Media contacts:
JoNell Modys, jonellmodys@colliergov.net, 239-252-2425
Erin Smith, erinsmith@colliergov.net, 239-252-6298
Carlyn Topkin, carlynt@lhammond.com, 212-891-0214
DELICIOUS DISHES, UNIQUE FINDS AND MAJOR ANNUAL EVENTS
ALONG FLORIDA’S PARADISE COAST
Naples, Fla. (June 11, 2015) – If you’re seeking exciting activities to enhance your vacation or want to participate in or watch top sports action, Florida’s Paradise Coast – Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades – has much to offer. The area’s fast-evolving cuisine scene ensures a “sense of place” through dining at the area’s many locally-owned restaurants, tasty food festivals and artisan food makers.
In 2016, the roster of events, celebrations, and festivals continues to grow and spotlight the destination’s arts, food and adventurous offerings.
MADE IN
Olde Naples Chocolate is famous for its line of beautifully sculpted and delicious chocolate seashells. These edible treasures of the sea are popular as wedding party favors and decorations for wedding cakes as well as corporate gifts. Family owned for 23 years, Olde Naples Chocolate offers candy making classes with choclatier Laurie Rose, and the store and candy classes are included in several tour options offered by Naples Food Tours.
Contact: Laurie Rose, info@oldenapleschocolate.com, 239-262-3975
Below is a list of some of the major annual events in 2016:
ANNIVERSARIES
National Park Service Centennial
Florida’s Paradise Coast is unique in having two National Park Service units in the destination – Everglades National Park’s Gulf Coast Visitor Center and Big Cypress National Preserve, the first National Preserve to have been created in the National Park system. Both of these wilderness gems are located within close proximity to the beach resort cities of Naples and Marco Island, providing easy access for visitors seeking something truly wild along with their beach getaway. The National Park Service turns 100 on August 25, 2016. The Centennial celebrations will kick off a second century of stewardship of America’s national parks and engaging communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs. Everglades Gulf Coast and Big Cypress offer unique opportunities to explore the Everglades wilderness.
Everglades National Park Gulf Coast Visitor Center – Everglades City, FL
There are three entrances to Everglades National Park and the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City is the only one of the three that doesn’t charge an admission fee to enter. This is the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands portion of the national park and is also the saltwater portion of the park. Popular with paddlers, anglers and adventurers of all types, this is regarded by many as the most beautiful part of Everglades National Park, winding through extensive mangrove forests and allowing visitors to spot dolphins, manatees and sea turtles as well as alligators and American crocodiles and many species of birds. Boat tours are available year round by park concessioners and several excellent tour operators lead boat and paddling excursions into this water wilderness. Check the website for information on ranger-guided activities in 2015 and 2016 such as guided paddling adventures and more. www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/Gulf-Coast.htm
Contacts: Supervising Ranger Susan Reece, susan_reece@nps.gov, 239-695-3311
Naples Marco Island Everglades CVB, JoNell Modys, jonellmodys@colliergov.net, 239-580-8481
Big Cypress National Preserve – Ochopee, FL
The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast. Protecting over 729,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to a diversity of wildlife, including the elusive Florida panther. The first National Preserve created in the U.S. National Park System, Big Cypress offers a wealth of opportunities for outdoor adventure and recreation from hiking through pristine cypress swamps or along the Florida Trail, biking, canoe explorations, camping, hunting and more.
Contact: Bob DeGross, Bob_DeGross@nps.gov, 239-695-1107
FESTIVALS / HISTORY
Old Florida Festival - March 2016, Collier County Museum
The annual family-style event, now in its 25th year, brings together more than 80 of the state’s finest historical re-enactors, craft workers, and living history performers to recreate over ten centuries of daily life on the Southwest Florida frontier. For more information, visit www.oldfloridafestival.com/.
Contact: Ron Jamro, ronjamro@colliergov.net, 239-252-8476
FESTIVALS / FOOD & WINE
Naples Winter Wine Festival - January 29-31, 2016, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples – Naples, FL
The Naples Winter Wine Festival is ranked among the top 10 arts and entertainment events for wealthy Americans. This ranking by the Luxury Institute is based on exclusivity, quality and prestige. The event brings many of the world's finest vintners and chefs together with wine collectors and philanthropists for a three-day gala in picturesque Naples, Florida. For more information, visit www.napleswinefestival.com.
*This is an exclusive event with a very high price tag – a minimum of $8,500 per couple.
Contact: Lisa Juliano, Lisa@napleswinefestival.com, 239-514-2239
Everglades Seafood Festival - February 12-14, 2016, Everglades City – Everglades City, FL
Hungry travelers can enjoy the annual 46th annual Seafood Festival held in Everglades City, featuring three days of live country music, carnival rides, arts, crafts and incredible food. Feast on fresh gulf shrimp, fish and stone crab claws, fried gator and lots more seafood. More than 100 vendors offer a variety of great seafood, refreshments, and handmade arts and crafts. The kids will love the rides on the midway. For more information, visit www.evergladesseafoodfestival.org/,
Contact: Carol Foss, evgbet2011@aol.com, 239-695-2277
Marco Island Seafood & Music Festival – March 18-20, Marco Island, FL
A fun weekend filled with great music and seafood specialties. The event features a huge assortment of traditional landlubber favorites, as well as refreshments, too. More than 60 arts and crafts vendors will be selling unique gifts and a kid’s zone with bounce house, slide, rock climbing wall, trampoline and more to wear off some of that energy while you enjoy the music, the food and the friends. For more information, visit, http://www.marcoislandseafoodfestival.com/
Contact: Stan Niemzyk, stan@teammarco.com, 239-393-1350
Stone Crab Festival - October 23-25, 2016, Tin City and Bayfront on the Old Naples Waterfront – Naples, FL
For an entertaining weekend full of seafood and fun, the year’s annual Stone Crab Festival, set for October 23-25 at several connecting locations on the Old Naples Waterfront. Celebrating its 5th anniversary, the Stone Crab Festival will offer plenty of fresh stone crab claws, music, events, art and a ton of fun activities for the whole family! For more information, visit www.stonecrabfestival.org/.
Contact: Jenny Foegan, jenny@naplesprincesscruises.com, 239-649-2275
FESTIVALS/ CULTURAL & ARTS
Naples National Art Festival - February 20-21, 2016, Cambier Park – Naples, FL
Naples National Art Festival is consistently voted among the top 25 art festivals in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. As one of the oldest festivals in Collier County, Naples National is counted by the local community as among its premiere, must-see events, featuring high-quality and a diverse selection of art. For more information, visit www.naplesart.org.
Contact: Shea Lindner, Shea.Linder@naplesart.org, 239-262-6517
ArtsNaples World Festival - April 27 – May 10, 2016, various locations in greater Naples, FL
Each year, the ArtsNaples World Festival celebrates the full spectrum of the arts. For its first four years, the festival each year focused on a particular world culture. The 2016 5th annual festival celebrates the Best of All Worlds. During the festival, you will be immersed in a stunning array of opera, symphony, chamber music, jazz, cuisine, film, recitals, cabaret, and more from around the world. Combined with the incredible scenic wonder of the Gulf Coast beaches, it is an unforgettable journey. For more information, visit www.stayinmay.com.
Contact: Laurel Meny, Laurel@IMAcreative.com, 239-390-2788
Naples International Film Festival - November 2016, various locations in Naples
The Naples International Film Festival has a curated program of 50 films. The mission of it is to celebrate independent film and filmmakers in an intimate festival setting that enhances the cultural and artistic life in Southwest Florida. For more information, visit www.naplesfilmfest.com/.
Contact: Shannon Franklin, Email: Shannon@naplesfilmfest.com, 239-775-3456
Celebrate the Arts Month – November 1-30, 2016, various locations in Collier County – Naples, Marco Island, Everglades City, FL
This month-long celebration every November promotes Collier County’s arts and cultural community. Every venue comes alive with performances, free concerts, festivals, gallery events and entertainment for residents and visitors alike. For more information, visit www.collierarts.com.
Contact: KatieSchweikhardt, Katie@uaccollier.com,239-254-8242
FESTIVALS / NATURE & ENVIRONMENT
Southwest Florida Nature Festival - January 15-17 2016, Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center
Guests can explore the local environment through almost 40 guided field trips to 20 wildlife hot spots around Southwest Florida and lectures at the annual Southwest Florida Nature Festival taking place at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center. Field trips, including birding walks, buggy rides and boat tours, are offered in conjunction with partners such as Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Big Cypress National Preserve and Conservancy of Southwest Florida. For more information, visit rookerybay.org/learn/swfl-nature-festival.html.
Contact: Renee Wilson, Renee.Wilson@dep.state.fl.us, 239-530-5958
OUTDOOR EVENTS
Balloons Over Paradise - April 11 - 12, 2016, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee – Immokalee, FL
Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee brings the two-day Balloons Over Paradise Festival featuring 60 hot air balloons, and live entertainment. Additionally, there will be delicious food, arts & crafts, tethered balloon rides, a classic car show, dog agility performances, a polo exhibition and an equestrian drill team performance. Admission is free to the all-ages festival. For more information, visit www.seminoleimmokaleecasino.com.
Contact: Cathy Baker, Cathy.baker@stofgaming.com, 239-658-1313 Ext. 203
Summer Jazz Concerts - June through Sept, 2016, The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club – Naples, FL
For one Saturday evening each month, June through September, the smooth sounds of jazz return to The Naples Bach Hotel & Golf Club. This free concert series gives everyone a chance to experience incredible sunsets, beautiful views of the Gulf and refreshing breezes. For more information, visit www.naplesbeachhotel.com/.
Contact: Karen Lamonica, Klamonica@chisano.com, 239-261-2222
SPORTS
Swamp Buggy Races – January 30-31 and March 12, 2016, Florida Sports Park – Naples, FL
Sports enthusiasts can visit the Mile O' Mud on January 30-31 and again on March 12 as swamp buggy vehicles speed around the track at the annual Swamp Buggy Races. The Races, heralded as the World’s Muddiest, feature swamp buggies, which range from standard Jeeps with snorkels to giant monsters with NASCAR racing engines, all navigating the famous Mile O' Mud track. This figure-eight track is flooded with water, around 18 inches deep in most areas, but much deeper in the dreaded Sippy Hole located in front of the grandstands, so as you can imagine it gets really messy. For more information, visit www.thefloridasportspark.com/events/swamp-buggy-races/.
Contact: KC Hornbach, info@thefloridasportspark.com, 239-774-2701
US Open Pickleball Championships - April 26-May 1, East Naples Community Park – Naples, FL
The 2016 US OPEN Pickleball Championships will be held at East Naples Community Park in Naples from April 26-May 1, 2016. This weeklong event will showcase the top professional and amateur players from the United States and around the world. For more information, visit www.usapa.org.
Contact: Rob Wells, robwells@colliergov.net, 239-252-6293
About Florida’s Paradise Coast
Whether travelers are looking for a romantic escape or family getaway, Florida’s Paradise Coast - Naples, Marco Island and the western portion of the Everglades – has an array of vacation options year-round. With more than 30 miles of soft, white sand beaches, world-class golf, a thriving arts and culture scene, distinctive dining and the best of outdoor adventure, the Paradise Coast is truly a destination with it all. Located just two hours from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, four hours from Orlando and three hours from Tampa, the Paradise Coast is easily accessible from some of Florida’s largest cities. Travelers outside of the Sunshine State can fly into nearby Southwest Florida International Airport, which provides nonstop service to 47 destinations on 17 different air carriers.
For more information about the Paradise Coast, call 800-688-3600 or visit www.ParadiseCoast.com. Follow the destination on Twitter @ParadiseCoast and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheParadiseCoast.
*For press releases and downloadable photography, media may access
www.paradisecoast.com/media_center.
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