Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille placed second in Lakes Park’s Scarecrows in the Park People’s Choice contest. Team members from the Doc Ford’s Fort Myers Beach location created a Monsters Inc.-themed scarecrow display where Sully, Mike Wazowski and Boo are enjoying smores by the fire. Doc Ford’s, a title sponsor for this year’s event, also donated food to the contest winners.
Lakes Park’s theme for this year’s Scarecrows in the Park contest was “The Great Outdoors.” Participating teams were challenged with designing their scarecrows to depict the outdoors, such as an animal or an outdoor activity like camping or fishing.
“We enjoy participating in the Scarecrows in the Park event each year,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, the parent company of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille. “We’re glad our Monsters, Inc.-themed scarecrow was a huge hit.”
Doc Ford’s team members frequently donate their time at Lakes Park, recently building and installing a miniature version of the Fort Myers Beach restaurant as part of the popular Lakes Park and Gulf Railroad train ride which winds around lakes and small villages. The team also helped install Halloween decorations at the park recently.
Renowned for its legendary guest experience, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with locations on Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach, the St. Petersburg Pier and Jungle Terrace in St. Petersburg.
Owned and operated by HM Restaurant Group, award-winning Doc Ford’s offers food with a unique balance of flavors inspired by the Caribbean Rim. Beloved for its sauces, spices and signature Yucatan shrimp served daily, it’s highly regarded by locals and visitors alike as a spectacular seafood restaurant. Established on Sanibel in 2003, Doc Ford’s is a perennial Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner. The Pier restaurant was named the county’s No. 1 Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats in 2023.
Doc Ford’s also offers live music most nights at its Fort Myers Beach and St. Petersburg Pier locations.
Philanthropy and community outreach are engrained in HM Restaurant Group’s company philosophy. Proceeds from specialty cocktails at Doc Ford’s raise money to support children’s hospitals and water quality issues. HM Restaurant Group also supports local nonprofits dedicated to conservation, community and the environment. The “Ding” Darling Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament has raised nearly $1.3 million for Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge since 2012. The 13th annual tournament will be held May 9, 2025.
