MARCH
Sanibel Shell Festival and Shell Show
Shell collectors and artists come from around the world to compete in the prestigious Sanibel Shell Festival and the associated Sanibel Shell Show — the longest-running competitive shell show in the country. The 88th-annual events feature scientific displays on shells and the mollusks that create them, intricate shell art for sale, raffles, vendors and shells for sale. Thursday through Saturday, March 6-8. The festival takes place at the Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island. The shell show is at Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, 17260 Harbour Pointe Drive. Free admission to the festival, $5 for the shell show. No tolls on the bridge for the event week, according to organizers. Information: sanibelcommunityhouse.net or sanibelshellclub.com.
Disney on Ice’s ‘Frozen & Encanto’ at Hertz Arena
Disney on Ice returns to Southwest Florida with this ice-skating show based on two of Disney’s biggest movie hits, “Frozen” and “Encanto.” Audiences can sing along to their favorite songs while watching world-class ice skaters, aerial acrobatics and more. Thursday through Sunday, March 6-9. $25-$85. Parking on site is $20, plus taxes and fees (no cash). Free parking next door at Miromar Outlets. Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. Information: 948-7825 or hertzarena.com.
Irish band Dervish
At 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 7 at Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, Bonita Springs. Cost: $54-$64. Information: 495-8989 or artsbonita.org.
‘Murder by Bingo’
Mystery dinner theater show “Murder by Bingo! A DEADLY Game!” at7 p.m., Friday, March 7 at The Bonita/Estero Elks Lodge, Bonita Springs. Cost: $70. Information: 867-6098.
‘The Book of Mormon’
Touring musical ‘The Book of Mormon’: Friday through Sunday, March 7-9 at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, South Fort Myers. Cost: $39-$106. Information: bbmannpah.com.
The Big Bounce America Tour at Sports Challenge America
The giant, touring bounce-house attraction comes to Bonita Springs — now bigger than ever. The expanded The Big Bounce America features seven inflatable sections, including the 24,000-square-foot “World’s Largest Bounce House,” a 900-foot-long obstacle course, and the sports-themed Sports Slam with nets, hoops and balls of many sizes and types. Friday through Sunday, March 7-9. Three-hour sessions are $22-$45. Sports Challenge America, 28120 Racetrack Road, Bonita Springs. Information: thebigbounceamerica.com.
Boat America
Wonder Gardens’ Brews & Blues for the Birds
Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival
Pop-rock at Arts Bonita
Matthew and Gunnar Nelson of ‘90s pop-rock band Nelson at 7 p.m., Sunday, March 9 at Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, Bonita Springs. Cost: $54-$64. Information: 495-8989 or artsbonita.org.
Forum on building resilience
The Collier Community Foundation, Greater Naples Leadership and Naples United Church of Christ are presenting “Taking the Punch out of Powerful Hurricanes: A Forum on Building Resilience” from 3:30 until 5 p.m., March 18, at Naples United Church of Christ. This community forum will delve into the pact of hurricanes on the quality of life and local economy and the challenges facing Southwest Florida’s coastal communities. Attendees for this free event can register by visiting colliercf.org or gnlwebsite.org. Registration is open through March 11.
Exhibit explores Marco Island’s home history
A new Marco Island Historical Society exhibit, “The Florida House,” takes a trip back in time, marking and celebrating the 60th anniversary of modern Marco and the construction of the island’s first model homes. Exhibit runs through June 7. Free, open to public exhibit reception is 4 until 5:30 p.m., March 13. Marco Island Historical Museum, 180 S. Heathwood Drive, open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and the site is fully ADA compliant and accessible to all visitors.
Food Truck Rally
Bonita Springs Food Truck Rally and Pop-up Biergarten: Thursday through Saturday, March 13-15 at Riverside Park, Bonita Springs. Cost: $28-$49. Information: facebook.com/BrewFestPartners.
Fort Myers Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The annual Fort Myers Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns for the first time since 2022. Organized by The Fort Myers Beach Woman’s Club. The parade starts 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15 at Santini Plaza and travels north on Estero Boulevard to the Woman’s Club property at 175 Sterling Ave. A post-parade “tent event” follows from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with music, dancing, entertainment, food trucks and prizes awarded for the best floats. To register for the parade or learn more about the event, visit fmb-wc.org. No registration fee, but donations will be accepted. Registrations due by March 8.
Estero Fest
Billed as the village’s “premier event,” Estero Fest offers five live entertainment acts, including the city’s favorite son, Ben Allen and the Ben Allen Band as the headliner. There will be food trucks, a Kids Zone with bounce house, a business expo, a beer and wine Garden for adults and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Estero Fire Rescue displays. The Village of Estero Council and staff will also be there celebrating Estero’s 10th anniversary. Estero Fest is from 1 until 8 p.m., Saturday, March 15, at the Estero Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. Estero Fest is hosted by the Greater Estero Chamber of Commerce.
Boater’s Local Knowledge-Backwater
Organizations co-host a forum on building resilience
The Collier Community Foundation, Greater Naples Leadership and Naples United Church of Christ are presenting “ Taking the Punch out of Powerful Hurricanes: A Forum on Building Resilience” from 3:30 until 5 p.m., March 18, at Naples United Church of Christ. This community forum will delve into the pact of hurricanes on the quality of life and local economy and the challenges facing Southwest Florida’s coastal communities. Attendees for this free event can register by visiting colliercf.org or gnlwebsite.org. Registration is open through March 11.
Boater’s Local Knowledge-Marco Island
The best of Rod Stewart at MIHS
Author Talk
Marco Island Center for the Arts welcomes back G. Bradley Davis on March 19. Davis is the author of “Bellamy” and the newly released “Making Waves.” Davis will take attendees on a literary journey during this special author talk as he discusses his latest novel, “Making Waves.” The author talk is 5:30 p.m., March 19, at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Drive, Marco Island. The event is free, but RSVPs are requested at marcoislandart.org/events-calendar/.
Bonita’s Big Green EGGfest slated
Sunshine Ace Hardware’s 6th Annual Big Green EGGfest will be held March 22 at Riverside Park, Bonita Springs. The event, which raises money for area nonprofits, “celebrates the art of grilling” while crowning the “Grill Master of the Year.” Guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat food samplings, grilling demonstrations, live music, beer, wine and hard-seltzer drinks. Chefs compete in amateur and professional divisions using a Big Green Egg to prepare their dishes. Moonstone Riders will play on the main stage at Riverside Park. The event will be held from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., Saturday, March 22 at Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. Taster tickets are available for $20 at SunshineAceEGGfest.com. VIP tickets are $50 and include event attendance, all-you-can sample food, three People’s Choice votes and access to a VIP seating area with an open bar. Chef registration is also available at SunshineAceEGGfest.com.
100 years of Spring Training
This year we For Myers is celebrating 100 years of Spring Training in Southwest Florida. Check the schedule and reserve your tickets now. Boston Red Sox – Through March 23, mlb.com/redsox/spring-training, JetBlue Park, Fort Myers. Minnesota Twins – Through March 25, mlb.com/twins/spring-training, Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers.
Aretha Franklin and Sammy Davis Jr. at MIHS
PSP Walk at Mackle Park
The 22nd Annual Southwest Florida PSP Support Group Awareness and Memorial Walk, from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., Saturday, March 29, at Mackle Park on Marco Island. Participants will be provided a buffet lunch. There will be live entertainment, a silent auction, chances to win prizes, and a commemorative shirt. There is also an optional mile-long walk around the lake. Pre-event registration is $25 for adults and $10 for students. To register or donate: give.curepsp.org/MarcoIsland2025, email [email protected], or call 347-294-2831.
Top events of the week: 3 To Do: Goodland festival, Art Walk and Art Flicks
In the news: 3 To Know: ‘Spring forward’ this weekend; Teen charged in shooting death
ONGOING
Opera Naples’ Festival Under the Stars
This fifth-annual fest is well worth the drive to Naples for opera lovers. You’ll get several classic operas and even a ballet spread across three weeks at Cambier Park. This year’s operas are Puccini’s “La Bohéme” (March 8) and Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado” (March 7 and 9) Also scheduled: Gulfshore Ballet performing Tchaikovsky’s beloved romantic ballet “Sleeping Beauty” at Naples’ Wang Opera Center (March 15) and a concert featuring the winners of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Pavarotti’s Voices Concert (Feb. 27). Most shows take place at Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave. S., downtown Naples. Tickets range from $28-$152. VIP Tables start at $390, including access to a VIP check in from 6-7 p.m. Information: 963-9050 or OperaNaples.org.
Southwest Florida Ag Expo at Lee Civic Center
The annual event — formerly known as the Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair — returns for its second year as the renamed Southwest Florida Ag Expo. But you’ll still see most of the same things you loved at the fair, including carnival rides, games, fair food, animal exhibitions and live music. Through March 9. $10 admission ($5 for ages 4-11, free for younger). Rides cost extra. Lee County Civic Center Complex, 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. Information: swflagexpo.com.
FWC to host meeting on black bear hunting in Florida
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants to hear from the public about options for regulated black bear hunting. There will be a virtual public meeting at 6 p.m., March 13. Want to attend? Visit MyFWC.com/Hunting and click on “Florida black bear.” The public can also email their comments to [email protected].
Awesome Blossoms: The 2025 Strolling Flower Show
The Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council will present the 2025 Strolling Flower Show, “Awesome Blossoms.” The show will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, at the Sydney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street, Fort Myers on Tuesday, March 18. Visitors can also enjoy a multisensory art exhibit by Marvin Rouse, entitled “Art 4 the Senses: See, Smell, Touch, & Sound.” There is no admission fee, but donations will be accepted. The Garden Council was organized in 1957 and is comprised of more than 20 area garden clubs, six plant societies and three “other” organizations, totaling over 1,700 members.
Gardening classes at Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates is offering gardening classes for new and experienced gardeners who want to explore many tropical plant varieties and learn about their care and uses. Classes will include the latest information on pests and products for “sustainable and Florida Friendly gardening.” Classroom instruction and on-site garden observations are included. Registration is open for the following classes. Cost for classes is $45 for members; $60 non-members.
Marco in Bloom 2025
The Marco Island Beautification Advisory Committee recently announced the return of Marco in Bloom, a landscaping contest celebrating the “most beautifully designed and environmentally friendly properties” on Marco Island. Who can enter? Contest cat categories are residential homes, classic charm (homes built before 1980), cul-de-sacs, condominiums, commercial and public buildings. Nomination forms are available on the city website under the Beautification Committee section, or you can pick up a paper form at Marco City Hall. The deadline to apply is March 19. Winners will be announced at the April 7 City Council meeting. Contest winners from the past three years are not eligible.
Flashback flower show
Orchid Show and Sale
Comedy ‘Boeing Boeing’
The Marco Island Center for the Arts recently announced production of the comedy “Boeing Boeing,” Marc Camoletti’s “uproarious 1960 French farce,” translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans. “This critically acclaimed comedy, which won a new generation of fans through its award-winning 2008 Broadway revival,” will run from March 5 until March 23 at the Arts Center Theatre. Tickets are available at marcoislandart.org/arts-center-theatre or by calling the box office at 239-784-1186.
Friends of Fakahatchee tram tours
Marco Island Farmers Market
The Marco Island Marco Island Farmers Market is at Veteran’s Community Park on Wednesdays. The market is from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., every Wednesday through April 16 at the park, located at 901 Park Ave., Marco Island. Information: 239-642-0575 or cityofmarcoisland.com.
Point Counterpoint
“Get ready to dive into lively discussions” at Point Counterpoint. Voice your views in a safe and respectful environment, the organizer promises. Issues are as local as Marco Island to global events. Point Counterpoint meets between 2 and 4 p.m., the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, from January through March at Rose Hall, Marco Island Library, 210 S Heathwood Dr., Marco Island.
Civil Air Patrol
Meeting times and website have changed. Marco Civil Air Patrol meets the first and third Mondays of every month, starting at 6:30 p.m., at 2003 Mainsail Drive, Marco Executive Airport, in our hangar, on the left of the terminal. Volunteers welcome! Visit FL376.CAP.GOV.
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is located at 300 Tower Rd., Naples. It features aquariums, touch tanks with marine critters, natural history, environmental and wildlife exhibits, an art gallery, picnic area, guided walking trails, butterfly garden and a scenic overlook bridge. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12 and 3 and under are free. Information: RookeryBay.org.
Rookery Bay Eco Kayak & Boat Tours
Join us for a guided boat tour or kayak adventure into the beautiful waters of Rookery Bay Research Reserve. With our kayak tours, paddle through beautiful mangrove tunnels, teeming mudflats and intricate oyster reefs while searching for amazing wildlife like sea stars, large snails, birds, dolphins and manatees! Boat tours are small 6-passenger boats and offer a comfortable and informative ride. Guests can choose from different tours including a shelling trip to a deserted barrier island or a sunset tour. Find out more at RookeryBay.org or call 239-530-5972.
APRIL
A tribute to John Denver at MIHS
‘Knights of Columbus Tribute Concert Series’
Knights of Columbus will have a “Columbus Tribute Concert Series” featuring Caribbean Chillers (Jimmy Buffet Tribute) April 4. Premium reserved seats (first four rows) are $60; general admission $52 each show; San Marco Parish Hall, 851 San Marco Rd. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert is 7 until 9. Tickets online at Koc.booktix.com.
MIA to stage musical
Marco Island Academy recently announced the world premiere of “Torch: A Musical Tale,” an original work of art written and directed by the school’s performing arts instructor, Christopher Dayett. The production runs from April 4-12, at Marco Island Academy. “Torch: A Musical Tale” is about “individuals finding their way through love, loss, and the pursuit of their own light” and is set in an Icelandic Viking-like era. Auditions will be held in mid-January. In addition to MIA students, auditions will be open to area elementary and middle school students. Interested parents can email Dayett at [email protected].
Start Spreading the News with Liza and Frank at MIHS
Spirit Awards
The Knights of Colombus, Columbiettes, Deb Henry, Scot and Pat Kaufman, Stephen and Barbara Slaggie, will be presented with their 2025 Spirit of Marco Island Award at an “Elegant Garden Gala” awards dinner and silent auction on Saturday, April 26 at the Island Country Club. There are many sponsorship opportunities available, including the opportunity to sponsor one of the honorees, including a VIP table at the event. For sponsorship opportunities and more information on tickets, contact Al Diaz at 239-438-5285 or by email at [email protected]. The proceeds from the event and silent auction are used to support local charities and scholarships.
MAY
SWFL Inc. opens nominations for the INCredible Awards 2025
SWFL Inc. recently announced that nominations are open for the INCredible Awards 2025, honoring outstanding individuals, businesses and nonprofits in Southwest Florida. The awards ceremony will take place from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. The INCredible Awards recognize the influential leaders and organizations that contribute to the economic growth and prosperity of the region. The group invites the community to nominate deserving candidates who have demonstrated excellence in their industry and made a lasting impact on Southwest Florida. Award categories: SWFL Citizen of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year, INCredible Award, Innovation Award and Veteran-Owned Business of the Year. Nominations are open now and close on March 21. To nominate an individual, business, or nonprofit, visit swflinc.com/2025-incredible-awards…