JUNE
Marine Science Summer Camp
Area students entering grades seven through 10 can experience hands-on science this summer at Rookery Bay Research Reserve’s Marine Science Summer Camp. The flexible, half-day program is led by real marine biologists and set in Collier County’s coastal habitats. Held on Fridays in June and July, the camp runs from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at locations across the Reserve. Each session offers a unique theme. Students can choose their own adventure whether in the lab, on the beach or exploring upland habitats by bike.Campers will experience marine science in action such as holding live marine creatures, using microscopes to observe tiny plankton and surveying wildlife in the field. Cost is $75 per session. Register at rookerybay.org/events.
Campers dive into the microscopic world, using lab equipment to study plankton and discover the fascinating adaptations of invertebrates.
Juneteenth Celebration
Celebrate the Juneteenth holiday with vendors, live entertainment, food trucks, games, carnival rides and a deejay. From 4-9 p.m., Saturday, June 20. Free. Presented by the Lee County Black History Society. The STARS Complex, 2980 Edison Ave., Fort Myers. For more information: 332-8778 or leecountyblackhistorysociety.org.
Shell Museum presents free summer lecture series
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium will have a lecture series this summer and fall, which will be offered live via Zoom and is free for registrants. The classes include:
Although free of charge, pre-registration for lectures is required. To register, visit ShellMuseum.org/learn-and-experience/lectures. For more information, visit ShellMuseum.org or call 239-395-2233.
Country star Vince Gill
At 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 25, at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. Cost: $70-$400. Information: 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com.
Country singer Ryan Montgomery
At9 p.m., Friday, June 26, at The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon, 2158 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Cost: $33. 985-9839 or theranchfortmyers.com.
U4ia at Arts Bonita
On June 26, with their tribute to Irish rock band U2, is U4ia. At the Performing Arts Center, 10150 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the box office. For more information and ticket reservations, visit ArtsBonita.org or call 239-495-8989.
Tattoo Expo in Fort Myers
The annual event returns with more than 200 tattoo artists tattooing on site, plus vendors, tattoo contests, live music and entertainment, food and more. Friday through Sunday, June 26-28. $25-$30 (or $50 for a weekend pass). Caloosa Sound Convention Center at Luminary Hotel & Co., 1375 Monroe St., downtown Fort Myers. More at floridagctattooexpo.com.
Broadway Palm’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’
Follow the yellow brick road as America’s most beloved movie comes to life on stage with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, Toto and more. June 26-Aug. 8. Cost: $33-$88. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. More at 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com.
Mac & Cheese Showdown
Eight chefs and food trucks compete and serve up the creamiest, yummiest macaroni-and-cheese creations, plus music, beer and more. Noon until 10 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Millennial Brewing Company, 1811 Royal Palm Ave., downtown Fort Myers. Free. Information: 271-2255 or facebook.com/MillennialBrewing.
Everglades City Independence Day Celebration
The 250th anniversary of America’s birthday kicks off in Southwest Florida early in Everglades City. Head to the town at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, for opening ceremonies at McLeod Park, at Copeland Avenue and Hibiscus Street West. Other events planned for that day include a parade immediately following opening ceremonies and a fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Check out vendor booths, food, drinks, raffles and more. More at visitevergladescity.com.
PokeKon Fest
Celebrate all things Pokémon with vendors, artists, trivia, a cosplay contest, anime voice actor Lindsay Sheppard (S-Snake in “One Piece,” Claire François in “I’m in Love with the Villainess”) and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 28. Admission $20 (free for ages 10 and younger). DoubleTree by Hilton in Bell Tower Shops, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, south Fort Myers. More at pokekon.com/FortMyers.
ONGOING
Live Music Thursdays
Live music starting at 6 p.m., every Thursday, at CJ’s on the Bay, in the Esplanade Shoppes, 740 N Collier Blvd., Unit 105, Marco Island. Call 239-389-4511 or visit cjsonthebay.com.
‘The Sounds of 1967’at Broadway Palm
In this new music revue, an aspiring musician travels the world trying to discover her sound in the swinging ‘60s. The show is packed with hits from 1967, including Motown, folk and psychedelic rock. Now through June 20. $33-$88. Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. Information: 278-4422 or broadwaypalm.com.
Nature’s Palette at Naples Botanical
This exhibition features works that reflect the Garden’s living collections and the surrounding environment. The pieces were made by members of the National Association of Women Artists Florida Chapter. Now through June 21 in Kapnick Hall at Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples. Free with Garden admission. More at naplesgarden.org.
Theatre Conspiracy’s ‘Almost, Maine’
Theatre Conspiracy had planned to pack up and move to North Carolina this year. Instead, the long-running theater company decided to stay longer with shows planned over the summer and beyond. First up: “Almost, Maine.” In John Cariani’s romantic comedy, the residents of a tiny fictional town are falling in and out of love in charming, unexpected and hilarious ways. Now through June 28. $36 (or buy one, get one free for $18 each). Off Broadway Palm at the Broadway Palm dinner theater, 1380 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers. More at theatreconspiracyfl.com.
‘America the Beautiful’ exhibit on Marco Island
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Marco Island Historical Society (MIHS) has an exhibit, “America the Beautiful” — a large format photography exhibit by Everglades photographer Clyde Butcher. The exhibit will be on display at the Marco Island Historical Museum now through July 11. The Marco Island Historical Museum is located at 180 S. Heathwood Drive and is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free and the site is fully ADA compliant and accessible to all visitors. For information call 239-389-6447 or visit themihs.org. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
American Modernism art exhibit
American Modernism from a private collection shows how artists utilized painting, drawing and printmaking in a way that broke away from traditional realism and shifted into a modern style. Through July 12 at Naples Art Institute, 585 Park Street, Naples. Admission is $15 for non-members and is free for those younger than 18. More at naplesart.org.
Shell Museum says ‘The Toll’s On Us!’
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium has launched a new “The Toll’s On Us!” promotion during June and July. It’s designed to help encourage residents of Lee and Collier counties to visit Sanibel and the museum; the org will provide $9 (the cost of the Causeway toll) off a party’s admission. The discount offer is valid June 1 through July 31. At time of purchase, one member of the party must show proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill, lease agreement). The offer cannot be combined with other discounts. For more information, visit ShellMuseum.org.
World War II ‘Caught on Film’
The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center offers a behind-the-scenes look at World War II in its upcoming exhibition “Caught on Film: The Wartime Photography of Ken Regele and the U.S. Army Signal Corps.” The exhibition showcases a selection of donated World War II photographs taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corp photographers. The photographs are part of the Museum’s Ken Regele Collection and document the war from the Allied D-Day invasion through to the liberation of concentration camps by United States Army divisions. The exhibition will be on display at the Museum throughout the summer. The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center is located at 975 Imperial Golf Course Blvd, Suite 108, Naples. For operating hours or more insight into the exhibit, visit hmcec.org.
Art Exhibit – ‘Through the Light of the Estuary’
From May 9 through October 29 – The art gallery hosts several exhibitions each year. A partnership with the United Arts Collier brings annual exhibitions of painting, photography and mixed media by artists from Collier and Lee County. The exhibits are juried by local art experts and follow Rookery Bay’s environmental mission with a central theme of plants, waters and wildlife of Southwest Florida. Most works are available for purchase. Free with admission. For more information, visit RookeryBay.org or call 239-530-5972.
Live music at Dogtooth, Sneaky Pete’s
Live music is available at various venues throughout the week, including Jebry’s Jazz Jam from 6-9 p.m. every Monday at Dogtooth bar and restaurant, 5310 Shirley St., in Naples. Karaoke is from 7-10 p.m., Mondays and Tuesdays, at Sneaky Pete’s, 3465 Bonita Beach Road SW, No. 120, Bonita Springs. Trivia is from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mondays at Naples, Flatbread of Miromar Outlets, 10801 Corkscrew Road, Suite 520, in Estero.
Civil Air Patrol
Marco Civil Air Patrol meets the first and third Mondays of every month, starting at 6:30 p.m., at 2003 Mainsail Drive, Marco Executive Airport, in our hangar, on the left of the terminal. Volunteers welcome. Visit FL376.CAP.GOV.
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center is located at 300 Tower Rd., Naples. It features aquariums, touch tanks with marine critters, natural history, environmental and wildlife exhibits, an art gallery, picnic area, guided walking trails, butterfly garden and a scenic overlook bridge. Special events and activities for all ages are held year-round including watercolor and photography classes, gallery nights, presentations about wildlife and conservation, birding field trips, marine science camps and more. The hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $10 for adults,$5 for children ages 4-12 and 3 and under are free.
Rookery Bay Eco Kayak & Boat Tours
Rookery Bay Research Reserve also offers guided boat tours or kayak adventures into the tranquil waters of Rookery Bay Reserve. Guests can choose from a variety of tours including shelling trips to deserted white sand islands, sunset tours or bird rookery excursions. Visit RookeryBay.org or call 239-530-5972.
JULY
Marco Island fireworks
They’ll launch from a barge off the coast between Tigertail Beach and South Beach. The fireworks can be seen from along Collier Boulevard and Marco’s beach front. No personal fireworks permitted on the beach. Fireworks start at about 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Free. More at cityofmarcoisland.com.
Fireworks at Naples Pier
Bring chairs and blankets to watch the fireworks launch at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4, from near Naples Pier. The fireworks show typically lasts about 30 minutes. Personal use of fireworks and sparklers is prohibited. Parking is limited, so visitors are urged to plan ahead and find parking on the street or in downtown parking garages; or to walk, take bicycles or use a ride service. Free. Naples Pier, 12th Ave. S. More at fifthavenuesouth.com/events-calendar.
America 250 Celebration
Fourth of July Parade is 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 4, with a new route. Parade begins at the corner of Third Street South and Fifth Avenue South. Parade participants will walk east on Fifth and turn south (right) onto Eighth Street South, ending in front of City Hall. The City of Naples is asking people to not sit along Third Street South, as that’s where staging will take place.
Fourth of July parade in Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs Professional Firefighters Local 3444 hosts the annual parade on Old 41 Road. It includes bands, fife-and-drum corps, floats, military units and more. This year’s parade theme is “Small Town Big Spirit” and begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Free. The parade travels along Old 41 Road between Rosemary Drive and Kentucky Street in downtown Bonita Springs. The parade route will be closed from 8:30 a.m. until after the parade. For more information, call Tyler Bess at 239-301-8402 or visit bonitaspringsparade.com.
Star Spangled Bonita
The annual Fourth of July festival begins at 6 p.m., Saturday, July 4. It includes food trucks, an ice-cream-eating contest. And like last year, the Ben Allen Band performs and the day ends with a 50-minute drone show, fireworks and laser light spectacular. In past years, Old 41 Road will be closed from 5 p.m. to about 10 p.m. from Wilson Street to Childers Street. Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs. More: 949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org.
Fourth of July Celebration in Estero
Go back in time at this Estero Historical Society event from 9 until 10:30 a.m. It’s the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence with historian Jacob Winge in full period costume. The free celebration also includes fresh watermelon slices, a patriotic fire truck display with a large American flag and 250th Celebration bags from the Village of Estero. It’s at the Estero Historical Society Cottage Museum, 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd. Estero. More at esterohistoricalsociety.com/event/annual-4th-of-july-celebration
America 250 — Spirit of the Everglades
The Third Thursdays Lecture Series on at 2 p.m., July 16, at the Museum of the Everglades, 105 West Broadway Avenue, Everglades City. Museum Manager Thomas Lockyear will discuss the spirit of individuals who have called the Everglades area their home — from the region’s indigenous people to early pioneer settlers to the modern-day entrepreneurs. Presented in the context of the America 250 celebration, Lockyear will share stories of the courage, resourcefulness, fortitude, ingenuity and vision.
For more event listings, navigate to the Entertainment section and click on the SWFLA To Do List at marconews.com or visit the-banner.com. Calendar items must be emailed to mail@marconews.com or news@naplesnews.com and should be submitted at least a week before desired publication.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: SWFLA To Do List: Events in Bonita Springs, Estero, Naples and Marco
Reporting by Marco Eagle / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Marco Eagle | USA TODAY Network
