Miyoshi Price
•9/4/2026
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. (WINK)—The first-ever Bash on the Bay kicks off Saturday with three days of music, food, boats and family fun.
The event is being put on by the team behind On the Bay at Matanzas Inn, PD's Upper Deck and On the Bay Marina. Organizers said they wanted to give people a reason to visit Fort Myers Beach during September, typically one of the slowest months for the area.
The party runs Saturday through Monday with live music, a food court, beer garden, games, karaoke and contests. There's even a boat show with boats in the water and on land that people can climb aboard and check out.
"It's actually the first I've heard about it. You just told me right now. So the fact you just told me right now, this is fantabulous. I can't wait to go. It's going to be the highlight of my trip," said Elbin Klein, who is visiting Fort Myers Beach.
Jaquie Roar, who appeared on The Voice, headlines Saturday. Local favorite Ben Allen takes the stage Sunday night.
The event also features reggae, DJs, local musicians, pie-eating and watermelon contests. Organizers are even crowning the first Queen of the Bay.
"All of the above. I used to own a boat. I had three boats over a 10-year period, and I love live music. And there's all these tremendous restaurants and stuff down here. This is paradise," said Jerry Jacobs, a Fort Myers area resident.
A fenced-in kids patch includes four inflatables, a dunk tank, popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones. Organizers said the idea is simple: take a time of year that's typically slow on the beach and give locals and visitors something to come out for.
