Saturday, Dec. 1 & Sunday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Englewood Fine Arts & Craft Festival
Dearborn Street, Englewood
This annual event is attended by permanent residents,
seasonal residents, and vacationers to the Englewood
area. In addition, shoppers from the nearby communities
of Venice, Sarasota, North Port, Boca Grande, Port
Charlotte, and Punta Gorda enjoy the opportunity to
spend a relaxing day exploring the unique shops and
restaurants in Olde Englewood Village when West
Dearborn Street becomes a “pedestrian-only” exhibit
area.
Sunday, Dec. 2
First night of Hanukah, Happy Hanukah!
Saturday, Dec. 8, 6 to 8 p.m
Lighting of the Lighthouse
Port Boca Grande Lighthouse,
Gasparilla Island State Park
Ring in the holidays at the annual Lighting of the
Lighthouse! This is a complimentary event serving
appetizers, punch and cookies. Live music by Kenny Rose.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and lighting takes place at 6:15 p.m.
Call (941) 964-0060 for more information.
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.
Boca Grande Live! Featuring Highland Way
Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium
Celtic songs with a Scottish flair and plenty of yuletide
cheer! Highland Way entertains with a fun-filled concert
of Scottish and Irish tunes, lively jigs and reels, and
favorite carols - along with Highland Way’s well-known
humor and high spirits.
The charismatic Brian Caldwell from Glasgow leads
the Highland Way 4 in songs of Scotland, Ireland, and the
Holiday Season. Virtuoso fiddling, strings, and percussion
add to the mix of traditional and more modern
melodies, with some musical surprises along the way
from the California-based band. Start the season off right
with Highland Way’s musical merriment. General admission
tickets are $35 and reserved seats are $60. Call the
Friends of the Boca Grande Community Center’s office
at (941) 964-0827 to purchase your tickets.
Thursday, Dec. 20, 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Wading Adventures!
Stump Pass Beach State Park, Englewood
All are welcome to attend BIPS’ most popular
educational program in partnership with Florida State
Parks. It’s fun for all ages!
On this exciting wading adventure, you’ll learn about local
habitats and environments, shells, sea grasses and marine
creatures. Then you’ll explore the Charlotte Harbor National
Estuary with an expert Florida State Park Ranger. You’ll wade
and carefully collect local marine life and view each through
a waterproof magnifying glass as a ranger explains fascinating
facts about each living treasure.
Come explore nature and learn about conservation,
stewardship and the preservation of our natural treasures
and environment. All costs support BIPS’ Educational
Programs toward this mission. Parking is $3 and the adventure
is $5. There’s anther wading adventure at the Gasparilla
Island State Park on Thursday, Dec. 27 from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Attendees explore the south end of Gasparilla Island and
meet at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse.
Go to BarrierIslandParksSociety.org/events/
Tuesday, Dec. 25
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, Dec. 2 5 to 8 p.m.
Historic Gasparilla Island Lighthouse Holiday Climb Tour
Want to see Boca Grande from an entirely different
perspective? Holiday climb with lights, hot cocoa and cookies.
Barrier Island Parks Society invites you to a 20-minute climb
tour to the top of the historic Gasparilla Island Lighthouse
as volunteer docents share the fascinating story of this U.S.
legacy. All proceeds support the continuing restoration and
preservation of this local Florida treasure for future
generations. Visit BarrierIslandParkssociety.org to register for
the tour. The cost for holiday climb is $35.
November/October 2018 GASPARILLA ISLAND 93
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/BarrierIslandParkssociety.org