Reasons for the Season: Cape Coral
Crazy for coconuts, strolling at sunset
COCONUT CRAZY The annual Coconut Festival at Sun Splash Festival Grounds is a celebration of Cape Coral’s uniqueness to the Southwest Florida area. It debuted in 2005 and now hosts more than 20,000 people with national entertainment, carnival rides, games, food, contests, fireworks and more over four days each November. This year’s nutty event takes place from Thursday, Nov. 9, through Sunday, Nov. 12. Go to cocofest.com for all the news. FARM TO TABLE
This time of year, Cape Coral features two fantastic farmers markets. You’ll be able to have farm-fresh food last all week—if you map it out right! On Tuesdays, there’s the Surfside Sunset Market at The Shops at Surfside. And on Saturdays, there’s the Downtown Farmers Market at Club Square. Get the details at capecoralfarmersmarket.com. HONORING THEIR SERVICE
Cape Coral’s Veterans Day Parade takes place on Saturday, Nov. 11, beginning at 11 a.m. Many veterans’ organizations,
marching bands, ROTC members, civic groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and more will honor the service and sacrifice of our armed forces. Call 239-246-1157 to find out more. SUNDOWN STROLLS
Every third Thursday of the month, from 4 p.m. to sunset, you can support a local charity by taking the whole family to Tarpon Point Marina for its Sundown Stroll event. The upcoming dates are Nov. 16 and Dec. 21. There are always lots of funfilled activities that support an “Educate. Donate. Appreciate” theme. Further information is available at tarponpoint.com. TURKEY DAY 5K, FUN RUN
Start this Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 23) off on a healthy track by participating in the 38th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/ Walk. Afterward, there is a 1-Mile Fun Run and after that, a Tot Trot! The sponsor, Fort Myers Track Club, is pledging $50,000 in proceeds from the event toward Cape Coral Hospital’s Wellness Path. Leftover funds will go to the club’s youth programs and scholarships programs. Register at ftmyerstrackclub.com.
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS The Annual CenturyLink Holiday Festival of Lights has been held for more than 25 years and continues this year on Saturday, Dec. 2. A free event for “kids” ages 1 to 100, you can meet with Santa Claus, sled down Snowcap Square and watch the lighting of the Christmas tree in Town Center. Take a ride on the Tiny Tot Train around Snowcap Square, watch local community groups perform their holiday magic, bounce for hours in the Candy Cane Park and shop for the family in Holiday Village! See the full list of activities at holidayfestivalcc.com/. BOAT PARADE, THEN MOVIE
Cape Coral’s annual Holiday Boat-a-Long parade features more than 100 beautifully lit boats in Bimini Basin at Four Freedoms Park. This year the fun is on Saturday, Dec. 16, starting at 4 p.m. In addition to the boat parade, there are food vendors, Christmas music and a visit from Santa Claus. And after the Boat-a-Long, the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be shown on the big screen, starting between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Capecoral.net has all the specifics. SANTA, SHELLS AND NATURE
On select days in December, take your children or grandchildren to meet Santa Claus at The Shell Factory & Nature Park in North Fort Myers. Make sure to have your camera! Check out shellfactory.com for dates and times. WALK THROUGH BETHLEHEM
Each year, Faith Presbyterian Church hosts a walk-through Live Nativity in its parking lot. Come walk the path to Bethlehem on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit fpcfl.org/.
Mandy Carter is a local mom with a passion for family travel, a popular travel blogger including her own family blog at Acupful. com and the Digital Content & Engagement Editor for TOTI Media.