Three Fisherman’s Wharf restaurants are teaming up to bring a taste of Fort Myers Beach to this year’s Scarecrows in the Park event at Lakes Park. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Dixie Fish Company and Bonita Fish Company are joining forces to create a scarecrow display for the annual event and serve up a selection of signature desserts during the opening-night celebration.
Scarecrows in the Park is open for viewing Thursdays and Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Alongside the scarecrow trail, the Fall Festival features the Halloween Express train ride with dancing lights, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, inflatables, concessions and games. The park is located at 7330 Gladiolus Drive in Fort Myers.
“Our team members have participated in Scarecrows in the Park the past three years and look forward to working with our Fisherman’s Wharf neighbors this year,” said Rebecca Vizcarra, general manager of Doc Ford’s on Fort Myers Beach. “It’s an opportunity for our teams to get to know one another, share ideas and build camaraderie simply by creating a scarecrow together. It’s a lot of fun, too.”
Employees collaborated on a single-entry designed to the “Scarecrows at Work” theme.
Part of the beloved Lakes Park Fall Festival, Scarecrows in the Park takes over the Children’s Garden Oct. 9–25 and attracts roughly 40 entries built by local businesses, youth and community groups, schools, families and individuals. Anonymous VIP judges select their favorite scarecrows during opening night while People Choice awards are determined by visitor votes through the final day. The top three vote-getters receive ribbons and prizes.
The restaurants will also donate and serve a selection of desserts during the VIP award ceremony on opening night. Dixie Fish Company will provide its signature Key lime pie, Bonita Fish Company will contribute coconut rum cheesecake and Doc Ford’s will serve their double decker brownies.
Doc Ford’s community roots run deep at Lakes Park. In previous years, team members volunteered to decorate the grounds for Halloween and winter holidays. Miniature replicas of Doc Ford’s and Dixie Fish Company are displayed along the park’s mile-long Gulf Railroad train route.
Scarecrows in the Park is open for viewing Thursdays and Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Alongside the scarecrow trail, the Fall Festival features the Halloween Express train ride with dancing lights, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, inflatables, concessions and games. The park is located at 7330 Gladiolus Drive in Fort Myers.