Art and Craft Festival at The Promenade Bonita Springs

Things to do

  in Bonita Springs, Florida!  Save the dates for this years Bonita Springs Art Festival in sunny Bonita Springs, Florida!  Click the map for directions to the The Promenade. 

To contact the Center for The Arts to learn more about attending or becoming a vendor click Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs.

January 14-15, 2012
February 11-12, 2012
March 10-11, 2012

Free Things to Do in Bonita Springs Estero

When:  Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 10:00am until Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 5:00p.m.

Where: Coconut Point, 23130 Fashion Drive, Estero, FL

Description: Ring in the New Year with us at the Coconut Point Art Festival at Coconut Point Mall in Estero, Florida, just north of Bonita Springs, Florida on US 41/Tamiami Trail.  Featuring the finest artists in the country and a vast array of quality handmade art appealing to a variety of tastes and budgets.  Admission is Free and Open to the Public.

Festival goers will be able to comfortably stroll among the spacious isles of gallery style booths located on the parking fields of Coconut Point and explore the original art on display and for sale! Artists will be on site to discuss their art.  http://coconutpointnewyears.eventbrite.com/.  Click Map for directions:

Coconut Point Mall

Bonita Springs Boat Parade December 10, 2011

Looking for things to do in Bonita Springs?  The 26th Annual Bonita Springs holiday boat parade is set for December 10, 2011 and is brought to you by Bonita Springs Rotary Club Noon.

Details with meeting locations and the captain’s dinner are as follows:

• Sign Up: Captain’s Dinner is December 6th at The Fish House at 6:00 p.m. for Captains and First Mates, only … or visit Bay Water Boat Club and Rentals for a sign-up sheet.
• Parade Date: December 10, 2011
• The Location: The Fish House ~ 4685 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 is the sign up location and the beginning of the parade route.
• The Route: The boat parade begins at the Fish House, goes up the Imperial River to east of US 41 Tamiami Trail to approximately Flossmoor Drive where it turns around and returns to the Barefoot Boat Club for the after party.
• The After Party: The Boat Parade after party is at The Fish House, also. 
• Prizes!:  This year there are five new boat parade prize categories.  $500 for 1st Place, $300 for 2nd Place, $200 for 3rd Place.

For more information, call Bay Waters Boat Rentals 239-495-0455 and visit www.BonitaBoatParade.com  

You can also print a Boat Parade Flyer by clicking here: Bonita Springs Boat Parade Flyer

Traveling Vietnam Wall in Bonita Springs, Florida

Enjoy the video above of the Patriot Guard escort motorcade of the Vietnam Wall pulling into Riverside Park in Downtown Bonita Springs, Florida.  Dec. 1-4 a replica of part of the Vietnam Wall will displayed at Riverside Park on Old 41 Road in downtown Bonita Springs, Florida.  Click the map below for directions to the park:

Taste of Bonita at Riverside Park

NEWS RELEASE

Re: 18^th Annual Taste of Bonita

Contact: Mary Shallies 239-331-1432

18^TH ANNUAL TASTE OF BONITA coming to riverside park

The 18^th Annual Taste of Bonita, presented by The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs Noon, takes place Saturday and Sunday, November 19^th and 20th at Riverside Park on Old 41 in Bonita Springs.

The weekend event kicks off with a free concert on Saturday, featuring Jimmy Buffet Tribute band, The Caribbean Chillers, from 5:30 to 9:00 pm. Food and drinks will be available for sale the night of the concert. Concert goers are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, but coolers and pets are not allowed.

On Sunday, approximately twenty seven area restaurants will offer a wide array of dishes from pizza to wings and pasta to seafood. Current restaurants participating include Survey Café, Fitzgerald’s, Cirella’s, The Fish House, Ted’s Montana Grill, Royal Scoop, Tony Sacco’s, Johnny Malloys, Randy’s Fish Market Restaurant, Paradise Shrimp, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Daniela’s, For Heaven Shakes, Coconut Jacks, The Stage, Pett-zza’s, Carrabba’s, Outback Steak House, Big Hickory Grill, and First Watch. Most dishes range from 3 to 5 tickets per serving and tickets cost $1.00 a piece. Beer, Naked Grape wine, margaritas, soda and water will also be available for sale.

New to this year’s Taste is a silent auction. Included in the auction is a one year boat club membership to Baywater Boat Exclusive Boat Club in Bonita Springs. The membership is valued at $6,000.00. Minimum bid will start at $2,500.00. Other auction items include jewelry, spa and beauty packages, hotel stays, a sunset cruise, restaurant certificates, and golf. Winning bids will be collected and announced at 4 p.m. Winners not in attendance at the announcement time will be notified by phone. “We have worked hard to assemble auction packages that will include a wide variety of highly desirable products and services for men and women and provide a great value to the winning bidder,” says auction chair, Kim Pitts. “We anticipate the annual boat club membership will be one of the most sought after items!”

Additional highlights of the event include live music throughout the day by The Manipulators, Southwest Florida based band that play a wide genre of cover songs, from rock to blues to pop. “We really enjoy playing the Taste of Bonita. It’s got a friendly, hometown vibe that few other events can match,” says Manipulators drummer, Dan Odem.

Laura Bruenig, whose company, Florida Veterinary Referral Center, is sponsoring the kids play area, offers her reasons for supporting Taste of Bonita: “This is a local event that raises money for great causes and we are glad to be a part of it.” The children’s play area will feature games and activities, including a bounce house, rock climbing wall, laser tag and face painting. Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida will have pets available for adoption under the Florida Veterinary Referral Center tent as well. “Events like Taste of Bonita are ideal for us,” says, GRRSW President, Alesia Mata. “They allow potential foster parents and those interested in adoption to experience the dogs up close and kids really love it!”

Lee Memorial Health Systems, a VIP sponsor of Taste, will be providing free health screenings under their tent and the Blood Mobile will be on hand for those that wish to donate. “Good food, good times, good cause,” says Mary Briggs, spokesperson for Lee Memorial Health System and a Taste of Bonita sponsor. “It looks like the planning committee has gone all out again this year to arrange an enjoyable event that benefits the community. We are anticipating good participation at our bloodmobile and at our health screenings tent.”

“Every year The Taste of Bonita garners larger crowds and overwhelming support of not only residents, but also visitors to our area. This year, with the addition of the free kick off concert the night prior, silent auction, bloodmobile and health screenings, we believe the event will surpass previous years in the amount of money raised to support our club’s charitable giving, and provide a higher level of satisfaction for those attending,” said Taste chairperson, Tony Valego.

Admission and parking for the kick off concert and Taste of Bonita are free. Major support for Taste of Bonita has also been provided by The Ronto Group and Gulf Coast Coin and Jewelry.

The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs Noon was chartered in 1992. It currently has 52 members and meets Thursday’s at noon at The Spanish Wells clubhouse. The club also organizes and hosts an International Beer & Wine Tasting in April at Mercado in Naples, Florida. Events such as these provide the funding to support the club’s charitable giving throughout the year.

###

Off The Beaten Path in Bonita Springs

1. Definitely stop and eat at Buffalo Chips ~ Bonita Springs’ favorite upscale dive offers the hottest wings and the coldest beer in town … and a little local culture.
2. Taste of Bonita – 3^rd weekend of November every year.  Taste of Bonita is the biggest Florida food festival in the tiniest little park.
3. Dog beach … where else but in Bonita Springs Florida is there a beach just for dogs? It’s one of a few pet friendly parks in the area. Bonitians love their dogs!
4. The Great Calusa Blueway  runs through Estero Bay and up the scenic Imperial River.
5. Mound Key, anyone? The spiny orb weavers and goats out there should make anyone want to go!
6. Swamp Buggy Ride? There are folks with kin ‘round here with swamp buggies, ask around and get up close to nature.
7. Shangri La Hotel is a historical landmark drive by the front or paddle around the back of it on Oak Creek.
8. Everglades Wonder Gardens – No brainer It’s a zoological park straight out of old Florida.
9. Christian Busk’s restored historic houses on Pennsylvania.  Take a look at history and appreciate the hard work and labor of love that went into saving these Southwest Florida homes from the wrecking ball.
10. The Blue Grass musicians at Flamingo Island (in season) Blow-your-doors-off, walk up, playing/singing musicians who just want to jam. A few famous musicians have quietly stepped on stage a few times.
11. Did you know we have an annual Harp and Harpist Convention here?
12. We also have Art Festivals in the winter season … a couple of them. Plan your travel to catch one!

Have an idea for other fun things to do in Bonita Springs? Email it or leave it in the comments below.

Friday Night Lights | Estero HS Game Time

9/02/11 7:30 PM vs. Ida Baker (Cape Coral, FL) (Estero High School)

9/09/11 7:30 PM vs. Island Coast (Cape Coral, FL) (Estero H.S.)

9/16/11 7:30 PM @ North Fort Myers (North Fort Myers, FL) (North Ft. Myers H.S.)

9/23/11 TBA vs. East Lee County (Lehigh Acres, FL) *

9/23/11 7:30 PM vs. East Lee County (Lehigh Acres, FL) * (Estero H.S.)

9/30/11 TBA vs. Palmetto Ridge (Naples, FL)

9/30/11 7:30 PM vs. Palmetto Ridge (Naples, FL) (Estero H.S.)

10/06/11 TBA @ Cape Coral (Cape Coral, FL) *

10/06/11 7:30 PM @ Cape Coral (Cape Coral, FL) * (Cape Coral H.S.)

10/21/11 TBA @ Cypress Lake (Fort Myers, FL) *

10/28/11 7:30 PM vs. Mariner (Cape Coral, FL) * (Estero H.S.)

11/04/11 7:30 PM @ Lehigh (Lehigh Acres, FL) * (Lehigh Sr. H.S.)

11/11/11 7:30 PM @ Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, FL) (Bishop Verot H.S.)

TBA = To Be Announced    * Conference Game

 Things To Do: Entertainment & Laser Light Show

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (May 26, 2011) – A real pyrotechnic grand finale will highlight a high-powered laser light show as darkness falls in Bonita Springs on Monday, July 4^th, 2011 at the City’s annual Star Spangled Bonita celebration. The light display will conclude the City’s annual Party in the Park beginning at 6 p.m.

Independence Day kicks off with the traditional morning parade presented by Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District, and reconvenes at Riverside Park at 6 p.m.

A full schedule of live entertainment includes Jay Frost & Three Below and Cahlua & Cream, an array of children’s amusements, and traditional July 4^th events culminating with a laser light show and fireworks display.

For the first time, Bonita’s own Captain Johnny O (#3 Johnny Depp look alike) will perform. He returns to Bonita Springs after a series of appearances for Disney impersonating Captain Jack Sparrow.

The Zonta Club of Bonita Springs’ popular Blue Ribbon pie baking contest returns. Eating contests include a hot dog eating contest for ages 13 and up sponsored by Russell’s Clambake, an ice cream eating contest for children eight and under sponsored by Royal Scoop, and new this year, a watermelon eating contest for children nine through 12.

Children’s games include a waterslide, water balloon toss, potato sack races, beach ball rolls and much more. Many trophies will be awarded.

Admission is free, and refreshments will be sold with a portion of the proceeds donated to the Bonita Assistance Office.

The artist cottages in the Liles Hotel plaza will be open. Riverside Park is located in the historic district of Bonita Springs on Old 41 and Pennsylvania Avenue. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, but to please leave their dogs and coolers at home.

For more information visit www.cityofbonitasprings.org or call 239-949-6262.

So, it all started with a search that someone made on Google. They searched “Top 10 Restaurants in Bonita Springs, Florida” and found a post on Life in Bonita Springs, titled the same.  When I went to the post, which I had written years earlier, I realized that more than a few of the restaurants were no longer in business. 

I started questioning locals on Facebook … where’s your favorite place to eat?  Everyone had an opinion and I went to one of the restaurants the following Sunday afternoon.  It then occurred to me that maybe I should invite a few of those Facebook people to join me.  I mean, we’re all friends online and we all like to eat so maybe we should get together tweet-up style for dining and socializing.

The Facebook Group, Southwest Florida Summer Restaurant Crawl was born.  You can click that link to go join the page, by the way.

Anywho, the group grew quickly and then I started to scramble looking for places to get on schedule and formulate some sort of a plan.  We officially have our first event scheduled at Hemingway’s at Coconut Point June 5th.  Go to the group to find more info about that event or upcoming events because we’re doing it all summer.

Also, if you happen to know a restaurateur, restaurant manager or someone who does public relations for local restaurants, let them know about the summer event.  We’re still looking for hosts!

You don’t have to be a Facebook member to join in the fun.  Feel free to contact me directly for more information.

Sitting Quietly is Actually a Thing To Do

The great American pass time is sitting on the tush, usually in front of a television or computer.  We spend an awful lot of time indoors.  Too much time indoors, as a matter of fact.

Yesterday, I got a call from Marian from the Choir Project to discuss the ins and outs of all things nerdy that can be done to blogs and such.  She asked me why I hadn’t taken my camera out for a while.  I didn’t really have an explanation other than I just spend too much time in front of the computer, which is probably mostly the truth. 

The rest of the truth is that April and May was just busy.  There have been people graduating from college, visitors from out of town and all of the other “season is coming to an end” things that get packed in when season is coming to an end in Southwest Florida.

The rest of the rest of the truth is that May means Mother’s Day and my mother’s birthday is May sixteenth so I was positively uninspired for a couple of weeks. I haven’t felt like writing, picture taking or doing anything creative.

In an effort to try a little bit harder I first *found* my camera and second loaded up LBD and started driving … somewhere. I ended up at the newest park in Bonita Springs, River Park.   The park is pet friendly, but at this stage of LBD’s life he’s carried everywhere so he’s not like a regular, roaming, don’t-let-your-dog-poop-in-my-grass kind of dog anyway.

It would be a treat (for me) for him to crap in the grass.  I actually had my friend, The Fräulein, say this to me  today just as matter of fact as can be:

“Where is the little brown dog, I want to hold him … but he can’t poop on me, I’m on my way to school after this.” 

The fact that it would be acceptable for him to crap on her any other time is probably just plain wrong.  (I’m thinking that is one of those “true friend” tests.)

At any rate, I ran the dog to the park. It was just he and I and a guy fishing on the new floating docks in the Imperial River.  It’ is so very pretty down there. I would have taken more pictures but having the geezer in tow is sort of like having a baby or a toddler. You can’t turn your back for a second because he’s blind, deaf, lame and ridiculous enough to walk the plank.

So, I took a few pictures but more importantly I took some time off, got outside and took advantage of the great park that literally thousands of people drive by every day. 

If you’d like to learn more about River Park, read also:  River Park at Imperial River | Bonita Springs, Florida.  Maybe we’ll see you there sometime.