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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2023
CONTACTS: Ray Sarracino, Jackie Parker, Miriam Dotson 239-338-3500
What’s New from Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
New RSW nonstop flights, reopenings, fall events and Halloween hauntings
LEE COUNTY, Florida (U.S.A.) – October brings announcements of new flights, making it easier than ever to reach Southwest Florida. Reopenings, fall and Halloween events are planned throughout the destination. For more information, go to visitfortmyers.com
Halloween Nights at Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs
Wonder Gardens will host Halloween Nights in the Gardens each Thursday and Saturday in October (except Oct. 21). The nighttime events will run from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 26 and 28. Plans include decorations, animal enrichment programs, family games, activities and a unique opportunity to visit the garden in the evening. Costumes are optional but encouraged. wondergardens.org
Lakes Park Fall Festival in Fort Myers
Enjoy lots of fall fun from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 13-29. Sponsored by the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation and Lee County Parks & Recreation, this annual fall event is family-friendly. Visit Scarecrows in the Park with a chance to vote for your favorite movie scarecrow. Check dates and times for the Halloween Express Train Ride with dancing lights and displays and a Pumpkin Patch with hayrides, inflatables and pumpkins for sale. facebook.com/leelakespark
Fall Festival at North Fort Myers Park
Ghouls, good times and a costume contest are part of the fun at North Fort Myers Park’s Fall Festival from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 20. The free, family-friendly event also includes music, candy, games and a photo booth.
Halloween fun at Veterans Park and Recreation Center in Lehigh Acres
Trunk or Treat fun begins at 6 p.m. on Oct. 27, followed by the movie “Coco” (rated PG) at 8 p.m. in the park.
Trunk or Treat and a movie at Estero Community Park begins at 5 p.m. on Oct. 28 and then moves into the park for the movie “Halloweentown” (rated PG). leeparks.org/events
Treats, no tricks from Norman Love Confections
Who can turn down these treats from Norman Love’s Halloween Collection?
Blood Orange: a sweet dark chocolate with tart blood orange in white chocolate ganache.
Witches Brew: a white chocolate with raspberry flavored caramel.
Death by Chocolate: a sinful and dark chocolate that features a purple monster on its exterior.
Caramel Corn: white chocolate and buttery popcorn tossed in caramel.
Peanut Butter Crunch: milk chocolate with a creamy peanut butter filling.
Pre-order at NormanLoveConfections.com and purchase at Norman Love Chocolate Salons in Fort Myers and Estero.
Celebrate at the 38th annual Cape Coral Oktoberfest
Every year in October, the German-American Social Club brings Munich to Cape Coral. With fun, good food, German beer, live music on several stages, laughter, and dancing, the event takes place over two weekends. Plan to join the celebration Oct. 20-22 and 27-29 at 2101 SW Pine Island Road. capecoraloktoberfest.com
Reopenings
Sanibel Island Beach Resort has reopened and is taking reservations. oceanbreezeinns.com/sanibel-island
The Green Flash Restaurant on Captiva Island is celebrating its reopening and welcoming diners back for lunch, dinner and waterfront views. greenflashcaptiva.com
Attractions news
New clock dedicated on Fort Myers Beach
The iconic and much-loved clock that stood in Times Square on Fort Myers Beach has been replaced and dedicated in a recent ceremony. A popular backdrop for photos, the clock once again stands as an important symbol of the resiliency of the destination. fortmyersbeach.org
Nature programs at Lovers Key State Park
Lovers Key State Park presents weekly programs on park history and wildlife throughout October. Topics include Walk on the Wild Side and Sensational Sharks. Programs are free with park entry. Reservations are required at eventbrite.com/o/friends-of-lovers-key-inc-17957393962
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge “Art in the Wild” on Sanibel Island
It’s a fun two days you won’t want to miss. It’s free and there is something for everyone in the family. Plan to visit “Art in the Wild” Oct. 21-22 and enjoy free admission to Wildlife Drive beginning at 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Federal Duck Stamp presentations, art stations, workshops, live music, nature puppet show, plein air artists on Wildlife Drive, open air yoga and more. All free but some activities require reservations. Visit dingartinthewild.com for details and registration
Broadway Palm celebrates 30 years with Tony Award-winning musical
Big hair, great music and lots of fun, the Tony Award-winning musical “Hairspray” kicks off the 30th anniversary of Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers. Running through Oct. 28. “Hairspray” is Broadway Palm’s biggest national show to date. The winner of best musical in 2003, the show is based on the 1988 film. Broadwaypalm.com
Sun Saver Passport: Dine, Play, Shop, Sip
This popular, digital savings pass provides instant access to a variety of deals and experiences from area attractions, restaurants and more across four categories – Dine, Play, Shop and Sip. Sign-up is simple and free. Passports are instantly delivered to phones via text and email. And there is an option for users to save the pass on their home screen for one-tap access. Sign up now to start saving. visitfortmyers.com/sun-saver-passport
Cape Coral Quest: Win prizes and explore
Download the Cape Coral Quest app for a fun way to explore the area and a chance to win prizes through Nov. 30. Follow the directions at visitfortmyers.com/cape-coral-quest to collect a Cape Coral Quest Pass to participate on any mobile device.
Airport news
Southwest Florida International (RSW) assists travelers with non-visible disabilities
The Sunflower Program, now in nearly 200 airports worldwide, allows travelers to discreetly let others know they have a non-visible disability. Along with Port Authority staff, the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau’s Visitor Services Tourism Ambassadors have been trained in this initiative and will help inform the traveling public at RSW about the Sunflower Program.
Booths are located in the east and west atriums of baggage claim from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The sunflower symbol, printed on a lanyard, badge, hat, bracelet or other branded item, indicates that a person may need more assistance and patience is appreciated. When airport personnel see someone wearing the symbol, they know they may need extra assistance, more time or help reading signage. flyrsw.com/sunflower-program
New air service at RSW
Breeze Airways will start nonstop service to the following cities in November:
-Akron-Canton, Ohio (CAK) weekly, starting Nov. 16
-Columbus (CMH) weekly, starting Nov. 16
-Louisville, Kentucky (SDF) weekly, Nov. 16
-New Orleans (MSY) weekly, starting Nov. 2
-Norfolk, Virginia (ORF) weekly, starting Nov. 2
-Pittsburgh (PIT) weekly, starting Nov. 15
-Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU) weekly, Nov. 17
-Richmond, Virginia (RIC) weekly, starting Nov. 15
-Syracuse, New York (SYR) weekly, starting Nov. 17
Frontier Airlines:
-Buffalo (BUF) weekly, starting Nov. 17
-Detroit (DTW) weekly, starting Nov. 16
-Islip-Long Island (ISP) daily, starting Nov. 16
-Minneapolis (MSP) daily, starting Nov. 16
-Syracuse (SYR) weekly, starting Nov. 16
Porter Airlines:
-Toronto (YYZ) daily, starting Nov. 10
Lynx Air:
-Toronto (YYZ), weekly, starting Dec. 1
JetBlue Airways:
-Worcester (ORH), weekly starting Jan. 4, 2024.
For more information, visit flyrsw.com
In the news
Boca Grande is “America’s Best Small Beach Town”
It’s no surprise that Travel & Leisure named Boca Grande “America’s Best Small Beach Town.” It’s one of the jewels in our destination and a spot of many beautiful memories for visitors. travelandleisure.com/guide-to-boca-grande-gasparilla-island-florida-7629361
Annual festivals and events
Clyde Butcher’s America’s Everglades Exhibit
Oct. 2-Jan. 2, 2024
Centers for the Arts of Bonita Springs
artcenterbonita.org/exhibitions
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge “Art in the Wild”
Oct. 21-22
dingartinthewild.com
Cape Coral Oktoberfest
Oct. 20-22 and 27-29
capecoraloktoberfest.com
Sanibel Island Writers Conference
Nov. 3-4
fgcu.edu/siwc
Taste of the Islands /Taste Off the Islands
To support CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife), Sanibel Island
Nov. 13-19
tasteoftheislands.org
Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off/Beach Division Matchups
Nov. 20
6 p.m.: Wisconsin/Virginia
8:30 p.m.: West Virginia/SMU
Third-place and championship contests are set for the same times on Nov. 22.
Suncoast Credit Union Arena at Florida SouthWestern State College
fortmyerstipoff.com
Elevance Health Women’s Fort Myers Tip-Off/Island and Shell Divisions
Island Division: Nov. 23 and 25. Tennessee, Indiana, Oklahoma and Princeton.
Shell Division: Nov. 24 and 25. Wisconsin, Marquette, Boston College and Arkansas
Suncoast Credit Union Arena at Florida SouthWestern State College
womensfortmyerstipoff.com
39th Annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, Cape Coral
Jan. 13-14, 2024
capecoralartfestival.com
Bonita Springs National Art Festival
Jan. 13-14, Feb. 10-11, March 2-3, 2024
artcenterbonita.org/artfest
Bacon Jam
Jan. 13, 2024
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
bscevent.com/bacon-jam-fort-myers
“Ding” Darling Lecture Series, Sanibel Island
Jan.18-March 28, 2024
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/lecture-series
Wild Days of Wellness at “Ding” Darling, Sanibel Island
Jan.18-21, 2024
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/wellness
39th Annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, Cape Coral
Jan. 13-14, 2024
capecoralfestival.com
Niki Butcher Exhibition
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
January-February TBD
clydebutcher.com/niki-photographs
ArtFest Fort Myers, Downtown River District
Feb. 2-4, 2024
artfestfortmyers.com
21st annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
February TBD
Rotary Park
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2
Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
February TBD
edisonfestival.org
“Ding” Wild Days of Wellness
March 23-24, 2024
dingwellness.com
Spring training
Boston Red Sox
Feb. 23-March 26, 2024
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
mlb.com/redsox/tickets/spring-training
Minnesota Twins
Feb. 23-March 26, 2024
Lee County Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
mlb.com/twins/tickets/spring-training
25th Annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers
March 2, 2024
readfest.org
86th Annual Sanibel Shell Festival
March 7-9, 2024
visitfortmyers.com/event/86th-annual-sanibel-shell-festival
ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers
March 12-16, 2024
echonet.org/events/global-food-and-towardwardl
34th Annual “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival
April 20, 2024
dingdarlingday.com
14th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival
May TBD
fortmyersfilmfestival.com
12th Annual “Ding” Darling and Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament
May 10, 2024
dingdarlingtarpontourney.com
Fringe Fort Myers
June 6-9, 2024
artinlee.org/experience/fringe
National Seashell Day
June 21, 2024
visitfortmyers.com/national-seashell-day
National Seashell Day
June 21, 2024
visitfortmyers.com/national-seashell-day
MangoMania
July 2024
Pine Island
pineislandchamber.org/chamber-events/mangomania
FITMIX FEST, downtown Fort Myers
Sept. 27-29, 2024
fitmixfest.com
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Sept. 20-29, 2024
island-hopperfest.visitfortmyers.com
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods includes: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Matlacha, Boca Grande & Outer Islands, North Fort Myers, Alva, Buckingham and Lehigh Acres. For more information, go to visitfortmyers.com.
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