Naples’ famous St. Patrick’s Day parade hits the water as ‘Shamrocking on the Water’

Instead of the sounds and excitement filling the streets of 5th Avenue South for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Naples, it will be a lot quieter for the second year in a row.

This year, it’ll be called “Shamrocking on the Water“, even though big events like the Naples Boat Show and ‘Cars on Fifth’ allowed thousands to gather in Naples.

Kim Heaslip, president of the Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade Foundation, said, “We didn’t want the crowds down on Fifth Avenue and Third Street.”

Crowds that Heaslip says have grown to 40,000 in previous years.

“The chamber of commerce says we’re the most asked about event in Naples.” Heaslip, “We decided to move the parade from downtown to on the water this year … We thought it was a safer, more COVID friendly event.”

Instead, the parade will still float on, “social distancing” style.

“I think it’s better than canceling the event,” Heaslip added, “It’s something to do, to have a presence in the community. And they have fun for Saint Patrick’s Day.”

Boats will take off from Naples bay to Keewaydin Island on 11 a.m. March 13.

In Fort Myers, the  River District Alliance says their board of directors decided to cancel their Saint Patrick’s Day parade altogether, with the safety of guests in mind.