The Village of Estero will have a drop-in open house from 5 until 7 pm, Wednesday, March 11, in the Village Hall Council Chambers, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Blvd.
This will be residents’ chance to see plans for the “future of the U.S. 41 corridor” and nearby areas from Estero Parkway from the north, south to Hertz on both sides of U.S. 41 and provide input.
The Village says plans focus on protecting natural areas, honoring Estero’s history and “ensuring high quality future development.”
EsteroFest 2026 slated
The Estero Chamber of Commerce brings another EsteroFest with a fun-filled day at the park beginning at 1 p.m., March 21, with a Kids Zone; live bands throughout the day; followed by a concert by the Ben Allen Band from 6 until 8 p.m.
There will be face-painting and bounce houses for the kids; food trucks, a beer and wine garden for the adults. There’s also a business expo and displays by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Estero Fire Rescue.
It all takes place at the Estero Community Park, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd.
Bring chairs or blankets.
Celebrate Bonita Springs!
The city is hosting Celebrate Bonita from 5 until 9 p.m., March 28, at Riverside Park.
The event celebrates the city’s incorporation and features a mixture of student performances, community art pieces, local performances and a free concert.
The fun actually begins on March 24 with the Celebrate Bonita Stroll. Portions of Old 41, including the bridge, Riverside Park and the Liles Hotel Plaza, will be illuminated for an immersive stroll. There will be lights, music, projections and art.
Strolls continue nightly through March 28. Each evening, downtown businesses will be celebrating with live music, specials and more.
And before all that, the city is calling all artists to help celebrate Bonita Springs by submitting your design to be showcased in the immersive stroll; specifically looking for businesses, clubs, non-profits, community members and students who are interested in participating in the “Chalk Where You Walk” event.
Participants will be asked to chalk in designated spaces on Old 41 sidewalks and the Riverside Park/Liles Hotel area. Glow chalk will be provided as this display will be part of the immersive stroll. Pre-registration with a mock example of the design is required. Submit applications to participate in Celebrate@cityofbonitasprings.org. Approved artists will be able to design spaces on March 23.
For more information, visit City of Bonita Springs.org.
Wonder Gardens celebrates with chickee hut dedication
Wonder Gardens and the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs recently celebrated the dedication of a newly constructed chickee hut.
Rotary club members, Seminole Tribe representatives, Bonita Springs officials and Wonder Gardens board members gathered for the reception, marking the completion of the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs Chickee Hut.
“The completion of the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs Chickee Hut is a testament to the hard work and support of the local community that made it possible,” said Neil Anderson, president and CEO of Wonder Gardens. “Thanks to the generosity of the Rotary Club of Bonita Springs, we have been able to restore a dedicated space for our educational programs and community events. We’re excited to once again provide a welcoming place for the entire community to gather.”
The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs previously donated the $30,000 needed to build the Chickee Hut, which replaces the Wonder Gardens barn that was rendered uninhabitable after Hurricane Ian.
To learn more about Wonder Gardens, visit WonderGardens.org.
‘Tails on Trails’
From 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., Saturday, March 14, the Bonita Springs Lions Club will hold “Tails on Trails” a dog-walking fundraiser at Lovers Key State Park’s Black Island Trail.
The Black Island Trail is 2.5 miles of hiking or biking adventure through a maritime hammock along the canal banks.
Cost is $20 per person, $30 per family and does not include park admission. All proceeds will benefit the Bonita Springs Lions Club Charities.
To register, visit eventbrite.com and search for “tails on trails tickets.”
SWFL Inc. opens nominations for the ‘INCredible Awards’
SWFL Inc. recently opened nominations for the 2026 INCredible Awards, a celebration honoring outstanding individuals, businesses and nonprofits in Southwest Florida.
The awards ceremony will take place from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point. Nominations close on March 24.
The INCredible Awards recognize SWFL Citizen of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Nonprofit of the Year and the Innovation Award, among others.
To nominate an individual, business, or nonprofit, visit swflinc.com/incredible-awards-2026.
For more information about sponsorships or event details, contact SWFL Inc. at Troy@swflinc.com.
Chamber music in the park March 22
Siblings Tamila and Askar Salimdjanov, an internationally recognized piano-violin duo, will be featured at the upcoming Koreshan Music Salon concert.
Savor the music of Franck, Chopin and Saint-Saëns in the intimate historic Art Hall in Koreshan State Park at 3 p.m., Sunday, March 22.
Seating is limited to 75 attendees. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at cameratanaples.org/koreshan-salon-march-22/.
Korsehan State Park is located at 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero.
Live, work or play in Bonita Springs, Estero or North Naples? If so and you have something you’d like featured in Now You Know, send your information to news@naplesnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Now You Know: Seeking input in Estero; celebrations in Bonita, Estero
Reporting by Will Watts, Special to The Banner / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
