Ag Expo continues with Moonlight Madness, the big draw for Friday
Main entertainment & Promotional schedules included
The 2026 Southwest Florida Ag Expo will kick off its first weekend with its traditional Moonlight Madness rides-and-admission special tonight.
The expo — themed this year as Roots N Rides — opened Thursday and will run from through Sunday, March 8, with promotional nights happening throughout at Mike Greenwell Regional Park at 11831 Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers.
Friday, Feb. 27, opens with free gate admission during the sensory friendly time from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by general admission at 6, and then Moonlight Madness from 8 p.m. to midnight.
It’s $30 for admission, which includes a ride wristband with the promotion to be offered again on Friday, March 6, also from 8 p.m. until midnight.
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2026 Southwest Florida Ag Expo main entertainment lineup announced
The highly anticipated 2026 Southwest Florida Ag Expo got underway on Thursday and runs through Sunday, March 8, at Mike Greenwell Regional Park (formerly the Lee County Civic Center Complex), at 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers.
Enjoy an array of talented performers throughout the event. Here’s the current entertainment lineup on the main entertainment stage:
• Matt & Zack, 7-10 p.m., Tonight, Friday, Feb. 27
• Nostaljah, 3-6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28
• Back Country Boys, 7-10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28
• Flora Top Hits Band, 2-5 p.m., Sunday, March 1
• Joe Yeoman Band, 6-9 p.m., Sunday, March 1
• Deb & the Dynamics, 6-9 p.m., Monday, March 2
• Smokin’ Aces, 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, March 3
• Supernatural Santana Tribute, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4
• Hairdaze! The Amazing ’80s Rock Show!, 6-9 p.m., Thursday, March 5
• SoapyTuna, 7-10 p.m., Friday, March 6
• Pure Country, 7-10 p.m., Saturday, March 7
• Heat Latin Jazz Band, 2-5 p.m., Sunday, March 8
• Orquesta Tropical Sound, 6-9 p.m., Sunday, March 8
The event will also highlight local talent and live demonstrations on the Family Stage inside the Expo Hall. In addition to scheduled stage performances, guests can enjoy daily strolling entertainers and interactive shows throughout the grounds, offering fun for all ages.
The entertainment schedule is subject to change. For complete details of the shows and entertainers visit swflagexpo.com; check back often, entertainment is added daily.
Advance tickets for general gate admission are available for purchase at swflagexpo.com.
Residents are encouraged to submit photos for the “Roots ‘n’ Rides: A Celebration of Tradition” exhibit. Submissions from past fairs, Ag Expos or family visits to the grounds may be uploaded at swflagexpo.com with a short entry form.
For a complete schedule of events, special promotions, ticketing and creative living registration, visit swflagexpo.com or follow the SWFL Ag Expo on Facebook.
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Among the highlights — midway rides and games by Reithoffer Shows, live music and entertainment, an assortment of food vendors and, of course youth livestock exhibitions.
Southwest Florida Agricultural Exposition spokesperson Miriam Dotson said the last Saturday of the event, March 7, will be Ag Day, which speaks to the title of this year’s theme. The days pays respect to the agricultural portion of the Ag Expo.
Doors will open at 11 a.m. for the market animal auction, the livestock auction.
“It’s when the youth get the chance to put “It’s when the youth get the chance to put their animal on display,” Dotson said. “The public can bid on the youth exhibit, the animals, that are up for purchase. The auction proceeds go back to the youth exhibitor.”
Individuals can register and bid on the animals, or hang out and experience the educational fun.
“It’s a rewarding moment for them. They take care of animals and know what they are doing is important,” Dotson said of youth participants. “You see a lot of joy in the kid’s faces, parents, and people that end up purchasing.”
Other promotional nights include:
Community Night will be Monday, March 2. It’s a partnership with the Harry Chapin Food Bank and those who bring three canned food items receive free admission.
Two-dollar Tuesday – $2 gate admission, $2 rides, and at least one $2 food item from each vendor will be available on Tuesday, March 3.
Senior Day will be Wednesday, March 5, for those 50 years old or older. This day will have half off admission, making ticket prices only $5.
Hometown Hero Night is Thursday, March 5, with $5 off gate admission for police, law enforcement, fire and Lee County School District staff.
The last day of the expo, Sunday, March 8, is Family Fiesta Day. Gates open at 11 a.m. with general date admission and $40 ride wristbands.
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2026 Southwest Florida Ag Expo Promotion Days
Moonlight Madness
Friday, Feb. 27
Gates open at 4 p.m.
4-6 p.m.: Sensory Friendly ($0 gate admission)
6 p.m.: General Gate Admission
Moonlight Madness – 8 p.m. to midnight: $30 admission (includes ride wristband*)
Saturday, Feb. 28
Gates open at 11 a.m.
General Gate Admission
$40 Ride Wristband
Sunday, March 1
Gates open at 11 a.m.
General Gate Admission
$40 Ride Wristband
Community Night
Monday, March 2
Gates open at 4 p.m.
Free admission when you bring three non-perishable food items.
$5 General Gate Admission
$25 Ride Wristband
$2 Tuesday
Tuesday, March 3
Gates open at 4 p.m.
$2 Tuesday
$2 General Gate Admission and $2 Rides
$2 food items
Senior Day
Wednesday, March 4
Gates open at 4 p.m.
General Gate Admission
Senior Admission (Half Off) – $5 for 50 years+
$25 Ride Wristband
Hometown Heroes
Thursday, March 5
Gates open at 4 p.m.
$5 gate admission for Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement & Lee County School District Staff
General Gate Admission
$25 Ride Wristband
Moonlight Madness
Friday, March 6
Gates open at 4 p.m.
4-8 p.m.: General Gate Admission
Moonlight Madness – 8 p.m. to midnight: $30 admission (includes wristband for rides*)
Ag Day
Saturday, March 7
Gates open at 11 a.m.
General Gate Admission
$40 Ride Wristband
Family Fiesta Day
Sunday, March 8
Gates open at 11 a.m.
General Gate Admission
$40 Ride Wristband
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In addition to the various promotional nights, the SWFL Ag Expo also will feature Creating Living, which has eight different divisions – fabric and thread, handcraft, cottage food, fine arts, photography, tablescape, home gardening and horticulture and STEAM.
The gates are open for the Southwest Florida Ag Expo from 4 to 9 p.m. during the week with the exception of Fridays during Midnight Madness, and from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
General admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 4 to 11 years old and free for children 3 and under. All active duty and veterans will receive free gate admission with proof of military ID.
There are walk through metal detectors at all entry gates for enhanced security measures. The permitted bags include small purses, clutches, wallets, or clear totes with maximum dimensions of 12x12x8 inches, and one-gallon plastic zip top bags.
Large totes, backpacks and cooler bags are prohibited. Both medically necessary bags and diaper bags containing only baby supplies will be permitted upon inspection by security.
Parking is free. There is an overflow parking lot available during peak hours with LeeTran offering shuttle services to transport attendees back and forth when needed.
For more information visit swflagexpo.com.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com