The second annual What’s Up FMB Iluminations Parade was held Saturday night. Fort Myers Beach was packed from Estero Boulevard to Bayside Park on Old San Carlos. It was a family-friendly event and a great time was had by all.
What’s Up FMB President Dawn Miller told Beach Talk Radio the event topped all expectations. “I don’t even know where to begin! Saturday night was one of those moments when you look around Fort Myers Beach and think, THIS is why we do what we do. 
When we started What’s Up FMB, we wanted to bring people together, support our businesses, and help bring the energy back to our island. Saturday night, watching 430 participants light up Estero Boulevard with an estimated 1,000 spectators cheering them on, I couldn’t help but get a little emotional.
The best part is that this wasn’t some big production brought in from somewhere else. It was OUR community. Families making lanterns, kids covered in lights, businesses getting creative, volunteers showing up, and people of all ages walking together. Every single person brought a little piece of magic to Fort Myers Beach.
I especially want to thank our premier sponsors, The Whale, Fowler Construction, and King Family Foundation along with Alex King Group – Premier Plus Realty. They believed in what we were trying to create and helped turn an idea into something really special. And to all our other sponsors, volunteers, participants, and everyone who came out to cheer us on — you made this happen.
Was everything perfect? Absolutely not! We learned a lot, and we already have a list of things we want to improve for next year, from transportation and logistics to making the experience even better for our participants, spectators, and local businesses. That’s part of growing something new, and we’re listening to the feedback.
We’ve been through a lot on this island. And sometimes, in the middle of rebuilding businesses, buildings, and everything else, it’s easy to forget that we’re also rebuilding the feeling of community.  Saturday night reminded me that the heart of Fort Myers Beach has never needed rebuilding. It’s been here all along.
I couldn’t be prouder of our little island, and I can’t wait to see what we create together in 2027.
We didn’t just light up the streets Saturday night. We lit up Fort Myers Beach.”
You can watch our broadcast of the parade HERE.
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Was a great event!! Good to see so many people enjoying a beautiful evening. Tip of the hat to LCSO, much appreciated that they were still at Myerside when I got back to my car after 8 pm. This is part of the reason I love FMB, I never feel uncomfortable wandering around.