{"id":274746,"date":"2026-05-18T03:27:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T03:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/274746\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T03:27:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T03:27:07","slug":"whats-up-fmb-starts-island-charm-crawl-secures-funding-for-fireworks-fort-myers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/274746\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s Up FMB starts Island Charm Crawl, secures funding for fireworks – FORT MYERS"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Fourth of July fireworks over Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg<\/p>\n

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What\u2019s Up FMB is off to a good start this May, with introduction of their \u201cIsland Charm Crawl\u201d business initiative, and an announcement that they have raised enough money to cover the cost of fireworks for the Fourth of July. <\/p>\n

The Town of Fort Myers Beach had removed funding for a Fourth of July fireworks show due to budget cuts last year.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Up FMB founder Dawn Miller said $129,000 has been funded through donations for the fireworks. In addition to the fireworks, there will be a Fourth of July parade in the morning starting at 10 a.m., followed by a veteran\u2019s event in the afternoon with a ceremony and concert. The fireworks will take place at dusk, around 9 p.m. Miller expects a good turnout to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.<\/p>\n

Miller said the fundraising for the fireworks was done through the collection of donations from local businesses and individual contributions, as well as promotions by local businesses in which they donated a portion of sales for the fireworks.<\/p>\n

Miller cited efforts by Detroit Dawgs in donating $1 for every hot dog sold on Fridays, and The Whale doing a voluntary, optional rounding up of checks for fireworks. <\/p>\n

On Cinco de Mayo, Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, Smokin\u2019 Oyster Brewery and Wahoo Willies donated a portion of every Margaritaville sale for the fireworks.<\/p>\n

Large donations also came from the Alex King Group and King Family Foundation, Margaritaville Beach Resort, and <\/p>\n

Miller is also planning to fundraise to support fireworks for New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/p>\n

Miller also announced the introduction of the Island Charm Crawl this month, an island-wide experience to attract Fort Myers Beach visitors to local businesses. Initially intended to run through August, Miller said they will be expanding it through October.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur purpose is to bring out-of-season traffic to the island. We are trying to build events in the summer months,\u201d Miller said. \u201cWe are trying to rebuild our tourism on the island, bring people back and recreate the vibe we used to have.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Island Charm Crawl invites locals and visitors to explore Fort Myers Beach while collecting custom-designed charms from participating businesses. Participants begin by purchasing an official Island Charm Crawl Kit, which includes a branded bag, a What\u2019s Up FMB logo charm, and a crawl map.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou buy the bag which comes with the map and the stamp card\u201d at a participating business, Miller said. \u201cYou go to the various locations and they will have a way for you to purchase your charm, or buy a drink and you get it for free, or you buy some merchandise,\u201d Miller said. \u201cWhen you are done and you have collected all of your charms from your stamp card, you get a custom charm that says I (heart) Fort Myers Beach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller said there are 30 businesses participating. The crawl has been a success so far with 500 bags sold so far, and another 80 pre-sale bags have sold for the second round of the crawl, Miller said. <\/p>\n

The turnout has been \u201camazing,\u201d Miller said. \u201cEverybody is excited.\u201d Miller said she didn\u2019t expect such an enthusiastic response.<\/p>\n

Miller said it has been a lot of work. \u201cI love our island. I want us to be back,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

Among the businesses participating are The Whale, Alex King Group, The Beach Bar, Cabana\u2019s at Diamondhead Beach Resort, Detroit Dawgs, Island Pancake House, La Ola, Mr. Waves, Smokin\u2019 Oyster Brewery, Petey\u2019s Upper Deck, Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, Wahoo Willies, and Yucatan Beach Stand. <\/p>\n

Participants can also collect bonus charms through upcoming summer events including Mullet Madness, the Illuminations Parade and Jobufest. Jobufest will take place May 30 at The Whale. The event will start at 11 a.m. .with a toast at 5:45 p.m. which is meant to stave off a hurricane, along with a reggae band. \u201cIt\u2019s all about saving the island,\u201d Miller said.<\/p>\n

Those who complete the crawl will earn a limited-edition \u201cCompletion Charm.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Island Charm Crawl is designed to encourage exploration of Fort Myers Beach while supporting local businesses throughout the summer season, What\u2019s FMB said in an announcement. <\/p>\n

Crawl kits are available for $30, with $5 off pre-orders through April 30th. Quantities are limited.<\/p>\n

For more information and to reserve a crawl kit, visit:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/secure.qgiv.com\/for\/islandcharmcrawl\/event\/islandcharmcrawl2026-tickets\/<\/p>\n


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