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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2024
CONTACTS: Ray Sarracino, Jackie Parker, Miriam Dotson 239-338-3500
What’s New from Fort Myers - Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods
LEE COUNTY, Florida (U.S.A.) – Dreaming about a winter visit to our islands, beaches and neighborhoods? Check out our 2024 Visitor Guide for help planning your vacation. tinyurl.com/VisitorGuide2024
Don’t miss this month!
39th Annual Cape Coral Art Festival and Market Place
Jan. 13-14
capecoralartfestival.com
Bonita Springs National Art Festival
Jan. 13-14
artcenterbonita.org/artfest
Bacon Jam
Jan. 13
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
bscevent.com/bacon-jam-fort-myers
Wellness in Nature at “Ding” Darling, Sanibel Island
Jan.18-21
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/wellness
Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Stroll, Lighthouse Beach, Sanibel Island
Jan. 26
With a marine biologist from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium.
shellmuseum.org/sunrise-stroll
Accommodations news
Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach has opened. With swaying palm trees, pristine sandy beaches and a relaxed, island atmosphere, the 254-room sits on 7.25 acres and has direct beach access and views of the Gulf of Mexico. The property includes six restaurants and the 43,000-square-foot Sunset Terrace that are open to the public. For all of the details: margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-beach-resort-fort-myers-beach
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel Island begins taking reservations on Jan. 8 for stays beginning Aug. 3, 2024. Pickelball and tennis are open with and day passes available. sundialresort.com
The Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers has reopened its 40,000-square-foot, full-service spa following a renovation. marriott.com/en-us/hotels/rswsb-marriott-sanibel-harbour-resort-and-spa
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) news
New air service at RSW
JetBlue Airways:
Worcester (ORH), weekly starting Jan. 4
For more information, visit flyrsw.com
Attractions news
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
Sanibel Historic Museum & Village has reopened with hours from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The story of Sanibel is told from the Calusa and Spanish eras to the early pioneer families who settled on the island in the 1800s. sanibelmuseum.org
She Sells Sea Shells on Sanibel Island has reopened its popular family-owned business that has been a must-stop for locals and visitors since 1976. The familiar pink-and-green sign with a tongue-twister of a name, has supplied generations with seashells, jewelry, books, craft supplies, novelties, and treasured Christmas ornaments. sanibelshellcrafts.com
J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island is offering free winter programs Jan. 8 through March 30. Beach walks, Wildlife Drive caravan tours birding for beginners, medicinal plants of the refuge and alligators and crocodiles are just a few of the topics. Each program is limited to 20 people and participants may find registration information and details at dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/free-refuge-programs
Lovers Key State Park presents free programming with parking Jan. 3 through 19. Learn about sharks, take a fishing clinic, join a beach and estuary walk. Check schedule and details at friendsofloverskey.org/events
Golf news
The Dunes Golf and Tennis Club on Sanibel Island has reopened a section of it course to the public. dunesgolfsanibel.com
Restaurants/dining news
Popular Sunshine Seafood Café and Wine Bar has reopened on Andy Rosse Lane on Captiva Island. captivaislandinn.com/captiva-island-restaurants/sunshine-seafood
Annual festivals and events
39th Annual Cape Coral Art Festival and Market Place
Jan. 13-14
capecoralartfestival.com
Bonita Springs National Art Festival
Jan. 13-14, Feb. 10-11, March 2-3
artcenterbonita.org/artfest
Bacon Jam
Jan. 13
Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, downtown Fort Myers
bscevent.com/bacon-jam-fort-myers
Wellness in Nature at “Ding” Darling, Sanibel Island
Jan.18-21
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/wellness
"Ding" Darling Lecture Series, Sanibel Island
Jan.18 and 25, Feb. 1, March 7, 14 and 21
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/lecture-series
Sunrise Shell and Mollusk Stroll, Sanibel Island
Lighthouse Beach
Jan. 26, Feb. 8 and March 10
With a marine biologist from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium shellmuseum.org/sunrise-stroll
ArtFest Fort Myers, Downtown River District
Feb. 2-4
artfestfortmyers.com
Edison and Fort Winter Estates Antique Ford Car Show, Fort Myers
Feb. 3
edisonfordwinterestates.org/events/annual-antique-car-show
21st annual Burrowing Owl Festival, Cape Coral
Feb. 24
Rotary Park
ccfriendsofwildlife.org/burrowing-owl-festival-2
Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers
Feb. 17
edisonfestival.org
“Ding” Wild Days of Wellness
March 23-24
dingwellness.com
Spring training
Boston Red Sox
Feb. 23-March 26
mlb.com/redsox/schedule/2024-02
JetBlue Park, Fort Myers
Minnesota Twins
Feb. 23-March 26
mlb.com/twins/schedule/2024-02
Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
25th Annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers
March 2
Fort Myers Regional Library, downtown Fort Myers
readfest.org
88th Annual Sanibel Shell Festival, Sanibel Island
March 7-9
Community House
sanibelcommunityhouse.net/event/87th-annual-sanibel-shell-festival/2024-03-08
Sanibel Shell Show, Fort Myers
March 8-9
Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort
sanibelshellclub.com/6306-2
ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers
March 12-16
echonet.org/events/global-food-and-towardwardl
Sounds of the Sand, Bell Tower, Fort Myers
March 23-23
To support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Refuge education efforts
dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/sounds-of-the-sand
34th Annual “Ding” Darling Day Conservation Carnival
April 20
dingdarlingday.com
14th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival
May 22-26
fortmyersfilmfestival.com
12th Annual “Ding” Darling and Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament
May 10
dingdarlingtarpontourney.com
Fringe Fort Myers
June 6-9
artinlee.org/experience/fringe
National Seashell Day
June 21
visitfortmyers.com/national-seashell-day
MangoMania
July TBA
Pine Island
pineislandchamber.org/chamber-events/mangomania
FITMIX FEST, downtown Fort Myers
Sept. 27-29
fitmixfest.com
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Sept. 20-29
island-hopperfest.visitfortmyers.com
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge “Art in the Wild”
October TBA
dingartinthewild.com
Cape Coral Oktoberfest
October TBA
capecoraloktoberfest.com
Sanibel Island Writers Conference
November TBA
fgcu.edu/siwc
Holiday Luminary and kick-off to Sanibel Island 50th anniversary
Dec. 6-7
Sanibel and Captiva islands
13-month celebration of Sanibel’s 50th anniversary.
sanibel-island.sanibel-captiva.org
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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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