Fort Myers Boat Show has something for everyone

Boating is big business in Lee County. Every year, the Fort Myers Boat Show attracts hordes. The 36th annual Fort Myers Boat Show will take place along the waterfront of the Fort Myers City Yacht Basin on Edwards Drive and Monroe Street and in the Harborside Event Center Nov. 13 - 16.

This year, the show will feature 800 boats from more than 150 manufacturers with exhibits and information about indoor and outdoor water-oriented lifestyles and activities available in Southwest Florida.

Boat show attendees can view and purchase the newest models of a broad variety of vessels from dinghies to yachts and experience the newest in boating related equipment and accessories. Other activities include fishing, water-safety and scuba diving seminars and exhibits featuring vessel storage, financing options, luxury waterfront communities and more.

And if you think outdoor activities don't have much affect on Florida's economy, check out this report:

From the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses came a report that showed:

• Sportsmen - support more jobs in Florida than Disney World (85,000 jobs vs. 61,000).

• Annual spending by Florida sportsmen is more than twice the annual revenue of Miami-based Burger King ($4.8 billion vs. $2.05 billion).

• Annual spending by Florida anglers is more than three times greater than the cash receipts from the state's orange crop ($4.4 billion vs. $1.2 billion).

Admission to the show is $9 per person, with children 12 and under attending free. Discount coupons are available online at www.fortmyersboatshow.com. Park and ride event parking is available at the City of Palms Park / Red Sox Stadium.

For more information about the Fort Myers Boat Show and discount tickets call 656-7083 or visit www.fortmyersboatshow. com.