What’s Happening ~ September 2020 Edition

September 1, 2020 | Events

Welcome to your September Issue of What’s Happening in Southwest Florida.  Public schools in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties are back in session with in-person learning at about half capacity.  Some beloved outdoor events, like Yappy Hour at the Bell Tower Shops, are back this month.

Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Cape Coral Parks & Rec is launching a month long, prize-filled, virtual scavenger hunt with 3 winners randomly selected EACH WEEK! Join the Fun Here!

Cultural Park Theater – On Stage, Places Please | September 10-20 
Support our local arts community and youth performers in this high energy original review.  Please note the new performance schedule: Thursdays at 7 PM, Fridays at 8 PM and Saturday/Sunday at 3 PM.  Call the box office for tickets, 239-772-5862 (Seating is limited due to current capacity guidelines).

Yappy Hour Returns to Bell Tower Shops | September 11 from 6 – 8 pm
The area’s largest pet-friendly social hour, providing an evening of fun for pet lovers and their four-legged friends. Yappy Hour runs from 6 – 8 PM the second Friday of every month (weather permitting) in center court of Bell Tower Shops.

A Not So Fashioned Fashion Show| September 16 at 6pm 
There will be raffles, refreshments, and a “fashion show” where cast members from our current production will model auction items in corresponding attire.  Once all items have been presented a brief intermission will allow the bidding to commence.  Doors open at 6pm for refreshments, raffle, and auction ticket purchases.  Show starts at 7pm.  Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling the box office 239-772-5862.

Woofstock – A Peace & Love Pet Expo & Adopt-A-Thon | Saturday, September 19 from 11 am – 7 pm
Located at The Local Showcase in Miromar Outlets, shop pet apparel, pet food, pet treats & more! A local Pet Rescue will be present for more information on adoptions. Click here for more info.

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center
New art exhibit every month from local to world-renowned artists. Exhibits are open from September 4 – 24th. Call ahead for gallery hours for other times, 239.333.1933. $1 Donation Entry Fee. This month’s exhibits feature:

• Art Looking North: Cuban Art in The Rodriguez Collection
• Artsolated

Yoga at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center 
Every Wednesday at 11:30 am, and Friday’s beginning with September 11th at 11:30 am. Learn more here.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theater – Season Opener Special $50 for the Meal & a Show!
Now thru September 26th ~ Join Dean Martin and friends in a classic throwback to the old Dean Martin Variety Show. Direct from Las Vegas, Broadway Palm is proud to bring you Dean Martin Impersonator Set Abrahms to host an entertaining variety show that features great music, hilarious comedic skis and more…you never know who is going to knock on the front door of Dino’s place next. Purchase Here

Sun Splash Family Waterpark 
Open Weekends Only 10 am – 5 pm | Purchase your tickets online. Follow them on Facebook for deals that they run throughout the month!

Tour Sanibel Island with Tarpon Bay Explorers
Kayak & Standup Paddleboard tours along with Nature & Sealife Cruises have resumed at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Rentals such as kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and bikes are on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations are recommended for guided kayak, paddleboard and boat tours.  Call 239.472.8900 and visit them online.

Farmers’ Markets & Social Distancing Events

Cape Coral Downtown Farmers’ Market – Open Saturdays from 8 am – 1 pm in Club Square, where it will remain through the summer!

Cape Coral Farmers’ Market at Cape Harbour – Open Sundays from 9 am – 1 pm

Surfside Sunshine Farmers’ Market – Located in the Shops at Surfside, NW corner of Veterans Parkway & Surfside Boulevard will be open every Tuesday from 8 am – 1 pm.

• Vendors  at the above locations will offer produce, foods, soaps & pet foods.  Visitors are asked to wear face masks and maintain social distancing recommendations.  Additional staff will be stationed at the markets to encourage people to follow social distancing guidelines.​

Alliance Market – The Alliance for the Arts GreenMarket is open to the public from 9 am – 1 pm every Saturday, with added precautions & following CDC guidelines. The Wednesday drive-thru pickup service initiated in response to COVID-19 will also remain in operation. Located at 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers.

Local Roots Online Farmers’ Market – Offering curbside pick-up or delivery from vendors.  Go to www.localrootsonlinefarmersmarket.com to order.

Museums & Zoos

IMAG – Did You Know That? The IMAG is now offering Zoom Birthday Parties! Let them help you create a fun and unique virtual birthday party experience for your birthday child! Click HERE for more info!

Edison and Ford Winter Estates – Come tour the historic homes, botanical gardens, garden shoppe, museum and laboratory. Visitors will be required to wear a face covering. (Available for $.50)

Naples Zoo is open, for timed visits. Click HERE before you go.

Naples Botanical Garden – come tour the Gardens and as a bonus, see the art exhibition in Kapnick Hall celebrating Arsenault’s love and passion for Naples Botanical Garden. Get your timed tickets here.

Shell Factory Nature Park – Come check out their new carousel ~ just $1/ride! You can also purchase special fun park packages online.

Recreation at Home

Virtual Game Night – Make every game night an EPIC game night! Let’s Roam has taken their mission virtual, helping people explore, discover, and connect through a one-of-a-kind video platform. Combining crazy-fun games with embedded video chat software for a game night experience that will level up your joy! Five rounds of fun will take you through: Trivia, Charades, Let’s Draw, Trivia About You, and Drinking Games. And what’s even better, is it’s FREE! Learn More

Alliance for the Arts – In person classes now available! Check out their calendar of events!

Stay At Home Storytime – Lee County Library System will post new story times every Wednesday at 10 am on YouTube, be sure to check it out!