If you are town the first weekend in February you will not want to mist the annual Everglades Seafood festival in Everglades City.It´s three fun filled days of feasting on fresh fish, stone crabs, shrimp, catfish, lobster, blue crabs and more. For the younger set there is a carnival and the live country music is featured for all.
The Fourth In Naples:
Naples Is a great place to spend the Fourth!Start your day off with a parade in Naples, BonitaSprings or EvergladesCity; they all have good ones.Afterwards, head to the beach for an afternoon of fun and sun and make sure to bring snacks and refreshments and sun block as you will definitely want to stay for the Spectacular Fireworks Display. Lasting a good half an hour, they are set off at the Naples Pier and can be seen up and down the beach.If you are just going to see the fireworks make sure to come early for a parking place as thousands flock to the beach to see the display.
Evening on Fifth:
You won´t want to miss a Thursday Evening on Fifth.Held the second Thursday of every month, the Fifth Avenue Association turns the street into a festive event.All of the shops stay open and you will find musicians, bands and entertainers from six to nine.The theme varies each month.One month it is Elvis, another Mardi Gras.You might even find Santa or the Easter Bunny.So mark your calendar and enjoy the fun.If you get a chance, stop at the office 550 Fifth Avenue South and say hello.We always have balloons and gifts for the occasion.
Festival and Celebration of Lights:
You will not want to miss the snow!That´s right, it really does snow in Naples.Each Thanksgiving, the Third Street South area celebrates the coming holiday with a festive street lighting, artificial snow and holiday decorations.Attracting 25,000, the festivities, begin with a parade featuring church choirs, local school bands, elves and of course Santa.The highlight of the evening is always the lighting of the tree.This is truly an event for the whole family.
Great Dock Canoe Race:
There is no question that the annual Great Dock Canoe Race is one of Naples' most popular events.Thousands of people gather to watch the race from the shore, docks or boats in NaplesBay.The theme for the event changes each year, and the costumes and headgear of the participants and spectators are as much a part as the paddling and huffing.Even the canoes get into the act with a parade and prizes awarded for "The Best Dressed Canoe"
Contestants paddle a course starting at Crayton Cove, circling the City Dock, then heading north to TinCity before retracing their route back. Some of them are just out for the fun of it and an overturned canoe or two only adds to the merriment.There are also the serious ones who train well in advance and seem to fly over the three miles.
The Annual Great Dock Canoe Race is a community event with all proceeds going to local organization working for the town's benefit.
St. Patrick's Day Parade:
Fifth Avenue is a great place to be even if you are not Irish!Old Naples is home to the largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the Southeast with thousands lining the streets.The parade kicks off at 9.00 am with a flag raising ceremony at the Dock at Crayton Cove followed by the parade at 11:00 am.Bands playing Irish Music, college floats, Irish step dancers in elaborate dresses and antique and classic cards make it something for everyone.As always, there is even candy for the kids.
A fun place to watch this is in front of the McCabe´s Irish Pub, where beads, necklaces and hats are sold to put you in a very Irish frame of mind.The camaraderie and enthusiasm of the crowd helps make everyone Irish for the day!
