Looking for some fun in Southwest Florida?
Here are our top things to do this weekend and beyond, including the Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade and the 60th-annual Swamp Cabbage Festival. Plus a look at what’s ahead in February.
To submit events, email the details to reporter Charles Runnells at [email protected].
1. Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade
The gigantic, two-hour parade is considered to be the biggest night parade in the Southeastern United States. Expect local marching bands, floats, local government and law enforcement officials, clowns and much more. 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Free. The parade travels from Fort Myers High School to Cleveland Avenue and then north to downtown Fort Myers. edisonfestival.org
2. 60th-annual Swamp Cabbage Festival
For six decades, this annual festival has celebrated Florida’s state tree, the sabal palm (aka the cabbage palm) and that tree’s edible heart. The fest returns this weekend with a parade, a rodeo, live music, an air show, a car show and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21-22. Free. Barron Park, 1559 De Soto Ave., LaBelle. Free. labelleswampcabbagefestival.org
3. Greek Fest in Fort Myers
The 51st-annual festival celebrates Greek culture with authentic food and pastries, live music, dancers, vendors, games and more. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20-22. $5 for the weekend (free for ages 11 and younger). The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 8210 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers. 481-2099 or greekfestfortmyers.com
4. Broadway Palm’s “Cats”
The ever-popular Andrew Lloyd Webber musical returns to Broadway Palm. The Tony Award-winning musical follows a tribe of magical cats gathering for their annual ball. Feb. 20-April 4. $43-$88. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com
5. Theatre Conspiracy’s ‘Two Trains Running’
Theatre Conspiracy continues its mission to stage all 10 plays in August Wilson’s famous “Century Cycle,” a series that chronicles the Black experience in the 20th century with one play representing each decade. This new show is staged in collaboration with Lab Theater. Set in 1969, “Two Trains Running” involves the regulars of a soon-to-be-demolished diner — including a waitress, an ex-convict and a 322-year-old sage — arguing over racial tensions during the Civil rights movement. Feb. 20-March 8. $40. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com
MORE THINGS TO DO: Bonita Brew Fest, Maddie & Tae, Styx and Cheap Trick
- ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’: Now through Tuesday Sunday, Feb. 22 at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. $59-$149. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
- Courtroom drama “12 Angry Jurors”: Now through Sunday, Feb. 22 at Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers. $35. 939-2787 or artinlee.org
- Four-day party for Fort Myers Brewing Company’s 13th anniversary, including live bands, food trucks and more than 50 rotating beers and seltzers: Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 19-22 at Fort Myers Brewing Company, 12811 Commerce Lakes Drive, Suite 28, Fort Myers. Free. fmbrew.com
- Country duo Maddie & Tae: Show starts at about 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 at The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. $42. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com
- ‘Scalia/Ginsburg,’ modern opera about the unlikely friendship between U.S. Supreme Court justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg: 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21-22 at Wang Opera Center, 2408 Linwood Ave , Naples. $39-$119. 963-9050 or operanaples.org
- Blues singer-guitarist Ana Popovic: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 at Arts Bonita Center for Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. $58-$68. 495-8989 or artsbonita.org
- Bonita Brew Fest, 10th-annual event featuring food vendors, live music and lots of beer, hard cider and meads to sample: 4-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 at Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. $23-$72. bonitabrewfest.com
- Classic rockers Styx and Cheap Trick: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. $57-$287. 948-7825 or hertzarena.com
LOOKING AHEAD
Southwest Florida Ag Expo
The annual event returns with more carnival rides, games, fair food, animal exhibitions and live music. Feb. 26-March 8. $10 admission ($5 for ages 4-11, free for younger). Rides cost extra. Various promotional nights are also available. Mike Greenwell Regional Park (formerly known as the Lee County Civic Center Complex), 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. swflagexpo.com
The Righteous Brothers
The blue-eyed soul legends have racked up a string of hits that includes the most-played song in radio history, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin.’ “ Original member Bill Medley and singer Bucky Heard will perform The Righteous Brothers’ hits and more. Bobby Hatfield — who sang with Medley on all the duo’s biggest hits — died in 2003. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27. $58-$90. Limited seats remain. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
Cape Coral Burrowing Owl Festival
The 24th-annual fest celebrates Cape Coral’s beloved burrowing owls — the city’s official bird — with exhibits, demonstrations, live animals, speakers, arts-and-craft vendors, kids activities, silent and online auctions, food, wildlife merchandise and bus tours of nearby owl burrows. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 28. Admission is a $5 suggested donation at the door (for ages 12 and older). Rotary Park, 5505 Rose Garden Road, Cape Coral. 980-2593 or ccfriendsofwildlife.org…