Life In Bonita Springs

 Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade 72/365 Things To Do

The annual Naples St. Patrick’s Day parade is a local tradition going back forty plus years.  It was organized by fun loving locals to celebrate Irish heritage and St. Patrick’s Day.  The Naples St. Patrick’s Day parade is the largest privately funded parade in the state of Florida.    The mission of the parade is to donate all funds raised by their charity to local high school music programs and educational scholarships. 

The parade usually begins later in the morning with a ceremony at 8th Street S and 12th Ave. N. with the raising of the flag, singing of the national anthem, a prayer and a grand marshal ceremony.  The parade route occasionally varies so it would be wise to check the parade website for the current route and line up of participants so you will know when your float or attraction will be coming through.

This parade is a great time but remember to wear sunscreen and maybe even bring an umbrella to go with the chair you bring. Many folks pull a cooler in a wagons so they can have cold water.  If you’re looking for fun things to do with kids, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a must.

To learn more visit the Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade official web page at: http://naplesparade.com

Visit Vino’s Picasso 71 of 365 Things to Do

If you are looking to step out of your comfort zone and try something new I suggest you grab a few friends and make reservations at Vino’s Picasso. Vino’s Picasso is a paint, pour and play studio where you can create your own artwork led by an instructor. You do not have to know how to paint, trust me I am no artist, but you will still have a great time.

Vino’s Picasso is a BYOB studio so you may bring your drink of choice wine, water, beer, soda etc.

You pick out which art work you would like to paint when you make your reservation prior to showing up. They supply everything you need from the paint, the brushes and the canvas.

Vino’s Picasso is located in Naples and in Fort Myers, Florida. I highly recommend checking it out with some friends or a fun date night out!

For other creative things to do, read also: Cone 06 Pottery Painting Studio Naples, Fl 24/365

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About the Author - Jenna Hatfield is a life-long resident of Bonita Springs, Florida and mother of two boys.

Collier County Fair in Naples Florida 70/365

The Collier County Fair is one of two very popular fairs in Southwest Florida.  Besides the Southwest Florida Lee County Fair the Collier County Fair is the other popular fair.  Both fairs usually run on the calendar in close proximity to each other but generally don’t overlap. 

If you are looking for fun things to do, especially with kids, the Collier County Fair is where it’s at.  We’ve visited the fair many times over the three and a half decades but this year we have a participant in the 4-H swine show. Aiden, son to Angela and grandson to Chris has entered a hog to show.  He’s been working really hard conditioning the animal to take direction at show, cleaning her pen, feeding/watering her and getting her ready for the fair. Aiden and his family drove all the way to Georgia to buy “Mae” the hog.

Besides the animals there are many other exhibits, attractions, games, rides and more.  If you’re looking for a good time, there is something for everyone at the Collier County Fair. Besides, there are always tons and tons of great carnival foods to sample. I personally believe that a good funnel cake is one of the best reasons to go to the fair.

The Collier County Fair is located at the Collier Fairgrounds east of Naples on Immokalee Road. You can always find more information about current year dates/times and charges at the official website: https://collierfair.com.

Visit Six Mile Cypress Slough 69/365 Things to Do

Six Mile Cypress Slough is a very nice nature preserve right in Fort Myers, Florida. It has a raised boardwalk trail over a wetland ecosystem and a very nice Interpretive Center. There are lots of animals and birds living there year round like alligators, otters, turtles, wading birds and more.

Six Mile Cypress Slough is handicap accessible and a great place to bring children to learn about nature. It is open year round from dusk to dawn and has a small parking fee. Plan on arriving early to beat the crowds as it is a popular place to see a variety of wildlife and plants. There are also volunteers at Six Mile Cypress Slough who lead guided walks different days and times throughout the year.

To learn more read also: Six Mile Cypress Slough 

More of Melinda’s great photography can be seen at: 

Watch Nesting Eagles in Bonita Springs 39/365 and at

Visit Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area 55/365

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About the author: Melinda Cochran is photographer and Southwest Florida resident. You can find more of her images at: https://www.facebook.com/journeythroughmyeyes/.  If you know of a great place for Melinda to capture wildlife in action send a message in the comments section of this post.

Raise Screech Owls in Bonita Springs 68/365

Most people don’t realize that even on the smallest home site or lot you can entice nature to come visit or set up a home.  Years ago when I lived in Brendan Cove I started butterfly gardening. I am an outdoorsy person so I changed my whole back yard habitat and just like magic the critters started showing up.

One thing lead to another and I ended up at the C.R.E.W. concert and fundraiser at Riverside Park in Downtown Bonita Springs, Florida.  There are always silent auction items at these events and one time I bid on a screech owl bird box.  It’s a bird house specially made to be conducive to attracting and housing the little owls.  When I won my first screech owl box I studied up on how to mount it and where to place it for optimum success.  After several months I notice little faces staring back at me one day.  It may have been sooner than several months because they are quiet little birds and they are nocturnal and I can honestly say that I didn’t really know what to look for to begin with.

What I can share with you is that the first litter wasn’t the last litter to go though that box.  There were dozens and dozens of owls born in there.  They have a perfect feeding ground and they also liked their habitat.  I had one box get infested with a bees nest once. I called a bee keeper who I gave permission to take the whole box as to not kill the bees.  I had a backup owl box that was immediately installed and another family soon moved in.

If you enjoy bird watching are thinking of providing habitat for owls in southwest Florida you can find plans online and local vendors who build and sell boxes for native birds at www.NativeBirdBoxes.com.

Movies at Riverside Park 67/365 Things to Do

During the temperate winter season there are tons of activities on schedule at Riverside Park.  One of the family favorites is movies in the park.  The city of Bonita Springs has a variety of movie events that are put on schedule.  The movies in the park are free to attend.  Generally the movies are sponsored by a local business or service organization.  The movies are often classic movies or animated movies with G rating so it’s fun for all ages.

There are food vendors on site during the movies and they often sell drinks, ice cream, snack foods, popcorn and such.  Many people bring their own snacks and drinks.

The movie screen is an inflatable screen set up in front of the Band Shell.  There are no chairs so attendees are encouraged to either bring their own chairs or blankets. 

It’s a good time for everyone.  Even though there is a movie playing many of the kids are running around, playing tag or just goofing. It’s a very fun event and one of the lowest cost things to do with kids in Bonita Springs.

The movies are scheduled at varying times every year so you can find out more on the official Bonita Springs Facebook page to keep tabs on the next event.

Go to the Arcadia Rodeo in Arcadia Florida 66/365

For something fun and unusual to do visit the Arcadia Rodeo. There are several rodeo events in Arcadia throughout the winter months.  The next rodeo in 2019 is March 7-10.  You can always look up the most current rodeo events at www.ArcadiaRodeo.com.  Also on the website are directions for parking at the rodeo and a little information about seating and the venue.

The Arcadia Rodeo is fun for all ages. You can expect a variety of contests depending upon what event you attend; barrel racing, kids rodeo, bronc riding, bull riding, you name it. It’s a good time and something fun to do in Southwest Florida.  Sometimes the rodeo clowns will chat up the little people and give them a thrill.

When you go make sure you plan your trip around a great seafood dinner and a piece of Key Lime pie at the Peace River Seafood Restaurant on the way to Arcadia.

If you really enjoy watching rodeo and being around livestock you may also want to attend the Southwest Florida Lee County Fair or the Collier County Fair.

Practice at the Golf Coast Driving Range 65/365

Located on Williams Road in Estero is one of the original driving ranges in the Bonita Springs/Estero areas, the Golf Coast Driving Range.  Since Bonita Fairways closed the driving range on their course this is the next closest driving range. It is located a stone’s throw to the Pop Warner fields and Estero High School.

The small, unassuming building has a variety of size buckets you can practice with plus they have clubs on site so even if you don’t have your own clubs with you.  It’s a great place to blow off some steam or hone your skills.  There are both grass tees and mats.  The range is suitable for all ages, too.

There are a few vending machines on site so if you need a cool drink there are options.

Golf Coast driving range is one of the last driving ranges available not attached to a golf course.  The property values of Estero and Bonita Springs real estate has prompted many range owner to sell to developers.  If you are looking for fun things to do in Estero, driving a bucket of balls with your friends is a low cost, fresh air activity … and probably a good laugh or two.

Take the Kids to Coconut Point Play Area 64/365

The children’s play area at Coconut Point Mall in Estero, Florida is perfect for young kids and a lot of fun. Coconut Point is a local favorite and an outdoor mall.  The play area is technically outside but it is covered and shady so it is also perfect for a rainy day.

There are plenty of benches for parents to be able to sit and watch the kids play and socialize. There is a 14 foot castle that you can walk in and slide down. With lots of play fixtures such as alligators, turtles and trees there is plenty for kids to climb and enjoy!

The ground of the play area is a soft type material so it is super safe for the babies and toddlers. The play area is located next to Gymboree near Dillard’s and is open Monday- Saturday 10:00am-9:00pm and Sunday 12:00-6:00 pm.  Coconut Point Mall is located on US 41 just north of Bonita Springs near the intersection of US41 and Coconut Road. 

If you are looking for fun things to do with kids a pit stop at the Coconut Point Mall is the perfect place. There is no charge for entry to the play area.  A variety of restaurants are located at Coconut Point mall including fun dining or easy take out such as Subway, Moe’s and Friday’s.

Visit Serenity Walk Park in Naples, Florida 63/365

This morning I loaded up the bike, and headed out to Serenity Walk Park. It has a small gated parking lot with 5 parking spots and one handicapped parking spot. There is a small ramp and wooden area with a picnic table before the trail starts right by the parking lot, and 4 recycling cans, (I didn’t see a regular trash can). There are no restrooms or public source of drinking water. There are no dogs allowed.

The one mile loop trail at Serenity Walk Park is a well maintained sandy trail that is easy mountain biking. I have hiked this trail several times before and decided to do the loop in a counterclockwise direction this time. This way the sound of the traffic is over with early, rather than hearing it at the end of the trip. It’s a little thing, but it seemed to be a nicer trip that way.

There are a number of smaller trails that cross the main loop and I think there used to be a larger extension trail that has been abandoned since Hurricane Irma. There’s still plenty of felled trees from Irma, which is handy for landmarks if you decide to go off the trails, which is what I decided to do today. I don’t know why, it just seemed like the right thing to do for such a big park. If you can make out the deer trails and bedding down areas it’s pretty easy going, at least in the winter, when things aren’t too soggy. I managed to work my way a little ways due West, and was rewarded by seeing a bald eagle flying by and landing in a nearby tree.

If you are looking for fun things to do in Naples Serenity Walk Park is an easy, low cost walking trail to tour.  It’s located off of 951 in Naples, Florida. Just north of Verona Walk and Lely.