| Nov. 3rd | Nov. 4th | Nov. 5th | Nov. 6th |
Other Events
Date Event Name Description Location Time Details
10/16/11 Ding Darling Days Family Fun Day Event kicks off a week of eco-activities with all-free refuge tram tours, live wildlife presentations, hot dogs, kids crafts, and more. New this year: Technology in the Outdoors Day takes place on Monday, Oct. 17, when students in local public schools have off. Birding, boating, and kayaking tours fill the week with environmental activities for all ages. The 22nd annual celebration ends on Saturday, Oct. 22, with Conservation Art Day, where Federal Duck Stamp Winners, other artists, and a refuge photography tram tour will highlight a day devoted to Jay Norwood Darling's legacy as the first duck stamp artist and Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist. J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge 7:30 AM Details
10/22/11 RiverFest Quacker Race Adopt a rubber duck and see how fast it travels down the Imperial River. First duck to cross the finish line wins. Prizes will be awarded for the first, second and third duck. Proceeds benefit the Bonita Nature Place. Pre-adoptions can be done at Bonita Springs City Hall, First Community Bank of Southwest Florida (Bonita Springs branch) or at the Liles Hotel dockside on race day. Riverside Park 3:00 PM Details
10/22/11 RiverFest Fish Fry Enjoy freshly caught cooked fish, hush puppies, baked beans, cole slaw and rolls prepared and served by local Bonita Springs community leaders. Listen to the live music performed by the popular Bonita Springs band, the "Mighty Quint." Complimentary tours of the Historic Liles Hotel and the Artist Cottages available. Proceeds to benefit The Bonita Nature Place and Bonita Springs Waterways Conservation Fund. Riverside Park along the Imperial River 4:00 PM Details
10/22/11 Bonita Springs 5th annual Imperial River Challenge The Imperial River Challenge is a two mile time trial race on the upper Imperial River for canoers and kayakers. There are 6 race catorgories: Single Kayak for Men & Women;Tandem Kayak;Canoe;K-1 and Surf Ski for Men & Women. $100 First Place prize for each race. Race Launch is at the North bank of the Imperial River at the end of Kent Road off of East Terry Street. Registration, finish Line and awards ceremony is at Riverside Park near the Liles Hotel. Also that day: Florida Quacker Race and Butterfly Release. Click here for the event flyer. Riverside Park near the Liles Hotel 1:00 PM Details
10/29/11 Visions of the Past Take a walk through a preserve and travel through the past to visit the living-history of Estero Island. The voyage starts in the 1500s with the Calusa Indians and move on to the 1600s when Ponce deLeon led the Spaniards to the region. You visit the Pirates of the 1700s before listening to the Homesteaders of the 1800s. You'll hear from the Koreshan community followed by stories from some of the real Pioneers of Estero Island in the early 1900s. Find it behind the Beach library and school, one mile south of the Sky Bridge to Fort Myers Beach. Paddlecraft landing is located at GPS: N26 27 05 W81 56 11 Guides lead groups every 20-30 minutes along a half mile voyage in the Preserve. Same time to visit the traditional craft vendors and tour the Historic Cottage. This FREE event is open to all ages. Reservations are suggested but not required. Call 239-533-7444 for more information. Matanzas Pass Preserve 10:00 AM Details
10/29/11 Great Outdoor Adventure Day 2011 Join us at Lovers Key State Park for the Great Outdoor Adventure Day. Experience all the recreational opportunities that Lovers Key State Park offers. Guided adventures will run throughout the day, and most are free, including bicycle tours of Black Island, birding and beach walks, geocaching excursions, fishing and cast netting clinics, and creative activities for kids of all ages. Triak clinics, paddleboard, kayak and canoe workshops and guided kayak tours will be offered. Vendors, live music and food. Lovers Key State Park main entrance 10:00 AM Details
10/30/11 Monofilament Madness The Monofilament Madness a.k.a. Marine Cleanup is an annual event during which volunteers go out in boats, kayaks, canoes, jet skis and anything else that floats to remove monofilament fishing line and other harmful debris from the mangrove areas of Lee County. The boaters begin working at safe light (dawn) and continue until around noon, at which time they are treated to a Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue. Because of the focus on fishing line, the project committee has affectionately dubbed the cleanup Monofilament Madness. It is hoped that through educational awareness, the people who are causing the problem will be reached and their behavior modified so that, among other reasons, wildlife will be spared agonizing deaths from entanglement in monofilament fishing line. The Mound House on Fort Myers Beach 8:00 AM Details
11/02/11 Calusa Blueway Photo Contest Reception & Speakers An event is planned to recognize winners and kick off the 2011 Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival with guest speakers including Cape Coral artist and kayaker Jeanette Chupack and Fort Myers native Mark Renz, a photo artist and author. It's free and open to the public. Rutenberg Park's Eco Living Center 6:30 PM Details
11/02/11 Southwest Florida Paddling Club Dinner/Night Paddle Launch 5:30 p.m., paddle 3 miles to Bonita Bill's for food/drinks, (fresh gulf shrimp, burgers, etc.) then paddle 3 miles back in the dark. No cost for trip or parking, bring money for your own food and drinks. Call for help with directions. Launch area has no facilities. South side of McGregor Blvd east of Punta Rassa Rd 5:30 PM Details
11/07/11 ACA Certified Sea Kayak Instructor course Become a Certified Sea Kayak Instructor. This four-day course (Nov. 7-10) is applicable whether you are interested in teaching professionally or in improving yourself so you feel more comfortable introducing your friends to the sport. There are several levels of certification based on your ability to model strokes, use great teaching styles, depth of knowledge of the sport, and comfort on various kinds of water. There is a complete list on our website of what is covered. This course in particular is a level 3 ACA Coastal Kayaking Course. Brought to you by Kayak SW Florida. Fort Myers, Naples, Everglades City 8:00 AM Details
11/07/11 Geo Cache with Adventures in Paradise Geo Cache for great prizes! Try this dynamic approach to treasure hunting via GPS and group fun. Port Sanibel Marina 9:00 AM Details

 
 
© 2007-2011 Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival
Photographs courtesy of Lee County Visitor & Convention Buearu and Lee County Parks & Recreation Department
The Great Calusa Blueway ‡ Lee County Department of Parks & Recreation ‡ Lee County Offical Website
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