Where the Boys
(and Girls and Families) Are
The trickle begins next week as college students around the country begin seeking warmer climes to shake off the winter doldrums in that most American of traditions – Spring Break!
While the Spring Break crowds won’t peak until March, February also brings a fair number of students to the beach to enjoy our warm sand, sparkling Gulf waters and bright sunshine.
It’s not just college students; it’s families who are drawn to our island paradise.
Bud Nocera, President of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce notes that many families who rent seasonally enjoy Spring Break with their children.
"A lot of people come to the Beach with their families. The college kids go off and do their thing and the adults go off and do their thing each day and they share a home or condo.”
After a few years of so-so tourism on the Beach due to the BP oil spill or cold weather, there are signs that this season will be a healthy one for Beach businesses.
"There’s no reason we shouldn’t have a strong Spring Break season,” notes Nocera. "We’re hearing that rental occupancy is quite strong on the Beach from President’s Weekend through the end of March.”
Easter falls on March 31 this year. We can expect the flow of Spring Breakers to slow after that weekend. Check the Spring Break list to see when schools are on break.Chances are you’ll see a few t-shirts representing these schools along the Boulevard in the next month or two.
Missy Layfield
Spring Break 2013
Feb 15-24 University
of Chicago Augustana
College, IL
Feb 27-Mar 4 University
of Dayton
Mar 1-10 University of
Florida University
of Michigan
Ball State
University
Florida Gulf
Coast University
John Carroll
University
Michigan State University
Penn State University
Queens University
Stetson University
Boston College
Vanderbilt University
Wartburg College
Mar 9-17 Florida
State University
Indiana University
Miami of Ohio
Ohio State University
Purdue University
University of Georgia
Notre Dame
University of Kentucky
University of North Carolina
University of South Carolina
Saint Louis University
Mar 16-24 Iowa
State University
of Iowa
University of Minnesota
Valdosta State University
Mar 23-Apr 3 Lee
County Schools
Northwestern University
University of Wisconsin
Easter is March 31, 2013