Submitted by Cape Coral resident Nancy Skarda
The Celebrate Cape Coral Night Parade, held on March 4, marks the 60th anniversary of brothers Leonard and Jack Rosen’s purchase of 103 square miles of mostly vacant property, now called Cape Coral, from Mr. Franklin Miles (of Miles Laboratories) in 1957. At that time, this part of Cape Coral was named Redfish Point.
Mr. Paul Sanborn, who was selected as the grand marshal leading the celebratory parade down 47th Terrace, is one of the key people involved in the development of Cape Coral over many years. Mr. Sanborn has been a resident of the Cape since 1962. He moved here to be the managing director for Gulf American Corporation, the company that developed Cape Coral to be a “Water Wonderland” because it featured a system of canals. Following his tenure with this company, he worked in the banking industry as marketing officer for the first bank in Cape Coral. Paul was then elected commissioner of the Lee County Mosquito Board for 20 years, until his retirement in 1993. He is an official historian of the City of Cape Coral, and he served as president of the Cape Coral Historical Society/Museum for ten years.
The “Celebrate Cape Coral” night parade features a number of large, lighted floats that appeal to spectators of all ages. Entrants invited to participate in the parade include businesses, churches, high school bands, non-profit organizations and clubs.
The German American Club made up a 60-foot long float, complete with lights, specifically for the event. Farmers markets from South Cape and The Shops at Surfside are represented by a float featuring dancing vegetables. There is even a 1957 model car included in the parade to support period nostalgia.
The last parade of this type was held back in 2005. The organization that now sponsors the celebration is the South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Association (SCHEA). This group would like to make the festive parade an annual event once again.
South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Associations is an organization which originated four years ago when a group of local restaurateurs and bar owners came together to form a distinct entertainment district. SCHEA’s mission is to facilitate a cooperative partnership among businesses to make the South Cape a destination place for retail, dining and entertainment, a place where people will have memorable experiences, inspiring them to return to the area. Its goal is to improve economic viability and enhance the South Cape which is growing substantially.
SCHEA puts on special events throughout the year which attract full-time residents as well as snowbirds. In addition, this organization hosts monthly themed trolley events in South Cape, sometimes using as many as six trolleys to transport up to 1,200 people to various dining & entertainment establishments. The next one is for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. This event is followed by a Craft Beer trolley on April 29, and a South Cape Cruise Trolley on June 10. Don’t miss out on the fun!
This November, the association will sponsor a small business sidewalk sale, as part of its effort to put on more events for retail businesses.
Donna Meola, the executive director of SCHEA, and a resident of the Cape for 40 years, has a passion for seeing the South Cape grow and prosper where the small businesses, dining establishments and entertainment events continue to flourish. For more information on events hosted by the association, visit www.SouthCapeEntertainment.com, or visit their Facebook page.
