Some couples settle down after they get married. Margaret and Peter Denton sped up.

The Punta Gorda-based parents of a young son (and a second baby on the way) met while loading a shuttle bus to the start of the Boston Marathon in 2012. The duo has built their world around fitness. When they’re not logging laps in the pool, chewing up miles on their bikes or sprinting down trails, they’re coaching athletes, building a sports apparel company and encouraging others to stay active.

Margaret’s social media gives some insight into the couple’s life together. You will see adorable videos on her Instagram account, @irongirlexperiment, of the couple running behind their 5-year-old, Gabriel, after he finishes a 1-mile race and inspiring clips of the 38-year-old sweating through runs in Florida’s 90-plus temperatures, repeating her mantra, “The hard is the good.”

[caption id="attachment_71947" align="aligncenter" width="850"] This fall, the Dentons launch Bomboom, a line of triathlon kits and activewear at accessible prices. “People can feel [properly] dressed for their sport without having to drop hundreds,” Margaret says. Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption] 

Being active has been part of the Dentons’ fabric since childhood. Peter, who recently turned 40, grew up on the water (when he was 10, his family sailed from Maryland to Seattle through the Panama Canal), and he excelled at track and cross country in high school. Margaret comes from a family of elite athletes—one sibling played professional baseball, another semi-pro soccer and a third was her college softball team captain. Besides a brief stint playing tennis (she says she wasn’t very good), the Californian didn’t take up sports until after college, when a roommate suggested she couldn’t run a marathon. It’d be too hard, her friend advised. But, Margaret thrives in the challenge zone. After four months of training, she finished the 26.2-mile Las Vegas Marathon, sparking a love of endurance sports. She longed for the feeling of pushing her body as she flew through the miles.

The Dentons still find plenty of common ground through their competitive spirit and love of living life full throttle. Early on, they lived on an 83-foot-tall ship docked in California, where they’d leap into the ocean for open-water swims. When they moved to Washington state, Margaret commuted to work on two wheels and fell in love with cycling. Eleven years later, she feels strongest on a bike. “It’s my floater skill,” she says, referring to the edge she gains on her bike during races as she speeds past competitors.

[caption id="attachment_71948" align="alignleft" width="683"] Margaret’s also launching the Bombloom nonprofit to provide gear for women at every stage—whether it’s young girls being introduced to fitness at an early age, moms looking for balance or older women in need of a healthy outlet. Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

In 2017, Margaret set a new goal: race a full Ironman triathlon—a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run. “I bite things off in really big chunks,” she says. She taught herself proper swimming form watching YouTube videos and mastered tri bikes, learning to click her shoes in and out of the pedals to improve her efficiency and crouch over drop bars to capitalize on aerodynamics. That year, Margaret competed in Ironman Canada-Whistler. Despite competing on a heavy, entry-level bike and combating about 7,500 feet of climbing on the notoriously hilly course, she finished a respectable 18th in her age group. “It was magic,” she says. “I got all the finish line feels and magic of an Ironman.”

Margaret also felt fitter than ever after training in the three disciplines. Her enthusiasm spread to Peter, and the two participated in Ironman Louisville in 2019. Right after the race, they learned she was pregnant with Gabriel. Early parenthood slowed them down some—but not much. Two years later, Margaret placed in the top 10 in her age group at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Utah. Sponsorships with Bumbleride strollers, Pit Viper sunglasses and New Wave Swim Buoys started rolling in.

The couple’s athletic discipline translates into daily life, allowing them to deftly juggle myriad responsibilities and the hits that come with life. In 2022, the family relocated to Punta Gorda after Peter landed a new job as a firefighter. Within the year, Hurricane Ian walloped the region, destroying their home. Remodeling and repairs consumed resources and threw a kink in their racing plans.

But they kept going. While Peter has been focusing on his firefighting career, Margaret returned to the sport full force this year. She’s already done a half marathon and Olympic-distance triathlon and has a half-Ironman in the books for December—as she enters her third trimester. She’s eyeing half- and full-Ironmans for next year.

They make it a point to move daily. Peter focuses on running, cycling and CrossFit training, and spearfishing keeps the water lover (who can hold his breath for a whopping 5 minutes and 45 seconds) in competitive swim shape. Margaret trains about 20 hours a week, running 5 to 6 of those hours—often while pushing Gabriel in a stroller, sometimes with Peter pacing her. Cycling takes place mostly indoors on her stationary trainer.

As parents with full-time jobs and a new company on the rise (this fall, they launch Bomboom, a line of price-accessible triathlon kits and other athletic wear), the Dentons squeeze in most of their training separately, but they still run and swim together. Running with her husband—whose marathon personal record is 2 hours and 37 minutes—has made Margaret faster. Traveling to races on weekends strengthens their bond, too. “Whenever you’re really into something, it can get weird, so it’s good to connect with someone on the same level,” Peter says with a laugh.

Margaret balances her training with running her marketing business and working with about 10 athletes—including her 73-year-old father-in-law—through her online coaching service. She’s also launching the nonprofit Bombloom to help reduce barriers to entry for girls and women getting into athletics by providing gear. “Triathlon is an incredible way to get fit fast and have community and do something that’s fulfilling and incredibly motivating,” she says. Margaret wants to help other women focus on themselves—whether it’s the 11-year-old girl she met at the pool who couldn’t afford swim classes or moms like her looking for a healthy outlet. “[The demands of] motherhood, getting hit by a hurricane—all of these things that come against you in life—how do you push past those and maintain motivation to do the thing that brings you balance and joy?” Margaret poses. “Well, you have to have the tools.”

[caption id="attachment_71949" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Margaret and Peter are avid runners. “Running is where I fill my bucket,” she says. “It’s spiritual and physical and emotional.” The couple likes to hit trails at Peace River Wildlife Center preserve and Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center. Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

It’s a busy life, and finding balance isn’t always easy. “I have to constantly check my priorities,” Margaret says. “I find if I don’t prioritize triathlon, two things happen—training doesn’t get done and I’m crankier.” But, the payoff is huge. “It’s like one big date,” she says. “We’re always hanging out with each other.”

[caption id="attachment_71950" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

The post This Punta Gorda-Based Couple Run, Ride and Thrive Together appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Stepping inside this Marco Island apartment, you’re prompted to take a deep, cleansing breath. Inhale, a space done in subtle variants of cream with every detail conceived to exalt the Gulf views—exhale, the worries of the day. A generous Burton James sofa covered in performance fabric beckons family and guests to enjoy the view of the Ten Thousand Islands in the living room. “We wanted your eye drawn out to the beautiful water without busy patterns interfering with the peaceful vibe,” the homeowner says.
Previously, the four-bedroom condo in the Veracruz at Cape Marco paraded an ornate, Tuscan-inspired style. For a while, the family lived with the pomp; their three sons were still in school, so they only visited their Marco retreat a few weeks a year. Now, with the boys off to college and the husband and wife logging about six months in their subtropical abode, they’ve commissioned a space created in their image.

Bonita Springs-based Signal House Builders connected the couple with Naples’ Little Palm Design Group, where interior designers Dawn Harmon and Kirsten Young took on the project. “The floor plan was dated, it was dark and broken up into smaller rooms, so the first thing we did was open it up,” Dawn says. Structurally, that meant removing a wall between the kitchen and living area, squaring off some of the bedrooms for a better use of space, redoing cabinetry and adding beams in the ceilings to house overhead lighting. The Little Palm team also replaced the condo’s baseboards, molding, flooring and hardware. “There’s not a surface that wasn’t touched,” Dawn says.

The directive was clear when adding back decorative touches: “Soft and creamy, light and airy, and comfortable,” Dawn says. She and Kirsten worked toward a plush, contemporary style with classic touches. “We wanted it to feel timeless, not trendy,” Dawn says. “Clean-lined, clean colors but with accents like crystal and marble—the sorts of materials you never get tired of.”
The tone is set from the entryway. The duo replaced the solid doors with five-panel frosted glass versions to allow light to flood in. Dawn laid the entry’s white oak flooring in a herringbone pattern to set the area apart from the rest of the home, lined the vestibule in grasscloth wallpaper for a rich effect and added furnishings with soft gold accents to enhance the laid-back elegance. “We tried to offer a yin and yang with textures—the nubby, textured wallpaper contrasts with the slick mirror; the earthier, warmer wood on the flooring is a counterpoint to the crystal chandelier,” Dawn says.

The tone-on-tone palette of neutrals continues throughout the home. Two living areas, the dining room and kitchen stretch beyond the vestibule, with quartzite, shellstone, walnut, glass and burnished brass creating a sophisticated but unfussy blend.

The ‘must’ for the great room was a giant sectional that could accommodate the family of five. “This is where everyone hangs out to watch TV or play games,” Dawn says. Low-slung side tables are integrated into the sectional, and a pair of ottomans have sliding tables on top to hold more food or drinks.
A feature wall, with a shellstone fireplace surround, holds the TV and walnut built-ins with a custom neutral-brown stain. “We worked really hard to get the red out with that finish,” Dawn says. The cabinetry is anchored with a Taj Mahal Quartzite, a nod to the Crystal Quartzite of the kitchen countertops. “It’s a nice way to bring in the elements of the island and offers a contrast to the wood,” she adds.

Warmly tinted walnut continues in the adjoining dining room’s built-in bar. “The bar is the highlight of the space,” says Dawn, noting that the doors can pocket back to display the content of the cabinets. Above the round table hangs a chandelier with clear extruded glass tubs and a burnished brass base.

On the other side of the room, the bright-white kitchen cabinets flaunt brass hardware, and the backsplash incorporates a wavy tile pattern—a nod to beachside living. The team added a second island to allow plenty of space for prep and entertaining. “One’s more a working island, the other is for gathering and eating,” Dawn says. The kitchen wall stretches down to a smaller family room that culminates in what the designer calls the “magic window.” “It has the prettiest view in the whole apartment,” she says. “That’s the artwork, the wow of the room.”

In every space—from the larger gathering areas to the more intimate bedrooms—the Little Palm team mixed textures. Textured chenille chairs, a wool rug, velvet pillows and fuzzy knit throws offer coziness without distracting from the view in the family area. In the primary bedroom, rod pocket drapes above floor-to-ceiling windows cover blinds and hardware, and a silk bedcover, faux fur throw and pale leather bench soften the stark white walls. “They make the room feel gentle, serene and quiet,” Dawn says. “After all, that’s why they come here.”

Builder: Signal House Builders
Interior Design: Little Palm Design Group
Photography: Diana Todorova

[ngg src="galleries" ids="435" display="basic_thumbnail" thumbnail_crop="0"] 

The post A Luxe, Minimalist Family Retreat on Marco Island appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Steps off Old 41’s paver-stone stretch, a flurry of white umbrellas and rattan chairs grant access to the string-light adorned Downtown Coffee and Wine Company. Java-juiced crowds of neighbors and friends shuffle in and out, pausing at the sidewalk to greet a familiar face or claiming a cream-colored concrete table to soak up good company before jetting off to work. The staple Downtown Bonita Springs haunt—built out of a minimalistic structure from the first half of the 1900s—feels more tenured than its age. Owners Brandon and Caitlin Schewe opened the doors just five years ago, but for Downtown Bonita Springs today, that may as well be a lifetime. “The coffee shop helped change people’s view of the area,” Caitlin says. “They started to believe that this could be something cool, something new.”

The successful opening of Downtown Coffee sent up a signal flare to other young, like-minded Southwest Floridians. Downtown Bonita was on the precipice of a long-awaited renaissance. Since 2019, more than a dozen small businesses, ranging from restaurants, bars and breweries to boutiques, salons and spas, have joined the ranks of legacied stalwarts, like Survey Cafe, Shangri-La Springs and Maria’s Restaurant. “We go to Maria’s a lot for Taco Tuesdays,” Brandon says. “I used to show up there with like 20 to 30 of our friends back in the days when we were just starting out with the coffee shop.”

[caption id="attachment_71915" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Many point to Caitlin and Brandon Schewe’s Downtown Coffee and Wine Company’s opening in 2019 as the beginning of Downtown Bonita Springs’ long-awaited renaissance. The once-abandoned Old 41 corridor is now a hub of activity, with dozens of new and soon-to-arrive bars, boutiques, breweries and restaurants, including Caitlin and Brandon’s other hotspot The Bohemian (below). Photography by Anna Nguyen[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_71916" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Photography by Anna Nguyen[/caption]

Brandon and a legion of other locals also flock to El Gran Taco Loco, the stand behind the town’s catch-all for snacks, dried chilis and pantry essentials, Benson’s Grocery. Benson’s, like most of the beauty parlors, antique stores and shops that fill the main drag storefronts, has long served the area’s backbone Hispanic community.

Tucked next to a strip mall tattoo parlor, Tortilleria Jalisco presses out hot tortillas ready to order, and about half of the signage downtown reads in Spanish. Other sites reach further back to Bonita Springs’ roots as a pioneer settlement-turned-winter retreat. The charm shines through attractions like Old 41’s oldest home (and base for the Bonita Springs Historical Society), The McSwain House, a 1915 shotgun-style structure built from locally cut and milled wood. The restored home remains open daily for tours, and the backyard butterfly garden—perfect for a leisurely afternoon with a book—is always open to the public. Likewise, the quirky, 1930s roadside animal attraction, the Wonder Gardens, maintains its Old Florida flair with its tea house and wrought iron aviary pavilions that flutter with tropical plumage. A motley crew of boaters still take to the Imperial River every Christmas for a parade of dubiously decked-out vessels. And, the bellow of church bells rings through the afternoon daily.

The original recipe for Downtown Bonita Springs remains, but it’s taken on an undeniable fusion flavor. Ceremony Brewing, Zach Smith’s artisanally inclined punk rock brewery with a penchant for skeletal logos, hosts monthly ‘emo nights’ that draw loads of millennial and Gen Z beer lovers. Chris Magnus—owner of the new food truck park-meets-rooftop bar, Rooftop at Riverside—serves local history-themed cocktails and hosts ‘Reggae Summer Sundays.’ “If you look at our Bonita Springs slogan—Small Town Charm, Big Bright Future—I think that’s something we’ve got to keep,” Chris says. He credits the city leaders with minding caution amid expansion—this isn’t the place to get your Starbucks fix. While the city of Bonita Springs booms with big box stores and high rises, downtown stands separate, unique. “It still feels like a pretty small town,” Chris says.

[caption id="attachment_71917" align="aligncenter" width="850"] A spirit of collaboration unites the area’s young entrepreneurs—most of whom are between their 20s and 40s. Ceremony Brewing owner Zach Smith (right) and Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge co-owner Danielle Dyer often partner on a trolley hop along the Old 41 corridor (follow the bars’ social media accounts for dates and tickets). Photography by Brian Tietz[/caption]

Many of the entrepreneurial newcomers, like Brandon and Caitlin, have reclaimed once-abandoned structures, adding a distinctly youthful, bohemian vibe to the eccentric town. Others capitalize on new structures from developers like Kyle Moran, of Moran Kennedy, or Steve Hovland, the man behind downtown’s buzz-worthy retail center, Entrada Plaza. The plaza on the corner of Old 41 and Bonita Beach Road is home to croissant-haven and haute coffee shop Wolfmoon Bakery; intimate and eclectic tapas joint The Bohemian; local natural skincare startup Cleansing Essentials; and the trendy, plush-couch-filled women’s boutique Love, Celine. “These are all, importantly, local entrepreneurs,” Kyle says.

With each new restaurant opening, bar or brewery launch and boutique offering, you can find a young, passionate Southwest Floridian at the helm; most fall between their 20s and 40s. Many—like Stephen and Danielle Dyer, of the three-year-old, rustic-polished Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge—have long called Bonita home and simply wanted to serve the community they loved. Some—like Jennifer Kallstrom, the 23-year-old owner of Love, Celine—are Neopolitans who turned northward to launch their eclectic ventures. “When I was looking for where to open, I just kept coming back to Old 41. I don’t know why—it just felt right,” Jennifer says. “It’s growing so much.” Others, like the guys behind Sugarshack Downtown have spent years growing and evolving right alongside the town.

[caption id="attachment_71918" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Sugarshack Downtown, expected to open in fall of 2024, is the most hype-generating opening on the horizon. The new venture from local jam session connoisseurs Sugarshack Media (below) positions Bonita as a hub for live music. Courtesy Sugarshack Media[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_71919" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Courtesy Sugarshack Media[/caption]

Long loved for their highly popular, streamable jam sessions, Sugarshack blossomed out of cofounder and musician Eddie Kopp’s 1940s house, a few blocks from downtown, a decade ago. The thick, subtropical setting of his Bonita backyard has had as much to do with the brand’s growth as anything else. Viewers loved seeing their favorite bands play unplugged, in a lush, unmanicured setting with the faint sound of crickets and frogs in the background. There was no question on where they’d plant their flag when the group was ready to expand. Now, Sugarshack is gearing up to open the kind of music venue the team has long hoped for in Southwest Florida—a place to draw local bands like Rock Republic and West Wave alongside the contemporary touring artists they like to work with at their backyard sessions, those who have hopscotched straight from Tampa to Miami for years. The mellow joint will sit somewhere between a gastropub and a mini-amphitheater and is expected to bring a much-needed boost to the local music scene. “Bonita is receptive to new ideas; it’s a hidden gem,” Eddie says. “To be a part of the growth of Bonita and this kind of revitalization of downtown is really special and really important to me and my team. We’ve been trying to put Bonita on the map for the past 10 years with Sugarshack, and I think this next chapter is going to do that to the biggest extent.”

Despite the potential for competition amongst the businesses sprouting like mushrooms in damp soil, there’s an undeniable camaraderie among the energetic, impassioned crowd. Before launching Wolfmoon in 2023, owner Clara Fasciglione sold her now-famous croissants at Downtown Coffee and Wine Company; Love, Celine’s Jennifer frequents Brandon and Caitlin’s next-door, upscale restaurant, The Bohemian; Chartreuse and The Bohemian share the talents of Southwest Florida’s premier bartender Stanley Worrell—the list goes on. The entrepreneurs advise one another, promote one another, and occasionally, they schedule a booze trolley together to hop from one of their spots to the next (keep an eye on the joints’ social media for the heads-up on dates and tickets).

[caption id="attachment_71920" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Natural skincare boutique Cleansing Essentials (right) and soon-to-come Sauna House, a modern bathhouse with a communal sauna and cold-plunge pool, represent downtown’s new mood—a forward-thinking ethos centered on mindful consumption, community-building and living it up with stellar food, drinks and experiences. Photography by Zach Stovall[/caption]

And, there’s more on the horizon. This fall, Naples health and fitness devotee Robert Sorenson opens the doors to Sauna House—a modern bathhouse with communal sauna spaces, cold-plunge pools and a nonalcoholic bar with local kombuchas and teas. Brandon and Caitlin are cooking up their third Downtown Bonita hotspot, the Canary Club. Expected to open sometime next year, the restaurant hones in on the lunch crowd with wood-fired sourdough pizzas, spun with the fresh, spice-filled flavors found at the intersection of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. Zach is working with his landlord to renovate the existing structures around Ceremony and add two new restaurants to the shady roadside corridor, and Kyle is finalizing plans for six new eateries and libations hubs that should trickle into the Downtown District over the next five years. The developer has been on a mission to coax out the area’s potential since moving to Bonita Springs in 1993. Back then, he says, the area was little more than an industrial wasteland. Now, Kyle says “Downtown Bonita Springs has tremendous potential and appears well on its way to becoming a vibrant destination for the three Cs: culture, commerce and community.”

[caption id="attachment_71921" align="aligncenter" width="850"] While the vibe is hip and youthful at new-wave places like recently opened food truck park Rooftop at Riverside and speakeasy-inspired Chartreuse Craft Cocktail Lounge (above), Bonita heritage shines through in ways big and small. The peacock tiki mugs at Chartreuse recall the flamboyant birds that strut around the iconic Wonder Gardens down the street. Photography by Anna Nguyen[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_71922" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Photography by Anna Nguyen[/caption]

The growth of downtown is not just a matter of new businesses opening, it’s about people: the ones popping open folding chairs to catch a concert in Riverside Park; the families pointing out hawk nests on their walks down the Bonita Estero Rail Trail; the couples launching kayaks into the Imperial River from Riverside Park’s canopied inlet; the kids ordering ice cream at the 15-year-old For Heaven Shakes Ice Cream; and the thousands who flock to the streets of downtown for the annual Independence Day parade. More than 20,000 people have moved to Bonita Springs in the last 20 years, nearly doubling the city’s population and driving more traffic downtown. The city, county and private investors have pumped millions of dollars into improved infrastructure over the last decade, most visibly in the paver-patterned roundabouts, expanded pedestrian sidewalks and crossings, event- and kayaker-friendly green spaces like Riverside Park and generous parking that encourages people to ditch their car and walk or hop on one of the area’s pay-to-ride e-scooters. It’s all part of a greater strategy to redefine the image of Downtown Bonita Springs, a once-burgeoning community center stripped of its through-traffic commerce with the redrawing of Highway 41 in 1977. “When that very disruptive change happened, a lot of downtown was essentially abandoned,” Kyle says.

Zach, a former Naples school teacher, moved to Bonita back in 2012 alongside the throngs of young families who’ve descended on the area over the last decade. “I quickly realized I was not alone,” the brewmaster says. “A lot of the people up here in Bonita are younger working-class families like us.” By the time he launched Ceremony in 2022, choosing a spot in Downtown Bonita was a no-brainer. “It’s just my love for the community,” he says. “I didn’t want it to be anywhere else.” Rooftop at Riverside’s Chris isn’t surprised that the area is drawing families like Zach’s. He grew up around Downtown Bonita, and when he talks about his memories, a familiar wash of nostalgia and anticipation colors his eyes. “I played Bonita League baseball; my dad coached me. Then, my kids played, and I coached them,” he says. Recently, the Magnus family hosted a birthday party for their twins and invited a disparate group of friends from the area. “We thought, heck, we’re going to have to introduce everyone,” Chris says with a laugh. He was wrong. Almost everyone had crossed paths. Some had taught other’s children, others had shared a few stools at the bar or were longtime friends. “It was wonderful,” Chris says. “There’s just something about Bonita.”

[caption id="attachment_71923" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Photography by Anna Nguyen[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_71924" align="aligncenter" width="684"] A series of pastel-hued cottages at downtown’s central Riverside Park serves as artist studios and base camps for local businesses, like CGT Kayaks. The rental company outfits visitors and locals to explore the canopied Imperial River that runs through the heart of town. Photography by Dan Cutrona[/caption]

The post Downtown Bonita Springs—The Best New Place to Live and Play in SWFL appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Embark on end-of-summer adventures as a last hurrah with the kids. Tackle, art workshops, community festivals and reading days as the littles bid adieu to vacation days.

Aug. 2-3 

Camp Mending Heart Jr. at Aunt Janet’s House, Naples 

Six- to 10-year-olds working through grief find comfort and fun at Avow Kids’ sleepover camp. Starting at noon, counselors lead the kids through icebreakers, then launch into a series of activities that enhance coping skills and encourage bonding through play. Kids play with visiting therapy animals, splash in the nearby community pool, watch Inside Out 2 to learn how to digest emotions and practice mindfulness through guided meditation. In the morning, counselors teach campers about the importance of balanced meals during breakfast. 

Learn More 

Aug. 4 

New Moon On The Boardwalk at Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Naples 

Catch a glimpse of a Perseid meteor shower, a shooting star spectacle that is projected to be visible during the next to the new moon. Guides usher guests into the wet prairie to see the stars and wildlife through an onsite spotting scope. On land, little explorers listen to a story time reading of Heather Zschock’s Whoo’s There? A Bedtime Shadow Book; engage with mammals furs, alligator skulls and owl pellets on the nocturnal animal touch table; and snack on sandwiches and locally made ice cream. 

Learn More 

Aug. 6-8 

Back to School Tools at Aunt Janet’s House, Naples 

Returning to the classroom can be stressful for some kids, especially when they are navigating their grief journey. Avow Kids helps students learn and implement coping strategies—like breathing techniques—that keep them calm and focused. With the help of the nonprofit’s experts, kids create goals to work on throughout the academic year. 

Aug 6 Back to School Tools ages 11-17: Learn More  

Aug 7 Back to School Tools ages 5-10: Learn More 

Aug 8 Back to School Tools in Immokalee: Learn More 

Aug. 10 

14th Annual Lipman’s Backpack Giveaway and Back to School Event at Immokalee High School 

More than 20,000 backpacks have been distributed to local elementary- and middle school-aged students since 2010. This year, Lipman Family Farms hosts more than 50 local nonprofits—like Guadalupe Center and IMAG History & Science Center—to distribute free bikes, haircuts and backpacks filled with school supplies. 

Learn More 

Aug. 10 

Neapolitan Family Back to School Expo at North Collier Regional Park Gymnasium, Naples 

A mix of up to 60 vendors—from food trucks to fire trucks—are stationed throughout the gym. Princesses and other characters, like Way Too Tall Torrie the stilt walker, greet kids as they snack and sign up for afterschool clubs, classes and sports. Since it’s the first day of early voting, parents are invited to bring their children to the ballot box and show them the ropes of civic duties. 

Learn More 

Aug 17 

Community Day 2024 at IMAG History & Science Center, Fort Myers 

Local nonprofits like Alliance for the Arts, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and Dogs Inc. (formerly Southeastern Guide Dogs) come together for a family-friendly celebration of everything that makes Southwest Florida great. Check out science and animal shows and lawn games, then pop over to food vendors like Kona Ice and Firebread Food Truck for flavored shaved ice and subs. 

Learn More 

RECURRING 

First Saturdays 

Nature Explorers at Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Fort Myers 

On August 3, tiny wanderers ages 5 to 11 dive into topics like astronomy, biology, flora and fauna during the two-hour-long, drop-off event. Littles explore the outdoor trails, education center and planetarium.  

Learn More 

Third Saturdays 

Pups ‘N’ Books at Collier County Public Library’s Headquarters Regional Branch, Naples 

Little animal lovers ages 6 to 12 are invited to the library on August 17 to play with and read to service dogs from Naples-based nonprofit Golden Paws Assistance Dogs.  

Learn More  

Fourth Thursdays 

Family Fun Night at Bell Tower Shopping Centre, Fort Myers 

This monthly, two-hour soiree invites families to meet exotic animals from Adam's Animal Encounters, play inflatable archery with Chuck it Axes and indulge in Sweet Dreams’ treat of the evening: cotton candy. Photo ops, family games, a bounce house and face-painting artists bring an extra dose of fun to the shopping plaza. 

Learn More  

Fridays and Saturdays Beginning Aug. 23 

Art Workshops Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples 

The interactive kids museum launches arts and crafts events for kids ages 6 to 10, where various mediums and materials are available for little artists to explore. In August, kids transform cereal boxes into sculptures that reference pop culture and recreate Brazilian artist Romero Britto's playful work with acrylic paint and canvas. 

Learn More  

The post 10 Events for SWFL Kids in August appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

The summer heat is in high gear in Southwest Florida, but there are plenty of activities to cool things down. In Naples, comedian Nate Jackson brings the funny in his comedy show. In Bonita Springs, local artists explore deep connections to themselves and nature in Arts Bonita’s latest exhibition. And in Fort Myers, Candlelight Concerts presents classical arrangements of Adele songs. You won’t want to miss these August events. 

Now through Aug. 10 

Murder on the 19th Hole at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers  

Guests become part of the ‘whodunit’ comedy thriller in the latest from the dinner theater. Revert to 1976, take on a new identity, and try to solve the mystery of who the killer is behind the murder on the 50th  anniversary of a fictitious top Florida golf destination. 

Learn More  

Now through Aug. 11 

Clyde’s at the Laboratory Theater of Florida, Fort Myers 

Redemption comes in the form of the perfect sandwich in the regional premiere of this show. Watch as sandwich shop owner Clyde rules over her staff of misfits to keep them on the straight and narrow as they work together for a brighter future.   

Learn More  

Now through Sep. 5 

Floracion at Arts Bonita 

Five local Latina artists create introspective works that explore the deep connections of the soul to nature, themselves and each other.  

Learn More 

Now through Oct. 13 

As We Rise at Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum Naples 

Coined “ Photography from the Black Atlantic,” the exhibition (drawn from Toronto’s The Wedge Collection, which dedicates itself to artists of African descent) explores African culture. Explore poignant themes of beauty, joy, belonging, subjectivity and self-awareness. 

Learn More 

Now through Oct. 31 

United Nation’s Ocean’s Decade Art Exhibit at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, Naples 

This traveling exhibition focuses on the ocean’s significance in an effort to help reverse its decline. It features nearly 40 digital works from artists around the world, highlighting the seven principles of ocean literacy—don’t miss the joint reception with United Arts Collier on August 14.  

Learn More  

Aug. 2 

Days of Future Passed at Seminole Casino, Immokalee 

The Moody Blues’ bass guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, John Lodge, reprises iconic hits from his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band in this rescheduled show. Stick around for the second set, when John and his crew play the entire Days of Future Passed album with symphonic music and enhanced video and lighting.  

Learn More 

Aug. 2-4 

Nate Jackson at Off the Hook Comedy Club, Naples 

The comedian steps into Naples with ease, hot off his recurring role on NBC’s Young Rock, appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City, and with more than 3.5 million TikTok followers to his name. 

Learn More  

Aug. 2-29 

The Artful 8 at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers 

Eight local artists—including Artsemble Underground co-founders Cesar Aguilera and Brian Weaver—explore the number eight through different lenses. Find original works drawing on everything from harmony and cultural connection to renewal and prosperity.  

Learn More 

Aug. 3 

Tikifest at Fishermen’s Village, Punta Gorda 

Hawaiian, Polynesian and other cultural musical and dance groups perform throughout the open-air shopping and dining destination. Food and art exhibits, vendors and demonstrations stay on tap all day. 

Learn More 

Aug. 5 — Oct. 2 

HOT! HOT! HOT! at Marco Island Center for the Arts 

Artists interpret sweltering weather, food, trends, fire and fashions for the exhibition. Swing by the meet-the-artists reception on Aug. 13 (Don’t fret: If you can’t swing it this month, there’s another reception on Sept. 10). 

Learn More  

Aug. 15 – 25 

Where There’s a Will at Fort Myers Theatre 

A struggling playwright, a demanding manager, an estranged girlfriend and a pressing deadline: Enter William Shakespeare, somehow transported to the year 2014. Brace yourself for plenty of humor and whimsy from the Bard. 

Learn More  

Aug. 16 

Ramón Ayala: El Principio de un Final Tour at Hertz Arena, Estero 

The “King of Accordion” embarks on his farewell retirement tour after 60 years and more than 50 concerts across arenas and auditoriums on both sides of the United States-Mexico border.  

Learn More 

Aug. 17 

Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to Adele at Music & Arts Community Center, Fort Myers 

Thousands of flameless candles illuminate the Listeso String Quartet as they perform symphonic renditions of the British pop singer’s greatest hits. 

Learn More  

Aug. 23 — Sep. 8 

The Studio Players present: It’s Only a Play at Golden Gate Community Center, Naples 

 The theater troupe opens its season with a comedy about the cast of a Broadway flop as they attempt to enjoy their opening night party amid devastating reviews. 

Learn More  

Aug. 31 

Meditation Walk at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, Fort Myers 

Tap into mindfulness and nature on this morning wet walk through ​​the Slough. Towering cypress canopies set loom above as woodpeckers, owls and other friendly critters call out from beyond. 

Learn More 

The post 15 August Events in SWFL appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Beyond the turquoise waters and wide stretches of sugary sand, the charm of Boca Grande is sealed by the porched and columned facades that convey the bygone days of Old Florida—and its charming Southern drawl.

Sandy Stilwell Youngquist has been enchanted by the quaint town at the end of Gasparilla Island since she strolled under the boughs of Banyan Street, near the Downtown Boca Grande Historic District, in her early 20s (she says the tree-lined way is the perfect spot for photos—the street’s so scenic couples often choose it to exchange “I do’s”).

[caption id="attachment_70924" align="alignleft" width="200"] Boca Grande’s historic charm, seen in places like the circa-1911 The Gasparilla Inn & Club, has beckoned Captiva Island restaurateur Sandy Stilwell Youngquist since her early 20s.[/caption]

It’s no surprise the Captiva Island queen—who owns an inn, five restaurants and a shopping center on the nearby barrier island—chose Boca Grande to expand her epicurean empire in late 2022. A love for preservation and exalting Old Florida is at the heart of Sandy’s ventures.

On November 1, weeks after Hurricane Ian wreaked havoc, she opened her second Keylime Bistro in Boca Grande’s old train depot, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Look out for her third locale in the new terminal of Southwest Florida International Airport in 2025.)

“To this day, it’s a breath of fresh air when I go over the bridge in my car or pull up to the docks in our boat—it feels like stepping back in time to a place that is not overdeveloped or overcommercialized,” Sandy says, emphasizing how Boca Grande offers a perfect blend of nature, small businesses and beautiful homes. 

She wants others to discover the town’s appeal and how it’s possible for an area with blocks upon blocks of multimillion-dollar estates to remain unpretentious. Much of it starts with the people who frequent the island, a quiet-luxury crowd that likes to drink their sweet tea rather than spill it and ride around on golf carts before a few rounds of backgammon with a Gulf-inspired Boca Punch in hand.

No visit to the town is complete without seeing one of Sandy’s favorite spots, The Gasparilla Inn & Club, notably a longtime winter retreat for the Bush family. The restaurateur urges venturing into the striking Colonial Revival main building on Palm Avenue and booking lunch or dinner at one of the inn’s iconic dining venues, such as The Pink Elephant—called “The Pink” by locals.

[caption id="attachment_70930" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Mom-and-pop shops like Boca Blooms florist give the island its character. The canopies of trees that envelop thoroughfares like Banyan Street make for ideal photo-ops.[/caption]

In a time and place where anything goes sartorially, the inn clings to tradition, with a formal dress code that requires whites on the croquet lawns and collars and/or jackets throughout most other spaces. Sandy recalls a few years back when she and her husband, Tim, invited friends to celebrate the Kentucky Derby at the inn. While Boca Grande’s ‘season’ was long over the first weekend in May, they dressed to the nines to take in all the pre-race coverage at main floor lounge BZ’s. The inn indulges Sandy’s penchant for history and Old Florida charm. “It’s beautiful and exudes elegance with its white rattan furniture, pinks, greens and turquoise,” she says. “It’s very reminiscent of Southern hospitality.”

As she ventures deeper into the island, Sandy loves how innately walkable—and bike- and golf-cart- friendly—the community is (rental spots abound, but there’s not a single gas station). “You can park your car and bike all over the island,” she says.

Her favorite trail, the Boca Grande Bike Path, transformed the old railroad tracks, dating from the Gilded Age, into a verdant rail-trail that flows into Gasparilla Island State Park, home to the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum (a unique, two-story, square-shaped, shingled structure with a light nestled in a widow’s walk).

You can ride the trail to and from the historic train station that’s now home to Sandy’s Keylime Bistro and Loose Caboose ice cream parlor. The depot, which ushered industrialists and winter residents until its closure in 1958, still marks the heart of Boca Grande. “You can shop, you can dine; you can even bring a picnic. But to me, the dining is half the fun,” Sandy says.

Aside from her place (known for crab cake benedicts, grouper sandwiches and cocktails), she cites a tiny spot called The Temptation Restaurant that has a great wine list and a sign urging “Please, no profanity.” The bar Miller’s Dockside at Boca Grande Marina also draws her and Tim when they dock their boat after a day of exploring. The couple often opts to spend the night aboard their vessel, and Miller’s provides a lively scene in the evenings.

[caption id="attachment_70927" align="aligncenter" width="300"] “To this day, it’s a breath of fresh air when I go over the bridge in my car or pull up to the docks in our boat—it feels like stepping back in time.” —Sandy Stilwell Youngquist[/caption]

When it comes to dressing for days out (or picking up a souvenir), Sandy mines hidden gems. Sunsets of Boca Grande is her stop for cute handbags and resort wear; or, she’ll head to The Palm on Park - A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store to channel the preppy-pretty Florida look. She wouldn’t let you leave town before swinging by the 1916 emporium Fugate’s and the town’s oldest marina, Whidden’s, which covers all your bait-and-tackle needs, along with offering a solid dose of local color via old photographs and artifacts.

[caption id="attachment_70923" align="aligncenter" width="199"] From the recently renovated The Gasparilla Inn
& Club to The Palm on Park — A Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, Boca Grande suits Sandy’s love of history and preppy-pretty Florida style.[/caption]

Sandy delights in Boca Grande’s history and many singularities. Though the entrepreneur’s well- traveled through Gulf waters, she says there’s something special about witnessing the leaping silver-back tarpon that make the deepwater Boca Grande Pass renowned for sportfishing. She recalls springtime tournaments so packed with boats that you could hop from one deck to another, and likely be welcomed aboard by each new host.

[caption id="attachment_70934" align="alignleft" width="199"] Weeks after Hurricane Ian tore through Southwest Florida in 2022, Sandy persevered, opening the second location for her long-loved Keylime Bistro in Boca Grande’s old train depot.[/caption]

In many ways, Boca Grande is ideal for mariners, and that speaks to the core of this ocean-loving gal. Only boaters can access the island’s best beach—a crystal-clear swatch surrounding a sandbar at the former rail bridge on the island’s north side. It’s only fitting the best beach evokes nostalgia in a town that celebrates its cherished past.  

[caption id="attachment_70925" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The longtime Captiva Island businesswoman likes to visit Miller’s Dockside bar at Boca Grande Marina after a long day—or night—on the water with her husband, Tim.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70935" align="aligncenter" width="200"] Sandy says there’s something special about witnessing the leaping silver-back tarpon that make the Boca Grande Pass renowned for sportfishing.[/caption]

Photography by Anna Nguyen

The post An Insider’s Guide to Boca Grande appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Fort Myers-based architect Joyce Owens captures the modernist soul of Southwest Florida in her designs. For this Sanibel stunner, the architect exalts dimensional lines and light and shadow. Joyce’s signature sense of whimsy pops via a statement orange wall that perfectly backdrops summer’s technicolored, subtly sensuous looks. Oscar de la Renta gown; Amiri silk bowling shirt; AREA jewelry.

Photography by Omar Cruz

Styling by Veronica Porras

[caption id="attachment_70918" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Even the boldest styles go flawlessly when you consider architectural design principles of balance, rhythm, scale, and unity. Here, a pleated, plissé hoodie mimics the movement of the butterflies, and the ruffled gloves create cohesion with the headpiece. ISSEY MIYAKE hoodie; PR SOLO costume headpiece and gloves.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70921" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Staying covered is essential in the sun; light, silky fabrics ensure you don’t overheat. Go full-length with your hemline and sleeves, but keep it playful as you channel midcentury Palm Springs vibes with abstract patterns and sinuous lines. PUCCI dress; Alexander McQueen umbrella.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70912" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Another architectural principle to steal from the architect—work with contrast. Juxtapose materials, colors and styles to surprise and delight. Oscar de la Renta caftan; AREA earrings; PR SOLO vintage cuffs and hat. Left: Silvia Tcherassi yellow top and skirt; Eugenia Kim hat; Lada Legina 3D Printed bracelet; PR SOLO costume jacket.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70913" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Just like a statement wall can be all a home needs to go from masterful to divine, so can statement jewelry elevate an elegant black dress. Balenciaga asymmetric cape-effect maxi dress; Lada Legina 3D Printed ring; the stylist’s African necklaces, cuffs and headpiece.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_70916" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Experiment with proportion and scale to maximize visual impact. ALPANA NEERAJ jumpsuit; Ariat hat; PR SOLO private collection costume stole.[/caption]

The post SWFL Fashion: Summer’s Most Colorful—and Unexpected—Styles appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

A Southwest Florida summer is an endless one, but here are the events you can’t miss this month: Youth theater productions of popular musicals kids know and love, interactive art exhibits and opera programs. Don’t forget to check out our Fourth of July blog for holiday fun.

Now — Sep. 8

SCOOBY-DOO!™ Mansion Mayhem at Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples 

Mini detectives and their guardians are invited to this limited edition exhibit where folks solve the mystery of the jewel-thieving ghost. Guests analyze clues through interactive stations and ask the right questions to assist the mystery gang in cracking the case.

Learn More

July 1 — Aug.14

AMC Summer Movie Camp at AMC Merchants Crossing 16, North Fort Myers

Popular Illumination films reappear on the big screen at a discounted price on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Bring your littles to see their favorite movies like The Lorax, Minions: The Rise of Gru, The Secret Life of Pets, Sing, and Migration.

Learn More

July 1-3, 5, 8-12, 15

Kids Camps at Florida Repertory Theatre, Fort Myers

The nonprofit hosts youth theater camps for budding actors ages 6 to 8 in The Lion King, Jr. and for ages 11 to 18 in Anastasia: The Musical (Youth Edition). Week-long workshops filled with music, dancing, theater games and arts and crafts culminate in a one-time showing for friends and family.

First event

Second event

July 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29 — Aug. 2

Summer Camp WILD at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

The zoo’s new Hamill Family Education Center opens just in time to host camps for explorers ages 5 to 10. July’s themes uncover topics like global conservation projects, discovering the five senses and the colors found in flora and fauna. Hands-on activities, zoo tours, informative animal encounters and educational games immerse campers in the natural world while cultivating their love for it.

Learn More

July 8-13, 15-21

Opera Naples Summer Youth Program: The Mikado at The Wang Opera Center, Naples

Aspiring opera performers ages 13 to 20 engage in workshops harnessing their talents in vocal ability, improv acting and prop design. The capstone performance of the comedic opera interweaves hilariously unfortunate events, serendipitous miscommunication and comments on British class systems.

Learn More

July 11 — Aug. 2

Lyle, Lyle Crocodile at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Fort Myers

Based on the 1965 children’s book, the musical adaptation follows a family who moves into a house in New York City only to discover its existing resident is a talking, modern-day dinosaur. This sing-song version of the tale tells the story of the importance of acceptance and family and not judging a croc by his scales.

Learn More

July 25-28

Cirque Du Soleil: Corteo at Hertz Arena, Estero

The acrobatic show combines theatrical comedy and baroque circus acts into a colorful carnival of wonder and music. Dream alongside Maurio the clown as he watches his funeral take place in a fantastical parade. 

Learn More

July 26-28

Seussical JR. at Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples

Whimsical theater nuts ages 8 to 18 partake in the nonprofit’s youth musical adaptation featuring Dr. Seuss’s most popular characters, like The Cat in the Hat and Horton the Elephant. Journey alongside Horton as he embarks on a mission to save his friends, the Whos. 

Learn More

July 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29—Aug. 2, 5-9

Summer Camp at Calusa Nature Center, Fort Myers

The nature center covers a different theme each week of summer camp, from Florida wildlife to outdoor survival. Kiddos get a chance to slow down during an outdoorsy story time. 

Learn More

July 13-21

Legally Blonde The Musical at Fort Myers Theatre

Bubbly blonde Elle Woods finds her perfect world shattered when her boyfriend breaks up with her to attend an Ivy League law school in this musical adaptation of the classic film. Navigating harsh stereotypes, new challenges and unlikely alliances, this show dazzles and entertains in all shades of pink.

Learn More

July 28 

The 25th Annual Big Backpack Event at Fort Myers Skatium

This drive-thru event allows students ages 5 to 12 to stock up on back-to-school necessities. Grab backpacks filled with supplies like notebooks, colored pencils and bags of dry foods. 

Learn More

RECURRING

July 16

Movies on the Lawn: A Christmas Story at Mercato, Naples

Bring some lawn chairs or a blanket to Mercato on third Thursdays. Get a little taste of Christmas in July with the holiday cult classic film on an outdoor jumbo screen.

Learn More

July 20

Family Art Lab at Alliance for the Arts, Fort Myers

On third Saturdays, budding creatives draw from popular artists, holidays and international art traditions for inspiration in these arts and crafts and game sessions. Now, each lab is paired with a movie showing; catch the Japanese animated classic Ponyo this month.

Learn More

The post 13 July Events for SWFL Kids appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Dive into peak summer with a calendar full of fun. In Naples, celebrate the country’s independence with a Patriotic Pops performance. In Estero, Cirque du Soleil puts on a show-stopping acrobatics display. And on Pine Island, a tropical fruit fair brings a little sweetness. Don’t miss the following events this month (and check out our 4th of July events blog for holiday festivities).

Now through July 21 

The Naples Players present 42nd Street 

In this production of the Tony Award-winning musical, follow along as a young starlet tap dances her way to a big break on Broadway. Neurodivergent families can catch a sensory-friendly performance of the show on July 16.

Learn More

July 5

Patriotic Pops & July 4 Commemoration at Faith Lutheran Church, Naples

The Faith Lutheran Church Concert Series presents a special concert to pay respects to the nation. Members of the Naples Philharmonic Brass Quintet and local armed forces leagues join the musical tribute.

Learn More 

July 5-25

Menagerie at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Fort Myers 

Local artist Julie Obney was one of 56 artists chosen out of nearly 700 applicants to show their work recently in the highly selective, juried All Florida Exhibition. Her latest exhibition demonstrates her new direction with images showcasing light against dark, reflections and vivid hues. 

Learn More

July 5-30

Celebrating Imagination Exhibition at Marco Island Center for the Arts

Six Naples and Marco Island artists present different perceptions from the norm through their unique skill sets and innovative techniques. View the creatives’ paintings, photographs, sculptures, clayworks and textile art. 

Learn More 

July 6

Tasting the Tropics at the Naples Botanical Garden

Explore and taste tropical fruits like jackfruit and pineapple during samplings, live demonstrations, tours and themed programs in the garden.

Learn More

July 11-14

Squirrel Girl Goes to College at Laboratory Theater of Florida, Fort Myers

Based on Marvel Comics superhero Doreen Green, the play follows her entry into college in the guise of a typical student. But, the young do-gooder may have to sacrifice her anonymity to protect her friends from the evil that stirs.

Learn More 

July 12

Jorge Celedón at Seminole Casino, Immokalee

The multiple Latin Grammy Award-winner recently received acclaim at the celebration of Turén, Venezuela's 300th anniversary. He continues to push boundaries, introducing Colombian folk music, vallenato, across the globe. 

Learn More 

July 13

MangoMania at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Catholic Church, Bokeelia

Pine Island’s long-running tropical fruit fair heralds its reputation as the local mango capital. Activities range from the silly (Mr. MangoHead and biggest mango contests) to the serious (cultivation seminars and mango dish cooking contests). Live music, adult beverages, nursery and other vendors and kids’ games make it a party for all ages. 

Learn More 

July 13-21

Legally Blonde the Musical at Fort Myers Theatre

The musical version of the cult classic film follows perky Elle Woods, who’s determined to get her ex-boyfriend back by enrolling in Harvard Law School. The catchy soundtrack chronicles her trials and triumphs along the way as she and her sorority sisters conquer all.  

Learn More 

July 20

Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen and a Tribute to Coldplay at Music & Arts Community Center, Fort Myers

Gulf Coast Symphony’s partnership with entertainment group Fever brings the Candlelight series to Fort Myers. The Listeso String Quartet serenades audiences in an intimate setting, with nearly 4,000 flameless candles illuminating the room. Back-to-back, separately ticketed concerts highlight the best-loved works of the timeless rock bands. 

Learn More 

July 23

Doug MacLeod at Tribby Arts Center, Fort Myers

The blues singer-songwriter showcases his slide guitar prowess for an evening. The established artist has made a name for himself through his impressive storytelling, winning the 2020 and 2023 Blues Music Awards for Acoustic Artist of the Year.

Learn More 

July 25

Zachary Bartholomew: ‘Balancing Act’ Album Release Concert at Arts Bonita

The composer-pianist celebrates his latest album in this show. The musician reveals the stories behind his new compositions while Grammy Award-winning and world-renowned talents back him in concert. 

Learn More 

July 25-28 

Cirque du Soleil Corteo at Hertz Arena, Estero

The acrobatic phenomenon returns with its tumbling antics as audiences celebrate the story of the recently deceased Mauro the clown, whose funeral takes place in a circus parade. 

Learn More

July 27

Deric Cahill at Off the Hook Comedy Club, Naples

The rising social media personality (his TikTok alone has nearly 1.5 million followers) lands in Southwest Florida on his first-ever comedy tour. Known for his tongue-in-cheek stance on parenting and adulting, he lays out the logistics of life B.K. (Before Kids) and A.K. (After Kids). 

Learn More 

July 30 — Aug. 18

My Way at Players Circle Theater, Fort Myers

The tribute show celebrates the life and career of the crooning legend, featuring classic hits from the singer’s impressive catalog. 

Learn More 

The post 15 July Events in SWFL appeared first on Gulfshore Life.

Get ready for Independence Day with fireworks displays lighting up the skies across Southwest Florida. Mark your calendars for the following events. 

COLLIER COUNTY 

The City of Naples’ Fourth of July parade returns, passing through the streets of Fifth Avenue and Third Street South. Later, enjoy a 30-minute fireworks display beginning at 9 p.m., just west of the Naples Pier. Read More

The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón, puts on a 4th of July celebration from its resort lawn. Order drinks at the cash bar and enjoy games, live music and classic Freedom Day dishes like smoked brisket. Get Tickets

Naples / Marco Island KOA Holiday welcomes you for a patriotic weekend with competitive games and prizes. More information to come as the event date gets closer. Get Tickets

The City of Marco Island encourages visitors to admire the fireworks launched off the coast at 9 p.m., visible from Tigertail Beach to South Beach. Read More

Naples Princess Cruise takes guests out to watch as the sun sets on the Gulf, where folks dine on a three-course meal and get an unobstructed view of the fireworks. Profits from tickets sold support the Pathways Early Education Center of Immokalee. Get Tickets

LEE COUNTY

The City of Bonita Springs ignites its Star-Spangled Bonita 4th of July celebration at Riverside Park from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Ben Allen Band performs to kick off the evening, followed by a golf cart parade and fireworks show at dusk to end the night’s festivities. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Read More

The Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department presents its yearly Red, White & Boom at 5 p.m. on the foot of Cape Coral Parkway Bridge. Gather for more than 60 vendors offering an array of goods. Country music group Parmalee rocks the stage before the main event, when nearly 4,000 firework shells launch into the sky. Read More

The Capt. JP sets sail on a dinner cruise through the Caloosahatchee River. Watch fireworks from the third-floor deck, enjoy entrees like baked ziti with tomato sauce, and delight in the cash bar. Get Tickets

Sanibel & Captiva Islands observe the holiday with a lively parade along Periwinkle Way. Residents cheer on clubs and local businesses before competing in The Sanibel-Captival Optimist Club Road Rally, a scavenger hunt played in people’s vehicles. As the night wraps, watch the fireworks display over the islands. Read More

Hammond Stadium invites baseball fans to watch the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels’ home game against the Bradenton Marauders. Hang out after for a fireworks show to ring in Independence Day weekend. Get Tickets

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center throws a rooftop party with an exclusive panoramic view of the Downtown Fort Myers fireworks. Plus, barbecue, desserts and live music by FLORA Top Hits Band. Get Tickets

CHARLOTTE COUNTY 

Fishermen’s Village returns with its Independence Day Celebration, where guests dive into the annual Freedom Swim through Charlotte Harbor, listen to live music on the beach and gaze upon fireworks. Head out to Dry Beach on the west side of the property for the best viewing. Read More

The Laishley Park Freedom Fest debuts Saturday, June 29, with all-day festivities, including waterslides and a Kid’s Fun Zone, live music and cold beverages. At 9 p.m., a stunning fireworks display illuminates the sky over Peace River. Get Tickets

Perch 360° at The Wyvern Hotel hosts a viewing party on the roof on June 29, with a new VIP sky deck to admire the Laishley Park fireworks. Dance to music and enjoy drink specials at this exclusive event. Doors open at 11 a.m., with deck seating from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets have limited availability. Get Tickets

King Fisher Fleet Fireworks Cruise ventures into Charlotte Harbor at 7:30 p.m. Guests choose between viewing the Laishley Park fireworks display on June 29 or the Fishermen’s Village fireworks on July 4. Enjoy cocktails and snacks on this two-hour journey across the water. Get Tickets

The post Celebrate the 4th of July in Southwest Florida appeared first on Gulfshore Life.