Salty Sam’s Patriot Boat Parade June 27 on Fort Myers Beach
Salty Sam’s Marina is inviting boaters from across Southwest Florida to come together on Fort Myers Beach and participate in the inaugural Salty Sam’s Patriot Boat Parade Saturday, June 27, a patriotic celebration in advance of America’s 250th Anniversary.
The event will bring together recreational boaters, local residents and visitors for a festive parade around Fort Myers Beach and Estero Island. Participating vessels are encouraged to decorate their boats in red, white, and blue while displaying American flags in celebration of 250 years since America’s Declaration of Independence.
The Patriot Boat Parade will depart Salty Sam’s Marina off Main Street in Fort Myers Beach at 11 a.m. and make a full circumnavigation of Estero Island before returning to the marina for a dockside celebration featuring food, drinks, live music, and awards for participating boats.
“Our goal is to create a fun, family-friendly event that brings the boating community together while celebrating this historic milestone in our nation’s history and we think this can become a new annual celebration for the island,” said Ryan VanDenabeele, Marketing & Operations Director for Salty Sam’s Marina. “We also hope to see lots of non-boaters as well congregate on the waterfront and beaches to see the parade of boats go by.”
In addition to private boat participation, Salty Sam’s will offer special public cruises aboard its popular vessels. The Sight Sea-R cruise boat will lead the parade and complete the full route around Estero Island, while the iconic Pieces of Eight Pirate Ship will participate in the first portion of the parade route, offering guests a patriotic-themed pirate cruise experience.
Following the parade, participants and spectators are invited back to Salty Sam’s Marina for the Patriot Parade Dock Party featuring burgers, hot dogs, drinks, live entertainment, and awards for categories including Most Patriotic Boat, Best Decorated Boat, and Best Crew Spirit.
Registration details, event information, and cruise tickets are available at www.SaltySamsMarina.com/Freedom