FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. The Fort Myers Beach Pirate Festival won’t go on because of Hurricane Irma.
The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce also cited the looming threat of other tropical systems in canceling what would have been the 12th annual event from Oct. 6 through Oct. 8.
Hurricane Maria isn’t currently forecast to hit Southwest Florida, though that could change, WINK meteorologist Matt Devitt said Monday morning. Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.
“The focus of our island right now is getting our business and residential life back to normal, and we aren’t confident our community would be where it needs to be by Columbus Day weekend in order to host this event successfully,” Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak said.
The goal is for “an even bigger and better” Pirate Fest in 2018, festival official Belinda Hadcock said.
For more information about this year’s cancellation or next year’s event, call the chamber at 239-454-7500 or email events@fmbchamber.com. For entertainer and vendor questions, contact Belinda Hadcock at admiralbelinda@gmail.com.