LEE ISLAND COAST, FL (SEPTEMBER 2003)-- With the most wonderful time of year soon ahead, visitors are looking forward to the joys of the season with holiday events on a merry and bright Lee Island Coast.
The Edison & Ford Winter Estates are once again a highlight of the holiday season in southwest Florida. The 28th annual Holiday House will run from Dec. 5 through Jan. 3 of next year. Coming together with the Fort Myers Women’s Community Club, the estates of the two historic figures will be embellished with a festive theme that is sure to awe locals as well as visitors. The 17 ˝-acre site will be decorated with more than 90,000 lights, illuminated trees, and artistic holiday scenes. This festivity will also provide entertainment by local choirs and community groups. Hours are from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., and there will be a nominal admission charge. For more information, call (239)334-7419.
Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre’s most popular holiday show returns for the 2003 season. “White Christmas Revue” will bring audience members into the holiday spirit with over 30 secular and sacred songs, such as “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain”. The show will run from Nov. 27 through Dec. 27. For more information and ticket prices, call the box office at (239) 278-4422 or visit www.broadwaypalm.com.
Join the natives of Sanibel and Captiva islands on Dec. 5 and 6, 5 – 8 p.m., to celebrate the spirit with their annual Christmas Luminary Trail and Open House. The sidewalks of Periwinkle Way will glow brilliantly with candles, and shops will extend their evening hours to serve food, beverages, and provide entertainment for passersby. For additional information, contact the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce at (239) 472-1080.
Children of all ages will enjoy
the magical Holiday Wonderland at ‘Tween Waters Inn on Captiva Island.
While walking in the winter wonderland, visitors will see more than 35,000
lights that are featured around ornamented paths. A 30-foot Christmas tree will
be decorated for the season, along with Santa on the rooftop. Dine in the Old
Captiva House amongst holiday favorites, such as Frosty the Snowman, life-sized
polar bears, Dickens carolers, and a large nutcracker on a toy horse. Visitors
can also try a light dinner by the fireplace at the Crow’s Nest Lounge. This
spectacular display will be shining brightly from Nov. 28 through Jan. 2.
Reservations can be made for both restaurants by calling (239) 472-5161. For
additional information, call (239) 472-5161, ext. 404.
Join the City of Cape Coral on Dec. 6 in celebrating the season with the Holiday Festival of Lights. An official Christmas tree lighting will start the merriment at 6 p.m. Downtown Cape Coral will be filled with the holiday spirit as children take photos with Santa and play in the snow blast pile. Train rides will also be a favorite for the little ones to enjoy. Adults can also treasure the evening by reminiscing of years past on a horse and carriage ride. Local schools, churches, and other organizations will provide entertainment. Guests should be sure to get there early because sections of Cape Coral Parkway will be closed for the event. For additional information, call (239) 549-6900.
The Sarasota Ballet and Southwest Florida Symphony join for the holidays in “The Nutcracker” at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers. Audiences will be transported to a fantasy enchanted with magic, sugarplums, and snowflakes. The show’s beautiful music, dancing, and costumes will dazzle all family members. Tickets range from $15 to $43, but reservations should be made in advance because there are only three shows available. On Dec. 5, there will be one evening performance at 7:30 p.m. On Dec. 6, there will be a matinee at 2 p.m. and an evening show at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact (239) 481-4849 or visit www.bbmannpah.com.
The Southwest Florida Symphony will also bring a heartwarming holiday production to the family with their pop series, “Let It Snow”, at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Dec. 18 and Dec. 19. Show starts at 8 p.m. both nights. Single tickets will be available early November at the box office. For more information, contact the symphony at (239) 418-1500 or view www.swflso.org.
‘Tis the season for a ride on the Holiday Express! Experience the beauty of thousands of lights along Lake Regional Park’s one and a half mile track in Fort Myers. The train ride will lead you past villages, over bridges, through tunnels, and even to Santa’s shop in the North Pole. The festive ride runs every night from 6 – 9 p.m., Dec. 12 - 28. For additional information, call (239) 229-0735.
Lakes Regional Park will also host a Winter Wonderland from Dec. 19 - 23 every night from 6 – 9 p.m. A children’s carnival, along with holiday music, food and beverages, and pictures with Santa will be available. Carriage rides along decorated and lighted paths and the village train will also be open to visitors. This wonderland has no parking or admission costs. For additional information, contact (239) 229-0735.
Even the waters of southwest Florida will be jolly and bright when the 16th annual Fort Myers Beach Boat Parade takes place on Saturday, Dec. 13. Starting at 6 p.m., the parade will run along the back bay of Estero Island. A holiday party and presentation of prizes will take place afterwards. People interested in participating should pre-register at no cost, and meet at the Pink Shell Resort on Fort Myers Beach at 5:30 p.m. For details, contact Chris Christensen at (239) 437-6482.
The Holiday Boat-A-Long in Cape Coral will bring a merry atmosphere to families at Four Freedoms Park. The event will take place on Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. Land activities include music, food, and a visit from Santa, along with the boat parade taking off at Bimini Basin. For additional information, contact Dave Drake at
(239) 772-9578.
The Lee County Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers is hosting its Holiday Art Show, themed “Painted Furniture II”. The exhibit features local artists’ decorated furnishings, and the member gallery will highlight the work of Ralph LaVigne. The alliance will host a reception for the holiday festivity on Nov. 14 from 5 – 7 p.m. Admission is free to both the reception and gallery. Visitors will be able to buy the painted furniture. The exhibit will be open Nov. 14 through Jan. 5, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and closed Sundays. For more information, call (239) 939-2787.
Editor’s note: The Lee Island Coast, located on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida, includes Sanibel/Captiva/Pine Islands, Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs and Estero, historic Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, and Boca Grande.
E-mail release available upon request. Also accessible at www.LeeIslandCoast.com by clicking on “Media Central” then “News Releases”.
Package contacts:
· Holiday House, Patty Lauesen, (239) 461-2687
· “White Christmas Revue”, Susan Johnson, (239) 278-4422
· Christmas Luminary Trail & Open House, Sanibel-Captiva Chamber, (239) 472-1080
· Holiday Wonderland, Dian Eddy, (239) 472-5161, ext. 404
· Holiday Festival of Lights, Weezer Murphy, (239) 549-6900
· “The Nutcracker”, Peg Welty, (239) 481-4849
· “Let It Snow”, Southwest Florida Symphony box office, (239) 418-1500
· Holiday Express!, Christopher Casey, (239) 229-0735
· Winter Wonderland, Christopher Casey, (239) 229-0735
· Holiday Art Show, Monty Montgomery, (239) 939-2787