The celebration starts rather early for the St Patty’s Day Parade on Ft Myers Beach. Everyone gathers on the south end of the island around 7:30 am. A local bar and restaurant – Castaways, starts the morning festivities off by serving Bloody Mary’s to the parade’s participants and their supporters. And they are off and running!
The participants start to line up and begin their final preparations ahead of the 9:45 scheduled parade kickoff. They are rushing around trying to put the final touches on their floats, vehicles and in some cases, wrapping themselves up with traditional Irish green dress.
People are practicing their parade route routines as the bagpipers are tuning their pipes. Everyone’s adrenaline is flowing as fast as the green beer is pouring from the taps!
There is a lot of last minute ruckus going on with family and friends patiently waiting to join their squads. The 20th Annual Ft Myers Beach St. Patty’s Day Parade is just about ready to get underway.
As the morning’s clock ticks closer to the day’s ceremonious event, a steady line of bright green vehicles, decorated bodies and other creative apparatuses turn onto Estero Boulevard. Thousands of parade goers line the street’s edge waiting to celebrate the Irish event.
The brief TTL video below shows a few last minute preparation.
As the parade’s main attractions make their way out onto the parade route, thousands of people who have shown up during the mid-morning hours begin to cheer and come alive. Their attention quickly turns to the flowing shades of green marching towards them.
This wondrous ceremony begins with color guards holding up both the American and Irish flags.
The 20th Annual Ft. Myers Beach St. Patrick’s Day parade is on its way! The kids are excited and waiting for the treats that will be tossed out by parade participants. The adults are enjoying all the camaraderie between family, friends and tourists.
From here on in the parade’s participants do a great job creating a festive atmosphere. The onlookers are enjoying a morning filled with clear blue skies, plenty of sunshine, and perfect temperatures to boot!
The parade’s floats slowly lumber down Estero Boulevard with people handing out a variety of treats. The sea of green keeps everyone of their feet!
What’s a St. Patty’s Day celebration without bagpipes? The high pitch sound of horns belting out Irish folk music brings an ambience to the party. Lets not forget the traditional dress that includes flat caps and kilts!
The video below provides a front row view of the parade and some of its attractions.
Other parade entries included decorated golf carts, plenty of classic cars and people dressed up in Irish wears. All this makes for a good show and tell experience.
It looks as if the Green Bay Packer fans wanted to accentuate their team’s “Green” and gold colors. People didn’t really seem to mind the promoting of a football team – considering they were handing out some pretty tasty treats.
Who said that Jeeps can’t portray a little Irish flare? These off-road lovers are feeling the luck of the Irish.
What would any parade be without grown women dancing down the parade route in tutus! Maybe too many Bloody Mary’s for breakfast…
The parade lasted about an hour and as always was a complete success! Everyone had a great time. The community of Ft Myers Beach doesn’t have the largest or most glamorous and/or highly publicized St Patty’s Day parade. However, there is no doubt in our minds that it is the best hometown event that anyone could ever experience. “Cheers to our Irish friends!”
Author: Anthony Scopel
Photography: Anthony & Maureen Scopel
Videography: Anthony Scopel & Crew
Article Formatting: Anthony Scopel
Video Production: Anthony Scopel & Matt Kemper
Associate Editor: Maureen Scopel
Technical Mastering & Web Support: Matt Kemper
Publisher: You, Me and The Dock
‘This incredible article and awesome TTL video was brought to you by Tammy Workman and Waterside Realty Group!’
