More than $29,000 was raised at the 20th Annual TD Bank Naples Bike Brunch & Walk on March 1 at Cambier Park. More than 360 participated in this year’s event to benefit Naples Pathways Coalition.
Event proceeds help fund the mission of Naples Pathways Coalition to make a safe, bikeable, and walkable Collier County.
The organization’s two keystone projects are the Paradise Coast Trail and stopping distracted driving with our Hands-Free Florida campaign and coalition (HandsFreeFlorida.org).
For more information, please visit https://NaplesPathways.org.
South Seas Golf Scramble
South Seas Resort is teeing up an expanded weekend of sport and purpose with the return of its annual South Seas Tarpon Tournament on May 22, followed by the inaugural South Seas Golf Scramble on May 23.
Held during Memorial Day weekend, the two-day event honors the “spirit of remembrance and service” by supporting Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military members and first responders.
New this year, South Seas is enhancing the festivities with The South Seas Golf Scramble at The Clutch, its Beau Welling-designed golf course, on May 23.
“Last year’s tournament was a huge success with 41 tarpons caught by 36 participating boats,” said Shawn Farrell, general manager at South Seas. “More than $250,000 was raised for scholarships through Folds of Honor providing the equivalent of 45 educational scholarships for families of fallen and disabled service members in Lee County. We are hopeful that with the addition of the South Seas Scramble, this year’s event will raise even more money for scholarships for deserving families.”
The event includes a special ceremony honoring fallen veterans and includes a presentation by the Lee County Honor Guard and paratroopers. Additionally, foursome teams of anglers and golfers can participate.
To register or explore sponsorship opportunities, visit SouthSeas.com/Tarpon-Tournament.
Big Green EGGfest
Tickets are now on sale for Sunshine Ace Hardware’s seventh annual Big Green EGGfest, a grilling competition on April 4 at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs.
Tasters at Big Green EGGfest will get all-you-can-eat food samplings, grilling demonstrations, live music, beer, wine and hard seltzer drinks.
Sip Social Naples will be featuring a specialty flavored lemonade stand cart for families and children. Attendees serve as judges and vote for their favorite chef-prepared meats, vegetables and side dishes.
Chefs compete in amateur and professional divisions using a Big Green Egg to prepare their culinary dishes.
Proceeds from the event support local charitable causes. Since EGGfest debuted in 2019, the event has generated more than $163,000 to support local nonprofits.
“Over the past six years, Big Green EGGfest has become an integral outdoor event in Southwest Florida centered around food, music, family and fun,” said Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace Hardware. “It is a great event for the community, families and friends to come together and bond over good food and good times.”
The 2026 Sunshine Ace Hardware Big Green EGGfest will be held from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., Saturday, April 4 at Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs.
Taster tickets are $30 and include all-you-can-sample food options and three votes for the People’s Choice Award. VIP taster tickets are $60 and include all-you-can sample food options, three People’s Choice votes and access to a VIP seating area with an open bar. Children 10 and under are free.
All ticket options allow tasters to direct their donations to one of four beneficiaries: Northside Naples Kiwanis Club, United Way of Collier and the Keys, Rotary Club of Bonita Beach Sunset and Leadership Collier Foundation.
A limited number of chef spaces still remain. Amateur chefs, home cooks and nonprofits compete in the Amateur Division, where the entry fee is $25.
Professional chefs, which include trained chefs, caterers and restauranteurs, compete in the Professional Division, where the entry fee is $150. Chefs can enter with a team of up to three additional individuals as sous chefs and servers, and compete for prize packages and ultimately the title of EGGhead Grill Master Pro, EGGhead Grill Master Amateur or People’s Choice Award winner.
Taster tickets, VIP taster tickets and chef registration are available online at SunshineAceEGGfest.com.
Wild About Nature Festival returns
Presented by Big Waters Land Trust, the Wild About Nature Festival is from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday, March 28, at Bay Preserve in Osprey.
Described as a free, family-friendly community celebration, guests of all ages are invited to connect with nature along the shores of Little Sarasota Bay.
Festival goers can enjoy hands-on, nature-based activities including tree climbing, kayaking experiences, wildlife identification, crafts, games and interactive learning opportunities designed to inspire the next generation of conservation stewards. Live music, special presentations, and a variety of local food trucks will round out the day’s festivities, creating an engaging experience for the entire family.
“Wild About Nature is one of our favorite ways to bring the community together outdoors,” said Tianna Boswell-Porter, Director of Marketing and Events at Big Waters Land Trust. “This festival reflects what conservation looks like in action – families learning, exploring, and building lasting connections with the land and water that make our region so special.”
Registration is not required, though guests are encouraged to RSVP through the Wild About Nature Facebook event page to stay informed.
Parking will be available off-site at First Baptist Church of Osprey, Victory Baptist Church, and the historic Osprey Library, with continuous trolley service transporting attendees to and from the festival. Limited accessible parking will be available onsite.
Learn more at bigwaterslandtrust.org.
Live, work or play on Marco Island, South Naples or Everglades City? If so and you have something you’d like featured in Now You Know, send your information to mail@marconews.com.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Now You Know: Tarpon Tournament at South Seas; Big Green EGGfest, more
Reporting by Will Watts, Special to the Eagle / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
