a good time for everyone.”
So, celebrate America’s 235th birthday island-style. If off-island, make sure you come to the Beach early because the bridge will be closed at 9:30 a.m.