Several weeks after Hurricane Ian, Florida’s Lee County has made huge progress in its recovery. Over 56.4% of the county’s guestrooms are now open. Westin Cape Coral, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, Marriott Sanibel Harbour, and Crowne Plaza Fort Myers are some of the major hotels that recently reopened. “We’re going to see strong demand for the rooms that are now open,” said Cecil Pendergrass, chair of Lee County Tourist Development Council. “We know the passion for Southwest Florida hasn’t changed.” The early reopening of Sanibel Causeway & Bridge in October was a huge advancement. Brian Kramer, general manager, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, said: “The amount of work that has been accomplished over the last month is nothing short of extraordinary.” Tom Custo, general manager, Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, said: “Achieving this milestone is a commitment to the hardworking individuals who make this a special place for so many.” For more information on what is open, visit: https://www.visitfortmyers.com/open

  Fort Myers’ islands, beaches and neighborhoods in Southwest Florida continues to provide new experiences for returning guests and first-time visitors. Whether you’re looking for great year-round weather or shell-drenched beaches along the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, VisitFortMyers.com is your source for the most up-to-date vacation information.   Don’t miss these upcoming annual events The 37^th Cape Coral Art Festival & Market Place voted 5^th best in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine, returns Jan. 8-9 to downtown Cape Coral. Visitors will also enjoy Artways on the Parkway with works displayed by Lee County students. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cape Coral, the show will be available virtually through Jan. 28. capecoralfestival.com   ArtFest Fort Myers, downtown River District, returns Feb. 4-6 along the waterfront with art by more than 200 select artists, entertainment, delicious food and fun children’s art activities. The show was named among the best in the country by Sunshine Artists Magazine. artfestfortmyers.com   The 23rd Annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival will feature more than 20 acclaimed and bestselling authors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 5. The festival will be hosted on the downtown Fort Myers Regional Library campus located at 2450 First St., Fort Myers.   Free and for all-ages, this popular annual outdoor event gives fans the opportunity to meet a diverse lineup of bestselling authors, participate in contests, activities and discover the latest in books and technology. In addition to author appearances and autograph sessions, there will be food truck vendors, storytelling programs, arts and crafts, youth writing contests and a free book for every child and teenager.   The lineup of award-winning authors scheduled to attend includes adult authors Alafair Burke, Tim Dorsey, J.A. Jance, Nathaniel Philbrick, Kate Quinn and Brad Taylor, among others. Some of the youth and teen authors include Adrianna Cuevas, Stacy McAnulty, Jenna Evans Welch, Alex Willan and Adrienne Young. The complete list of authors can be found on the festival’s new mobile app “SWFL ReadFest” at the App Store, Google Play or by visiting the festival website at ReadFest.org Mark your calendar for Island Hopper 2022 Returning for its eighth year, Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is a 10-day music festival featuring performances by some of the country’s greatest singer-songwriters. The festival takes place in three areas, with the first weekend kicking off on Captiva Island, Sept. 16-18, then moving to downtown Fort Myers, Sept. 19- 22, and ending with a weekend on Fort Myers Beach, Sept. 23-25. Most shows are free with the exception of a few ticketed experiences, like our headliner shows. Stay up-to-date on festival news with the Island Hopper app or follow on social media. islandhopperfest.com Accommodations news The soon-to-open Fairfield Inn & Suites Bonita Springs and the newly renovated The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village received Convention South Magazine's Top New or Renovated Awards for 2022. These properties made this elite list of the Top 54 new or renovated meeting sites and destinations in the South.   New dining and brewery openings Bonita Springs has two new breweries. Hopsized Brewing Co. opened in the new Bernwood Trade Center with a focus on sours and New England IPAs. hopsizedbrewing.com  Ceremony Brewing celebrated its grand opening in downtown Bonita Springs with 18 taps and a bottle shop selling hard-to-find brews. ceremonybrewing.com   The owners of the Tacos & Tequila Cantina, which has three locations in the region, have opened Aldos Italian Table & Bar in University Village adjacent to Florida Gulf Coast University in Estero. The focal point of the 4,500-square-foot restaurant is the imported Italian pizza oven, which can bake a 12-inch pie in 90 seconds. https://universityvillagefl.com/aldos-italian-table-and-bar.html R.A.D. Winery & Cidery is open at Miromar Outlets in Estero. R.A.D. (Really. Awesome. Drinks.) It carries its own line of wines and ciders on tap, as well as a selection of wines from Gravity Winery and Red Top Winery in Michigan. https://miromaroutlets.com/store-directory/gravity-wine.html Airport news New air service at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) Air Transat: Montreal (YUL), weekly, seasonal service Eurowings Discover: Frankfurt, Germany (FRA), weekly, year-round service starts March 28 New flights at RSW Sun Country: Duluth, Minn. (DLH), weekly; Green Bay, Wis. (GRB), weekly; Milwaukee (MKE), weekly; Rochester, Minn. (RST), weekly starts Feb. 3 United Airlines: Los Angeles (LAX), daily; San Francisco (SFO), daily News from Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) Allegiant service from Akron, Ohio (CAK), begins March 2 Attractions news Edison and Ford Winter Estates offers guided German tours With the growing population of German snowbirds and tourists arriving on direct flights from Germany, Edison and Ford Winter Estates is offering guided tours in German. Led by a trained site historian whose native language is German, the tours are offered each Wednesday at 11 a.m. Guided tours are $30 per person and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For visitors that wish to stroll at their own pace, German language can be selected on the Edison Ford app. edisonfordwinterestates.org   Sounds of Discovery concerts at Lovers Key State Park A Sounds of Discovery Concert will take place at the Welcome and Discovery Center at Lovers Key State Park at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 6. Friends of Lovers Key, FOLKS, has joined with The Americana Community Music Association to offer acoustic concerts of all original music. Artists will perform their own compositions and tell the stories behind the songs. $25 per person and include two glasses of wine or bottled water, as well as park entrance fee. Visit Eventbrite or friendsofloverskey.org   Recently opened, Topgolf Fort Myers features 70 climate-controlled hitting bays for year-round comfort with HDTVs in every bay and throughout the sports bar and restaurant. Visitors may use complimentary clubs or bring their own as they take aim at giant outfield targets.  https://topgolf.com/us/fort-myers   Free guided beach walks at San Carlos Bay Bunche Beach take place at 9 a.m. Wednesdays through April 27. Visitors of all ages may enjoy this volunteer-led program and learn the basics of different beach ecosystems, types of shells and more. Free tour with paid parking. leegov.com/parks/beaches/bunche   Visitors are invited to a free tour of the Manatee Park butterfly garden and habitats at 9 a.m. Sundays through March 27. Visitors will enjoy walking the ADA accessible paths through the restored native plant habitats and butterfly gardens. A volunteer naturalist will lead the tour. Manatee Park is a non-captive refuge for the threatened Florida manatee. Optimum viewing is now through March. Free tour with paid parking. leegov.com/parks/parks/manateepark   Have fun and save with Fort Myers Sun Saver Passport The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel has launched a free mobile savings passport giving users access to exclusive deals on attractions, restaurants and experiences throughout the destination.   To participate:  

• Sign up at https://explore.fortmyers-sanibel.com
• The passport will be delivered to your mobile phone via text.
• Redeem it on your mobile phone at participating businesses.
• Visit the website for a complete list of attractions, restaurants and experiences.

  2022 festivals and events 37th Annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, Cape Coral Jan. 8-9 capecoralfestival.com   ArtFest Fort Myers, downtown River District Feb. 4-6 artfestfortmyers.com   Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers Feb. 19 edisonfestival.org   Spring training 2022 Boston Red Sox Spring training 17 home games Begins Feb. 25 with exhibition game against Northeastern University Ends March 29 JetBlue Park, Fort Myers mlb.com/redsox   Minnesota Twins spring training 16 home games Begins Feb. 26 against Toronto Blue Jays Ends March 29 CenturyLink Sports Complex, Fort Myers mlb.com/twins   Annual Sanibel Shell Show, Sanibel Island March 3 sanibelshellclub.com   85th Annual Sanibel Shell Festival, Sanibel Island March 3-5 sanibelcommunityhouse.net/p/84/shell-festival   23rd Annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers March 5 readfest.org   ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers  March 10-12 echonet.org/events/global-food-and-farm-festival   64th Annual Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival, Fort Myers Beach March 12 fortmyersbeach.org/events/fort-myers-beach-shrimp-festival   12th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival May 18-22 fortmyersfilmfestival.com   10th Annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, Sanibel Island May 13 dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/tarpon-tournament-1   24th Annual MangoMania Tropical Fruit Festival, Pine Island July TBD http://mangomaniafl.net   Island Hopper Songwriter Fest Sept. 16-25 IslandHopperFest.com   Fort Myers Beach International Film Festival September TBD fmbfilmfest.com   Roar Offshore, Fort Myers Beach October TBD roaroffshore.com   37th Annual Oktoberfest, Cape Coral October TBD capecoraloktoberfest.com   Lee County Alliance of the Arts 5th Annual Arts on Tap, Fort Myers November TBD artinlee.org/ontap

  August on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel brings long sunny days with great shelling and lots of outdoor activities as visitors take long-awaited vacations.   In addition to offering plenty of space for social distancing, great year-round weather, shell-drenched beaches, wildlife and the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, the destination offers lots of new experiences for return guests and first-time visitors. For the latest vacation information, visit FortMyers-Sanibel.com   Save the dates: Island Hopper Songwriter Fest Sept. 17-26 Island Hopper Songwriter Fest returns for its seventh year with an impressive lineup of talented singer-songwriters, including Jimmie Allen and Michael Ray.   The free 10-day music festival – except for a few ticketed events – kicks off on Captiva Island, Sept. 17-19, then moves to historic downtown Fort Myers, Sept. 20-23, and wraps up on Fort Myers Beach, Sept. 24-26. The event is the largest songwriter festival in Southwest Florida and offers a unique experience to interact with songwriters at pool parties and beachside venues. This year, more than 60 singer-songwriters from around the country will perform more than 100 shows.   Allen, who won this year’s Academy of Country Music Award for New Male Artist of the Year, will perform at the highly anticipated pool party at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Sept. 26. The Delaware native made history as the first Black artist to launch a career with two consecutive No. 1 songs on country radio. His hit, “Best Shot,” claimed the No. 1 spot for three weeks and his second single, “Make Me Want To,” climbed the charts in March 2020. He recently released an album featuring collaborations with Little Big Town, Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton. Ray, a Florida native, joins Island Hopper Songwriter Fest with three No. 1 songs, including “Kiss You in the Morning,” “Think a Little Less” and “One That Got Away.” He performs at Pinchers at The Marina at Edison Ford in downtown Fort Myers on Sept. 23. Ray kicks off his summer tour in June with country star Luke Combs. While most of the festival performances are free, a few exclusive ticketed shows are available on the official festival app – Island Hopper Songwriter Fest – which is available for free in the App Store and Google Play.   Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is produced by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, iHeartMedia, Cat Country 107.1 and BMI, the largest music rights organization in the U.S. Visit IslandHopperFest.com or access the media tool kit at island-hopper.fortmyers-sanibel.com/press. Follow the festival hashtag #islandhopperfest as well as the event’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook feeds.   Meanwhile, tune into the live virtual concert series, Songs from the Sofa and Songs from the Sand. At 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, a BMI songwriter performs live from the comfort of their sofa (or from one of our beautiful beaches). Facebook @islandhopperfest; Twitter @islandhopperswf; and The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel YouTube channel.   Happening this month Build & Brew at the historic Mound House, Fort Myers Beach   The Mound House hosts a Build & Brew! on Aug. 20. The fun evening includes pottery making along with a local craft beer and tasting. Each Build & Brew ticket includes admission to Mound House, one craft beer and tasting, and an hour-long class to learn how to make Native American pottery out of modeling clay, similar to the styles discovered at the Mound House.   Also this month: Untold Stories Guided Tour focuses on the cast of characters who called the Mound House home. To celebrate Friday the 13^th, Mound House hosts the Spooky Kayak Tour that evening.   Visitors to the attraction will discover an ancient island life through hands-on experiences atop a 2,000-year-old Calusa Indian shell mound. Visit www.moundhouse.org for schedule and reservations.   Turtle nesting season runs through Oct. 31 The destination is known for its wildlife and turtle nesting season is special to those who live here as well as to the visitors who travel from all over the world to experience it. This ritual is one of nature’s miracles. Most common to the area is the loggerhead sea turtle, which lives to be 40-60 years old. These fascinating creatures are big – they weigh 250-400 pounds. Like the visitors, who return year after year to enjoy our beautiful beaches, loggerheads return to the same beach time after time to deposit their eggs.   Be sure to observe a nesting turtle from a distance. Do not shine lights on or around her or she may abandon her effort to nest. Forgo taking photos or using cell phones and stay far away where she cannot see you as she crawls back to the water.   Lee County has a Sea Turtle Conservation Code. For more information, contact the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation at sccf.org/our-work/sea-turtles or Turtle Time, Inc. at turtletime.org   Welcome and Discovery Center at Lovers Key State Park Just in time for summer fun, the new Welcome and Discovery Center has opened at Lovers Key State Park. The center is located on the banks of an inland waterway with a design that pays homage to this beautiful backdrop. The $5.7 million structure starts by educating its visitors outdoors, where the pillars of the elevated building imitate mangroves and a 400-gallon touch tank welcomes hands and curiosity. The information desk takes its cues from Old Florida fish shacks and the gift shop includes books, jewelry and art. www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/lovers-key-state-park   Visitors come to Lovers Key to enjoy its shell-strewn beach that stretches 2.5 miles, with three different beach accesses along calm, clear waters. Bikers enjoy more than 5 miles of multi-use trails through maritime hammock and off-the-beaten paths where you may encounter butterflies, marsh rabbits, gopher tortoises and alligators in a freshwater pond.   Southern Living magazine named Lovers Key one of Florida’s most romantic destinations. In the early 1900s the island was accessible only by boat. Legend says that only lovers made the effort to get to this romantic island, thus the name Lovers Key. www.southernliving.com/travel/florida/most-romantic-destinations-fl   Coming attractions Murals commemorate McCollum Hall’s colorful past As Dunbar’s historic McCollum Hall heads toward preservation, local artists have been working to commemorate the building’s colorful past with vibrant outdoor murals depicting its days hosting big-name performers of the “Chitlin Circuit” back in the 1940s and 1950s. Besides recalling performances by Black musical greats, such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, the murals pay homage to Dunbar community traditions, including the Easter Sunday parade and heated sidewalk checker matches. The Fort Myers Mural Society oversees the project, which engages a number of local artists as the 12-mural series nears completion. Check details at www.fortmyersmuralsociety.com   To learn more about Dunbar Cultural Landmarks, download the Florida Stories app (free) and follow the route to learn about historic places in the Dunbar community. The tour follows the route to narrated cultural stops. https://floridastories.oncell.com/en/fort-myers-dunbar-community-207854.html   Wonder Gardens plans Otter Grotto Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs is launching the Robert & Deborah Blain Otter Grotto. The $250,000 otter exhibit will feature a clear acrylic tunnel and a play-cave for children to explore, while otters play and swim around guests. Clear viewing domes will allow children and adults to interact with the otters through the cave-walls. The cave will be wheelchair accessible. Current plans call for an October opening.   Wonder Gardens, opened in 1936 as an Old Florida roadside attraction on Old 41 and was a popular stop for travelers making their way from Tampa to Miami. Now, 85 years later, it welcomes about 75,000 visitors annually. www.wondergardens.org Topgolf to add Fort Myers location Topgolf plans to bring its technology-enabled entertainment experience to Fort Myers in late 2021. The seventh venue to be located in Florida, the complex will include 70 climate-controlled hitting bays, full-service restaurant and bars, 200 HDTV’s, rooftop terrace, private event space and meeting rooms. www.topgolf.com/us/fort-myers   Have fun and save with Fort Myers Sun Saver Passport Sunshine is just one of many reasons to visit Southwest Florida. Use your mobile phone to access exclusive deals and savings on experiences and find yourself exploring everything under the sun here.   The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel has launched a free mobile savings passport. Users have access to exclusive deals on attractions, restaurants and experiences throughout the destination.   To participate:  

• Sign up at https://explore.fortmyers-sanibel.com
• The passport will be delivered to your mobile phone via text
• Redeem it on your mobile phone at participating businesses
• Visit the website for a complete list of attractions, restaurants and experiences

  Dining news Wine Spectator has presented nine of its 2021 Restaurant Awards to the following area restaurants: Best of Award of Excellence: Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs and The Gasparilla Inn Main Dining Room, Boca Grande Award of Excellence: A Table Apart, Bonita Springs; Charley’s Boathouse Grille & Wine Bar, Fort Myers Beach; Sunshine Seafood Café & Wine Bar, Captiva Island; Terra Nostra Ristorante, Fort Myers; Twisted Vine Bistro, Fort Myers; The Pink Elephant, Boca Grande; The Temptation Restaurant, Boca Grande. www.winespectator.com   Chartreuse Craft and Cocktail Lounge has opened in the Bonita Springs Historic District. The lounge offers classic and craft cocktails and a variety of desserts with a 1930s, Old Florida, swanky vibe. www.chartreuselounge.com   Also in Bonita Springs, Cru Wine Club has opened its intimate, 650-square-foot wine tasting room, which features seating inside and outside, may be booked for a maximum of 12 guests to learn about California wines and discover new varieties to buy for enjoyment at home. Light bites and wine tastings will be featured during the day and chef-prepared small plates with host- led wine pairings will be featured during happy hour. The room will also be available for small private events. www.cruwineclub.com   Coming soon to downtown Bonita Springs… Ceremony Brewing is completing final renovations in preparation for a late summer opening. The brewery will make and sell its own beers as well as supplies and equipment for home brewers. The tap room plans to also serve drinks from other area brewers, offering patrons a variety. Local restaurants will supply food. www.facebook.com/CeremonyBrewing The Bohemian plans a summer opening as the owners of the popular Downtown Coffee and Wine Company are branching into the restaurant scene with a new, upscale and intimate restaurant with a menu filled with eclectic cuisine. Patrons will be able to watch chefs at work in the restaurant’s unique layout that includes seating for 44 inside and 33 on an outdoor deck. www.thebohemianbonita.com   Accommodations Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Bonita Springs, plans to debut new guestrooms this fall. The updated rooms will feature a sophisticated tropical feel with new wood flooring, modern bed frames, and upscale furnishing and décor. Featuring light green and vibrant ocean blues, the rooms will provide bright and airy accommodations representative of the resort’s waterfront location in Southwest Florida. The guestroom updates complement the resort’s public space and meeting space renovation which was completed in 2020.  hyattregencycoconutpoint.com   The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village has completed a $15 million renovation. The comprehensive, guestroom-focused transformation debuts almost a full year ahead of schedule,  a silver lining resulting from the nationwide hotel closures that impacted 2020.   Highlights of the renovation include 15 new guestrooms increasing the resort’s total room count to 308 rooms; design inspired by the beauty of Southwest Florida with dedication to the use of local materials; a new guest program, Fridge Fills, in-room ingredient baskets for ready-made meals to enjoy from the comfort of the newly renovated suites. www.westincapecoral.com   Recent openings Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort Myers Airport, conveniently located off Interstate 75 and near Southwest Florida International Airport, has opened with 102 rooms. The hotel is pet friendly and offers digital key, free WiFi, free breakfast, free parking, fitness center and pool. www.hilton.com/en/hotels/fmyhtht-home2-suites-fort-myers-airport Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Cape Coral/North Fort Myers has opened with 109 rooms. The hotel is conveniently located to downtown Cape Coral and Fort Myers. Amenities include free high-speed internet, free breakfast, fitness center and pool. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/rswfm-fairfield-inn-and-suites-cape-coral-north-fort-myers   Coming in 2023 on Fort Myers Beach Construction is underway for Margaritaville Beach Resort at the base of the Matanzas Bridge on Fort Myers Beach. Plans call for the 254-room property to open in 2023 with 254 rooms and suites restaurants and entertainment. www.margaritavilleresorts.com/margaritaville-beach-resort-fort-myers-beach   News from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) Allegiant plans nonstop routes to Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) beginning Oct. 8. Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) service begins Nov. 19.   Toronto (YUL) to RSW service with Air Canada returns daily flights starting Oct. 2 and the seasonal flight from Montreal to RSW returns from Nov. 2 through April 2022.   United Airlines will begin offering daily nonstop flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Dec. 16 and will continue through May 5, 2022.   The Lufthansa Group plans weekly nonstop flights between RSW and Frankfurt (FRA) in March 2022. Flights will be operated by Eurowings Discover three times a week.   Spirit Airlines plans nonstop flights between RSW and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) beginning Nov. 17. There will be daily service between RSW and STL and four times weekly service between RSW and SDF.   Alaska Airlines will resume its nonstop service between RSW and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on Nov. 19. Both flights will operate daily.   Give our Shellcast podcast a listen The latest episode of Shellcast visits Dog Beach in Bonita Springs in Episode 10: Good Dog Beach. The podcast that we like to say is a beach break for your ears, includes an interview with Chris Williams, supervisor for Bonita Beach Park, Lee County Parks & Recreation. Williams talks about what visitors can experience at the inlet beach south of Lovers Key State Park and shares how to make the visit a fun one for dogs and pet owners alike. Dog Beach is named one of VacationPetFriendly.com’s favorite Florida dog beaches.   Shellcast is available at fortmyers-sanibel.com/shellcast and wherever fine podcasts are downloaded. Instagram: @shellcastthepodcast.   Festivals and annual events Roar Offshore, Fort Myers Beach Oct. 7-9, 2021 www.roaroffshore.com   35rd Annual Oktoberfest, Cape Coral Oct. 22-24, 29-31, 2021 www.capecoraloktoberfest.com   33rd Annual J.N. “Ding” Darling Day, Lakes Park, Fort Myers Oct. 10, 2021  www.dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/ding-darling-days   Lee County Alliance of the Arts 4th Annual Arts on Tap, Fort Myers Nov. 12-13, 2021 www.artinlee.org/ontap   The Laboratory Theater of Florida Gulf Shore Shakespeare Festival Nov. 12-14, 2021 www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com   CROW Taste of the Island, Sanibel Island November 2022 www.crowclinic.org   Gift from the Sea Community Celebration, Captiva Island Dec. 5, 2021   46th Annual Holiday Nights at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers Nov. 26-Jan. 2, 2022 www.edisonfordwinterestates.org   River District Holidays, downtown Fort Myers Nov. 20-Dec. 31, 2021 www.myriverdistrict.com   Annual Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum Lighting, Boca Grande December 2021 www.barrierislandparkssociety.org   37th Annual Cape Coral Festival of the Arts, Cape Coral Jan. 8-9, 2022 www.capecoralfestival.com   ArtFest Fort Myers, downtown historic district Feb. 4-6, 2022 www.artfestfortmyers.com   Annual Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade, Fort Myers February 2022  www.edisonfestival.org   Spring training 2022 Boston Red Sox Spring training February-March 2022 JetBlue Park, Fort Myers www.mlb.com/redsox/spring-training   Minnesota Twins spring training February-March 2022 CenturyLink Sports Complex, Fort Myers www.mlb.com/twins/spring-training   85th Annual Sanibel Shell Festival, Sanibel Island March 3-5, 2022 www.sanibelcommunityhouse.net/p/84/shell-festival   Annual Sanibel Shell Show, Sanibel Island March 3, 2022 www.sanibelshellclub.com   23rd Annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Fort Myers March 5, 2022 www.readfest.org   ECHO Global Food and Farm Festival, North Fort Myers  March 10-12, 2022 www.echonet.org/events/global-food-and-farm-festival   64th Annual Fort Myers Beach Shrimp Festival, Fort Myers Beach March 12, 2022 www.fortmyersbeach.org/events/fort-myers-beach-shrimp-festival   12th Annual Fort Myers Film Festival May 18-22, 2022 www.fortmyersfilmfestival.com   10th Annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, Sanibel Island May 13, 2022  www.dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/tarpon-tournament-1   24th Annual MangoMania Tropical Fruit Festival, Pine Island July 2022 http://mangomaniafl.net/ 

  July on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel means that summer days are in full swing with Fourth of July celebrations and lots of outdoor activities as visitors begin taking long-awaited vacations.   In addition to offering plenty of space for social distancing, great year-round weather, shell-drenched beaches, wildlife and the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, the destination offers lots of new experiences for return guests and first-time visitors. For the latest vacation information, visit FortMyers-Sanibel.com   Happening this month July Fourth Celebrations City of Cape Coral Red, White and Boom! Begin the day with a 5K run at 7 a.m. (registration at 6 a.m.) that starts at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge. The evening celebration takes place from 5 to 10 p.m. with live entertainment beginning at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Note: the Cape Coral Bridge, as well as Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard to the bridge, will closes at 3 a.m. Sunday, July 4. Details, parking and entertainment: www.capeboom.com   Downtown Fort Myers Freedom Fest Celebrate Independence Day beginning at 6 p.m. in downtown Fort Myers with live music from Thunder Beach Band, food trucks, vendors, and fireworks from Lofton Island on the Caloosahatchee River. www.myriverdistrict.com/events/freedom-fest   Fort Myers Beach Fireworks The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. at Times Square. Closing time for the Matanzas Pass Bridge oncoming traffic is from 9 to11:30 p.m. Big Carlos Pass Bridge on the south end of the island will remain open. For parking/trolley information and a list of best places to watch, visit www.fortmyersbeach.org/events/fort-myers-beach-fourth-of-july-celebration   Adventures in Paradise Enjoy the Fort Myers Beach fireworks from the water beginning at 7:30 p.m. with a cruise through San Carlos Bay. Watch a beautiful sunset and enjoy drinks and snacks. www.adventureinparadiseinc.com/cruises/holiday-cruises/fourth-of-july-cruise   Star Spangled Bonita The fun takes place in Riverside Park from 5 to 9 p.m. and includes live music, food and beverages, activities for kids and a glow parade. Fireworks begin at sunset. www.cityofbonitasprings.org/july4th   Turtle nesting season runs through Oct. 31 The destination is known for its wildlife and turtle nesting season is special to those who live here as well as to the visitors who travel from all over the world to experience it. This ritual is one of nature’s miracles. Most common to the area is the loggerhead sea turtle, which lives to be 40-60 years old. These fascinating creatures are big – they weigh 250-400 pounds. Like the visitors, who return year after year to enjoy our beautiful beaches, loggerheads return to the same beach time after time to deposit their eggs.   Be sure to observe a nesting turtle from a distance. Do not shine lights on or around her or she may abandon her effort to nest. Forgo taking photos or using cell phones and stay far away where she cannot see you as she crawls back to the water.   Lee County has a Sea Turtle Conservation Code. For more information, contact the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation at sccf.org/our-work/sea-turtles or Turtle Time, Inc. at turtletime.org   Welcome and Discovery Center opens at Lovers Key State Park Just in time for summer fun, the new Welcome and Discovery Center has opened at Lovers Key State Park. The center is located on the banks of an inland waterway with a design that pays homage to this beautiful backdrop. The $5.7 million structure starts by educating its visitors  outdoors, where the pillars of the elevated building imitate mangroves and a 400-gallon touch tank welcomes hands and curiosity. The information desk takes its cues from Old Florida fish shacks and the gift shop includes books, jewelry and art. www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/lovers-key-state-park   Visitors come to Lovers Key to enjoy its shell-strewn beach that stretches 2.5 miles, with three different beach accesses along calm, clear waters. Bikers enjoy more than 5 miles of multi-use trails through maritime hammock and off-the-beaten paths where you may encounter butterflies, marsh rabbits, gopher tortoises and alligators in a freshwater pond.   Southern Living magazine named Lovers Key one of Florida’s most romantic destinations. In the early 1900s the island was accessible only by boat. Legend says that only lovers made the effort to get to this romantic island, thus the name Lovers Key. www.southernliving.com/travel/florida/most-romantic-destinations-fl Save the dates 7th annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest The countdown has started! Returning Sept. 17-26, the award-winning event will include new artists, events and star-studded performances by some of country music’s greatest singer- songwriters from Nashville and beyond. Island Hopper kicks off on Captiva Island Sept. 17-19; moves to downtown Fort Myers Sept. 20-23; and closes at Fort Myers Beach Sept. 24-26.   The official Island Hopper mobile app is available to download for iOS and Android users. This new app was designed to enhance the festival experience. Features of the app include:  

• First chance to purchase tickets for select performances
• Personalized schedule
• Artist information
• Performance times and venues
• Festival coupons
• Island Hopper hotel deals
• Festival maps
• Updates and alerts

  Get the app: https://www.island-hopper.fortmyers-sanibel.com/festival-mobile-app   Visitors will enjoy more than 80 artists, 100 shows, most of which are free and in small, intimate venues. Island Hopper is presented by iHeart Media, Cat Country 107.1, BMI and The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. island- hopper.fortmyers-sanibel.com   Meanwhile, tune into the live virtual concert series, Songs from the Sofa and Songs from the Sand. At 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, a BMI songwriter performs live  from the comfort of their sofa (or from one of our beautiful beaches). Facebook @islandhopperfest; Twitter @islandhopperswf; and The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel YouTube Coming attractions Murals commemorate McCollum Hall’s colorful past As Dunbar’s historic McCollum Hall heads toward preservation, local artists have been working to commemorate the building’s colorful past with vibrant outdoor murals depicting its days hosting big-name performers of the “Chitlin Circuit” back in the 1940s and 1950s. Besides recalling performances by Black musical greats, such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, the murals pay homage to Dunbar community traditions, including the Easter Sunday parade and heated sidewalk checker matches. The Fort Myers Mural Society oversees the project, which engages a number of local artists as the 12-mural series nears completion. Check details at www.fortmyersmuralsociety.com   To learn more about Dunbar Cultural Landmarks, download the Florida Stories app (free) and follow the route to learn about historic places in the Dunbar community. The tour follows the route to narrated cultural stops. https://floridastories.oncell.com/en/fort-myers-dunbar-community-207854.html   Wonder Gardens plans Otter Grotto Wonder Gardens in Bonita Springs is launching the Robert & Deborah Blain Otter Grotto. The $250,000 otter exhibit will feature a clear acrylic tunnel and a play-cave for children to explore, while otters play and swim around guests. Clear viewing domes will allow children and adults to interact with the otters through the cave-walls. The cave will be wheelchair accessible. Current plans call for an October opening.   Wonder Gardens, opened in 1936 as an Old Florida roadside attraction on Old 41 and was a popular stop for travelers making their way from Tampa to Miami. Now, 85 years later, it welcomes about 75,000 visitors annually. www.wondergardens.org Topgolf to add Fort Myers location Topgolf plans to bring its technology-enabled entertainment experience to Fort Myers in late 2021. The seventh venue to be located in Florida, the complex will include 70 climate-controlled hitting bays, full-service restaurant and bars, 200 HDTV’s, rooftop terrace, private event space and meeting rooms. www.topgolf.com/us/fort-myers   Have fun and save with Fort Myers Sun Saver Passport Sunshine is just one of many reasons to visit Southwest Florida. Use your mobile phone to access exclusive deals and savings on experiences and find yourself exploring everything under the sun here.   The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel has launched a free mobile savings passport. Users have access to exclusive deals on attractions, restaurants and experiences throughout the destination.   To participate:  

• Sign up at https://explore.visitfortmyers.com/
• The passport will be delivered to your mobile phone via text
• Redeem it on your mobile phone at participating businesses
• Visit the website for a complete list of attractions, restaurants and experiences

  Dining news  The Oxbow Bar & Grill has opened at the Luminary Hotel & Co. Located in what was once known as the City Pier Building in the Downtown Fort Myers River District, it offers a mix of causal dockside dining and shopping. Open daily for lunch and dinner it serves brunch on weekends.   With panoramic riverfront views on the Caloosahatchee River, Oxbow features an upbeat nautical vibe that will appeal to the area’s boaters. Inspired by its unique location, the 150-seat restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Menu selections include fresh oysters and seafood, craft sandwiches, burgers and steaks. The second floor will offer 2,400 square feet of event space featuring a patio with private access and a catering kitchen for private celebrations or meetings for up to approximately 150 guests. www.oxbowfortmyers.com   Chartreuse Craft and Cocktail Lounge has opened in the Bonita Springs Historic District. The lounge offers classic and craft cocktails and a variety of desserts with a 1930s, Old Florida, swanky vibe. www.chartreuselounge.com   Also in Bonita Springs, Cru Wine Club has opened its intimate, 650-square-foot wine tasting room, which features seating inside and outside, may be booked for a maximum of 12 guests to learn about California wines and discover new varieties to buy for enjoyment at home. Light bites and wine tastings will be featured during the day and chef-prepared small plates with host- led wine pairings will be featured during happy hour. The room will also be available for small private events. www.cruwineclub.com   Boop’s By the Bubble Room, the nostalgic, yummy, old-fashioned soda fountain, has just opened on Captiva Island adjacent to the popular restaurant. An ice cream parlor that serves Love Boat ice cream also includes espresso coffees, pastries and the famous Bubble Room cake. www.bubbleroomrestaurant.com   400 Rabbits on Sanibel Island, the new (and only) Mexican restaurant on Sanibel, 400 Rabbits  gets its name from the 400 drunken rabbit gods, an Aztec myth involving the infinite ways people could get tipsy. Restaurant co-owners Debra and Jeramie Campana brought in Chef Don Yamauchi, who was nominated for a James Beard award as one of the top five rising star chefs in 1993. He is also a 400 Rabbits co-owner. The restaurant is known for hand-crafted margaritas, dedicated guacamole station, burritos and street tacos. www.400rabbitssanibel.com Coming soon to downtown Bonita Springs… Ceremony Brewing is completing final renovations in preparation for a late summer opening. The brewery will make and sell its own beers as well as supplies and equipment for home brewers. The tap room plans to also serve drinks from other area brewers, offering patrons a variety. Local restaurants will supply food. www.facebook.com/CeremonyBrewing   The Bohemian plans a summer opening as the owners of the popular Downtown Coffee and Wine Company are branching into the restaurant scene with a new, upscale and intimate restaurant with a menu filled with eclectic cuisine. Patrons will be able to watch chefs at work in the restaurant’s unique layout that includes seating for 44 inside and 33 on an outdoor deck. www.thebohemianbonita.com   Accommodations The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village has completed a $15 million renovation. The comprehensive, guestroom-focused transformation debuts almost a full year ahead of schedule,  a silver lining resulting from the nationwide hotel closures that impacted 2020.   Highlights of the renovation include 15 new guestrooms increasing the resort’s total room count to 308 rooms; design inspired by the beauty of Southwest Florida with dedication to the use of local materials; a new guest program, Fridge Fills, in-room ingredient baskets for ready-made meals to enjoy from the comfort of the newly renovated suites. www.westincapecoral.com   News from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) Toronto to RSW service with Air Canada returns daily starting Oct. 2 and the seasonal flight from Montreal to RSW returns from Nov. 2 until April 2022.   United Airlines will begin offering daily nonstop flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles on Dec. 16 and will continue through May 5, 2022.   The Lufthansa Group plans weekly nonstop flights between RSW and Frankfurt (FRA) in March 2022. Flights will be operated by Eurowings Discover three times a week.   Spirit Airlines plans nonstop flights between RSW and Louisville (SDF) and St. Louis (STL) beginning Nov. 17. There will be daily service between RSW and STL and four times weekly service between RSW and SDF.   Alaska Airlines will resume its nonstop service between RSW and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on Nov. 19. Both flights will operate daily.   The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in the news Southern Living picks Sanibel Island as one of The South’s Best Beach Towns The editors of Southern Living magazine featured Sanibel in its fifth annual The South’s Best issue, selecting the island as one of its Beach Towns of 2021. Sanibel was featured on the cover of Southern Living’s April edition. The island “kept the heart of the South beating during some of the toughest times of 2020 and 2021,” says the magazine. www.southernliving.com   Fort Myers, Sanibel and Matlacha on “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love” Award-winning “Samantha Brown’s Places to Love” returned for season 4 on PBS and featured Fort Myers, Sanibel, Matlacha and more. www.samantha-brown.com/episodes/season-4   Town & Country magazine features Boca Grande’s renovated Gasparilla Inn The classic, Old Florida resort has undergone a refresh that is detailed in Town & Country magazine. The article begins with “Because sipping on Boca Punch and playing a game of backgammon sounds good right about now, doesn’t it?”   Forbes picks Fort Myers: One of Florida’s most underrated cities for a weekend getaway “A historic community once frequented by Thomas Edison, Fort Myers is the ideal destination for a relaxing weekend getaway. While nearby Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach have earned acclaim for their idyllic beaches and shoreside resorts, the city of Fort Myers is undergoing a tourism renaissance of its own right now—a quality that’s best represented by the Luminary Hotel & Co., a brand new addition to the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Officially unveiled in September 2020, this polished AAA Four Diamond venue is breathing new life into the food, drink, and hospitality scene across the Fort Myers River District.”   Give our new Shellcast podcast a listen Think of Shellcast as a beach break for your ears. The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel’s new podcast gives listeners a chance to soak up some virtual sun and learn more about our slice of paradise. Listeners tune in to experience the sounds of the destination’s beaches, nature and interviews with local experts. Shellcast is available on https://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com/shellcast and wherever fine podcasts are downloaded. Instagram: @shellcastthepodcast.   Attractions Free seasonal tours at J.N. “Ding” National Wildlife Refuge  The J.N. “Ding” National Wildlife Refuge plans to run its Free Summer Tours Program through Aug. 7. The tours will be socially distanced with 10 people or less. Sign up at dingdarling.eventbrite.com to find out about tours, such as a children’s program, art activities, a mindfulness walk at Bailey Tract and a beach walk. www.dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/free-refuge-programs   Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum opens “Beyond Shells” on Sanibel Island Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum’s new $6 million expansion, “Beyond Shells: The  Mysterious World of Mollusks,” transforms the visitor’s experience. It connects them to the little-known live animals that contribute to the ocean’s stunning shells and educates visitors about the important role these animals play in our ecosystem.   The bright new space gives visitors the chance to rediscover the museum with 11 aquariums that  showcase cold and warm water species, like octopuses, squid and nautilus. Visitors duck into a pop-up bubble for a 360-degree look at mollusks and fish, and immerse their hands in two engaging 15-foot touch-pool experiences.   To learn more about the shells from our beaches, download the Bailey-Matthews National Shell  Museum app ($1.99). Snap a photo of your shell and learn what kind it is and all the details about it. shellmuseum.org