Sat, November 28, 2009

Blueway Festival

n Blueway or Bust: Premier paddling festival set for Oct. 23 - Nov. 1 in Lee County The fourth annual Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival is set to showcase kayaking and eco-events along Southwest Florida’s waterways Oct. 23 through Nov. 1. The 10-day festival offers an array of speakers and instruction, cultural and eco festivals, races and fishing events, paddlers’ get-togethers and green activities. Events are at public parks and archeological sites as well as resorts and campgrounds along the Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, a 190-mile marked-and-meandering saltwater trail that spans the Lee County coast from Bonita Springs to Pine Island and inland to Alva. The festival is part of Islands Fall Fest. Take a staycation and book yourself into a campground right along the trail at a site that includes a guided tour with the Florida Paddling Trail Association to historic Mound Key, an island once inhabited by the Calusa king. Attend the Calusa Costume Ball dressed as a conquistador or sea wench, and then hear ghost stories on a moonlight hike. Local kayakers and canoeists can join in a half dozen evening hospitality events at which prizes will be raffled. Festival attendees also can get competitive. Two canoe/kayak races and a catch-and-release fishing tournament are planned; some have cash prizes. There’s even a competitive geocaching event on the Caloosahatchee. Visitors can give back to the community by joining in a countywide waterway marine debris cleanup called Monofilament Madness. Make a $10 donation to the trail and get a Blueway VIP Wristband to enjoy extra value at more than 80 Southwest Florida attractions, restaurants, galleries, shops and marine/outfitter locations. The festival features daily activities, with emphasis on the Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 29-Nov. 1 weekends. Many activities are free. Call the festival hotline at (239) 823-6335 or see the schedule online at www.CalusaBluewayPaddlingFestival.com. For Islands Fall Fest, go to www.fortmyers-sanibel.com.

Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees Friday, November 27, and is open daily through Wednesday, December 2. The Festival of Trees is hosted by Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida at the historic Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers (2301 First Street). It will feature 24 lavishly-decorated holiday trees, which are decorated by area businesses, decorators, artists, and other individuals. On Saturday, November 28, the Festival will be one of the centerpieces of the Fort Myers “Holiday Stroll,” a River District holiday celebration. That evening, the mayor will conduct a ceremonial tree lighting on the steps of the Art Center, and the nationally-renowned “Spirit of the Gulf” chorale will provide entertainment on the Art Center steps. The Festival culminates in the glamorous black-tie “Tux and Trees” gala on Friday, December 4. At that time, the trees will be auctioned off in a live auction hosted by auctioneer For more information about the Festival of Trees or the Tux and Trees Gala, including hours of operation, volunteering, or ticket sales, visit www.tuxandtrees.com, or call (239) 995-2106 ext. 249.

Holiday Train Show

Scale Rails of Southwest Florida will host the 27th Annual Holiday Train Show Saturday, Nov. 28 and Sunday Nov. 29 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where Araba Shrine Temple 2010 Hanson St. Fort Myers Cost and information $6 adults, $2 teens, children under 12 and Active Duty Military Personnel free includes free admission to Scale Rails Clubhouse 731-0520