The 15th annual Town of Fort Myers Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade took place on Saturday, March 16, at 10:00 AM. It started at Santini Marina Plaza on Estero Boulevard and ended one mile later at the Church of the Ascension. Ray Murphy was once again parade chairman. Involved in the parade were musical bands, floats, and civic, business and neighborhood groups. It was a beautiful day, with blue skies, the sun shining and temperatures reaching the low 80s. After the parade, Knights of Columbus members sold corned beef and cabbage sandwiches, hot dogs and refreshments in the church parking lot. Other establishments, such as local bars and restaurants, also had special offerings to help the Irish and the "wannabe Irish" continue to celebrate the holiday.
Motorcyclists from the Lee County Sheriff’s Department led the parade.
The motorcycle policemen kept doubling back and forth along the path of the parade.
Lee County Sheriff’s Department police cars
Fort Myers Beach Fire Department fire truck
The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal service organization, in full regalia
A Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. He is wearing a “naval chapeau.”
Knights of Columbus
An American and an Irish flag, side-by-side
The Irish flag held by a booster
Ray Murphy, Parade Chairman
Lee County Pipes and Drums
Their music was wonderful. No parade should be without them.
Color Guard for the Lee County Pipes and Drums
Lee County Pipes and Drums
Green-haired driver
Nice hats, Gentlemen
Lone bagpipe player from the "Ceol Neamh Pipe Band" based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Decked-out Royal Pelican car
Another car from the Royal Pelican community
Standard Bearers for the "Royal Pelicauns"
The Royal Pelicauns Dance Troop
Dance Troop Head Leprechaun/Pelicaun
Florida CERT--Community Emergency Response Team
Standard Bearers for the Hot Heads hair stylists
Hot Heads hair stylists
Motorcycle couple
Decked-out golf cart
Shamrocks, shamrocks everywhere
Irish lassie with puppy
Lovely lassie and Irish Friend
Decked-out bicycle. Nice socks, too.
The fun-loving Fagan Family
Great “Back in Time” Ford
Friends of Lover’s Key Tram
Terry Stewart and Alan Mandel lookin’ good
Councilman Joe Kosinski
Councilman Joe Kosinski
United Irish of Southwest Florida
United Irish float--I bet they really ARE Irish!
Fairview Isles Community marchers
Great balloon-decked convertible
Irish Princess and her “Wee-bit Irish” Friend
Alert puppy in Sand Paper newspaper van
Classic car with lots of glitz
Castaways Bar and Grill float
Castaways float
Laguna Shores Community float
Parade walker
Shrimp Festival Queen Christina
Red Coconut RV Resort float
Gulf Coast Jeepers jeep
Fish-on Kayaking golf cart
The parade ends with the Simple Jack Band
