2022 Fall Newcomers Guide
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1504028
NEWCOMERS GUIDE TO PARADISE 68 The Eggnormous Egg Hunt: Starts at City Center Front Green in North Port. The event is free and features a variety of hunts for children of different ages. www.cityofnorthport.com. Great seashell hunt: During the years that lightkeepers lived at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, eggs were not always available. It has been said that for spring holiday, they hunted seashells on the beach instead. That's why kids love the Barrier Island Parks Society's annual Great Seashell Hunt — because it's not only educational, it's fun. Gasparilla Island State Park, 880 Belcher Road, Boca Grande. https://bit. ly/3xPKL6a. MAY Bands, Brews, & BBQ Fest: Live music, barbecue and ice cold beer. Laishley Park, Punta Gorda. www.puntagordabbqfest.com. JUNE aactWORLDFEST: A week-long community theater festival featuring shows from around the globe, parties, workshops, and moreVenice Theatre, 140 Tampa Ave. W., Venice. 941-488-1115 or https://venicetheatre.org. JULY Freedom Fest: Includes Water-Mania, a group of 12 giant waterslides in Laishley Park. There also are vendors, displays, plenty of fun festival food, cold beer and beverages with live music throughout the day. There will be a large kid's fun zone and an evening fireworks display. Laishley Park, Punta Gorda. https://puntagordafireworks. com. Independence Day celebration at Fishermen's Village: Family-friendly activities, live music, vendor displays, dining, shopping and more. 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. 800-639-0020 or www.fishermensvillage.com. Fireworks light up over CoolToday Park: On the front event lawn of the stadium will be a Kids Fun Zone which will include a variety of activities such as bounce houses, lawn games, music by DJ Jam and more. In addition to the stadium concessions inside the ballpark and the opportunity for children to run the diamond, there will also be a variety of vendors and community organizations with booths as well as live music and fireworks. CityofNorthPort.com/FreedomFestival. View fireworks from area beaches: Fireworks shot from the South Jetty. The show will last around 30 minutes and can be viewed on area beaches from Caspersen to Nokomis, as well as other locations around Venice. venicegov.com. 'Light Up Lemon Bay': The show starts just after dark and will be launched from Blind Pass Beach Park on Manasota Key, Englewood. lbsrfoundation.com. AUGUST Pioneer Days Cardboard Boat Races: Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park pool, 6791 San Casa Drive, Englewood. Applications are online at www. englewoodpioneerdays.com. Pioneer Days Chalkfest: Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park, 6791 San Casa Drive, Englewood. There will be food, vendors and music. Chalk will be provided. www.englewoodpioneerdays.com. SEPTEMBER Key Lime & Tropical Fest: Enjoy the day exploring shops, restaurants and specialty vendors showcasing key lime, tropical and other delights. Live music throughout the village. Fishermen's Village, 1200 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. www.fishermensvillage.com. Comedy For A Cause: Enjoy dinner while local business celebrities entertain with side-splitting improvisational antics. The silent auction, prize drawings and character photo spots will round out your evening. Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda. 941-255-1022 or www.charlotteplayers.org. Pioneer Days Parade and Festival: Annual celebration in Englewood includes a parade and festival, car shows, music, vendors, history tour, diaper derby, cardboard boat races and more. www.englewoodpioneerdays.com. Downtown Punta Gorda Labor Day Craft Festival: Artists display their wares along downtown streets. 200 W. Miami Ave., Venice. www.artfestival.com. Sullivan Street Craft Festival: The arts and crafts event has become a local winter tradition along Sullivan Street in Downtown Punta Gorda and also includes food vendors. www.artfestival. com. SHUTTERSTOCK SHUTTERSTOCK