Town celebration today marks 19th birthday
Happy 19th birthday, Town of Fort Myers Beach!
Today (Dec. 31) marks the incorporation of the Beach and will be celebrated with cupcakes, live entertainment, a midnight ball drop and fireworks.
While the day is officially known as New Year’s Eve, the Town birthday is more of an Independence Day on Estero Island. On Dec. 31, 1995, the Beach separated from Fort Myers with an incorporation to unify, create and establish its own township and possess all governmental, corporate and proprietary powers that would enable it to conduct municipal government. The Town charter was established “to promote the general welfare and common good of the community by providing the framework for a municipal corporation to exercise municipal home rule powers under the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida.”
FMB Mayor Anita Cereceda is again occupying the main seat in Council Chambers after serving as mayor on Town Council when the Town was born. She is eager to witness the teenage Town come of age and grow into its 20s.
“It’s a very interesting circle in my life right now, and I’m excited about it and this coming year with the Town too,” she said. “We have a lot of big projects on our plate, a lot of challenges. I think we are all enthusiastic about them. This is going to be a special New Year’s Eve, and I look forward to 2015.”
New Years Eve “Beach-style” is a family-friendly event within the downtown zoning district boundaries. Things kick off at noon in Times Square. Soon after, Town officials from Bay Oaks Recreation Center will be disseminating free cupcakes and promotional items to honor the special day. One can also expect live entertainment from bands and street performers throughout the afternoon in the Town center. Music is being provided courtesy of Times Square Alliance. “Happy Birthday” will be sung to the Town during the birthday party. Live music will resume in the evening after a break.
The Beach Council has once again approved to waive the restriction on open containers of alcohol in Times Square only during the birthday party and New Year’s celebration.
As 2014 winds down, New Years Eve festivities will continue until the fireworks display from the Beach Pier and ball drop at midnight.
Once again, Garden State Fireworks has been retained to provide the fireworks show. Ranked as the No. 1 pyrotechnics firm, the team of federally licensed pyrotechnic experts who manufacture their own fireworks has produced annual eye-popping electrical shows that keeps Beach residents and visitors returning each year.
Keep in mind, Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed to Beach oncoming traffic from midnight to 1:30 a.m. Two lanes of traffic will be set up to allow drivers of vehicles to drive off the Beach during that time.
LeeTran trolley service will be extended until 2 a.m. for New Year’s Eve party-goers to enjoy the festivities on Fort Myers Beach. The expected evening lineup includes five trolleys from Summerlin Square to Bowditch Park from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. for what equates to a trolley every 20 minutes if traffic allows and four trolleys from Bowditch Park to Lovers Key, a trolley every 30 minutes if possible.
On New Year’s Day, trolleys will run from Summerlin Square to Bowditch Park, beginning at 7 a.m. until 9:50 p.m. From Bowditch Park to Lovers Key, service begins at 7:15 and ends at 10:10 p.m.
The fare is 50 cents per adult for each ride, or riders may purchase an all-day trolley pass for $1.50 from the driver.