Local Businesses Gear up for the Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Christmas Boat Parade
The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce and local businesses are gearing up for the annual Christmas Boat Parade which will take place on Saturday, December 3rd. The parade will commence at 6:10pm from Salty Sam’s Marina. The festive night-time parade will be led by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus on the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce Boat, sponsored by Adventures in Paradise.
“This year’s Christmas Boat Parade will feature the most boats we have had for some time. The excitement this event generates is always a special, joyful night many people always look forward to either watch or participate”, Andrew Cochrane, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce. “This year is a great opportunity to view the parade from a terrific list of sponsored host sites and celebrate the season.”
People’s Choice Viewing Sponsor locations are: Big Game Waterfront Grill, Bonita Bill’s, Nervous Nellies, Yucatan Bar & Grill, and the Fort Myers Princess. Patrons will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite decorated boat at these locations.
The vessels will assemble in front of the docks at Salty Sam’s Marina at 5:45 pm. At 6:10 the boats will begin to leave Salty Sam’s Marina going past Parrot Key Caribbean Grill and Big Game Waterfront Grill heading northwest passing by Bonita Bill’s and under the sky bridge. They will travel in and out of Siesta Isles and go around Bowditch Point turning in front of the Pink Shell Resort. The boats will travel past Nervous Nellies, Sunset Boat Tours Fort Myers Princess and the Yucatan Bar & Grill on the return. The parade will end at Salty Sam’s Marina for the Winners Circle Party and awards presentation at Big Game Waterfront Grill. Other viewing areas include the fishing piers under Matanzas Pass, Baywalk Fountain Square, and the Siesta Bay canals.
Salty Sam’s Marina is offering free overnight dockage to all participating boats with advance registration. Boats will be required to pay for electricity if needed. Salty Sam’s Marina is located at 2500 Main Street, Fort Myers Beach, Florida. For advance reservations please call 239-463-7333.
Awards will go to the first three (3) places in the following categories. Power driven vessels up to 26 feet in length, power vessels 26 feet and over and Sailboats. There is no cost to enter the parade and businesses are encouraged to sponsor a boat.
If you would like to participate in the boat parade registration please contact the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce at 239.454.7500. Registration forms are available on the Chamber Website at fortmyersbeachchamber.org. If you would like to be a sponsor, contact Nancy Eaton at the Chamber Office.