| holiday events
BOAT PARADES Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade The 32nd annual parade is set to sail. About 40 boats are expected to be decorated for this yearly event. A map of the complete route is available online.
• When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday,
December 5 • Where: The parade begins at Salty Sam’s Marina and passes by Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, Matanzas on the Bay, Nervous Nellie’s, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Dixie Fish Co., the Original Shrimp Dock Bar & Grill, and Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Cafe. It also runs past the Pink Shell Resort & Marina, Moss Marina and Matanzas Inn. • Details: 239-454-7500 or fortmyersbeach.org/events/christmasboat-parade
Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade Boaters are getting ready for the 35th annual parade on the Imperial River in Bonita Springs. “We are looking forward to having a great year,” says Adam Botana, vice president of Bay Water Boat Club and the event organizer. “I think it’s going to be a lot bigger this year. There are so many more people on boats now. We are looking forward to it. We want to spread the Christmas cheer. We have to have something to do. We want to keep the Christmas spirit going.”
• When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday,
December 12 • Where: Begins and ends at Bay Water Boat Club, 5124 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Travels up the Imperial River to Flossmor Drive and then comes back. The best place to see it is from the Imperial River Boat Ramp, 27551 S. Tamiami Trail, or the bridge. • Details: bonitaboatparade.com or look for Bonita Springs Christmas Boat Parade on Facebook.
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Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay The 33rd annual Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay features All That Glitters as its theme. “Hopefully just something bright to close out one of the worst years,” says Tiffany Sawyer-Schank, executive director of the Marine Industries Association of Collier County. “Finding what shines for the end of 2020. And looking forward to a better year.” About 25 to 30 boats typically participate in the parade. It’s free to enter. There are lots of prizes for the winners. Masks are encouraged. All proceeds go to the Ricky King Children’s Fund.
• When: 6:15 p.m. Saturday,
December 12 • Where: Parade may be viewed from the Naples City Dock (limited), Pinchers Crab Shack at Tin City, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landings, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House and Bayview Park. • Details: 239-682-0900 or miacc.org
Cape Coral Holiday Boat-ALong Cape Coral’s 44th annual Holiday Boat-A-Long features a parade of more than 100 decorated boats and a bunch of holiday activities that have been recreated to keep people more socially distanced. For the first time, people must register for a free ticket to the event. “We normally have 5,000 people,” says Kristin Bean, senior recreation specialist with the city. “This year we are limiting it to 2,500 people that can get their free tickets in advance. For people that don’t get a ticket or don’t feel comfortable coming, we will have a live streaming of the parade so they can watch from home.” This year there will be no arts and crafts for children. Santa will be there, but children will not be allowed to sit in his lap. There will be socially distanced visits with Santa. There will also be holiday music. The boat parade will be followed by a movie in the park. Since “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” was
rained out last year, it will be shown this year. Instead of food vendors at tables, there will be food trucks.
• When: The festival begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, December 19. The boat parade starts at sundown, which is around 6 p.m. Event ends at 10 p.m. • Where: The best place to view is Four Freedom’s Park, 4818 Tarpon Court, Cape Coral, where the holiday festival takes place. • Details: 239-573-3123 or capeparks.org. To register, go to bit.ly/37IP5FB.
The Saturday Night Before Christmas Eve Boat Parade The 20th annual parade is a big one. Every year, it attracts 15,000 to 20,000 spectators and is billed as the Biggest Annual Event in the Isles. The 4.5-mile route is lined with people cheering, ringing cowbells and banging on tambourines. The parade is also unique because it goes only one way and has no big turns. The cheering crowds are only 50 feet from the lighted boats, giving an excellent view of the decorations. Besides decorations, the boats have carolers and performers. About 35 to 50 boats participate in the event. “Every year is special,” says Harris Bowers, who organizes the parade. Use the map on the event page and scout out an empty lot along the route. “Come out the day before or early on parade day and stake your space,” Harris recommends. “The most empty lots are in the Almar area. Last year the traffic was backed up unbelievable. Come early. Bring your lawn chairs. If you show up at six o’clock, you are going to miss the parade.”
• When: 6 p.m. Saturday, December 19 • Where: Punta Gorda Isles, west of U.S. 41; the parade starts in a canal parallel to Almar Drive and ends in Yellowfish Lagoon. • Details: puntagorda boatparade.com
