Upcoming Thanksgiving events
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County
Boys & Girls Clubs hosts ‘Turkey Give-a-Way’ on Nov. 19
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County is hosting its first Turkey Give-a-Way on Nov. 19 at the nonprofit’s new Park Meadows Community Club in Fort Myers.
Sponsored by Harry Chapin Food Bank, the Turkey Give-a-Way is open to all families in Southwest Florida. Recipients do not need to be Boys & Girls Clubs members. Each family will receive a frozen turkey and side dishes to prepare for a traditional Thanksgiving feast, including vegetables, stuffing and other holiday staples.
Volunteers also will be distributing hurricane relief items, including hygiene products, cleaning supplies, home care items and more.
The Turkey Give-a-Way will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Boys & Girls Club’s Park Meadows Community Club, 1900 Park Meadows Drive in Fort Myers. Thanksgiving turkeys, food and hurricane relief items are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fort Myers Brewing Company
Multiple events on tap
Fort Myers Brewing Company is hosting Thanksgiving weekend festivities Nov. 23-27 that include a Thanksgiving Eve Bash, specialty beer releases, a handcrafted night market and Small Brewery Sunday celebration.
On Wednesday, Nov. 23, from noon to 10 p.m., Fort Myers Brewing’s Thanksgiving Eve Bash will kick off the Thanksgiving weekend with a food truck rally featuring King’s Tacos & Burritos, Mobstah Lobstah, The Nosh Truck, Vesuvius Wood Fired Pizza and Wicked Streatery, as well as live performances by Jenny Ve at 1 p.m., James Prather at 4 p.m. and Gator Nate at 7 p.m.
On Friday, Nov. 25, from noon to 11 p.m., the brewery has a special Black Friday deal – two new limited-edition bottle releases of Brown ‘N Out and Barley Know Ya. The Brown Sugar Rum Barrel Aged Brown ‘N Out is an imperial brown ale that spent time aging in brown sugar rum barrels, resulting in displays of dark caramelized sugar, cocoa, vanilla and smooth rum character. The Blackberry Brandy Barrel Aged Barley Know Ya is an English-style barley wine aged in blackberry brandy barrels, which brings bright blackberry jam and spice notes to compliment the rich, biscuit and caramel malt character of the beer. A Black Friday Handcrafted Night Market will showcase handmade goods from local artisans ranging from jewelry, soaps, candles and more. Mobstah Lobstah and Wicked Streatery will be serving up food throughout the day and Matt Walden will perform at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 26, from noon to 11 p.m., Fort Myers Brewing is pouring specialty brews throughout the day. Food will be served up by Dynamite Street EatZ and King’s Tacos & Burritos, and Briz and Lady will perform live at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, Nov. 27, from noon to 8 p.m., the brewery is celebrating Small Brewery Sunday, an annual day encouraging beer-lovers to support the craft beer industry by visiting their local taprooms. Fort Myers Brewing is hosting a Kick the Kegs Party and guests can enjoy food from Wicked Streatery as well as live music by Jeff Lyons at 2 p.m.
The brewery is closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Norman Love Confections
Norman Love Confections offers Thanksgiving pies, fall-themed desserts
Now, more than ever, Southwest Floridians are counting their blessings, and Norman Love Confections offers sweet ways to share love and gratitude during the Thanksgiving holiday.
In addition to fall-themed desserts, Norman Love Confections offers a limited number of freshly baked holiday pies during the Thanksgiving season including Pumpkin Pie with vanilla Chantilly; Apple Pie with crumbly cinnamon streusel; Pecan Pie with chocolate chips and dark chocolate Chantilly; Pumpkin Cheesecake with spiced graham cracker crust, spiced white chocolate glaze, white chocolate Chantilly and ginger cookie crumb; Pumpkin Roulade, a pumpkin cake rolled with cream cheese icing, garnished with white chocolate Chantilly and cinnamon streusel; and Carrot Cake with cream cheese icing and white chocolate Chantilly. Pies can be topped with Norman Love Confections Artisan Gelato or accompanied by the chocolatier’s gourmet chocolate gift boxes and gift baskets.
Thanksgiving pies and desserts must be preordered and are available for in-store pick-up only. Orders can be placed now through noon on Nov. 21 by calling 239-561-7215 or visiting a Norman Love Confections chocolate salon in Fort Myers, Estero, Naples and Sarasota. For more information, visit NormanLoveConfections.com.
Shoeless Joe’s Sports Café and Crowne Plaza
Shoeless Joe’s, Crowne Plaza to offer Thanksgiving buffet and take-out menu
For in-person dining, Crowne Plaza is hosting a Thanksgiving Day buffet on Thursday, Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the ballroom of the hotel. The buffet menu includes assorted salads, rolls and several carving stations featuring turkey, prime rib, baked ham, glazed salmon and chicken with cranberry sauce as well as popular Thanksgiving sides including green bean casserole, whipped potatoes, sweet potato mash, stuffing, rice pilaf and sweet corn soufflé. The buffet includes assorted desserts and a complimentary glass of house wine, champagne or domestic beer for adults. Buffet reservations are $45 per plate for adults and $20 per plate for children ages 5-10, plus tax. Reservations must be made in advance by Wednesday, Nov. 23.
Shoeless Joe’s, the restaurant located within Crowne Plaza, is also serving a traditional turkey dinner with salad and dessert for $29.95. The Thanksgiving Day dinner will be served from noon to 8 p.m., and guests can enjoy their holiday meal while watching Thanksgiving Day football games on more than 40 big-screen HDTVs. Walk-ins are accepted, with reservations requested for parties of six or more.
For Thanksgiving meals that can be enjoyed at home, Crowne Plaza and Shoeless Joe’s are taking pre-orders for Thanksgiving meals to-go. The take-out menu includes house salad, rolls, roasted turkey, baked ham, cranberry sauce, stuffing, whipped potatoes, gravy, sweet potato mash, green bean casserole, mixed vegetables and pumpkin pie. Orders range from $70 to $250 and serve two to eight people. To-go orders must be reserved by Monday, Nov. 21 and picked up on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
To make a buffet reservation or to place a take-out pre-order, call 239-210-2470. Visit https://www.restaurantji.com/fl/fort-myers/shoeless-joes-sports-cafe-/.
Wonder Gardens
Wonder Gardens offers photos with Santa Nov. 26 Thanksgiving weekend
Wonder Gardens is again offering photos with Santa on Saturday, Nov. 26. Twelve time slots are available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Photos sessions will be in the beautifully decorated French-styled solarium at the Wonder Gardens.
For $65, each family gets 15 minutes to take as many pictures as they want with Santa. The Wonder Gardens will also have a photographer who will email edited images.
To schedule a photo session with Santa, contact sarahw@wondergardens.org.