A crowd of approximately 750 locals came to the Estero Community Park to join in the celebration of the Village of Estero’s 3rd anniversary.
The party started at 6 p.m. with the music of Billy Dean & Dawn, one of Southwest Florida’s most versatile musical groups who also happen to be Estero residents.
Children enjoyed the face painting and crafts along with the stilt walker who created balloon figures and bracelets for them.
The program started with Estero Fire Chief Scott Vanderbrook leading the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Estero Life Magazine Publisher Gary Israel singing the National Anthem.
Mayor Boesch presented a proclamation to the Estero High School Wildcats girls soccer team in recognition of their highly successful season and there were short presentations by some of Estero’s community leaders. Then the music started again and the crowd was up and dancing for the rest of the evening.
The goal of this party was to bring the entire community together in a relaxed, fun atmosphere to celebrate our “new” village and it was evident by the smiles on people’s faces that the goal was achieved.
Included in the large turnout were Dist. 4 County Commissioner Brian Hamman and his family, Bonita Springs Vice-Mayor Peter O’Flinn, Village Mayor Jim Boesch and wife Diane, Vice-Mayor Bill Ribble and wife Joanne, Councilmembers Howard Levitan and wife Rebecca, Katy Errington and husband Garth, Nick Batos and wife Linda, and Jim Wilson and wife Char. Councilmember Jon McLain was out of town.
This special event was sponsored by the Village Council & staff, Estero Council of Community Leaders, Estero Chamber of Commerce, Estero Houses of Worship, Estero Rotary Club and the Blue Zones Project.
The Village of Estero made history with its first Council meeting three years ago on the evening of March 17, 2015, after numerous incorporation workshops followed by thousands of Estero voters making it known they wanted to become a city.