The Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade kicks off Saturday at Salty Sam’s Marina at 6 p.m. with a procession along Estero Bay that will be viewable from waterfront restaurants along the bay. File photo
One of the most colorful nights of the year on the island returns Saturday night to Fort Myers Beach with more than two dozen boats set to partake in the annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade along Estero Bay.
Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak said 28 boats are already signed up to take part in the parade, which takes off from Salty Sam’s Marina at 6 p.m. for a route around the bay on Fort Myers Beach.
“We are looking forward to a festive evening to kick off the holiday season on Fort Myers Beach,” Liszak said.
The parade features boats decorated with lights and often times other festive holiday additions. The parade will progress from Salty Sam’s Marina off Main Street along Estero Bay.
The route travels northwest from off San Carlos Island to under the Matanzas Pass Bridge, past the U.S. Coast Guard station, through Estero Pass, and along Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina before looping back toward Matanzas Harbor.
Waterfront restaurants along the bay will be great viewing spots for the parade, including those off Fishermans Wharf on San Carlos Island up to those along Old San Carlos Boulevard on the bay. There is also a tradition of parade watchers along the Matanzas Pass Bridge.
There will be live music at Bayside Veterans Park on Old San Carlos Boulevard next to Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant for parade watchers to enjoy as the boats pass by.
This year, vessels will make a second loop through the back bay, giving the public another chance to enjoy the glowing procession, the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce announced.
Liszak said the Christmas Boat Parade “is extremely important” for the chamber. “It is a part of swinging into season on Fort Myers Beach,” Liszak said.
“It brings people to the beach for the evening or weekend and helps to continue to support our receiving businesses. Plus, it kicks off December ushering in all of the other great events that happen on Fort Myers Beach.”
Liszak expects more boaters to sign up for the event this week.
“I think this year you are going to see more spectator boats than ever,” Liszak said.
“It’s a busy day as Salty Sam’s Marina is the starting point,” Salty Sam’s Marina Marketing Director Ryan Vandenabeele said. “People can come walk the docks and see boats getting decorated. Both Parrot Key and Marina Cantina will have live music and great views of the boats.”
Voting details and entry information are available for the people’s choice award at www.fmbboatparade.com.
Those looking to join the parade can register their vessels at www.fmbboatparade.com. The cost is $35 for non-sponsored boats and $50 for sponsored boats. An application is available on the chamber’s website. The deadline to sign up your boat for the parade is this Wednesday. All captains must attend a mandatory captain’s meeting ahead of the event.
For a list of Fort Myers Beach businesses that will be open, visit www.fortmyersbeach.org/whos-open-for-business. Several local boat tour companies will be taking passengers out on the water to view the parade.
For more information, contact the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce at 239-454-7500 or visit www.fortmyersbeach.com.