FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 19, 2009) – Visitors near and far are invited to the downtown Fort Myers River District for the 2nd Annual Holiday Stroll, a series of FREE and low-cost festive events spanning the 2009 holiday season.
The Holiday Art Market, an artistically-oriented shopping experience from the producers of ArtFest Fort Myers, opens the season on November 20 at Harborside Event Center. The season rolls into full-swing the next weekend with the Friday, November 27, opening of the Festival of Trees at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, followed by several events on Saturday, November 28, including the Hand-Made Christmas Art Festival along First Street, Holiday Joy & Jazz in Centennial Park, the Holiday Stroll Street & Tree Lighting Opening Ceremony with a processional led by Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson from Centennial Park east along First Street, the Holiday House opening at the Langford-Kingston & Burroughs homes, and the Holiday Dreams 2009 lighting ceremony at The Butterfly Estates on Hough Street.
Most of the events are FREE or low-cost, or request a donation.
The Fort Myers River District Holiday Stroll
Holiday House
Low-Cost event; the 34-year tradition from the Fort Myers Woman’s Community Club features tours of two decorated historical Fort Myers homes, the Langford-Kingston and Burroughs homes, as well as visiting with Santa Claus, holiday music, and a singing Christmas tree; Admission is $5 for adults, FREE for children 12 and under
November 28 – December 23, 5 – 9 PM
Langford-Kingston & Burroughs Homes, corner of Fowler and First streets, www.fmwcc.com
Holiday Dreams 2009
FREE event; Inaugural holiday lights display with holiday trees at the festive botanical gardens
November 28, 7 PM – 9 PM, through January 1
The Butterfly Estates, 1815 Fowler Street, (239) 690-2359, www.thebutterflyestates.com
2009 Tux & Trees Gala
Ticketed fundraiser; Black-tie fundraiser with valet parking, cocktail hour with decadent desserts and the opportunity to bid on spectacular holiday trees and wreaths at a live auction (trees donated from the Festival of Trees event) to benefit Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida; Tickets $100 per person
December 4, 6:30 – 10 PM
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street, (239) 995-2106, www.tuxandtrees.com
Friday Night Live Free Concert Series
FREE event; Christmas music is featured for each headline musician/band in the outdoor Patio de Leon each week; produced by Frank Greathouse of Real Guitars & Vintage Instruments
December 4, 5 – 8 PM (Grits & Gravy, Quirky Rhythm & Blues with some VERY strange Christmas selections); December 11, 5 – 8 PM (Paul Cottrell, Serious fun with Christmas music); and December 18, 5 – 8 PM (Cheeky Monkey, Pop and Christmas)
Patio de Leon, (239) 334-4638
Art Walk
FREE event; the ongoing first Friday of the month Art Walk includes 9 River District art galleries and venues
December 4, 6 – 10 PM; January 1, 6 – 10 PM
River District Art Galleries & Venues, (239) 332-0161, www.fortmyersartwalk.com
Breakfast With Santa
Low-Cost event; Event includes Breakfast and a chance to meet with the Jolly Old Elf himself; Breakfast is $15 each for adults, $12 each for children up to age 15
December 5, 8 – 11 AM
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First Street (239) 333-1933, www.SBDAC.com
Holiday Carol Sing (The Soup Kitchen Benefit)
Low-Cost event; the 19th year for this popular old-fashioned sing-a-long includes three performances by the First Presbyterian Church Choir, soloists, and other special guests, as well as a Santa’s House display, live manger, and appearances by Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman; admission is at least 2 cans of non-perishable food and a voluntary cash donation for The Soup Kitchen.
December 10, 1 PM, 4 PM, 7PM
First Presbyterian Church, 2438 Second Street, (239) 334-7419
“The Santaland Diaries”
Low-Cost play performances; The Florida Repertory Theatre presents this offbeat comedy about an out-of-work, cynical writer who takes a job as a Macy’s elf, only to endure the worst of Christmas spirit; tickets range from $20 to $42 depending on performance, check for times December 10 – 31 Florida Repertory Theatre, 2267 First Street, (239) 332-4488, www.floridarep.org
Edison & Ford Holiday Nights 2009
Low-Cost event; The historic homes and gardens will be seasonally decorated with colored Christmas lights and historic decorations filling 20 acres of gardens in a display befitting the father of the Christmas light; $15 admission for adults, $1 admission for children 6-12 years old, $8 for students & $13 for college students with college ID)
December 11 – January 2, 5:30 – 9 PM, closed Christmas Even & Christmas Day
Edison & Ford Winter Estates, 2350 McGregor Boulevard, (239) 334-7419, www.efwefla.org
Holiday Downtown Antique Market
FREE event; Stroll Hendry Street to find holiday treasures from the past.
December 12, 9 AM – 3 PM
Hendry Street, (239) 689-6246
Holidayland
Low-Cost event; Many seasonal, hands-on children’s activities from around the world;
Holiday activities are free or with an additional low cost in addition to special-priced admission to the museum, one free child per paying adult.
December 12, 10 AM – 5 PM
Imaginarium Hands-On Museum, 2000 Cranford Avenue, (239) 321-7420, www.imaginariumfortmyers.com
“Imagine Christmas”
Low-Cost event; Enjoy an evening of entertainment with this performance; Optional donation may be requested during the event.
December 19-20, 7 PM
First United Methodist Church, 2466 First Street, (239) 332-1152, www.fumcftmyers.org
Downtown Countdown
FREE event; Annual New Year’s Eve party in the downtown Fort Myers River District will feature entertainment and the famous ball drop at midnight
December 31, 8 PM – 1 AM
The River District Streets, (239) 321-7100
Sponsoring the Holiday Stroll is the Downtown Property Owners Association. Partner sponsors include ArtFest Fort Myers, Arts for ACT Gallery & Boutique, Browtopia,
Café Matisse, City of Fort Myers – Parks & Recreation, City of Fort Myers – Public Works, Dean Park Homeowners Association, Edison & Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency, Fort Myers Woman’s Community Club, Goodwill Festival of Trees, Happenings Magazine, Iberia Bank, Lee Trust for Historic Preservation, Real Guitars & Vintage Instruments, River District Alliance, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and The Butterfly Estates.
For more information, call (239) 321-7100.
The River District is the historic commercial district and emerging residential community along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers. Its geographic boundaries are East First Street (at Seaboard Avenue), the Caloosahatchee River, the Edison Ford Winter Estates and the McGregor Boulevard/Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard corridor (ending at Evans Avenue).
Media Contacts:
Natalie S. Dunham, FMRA, ndunham@cityftmyers.com
* Article originally posted on: City of Fort Myers Florida, City of Fort Myers Website
Fort Myers, FL
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