{"id":88866,"date":"2025-12-19T04:07:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T04:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/88866\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T04:07:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T04:07:08","slug":"davidsons-beach-balls-takes-peoples-choice-award-at-fort-myers-beach-christmas-boat-parade-fort-myers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/88866\/","title":{"rendered":"Davidsons, Beach Balls takes people\u2019s choice award at Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade – FORT MYERS"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Kim and Dapper Davidson received more than 800 votes for their “Beach Balls” boat to take down the Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade people’s choice award, with a record number of votes. Photo by Nathan Mayberg<\/p>\n

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Three years ago, Hurricane Ian wrecked the home of Dapper and Kim Davidson but it could not take away their beloved boat. Neither Hurricane Ian, Helene or Milton could take away their holiday spirit and love for the Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade which they entered their decked-out \u201cBeach Balls\u201d boat in and were rewarded this past week as the \u201cPeople\u2019s Choice\u201d award winner as well as the sponsored small boat winner. <\/p>\n

More than 800 votes came in for the Davidson \u201cBeach Balls\u201d boat, a records for the parade.<\/p>\n

For the Davidsons, the boat parade is all about community and the spirit of the holidays. \u201cIt\u2019s all about having fun,\u201d Mr. Davidson said. \u201cEverybody is having fun on the water.\u201d Davidson said he gets a kick out of people he knows yelling out his name during the parade, or others calling out the number of the boat. \u201cWatching everybody have fun gives me tingles,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Davidson said he spent two years perfecting the decorations on the boat including a color-changing mechanism and what he and Kim call \u201cfireworks\u201d that light up and change colors on each end of the boat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I am working on the boat in the day, people stop by and some people are crying,\u201d Davidson said.<\/p>\n

Davidson, who is semi-retired now after a career in which he has worked as a car mechanic and fixing houses, calls himself a \u201chandyman.\u201d He was able to get the whole boat running off a car battery. <\/p>\n

The Davidsons are still working on the rebuild of their home, which still has an iconic \u201cI love (in the shape of a heart) Fort Myers Beach\u201d sign on it. The Davidsons have even made their own stickers with the phrase that they passed around at the awards ceremony at Marina Cantina Waterfront Tin Tiki at Salty Sam\u2019s Marina, where the parade took off a week earlier. <\/p>\n

With more than 40 boats partaking in this year\u2019s Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade, Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak said this year\u2019s boat parade brought out the most boats in the 37-year history of the event.<\/p>\n

Liszak said the parade was among the most well-attended the event has seen. Boats along the parade route were viewed by restaurant guests who filled up local restaurants and by dozens of people who attended house parties along the bay. Folks even lined up along the Matanzas Pass Bridge to get an overhead view of the lit-up boats.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a beautiful night,\u201d Liszak said. \u201cIt was magical.\u201d Liszak thanked the owners of Salty Sam\u2019s Marina for hosting the parade start.<\/p>\n

More than 70 people attended the awards banquet at Marina Cantina.<\/p>\n

Liszak thanked the restaurant for providing a \u201cwarm and festive atmosphere, exceptional hospitality, and delicious food prepared by the chef. Special appreciation goes to Dru Hanni, General Manager of Marina Cantina, whose leadership ensured an unforgettable evening for all attendees.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stefan Kuenzel, speaking at the awards banquet, said he entered in four boats to the parade. Kuenzel, who runs the boat tour business Tiki Pub, said this was his third year partaking in the parade. Their boat \u201cDarcie Rae\u201d was runner-up in the sponsored medium boat category.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great community event. It brings everybody out,\u201d Kuenzel said. \u201cIt\u2019s great for our crew.\u201d Kuenzel said the business, which is based near Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, was able to book guests to go out on the parade. <\/p>\n

Rob Jones, who runs Pelican Bay Charters out of Moss Marina, took part in the parade for the first time. He also donated free boat tours as part of several raffles at the awards ceremony.<\/p>\n

His boat \u201cShark Teeth and Shells\u201d was runner-up in the large, sponsored boat category. Another boat he entered, \u201cChiki Tiki,\u201d was second runner-up in the people\u2019s choice award.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s cool. This is my first year. I had no idea what to expect,\u201d Jones said. Jones said business has been improving lately with boat tours. \u201cI think it will be a good year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mr. Davidson is already thinking about his plans for his boat next year and said he is feeling the pressure to top this year\u2019s success. Davidson said the success of the parade this year is part of the comeback on Fort Myers Beach. \u201cFort Myers Beach is rising,\u201d Davidson said. \u201cThings are getting better and better.\u201d<\/p>\n

2025 BOAT PARADE WINNERS<\/p>\n

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Power Small<\/p>\n

Winner: #33 The Jolly Jelly and 8 Mates<\/p>\n

Runner Up: #38 The Maverick<\/p>\n

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Power Medium<\/p>\n

Winner: #23 Fin<\/p>\n

Runner Up: #34 No Name Yet<\/p>\n

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Power Large<\/p>\n

Winner: #7 Next Evolution<\/p>\n

Runner Up: #8 The Doghouse<\/p>\n

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Sponsored Small<\/p>\n

Winner: #62 Beach Balls<\/p>\n

Runner Up: #11 Miss Millie<\/p>\n

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Sponsored Medium<\/p>\n

Winner: #13 Don\u2019t Stop Belivin<\/p>\n

Runner Up: #18 Darcie Rae<\/p>\n

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Sponsored Large<\/p>\n

Winner: #12 RV Bellows<\/p>\n

Runner Up: #25 Shark Teeth and Shells<\/p>\n

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People\u2019s Choice<\/p>\n

Winner: #62 Beach Balls<\/p>\n

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People\u2019s Choice Runner Up<\/p>\n

Winner: #38 The Maverick<\/p>\n

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People\u2019s Choice 2nd Runner Up<\/p>\n

Winner: #15 Chickee Tiki<\/p>\n

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The celebration continued at the December 11 Boat Parade Awards Party, held at Marina Cantina at Salty Sam\u2019s. <\/p>\n


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