APRIL
Cactus Tate at Off the Hook
The comedian performs April 18 and 19 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. Cost: $28 general admission, plus a fee. At 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 18 and 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Information: offthehookcomedy.com or 239-389-6901.
Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral Easter Eggstravaganza
This free annual event is open to kids from ages 1 to 10. The fun includes an Easter egg hunt, face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny, Easter basket giveaways, an egg relay race, a corn hole challenge, sweet treats and more. Bring your own Easter basket. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 19. Free admission. Cultural Park, 544 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral. Information: facebook.com/kiwanisclubcapecoral.
Sanibel Island’s 50th Anniversary Egg Hunt
The city’s 50th-annual egg hunt also includes treats, contests, prizes, games, crafts, an egg drop from the air and photos with the Easter Bunny. Presented by the Sanibel Recreation Center. The various egg hunts are divided by age group. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Free. The Sanibel Ballfields, 3840 Sanibel Captiva Road, Sanibel Island. Information: conta.cc/4ifDGOW.
Easter Egg Hunt at Baker Park
The City of Naples hosts its first Easter egg hunt at Baker Park. Bring your own basket. The event includes a visit with the Easter Bunny. From 9 until 11 a.m., Saturday, April 19. Free. The egg hunt will divide into different times based on the age group: 10 a.m. (2-4 years old), 10:15 a.m. (5-7 years old) and 10:30 a.m. (8-12 years old). Baker Park, 50 Riverside Circle, Naples. Information: facebook.com/BakerParkNaples.
Earth Day at the Calusa Nature Center
This Earth Day, the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium will celebrate from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., April 19, with a family-friendly event set within the 105-acre sanctuary dedicated to “nurturing nature and fostering environmental stewardship.” The Earth Day Birthday Celebration offers many activities, including: Guided animal talks, self-guided nature walks; crafts and games; solar observing; solar cars and solar generators; a “Leave No Trace” display; live music and more. Tickets are $13 for adults, $7 for children (3-12); members get in free. Learn more at calusanature.org.
Easter Bunny at Coastland Center
The Easter Bunny is available for visits and photos daily through April 19. Free admission. Photo packages start at $20. Reservations are encouraged for photo-package sessions, but not available for regular visits (no photo package). Dillard’s Court at Coastland Center, 1900 Tamiami Trail N., Naples. Information: whereisbunny.com.
Marco Island’s 35th Annual Easter Sunrise Service on the Beach
Easter Brunch Buffet in Bonita Springs
Artichoke and Company in Bonita Springs will offer an Easter Brunch Buffet from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Sunday, April 20. The restaurant is located at 11920 Saradrienne Lane, Bonita Springs. Cost is $64.95 for adults, $30 for kids (3 to 10). Reservations are required. Find out more by emailing [email protected] or by calling 239-263-6979.
Sips & Bites
William Lee Martin at Off the Hook
The comedian performs April 25-27 at Off The Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100. Cost: $25 general admission, plus a fee. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 26, and 6 p.m. Sunday, April 27. Information: offthehookcomedy.com or 239-389-6901.
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.
Healthy Kids Day at YMCA
The YMCA of Collier County is inviting the community to its Healthy Kids Day, an annual, free event “dedicated to encouraging healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season.” The event is from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at two locations: North Campus (Naples): 5450 YMCA Road, Naples; South Campus (Marco Island): 101 Sand Hill Street, Marco Island. Activities include face painting, a bounce house, gardening projects, crafting, a photo booth and book fair. The first 100 kids at each location will receive a backpack filled with giveaways. The Y will also be hosting a Summer Job Fair at both locations. This is an opportunity for college students to learn about and apply for positions including camp counselors, assistants, directors, lifeguards and more.
Estero Historical Society fundraiser slated
Travis Tritt at Hertz Arena
The country star’s many hits include “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde,” “Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares),” “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” and “It’s a Great Day To Be Alive.” Brian Kelley opens. 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 26. Cost: $35-$345. Parking on site is $30, 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.
Charity Golf Scramble
The 2025 St. Matthew’s House Charity Golf Scramble takes place Monday, April 28, at The Club at Twin Eagles in Naples. The 27-year-old annual event honors the legacy of Dean Lind, its founder and former board chair of St. Matthew’s House. And proceeds from the Charity Golf Scramble support St. Matthew’s House. Registration is required and the deadline is April 21. Participant registration and lunch begin at 11:30 a.m. followed by a 1:15 p.m. shotgun start. A 5 p.m. cocktail reception will be followed by dinner, awards presentations, and silent auction. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Closest to the pin, longest drive, hole-in-one car contest and more.
‘Science Nite – Archaeology’ at Rookery Bay
Rookery Bay Research Reserve will host a “Science Nite” focused on the “rich archaeological history” of Southwest Florida. The event will feature a panel discussion on the “importance of preserving historical sites and cultural material, offering insights into how the past shapes our future.” The event is designed for students interested in archaeology, history or museum careers. From 5:30 until 7:30 p.m., April 30, at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Road, Naples. You can register at RookeryBay.org/events. Cost is $5 for students; $10 for community members.
Top events of the week: 3 To Do: Spring Jubilee, ‘Blooms and Brews’ and a ‘Master Mentalist’
In the news: 3 To Know: Man drives into building; Mega Millions changes, new cruise ship
ONGOING
‘Jesus Christ Superstar’
Broadway Palm’s ‘Waitress’
Based on a 2007 movie starring Keri Russell, the musical “Waitress” tells the story of a pregnant waitress who sees a pie-making contest as a way to escape her unhappy life. It features songs by pop singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles. April 11-May 24. $65-$85. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Information: 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com.
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. 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.
‘STEMsational’ summer camps
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.
MAY
‘Famlet’
“Famlet” by area playwright Alex “Hubba” Costello will take the stage from May 2 through May 11. It’s a “modern domestic comedy with references to Shakespeare’s most notorious dysfunctional families.” At the Marco Island Center for the Arts’ Arts Center Theatre. More at marcoislandart.org or call 239-394-4221.
Rookery Bay hosts community day
Rookery Bay Research Reserve is excited recently announced its upcoming “Community Day,” a free day of “fun for all ages designed to bring people out … to celebrate the beauty, science and wonder of the coastal environment.” Rookery Bay Community Day is from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday, May 3, with free admission to the center. The event will feature kayak and stand-up paddle demos, face painting, photo booths, science and nature activities, an art exhibit by Florida Gulf Coast University students, onsite food trucks and “hands-on” experiences at Rookery Bay’s touch tanks full of marine life. Friends of Rookery Bay will offer “sneak peek” 30-minute boat tours with its eco-tour provider Rising Tide Explorers. The boat tours are $20 per person with pre-registration required online at rookerybay.org. The Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is located at 300 Tower Road in Naples. The center is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Learn more at rookerybay.org.
Golf Tournament supports the arts on Marco
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.
‘Purrs and Paddles’
JUNE
Summer camps at Edison and Ford Winter Estates
Edison and Ford Winter Estates is offering several summer camp options for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Camps are educational and focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math and incorporate activities. Campers get to invent, design, build, and learn. Summer camp are from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily and start on June 9. For registration and additional information, visit edisonford.org.
JULY
Encore series
“Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End” – A comedic and touching portrayal of the iconic humorist Erma Bombeck, at 7:30 p.m., July 24 and 25 and 3 p.m., July 26 and 27. Peter Fogel returns with “Til Death Do Us Part … You First” at 2 and 6 p.m., Aug. 6. “The Swingset” by Krystyn Estes will return for a limited engagement Aug. 28 and 29. Tickets are available now through the Marco Island Center for the Arts website marcoislandart.org/arts-center-theatre/ or by calling the box office at 239-784-1186.
AUGUST
Stage 2 Improv
Stage 2 Improv, the Naples-based group, returns for three performances. Shows will be June 28, Aug. 2 and Sept. 20. At the Marco Island Center for the Arts’ Arts Center Theatre. More at marcoislandart.org or call 239-394-4221…