Visitors celebrate annual festivals and events on
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in 2011
(Photos courtesy: Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau)

 

Fort Myers-Lee County...
Southwest Florida's Golf Mecca
(Photos by: Ed Stone)

 

In Lee County, stunning new courses have combined with such venerable courses as Eastwood and Fort Myers country clubs to create one of the hottest golf meccas in the country. At the center of new subdivisions sporting custom homes and nestled in the area's natural beauty sits the booming golf industry. According to statistics compiled by the National Golf Foundation, the area ranks high nationally in the number of golf holes per capita.

From a player's standpoint, few places can match the plethora of choices and quality of layouts. In recent years, Raptor Bay, Grandezza, Palmira, Crown Colony, Pelican Preserve and Miromar Lakes have all opened, and their courses already carry worthy reputations.

CLICK HERED FOR A LISTING OF GOLF COURSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Lee County (Ft. Myers), FL – In addition to great weather, shell-drenched beaches and the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida is the setting for many nationally recognized festivals and special events each year.

Running January through April 2011, Pine Island’s Creative Coast Weekends bring the fishing village and artist enclave of Matlacha alive with all things art. On the second weekend of each month, special events, gallery openings, classes and entertainment welcome the entire family.

During February, Fort Myers celebrates the birthday of its most famous historical resident: Thomas Edison. His winter home on the Caloosahatchee River is one of the ten most visited homes in the U.S. and it is fitting that as the inventor of the light bulb, he is honored with a month-long celebration, the Edison Festival of Lights, in its 73rd year.

Sanibel Island, known worldwide for its great shelling.

It should come as no surprise that Sanibel Island, known worldwide for its great shelling, has been welcoming visitors for 74 years to the Sanibel Shell Fair and Show. Each March, locals and visitors celebrate with displays, crafts and entertainment.

Also in March, the Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival & Parade pays homage to the area’s harvest of sweet, pink Gulf shrimp. This event has been around for 53 years and boils up more than 1,000 pounds of shrimp for 40,000 visitors!
There is even a festival that celebrates the mango! For two days in mid-July, it’s all about the Pine Island mango as fans go crazy for anything made from the delectable fruit at the quirky MangoMania Tropical Fruit Fair.

ABOVE: J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.
BELOW: American Sandsculpting Championship Festival takeS place on Fort Myers Beach.

In October, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island hosts its 22nd birding and eco-festival, “Ding” Darling Days. In conjunction with National Wildlife Refuge week, the popular festival includes tours, food, wildlife presentations and many family activities.

Also in October, paddlers love the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, now in its sixth year. Along the Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail, events include activities that help participants achieve a “carbon neutral” vacation experience with tips to bring home. The festival includes free clinics and demonstrations, speakers’ series, waterfront hospitality events and chances to win prizes.

Many visitors plan their vacation in November so they will not miss the world-famous American Sandsculpting Championship Festival that has taken place on Fort Myers Beach for 24 years. This popular competition includes sculptors from all over the world and draws thousands of visitors during the five-day event.

In addition to the festivals and events listed below, visitors planning a vacation to Florida’s unspoiled island sanctuary should visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com for a list of events that take place all year. Some of the many not-to-be-missed celebrations include:  

Creative Coast Weekends
Matlacha, Bokeelia, St. James City
January 14-15, February 11-12, March 11-12, April 8-9, 2011
239-283-0888
www.floridascreativecoast.com

It is all about art in this quaint fishing community and beyond! Enjoy special events, gallery openings, classes and entertainment for the entire family.

73rd Edison Festival of Light Stadium Show, Grand Parade & Fireworks
Fort Myers
February 19, 2011
Parade starts at 7 p.m. Edison Stadium and continues north on Cleveland Avenue to Edwards Drive.
239-334-2999
www.edisonfestival.org

During February, Fort Myers celebrates the birthday of its most illustrious historical figure, Thomas A. Edison, in befitting fashion. Edison, who built a home on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River and spent 46 winters there, invented the light bulb. So it’s appropriate that the month of activities culminates with a lighted night parade. Invention competitions, parties, craft shows and a 5K run are all part of the celebration. Celebrating 73 years, the month of February is filled with special events. Visit website for details.

Spring Training 2011, Fort Myers
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel is the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. And what could be better than beautiful spring days that offer a chance to watch great baseball? The destination makes it easy for fans to take advantage of all that it has to offer along with great deals for spring training. For a complete listing of packages, special rates and information on planning a spring training vacation at Florida’s unspoiled island sanctuary, visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com.

For schedules and ticket information:
Boston Red Sox Spring Training
March 2011
City of Palms Park, Fort Myers
For tickets and package information go to www.redsox.com or call
239-334-4700 or 877-RED-SOXX.

Minnesota Twins Spring Training
March 2011 Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
Call 800-33-TWINS or go to www.twinsbaseball.com for schedule and ticket
information.

74th Annual Sanibel Shell Fair & Show, Sanibel Island
March 4-6, 2011
Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way
239-472-2155
www.sanibelcommunityhouse.net

Sanibel Island, named the best shelling beach in the U.S. and one of the best in the world.

Sanibel Island, named the best shelling beach in the U.S. and one of the best in the world, hosts shelling enthusiasts who gather each year for the shell fair that draws visitors from around the globe. One of the most unique events in the country, it began on a porch with just a few islanders and has evolved into today's event that includes demonstrations, shell displays, crafts, prizes, food and entertainment. Serious shellers compete for prizes while visitors shop and enjoy these treasures that include award-winning Sailor's Valentines...popular in the 1800s when sailors brought them home to their sweethearts. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission: $3 donation is requested to indoor shell show. Fair is free.

53rd Annual Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival and Parade, Fort Myers Beach
March 12-13, 2011
239-463-6986
www.fortmyersbeachshrimpfestival.com

Two days of festivities celebrate Fort Myers Beach’s shrimp harvest. Activities for the 53rd annual event will include a 5K Treasure Run, kids run the weekend prior, 10 a.m. parade, and crowning of the Shrimp Queen on Saturday. Craft vendors, the boiled shrimp concession, and other seafood booths set up at Lynn Hall Memorial Park both days.

The mango is the star attraction for two days each summer on Pine Island.

15th annual MangoMania
Tropical Fruit Fair, Cape Coral/Pine Island
July 30-31, 2011
German-American Social Club
2101 Pine Island Road
239-283-4842
www.mangomaniafl.com

The mango is the star attraction for two days each summer on Pine Island. Go wild for fruit as you sample locally-grown delicacies at this annual affair, an unusual celebration of all the tropical fruit grown on the island, which also includes lychee, carambola, longan, papaya, and “chocolate pudding fruit.” Fruit, exotic fruit trees, and fruit-related products are available for purchase. The festival also offers live music, kids’ activities and rides. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission: $6 for adults; free for 9 and younger.

26th Annual Oktoberfest, Cape Coral
October 2011
German-American Club
2101 SW Pine Island Road
Cape Coral
239-283-1400
www.gasc-capecoral.com

Hosted by the German-American Club, this huge celebration includes German culture, food, music and dancing features. Highlights include authentic live entertainment with large musical groups from Germany, along with enough German food and beer to make anyone do the "Chicken Dance." Gates open Friday 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $5 in advance, $6 at the gate for ages 13 and older.

"Ding" Darling Days include a week of eco-activities.

22nd Annual J. N. "Ding" Days, Sanibel Island
October 16-22, 2011
239-472-1100
www.dingdarlingdays.com

"Ding" Darling Days include a week of eco-activities with free refuge tram tours, live wildlife presentations, kids activities, Federal Duck Stamp artist presentation, art day, family day and more. Birding and kayaking tours, environmental speakers, a nature photography contest, and Junior Duck Stamp Awards will fill the week with environmental activities for all ages. The festival celebrates the birthday of the refuge's namesake, conservationist and Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Jay N. "Ding" Darling. For detailed schedule, visit website.

6th Annual Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival, county-wide
November 3-6, 2011
239-533-7275
www.CalusaBluewayPaddlingFestival.com

Along the 190-mile, marked Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail on waterfront communities in southwest Florida. This signature eco event includes competitive canoe/kayak races, a kayak fishing tournament, paddling clinics and demonstrations, seminars, family activities, archaeological and environmental events, guided tours, and more. Complete details with contact information and regular updates may be found at www.clausabluewaypaddlingfestival.com.

25th Annual American Sandsculpting Championship Festival, Fort Myers Beach
November 9-13, 2011
239-454-7500
www.sandfestival.com

Dolphins, great blue herons, giant computers, entwined lovers and Neptune, god of the seas: The intricate sculptures at the 25th Annual American Sandsculpting Championship Festival takes “playing in the sand" to a whole new level in November on Fort Myers Beach. From nothing more than a beach of sand and 300 gallons of water, about 20 master sculptors will create complex works of art. Amateur sculptors are invited to create and learn from the masters during a Sandsculpting 101 workshop on Friday.

29th Annual Taste of the Town, Fort Myers
November 8, 2011
239-277-1197
www.jlfm.org

Sponsored by the Junior League of Fort Myers, this tasty event held downtown in Centennial Park features samplings from more than 40 local restaurants. The largest food and entertainment festival in southwest Florida with more than 15,000 people attending, it also includes live music and more along the Calooshatchee River. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The 27th Annual Christmas Luminary Trail and Open House, Sanibel and Captiva islands
December 2 and 3, 2011
239-472-1080
www.sanibel-captiva.org

This popular event draws visitors from all over the world as they join local residents to celebrate the season. Three miles of luminary candles line Periwinkle Way from 5:30-9 p.m. on Sanibel Island on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 on Captiva Island. Businesses are decorated for the holidays with 2,000 candles illuminating the island pathways, storefronts and homes.

35th Annual Holiday Nights at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers
December 2011 239-334-7419
www.efwefla.org

Millions of lights celebrate Thomas Edison's contribution to modern life and the festivity of the season at this annual Lee County tradition enjoyed by more than 30,000 visitors each year. Lights and decorations fill 20 acres of gardens, along with the recently restored Edison buildings and the Estates’ historic homes. Holidays at the Estates places historical decorations amidst the orchids, exotic trees and plantings that fill the gardens. Events include artists and craftsmen exhibits and appearances, as well as book signings and demonstrations in the Creative Cottage located in the Ford Caretaker's House.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida includes: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres.