America 250 | Fort Myers Beach to hold Fourth of July parade, fireworks
The Fourth of July parade and fireworks show will return to Fort Myers Beach this year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, after a fundraising effort by the local business group What’s Up FMB.
The Fourth of July parade will start on Estero Boulevard from near the Fort Myers Beach Library at 10 a.m., followed by a “Freedom by the Bay” event honoring veterans at 4 p.m. with a ceremony and concert at Bayside Veterans Park off Old San Carlos Boulevard, near Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant. The concert will begin at 5 p.m. and run until 8 p.m.
The fireworks show will take place at dusk from a barge near the Fort Myers Beach Pier close to Times Square and Lynn Hall Memorial Park, around 9 p.m.
Fort Myers Beach Manager Will McKannay’s staff is overseeing preparations for the parade.
“We’re looking forward to a great day,” McKannay said. “We are looking forward to everything that Fort Myers Beach is used to” with the parade, he said.
“We welcome everybody to return to Fort Myers Beach,” McKannay said.
McKannay, a retired U.S. Army colonel and garrison commander, said the veteran’s event at Bayside Veteran’s Park will honor veterans from around Southwest Florida.
For McKannay, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the country is a special moment.
“For all of us, it’s significant. The experiment that still is the USA,” McKannay said. “The 250th year is definitely something that should be proud of. For me, it’s significant because I spent 30 years of my life protecting those freedoms so it has extra special meaning to me.”
The Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed from 9 a.m. until noon for the morning parade, and again at night from 9 to 11 p.m. for the fireworks.
What’s Up FMB raised $129,000 through donations for the fireworks and parade. The amount covers the fireworks, as well as other costs, such as funding for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office detail.
What’s Up FMB raised the funds for the fireworks and parade after the Town of Fort Myers Beach cut fireworks out of its budget last year due to fiscal considerations.
Dawn Miller, the co-founder of What’s Up FMB, 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.
Miller said the first 100 veterans who attend the “Freedom by the Bay” veteran’s ceremony at Bayside Veteran’s Park, will receive a special gift from What’s Up FMB. Miller said she is most excited about the “Freedom by the Bay” event.
Miller, who also made a large donation for the fireworks with her husband Mike Miller, said that having a fireworks show and parade was important.
“There was no reason why we should not have the festivities this year considering it’s 250 years,” Miller said. “We are super-excited about it. The parade, we certainly could use some more participation in it.”
To reach NATHAN MAYBERG, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com