The TIB Bank Celebrate Cape Coral Block Party and Night Parade might have the distinction of having the longest title of any event in Southwest Florida, but also might be the most entertaining and fun.
Beginning at 4 p.m. in Big John’s Plaza, this Cape Chamber organized event titled sponsored this year by TIB Bank is focused on celebrating all things Cape Coral, with both live music and a night time parade.
The parade will feature 58 floats, with entries from the German American Social Club, Cape Chamber of Commerce, Bayshore Elementary, Littleton Elementary, North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts, and Oasis Charter School, among others.
Organizers hope the parade will one day challenge, or at least mirror, the pomp and excess of the Edison Light Parade in Fort Myers.
Volunteer chairwoman Donna Caruso said the block party, parade, and all of the evening’s festivities would not be possible without the help of the more than 60 volunteers.
“There people are wonderful. The event would be impossible without the volunteers. Just for the parade route alone, to make sure it flows smoothly, takes 18 people,” Caruso said.
Caruso has been a member of the Cape community for more than 30 years, having served as a volunteer at multiple events.
This is the first year she’s served as a committee chair, and while the work has been tough, she would happily return for another year if the Chamber of Commerce asked her to.
“This is my first year but I’d do it again,” Caruso said. “I thought it was about time that I got back involved in the community events.”
Immediately following the parade is a performance by country music sensation Ken Randolph.
Randolph is the official ambassador of music for the state of Alabama, he’s performed for presidents, and been a part of several platinum country albums. Randolph will perform his song, “Tribute to a Soldier”.
Event chairman Bob Knickman said there’s no better time than now for the community to come together and have a good time. In times of need, the community really only has itself to lean on.
“We’re all in this together,” Knickman said. “There’s no cost to this event, the parade and entertainment are free. We invite the community to celebrate the Cape.”