Night parade is back
Participants are needed for an upcoming parade that aims to recognize the city’s founding.
Organized by the South Cape Hospitality and Enter-tainment Associations, the Celebrate Cape Coral Night Parade will take place on March 4 starting at 7 p.m. along Southeast 47th Terrace.
Donna Meola, executive director, explained that the parade route will travel west from 15th Avenue to Eighth Court.
“The last time this parade was put on was probably 2005,” she said of the former tradition.
Meola explained that the parade was first organized to help celebrate the founding of Cape Coral. In 1957, Leonard and Jack Rosen purchased the land that would later become the city for $678,000.
“It’s the 60th anniversary,” she said of this year.
According to Meola, the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral was the last entity to organize the event. With the chamber’s approval, she raised the idea of revitalizing the tradition to SCHEA.
“It is the entertainment district. We try to do all kinds of events to bring people to the South Cape,” she said, adding that day parades have been done. “Let’s try doing something a little different this time.”
Registration for the event will run now through Feb. 15.
“It’s a nighttime parade, so what we’re looking for is lit up floats,” she said.
Organizations, businesses, clubs and more are welcome to sign up.
“Everyone is invited to participate,” Meola said.
Vehicles, floats, motorcycles or trailers can be decorated in any manner or theme.
“They can do what they want,” she said.
Organizers are focusing on the entertainment value.
“Light-up floats, bands, that sort of thing – pride in Cape Coral,” Meola said. “It’s all about Cape Coral and the Cape Coral businesses and the community coming out.”
The parade is estimated to last for at least an hour.
A grand marshal will be named closer to the event date.
“The biggest part right now is getting those entries,” she said.
For more information or for an entry form, contact Donna Meola at 239-900-4028 or southcapehea@gmail.com. People can also contact Linda Biondi at 239-246-1157.
SCHEA is at 1217 Cape Coral Parkway E., Suite 103.
For information about the South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Associa-tions, visit: www.southcapeentertainment.com/.
Additional information on the organization can be found on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/SouthCapeHos-pitalityAndEntertainmentAssociations/.