'Tis the season! Fort Myers Beach chamber announces return of annual holiday boat parade

The annual Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade is coming back!

Yes. It's true.

And it is definitely something to celebrate in a community and throughout a region that continues to recover from the devastating Hurricane Ian that hit on Sept. 28, 2022.

Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jacki Liszak confirmed the good news with the News-Press on Monday (Oct. 23). Liszak said the official announcement will come later this week. The chamber is the organizer of the parade.

Liszak said the parade will be Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.

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This will be the 34th boat parade for Fort Myers Beach after it was postponed last December because of Hurricane Ian. Liszak said in order for the parade to take place the "all clear" was needed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Because the recovery is ongoing and there is still a significant amount of debris in some places, including sunk boats, the traditional parade route will be altered this year, she said with the parade being "two loops around the bay."

Liszak said the Key West Express, shrimp boats and the Pirate ship docked at the beach have all been using the same waterways with no issues.

In order for their to be a parade this year the chamber needs entries. Liszak said to contact the chamber if you want to enter your boat. The chamber is also looking for sponsors to help support the event.

And once again she said there will be a "People's Choice" competition using a QR code parade goers can scan as the boats cruise by to pick their favorite.

Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce contact info

Website:fortmyersbeach.org

Phone:(239) 454-7500

Facebook:facebook.com/FMBchamber

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers Beach holiday boat parade returning in 2023 after Ian