November 2020
All dates & times are subject to change.
Please contact the event organizer before attending.
Election Day
Tuesday, Nov. 3
History & Heritage:
Theodore Roosevelt & the Rough Riders
Presented by Friends of the Boca Grande
Community Center
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 4:30 p.m.
Livestream event, Speaker Clay Risen
Author & Deputy Op-Ed Editor, New York Times
When America declared war on Spain in 1898, the U.S.
Army had just 26,000 men, spread around the country
– hardly an army at all. In desperation, the Rough Riders
were born. A unique group of volunteers, ranging from Ivy
League athletes to Arizona cowboys and led by Theodore
Roosevelt, they helped secure victory in Cuba in a series of
gripping, bloody fi ghts across the island. Roosevelt called
their charge in the Battle of San Juan Hill his “crowded
hour” – a turning point in his life, one that led directly to
the White House. “The instant I received the order,” wrote
Roosevelt, “I sprang on my horse and then my ‘crowded
hour’ began.”
As Clay Risen’s new book, The Crowded Hour, reveals, it
was a turning point for America as well, uniting the country
and ushering in a new era of global power. Call (941) 964-
0827 to purchase tickets or see friendsofbocagrande.org
for more information. Subject to opening guidelines, an
in-person event format may be added.
Venice Chalk Festival
TENTATIVELY scheduled
Friday, Nov. 13 - Sunday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venice Airport
17th Annual Calusa Blueway Kayak Fishing
Tournament
Captain’s Meeting: Friday, Nov. 13, 7p.m. via
Facebook Live - Tournament: Saturday, Nov. 14
Gulf Coast Kayak, 4120 Pine Island Rd. NW
Matlacha
This event features a one-day fi shing competition
for paddle sport anglers to catch, photo, and release
snook, redfi sh, seatrout and other species. All fi shing
must occur within Lee County waterways along The Great
Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail. All competitors must
only use a launch open to the public in Lee County. All
proceeds benefi t Candlelighters of Southwest Florida.
Cost is $45 entry fee per individual paddle sports angler,
includes registration and tournament shirt. $180 entry
fee for paddle sport angler team includes registration
and tournament shirts for four anglers. Weigh-in is on
Saturday, Nov. 14 at Gulf Coast Kayak in Matlacha. 1st,
2nd, 3rd place and team prizes will be awarded.
92 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • November/December • 2020
For more information see the Facebook site or register
at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/calusa-blueway-kayakfi
shing-tournament-tickets-119162932539 or call (239)
283-1125.
Lighting of the Village Holiday Celebration
Saturday, Nov. 14, 5:30 p.m.
Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W Retta Esplanade,
Punta Gorda
You are invited to celebrate as Fishermen’s Village
illuminates over one million lights and traditional holiday
themed decorations during the 2020 “Lighting of the
Village!“
Festivities for this highly-anticipated event begin at 5
p.m. with the arrival of Santa, courtesy of Punta Gorda Fire
Chief Ray Briggs’ antique fi re truck. At 5:30 p.m. a ribboncutting
ceremony will be held with Santa and City of Punta
Gorda offi cials, followed by a parade with the Lee County
Pipes and Drums.
The evening continues with live holiday music and
entertainment featuring the Shane Duncan Band.
Additional highlights of this family-friendly event include
face painting, complimentary refreshments, shopping,
dining, dancing, and, of course, photos and visits with
Santa Claus. Please bring toilet paper/toiletries to be
donated to Share the Blessings Ministry in lieu of an
admission charge.
Third Friday Drive-In
Friday, Nov. 20, 6 p.m.
Downtown Punta Gorda, right across from River City
Grill, 121 Marion Ave. Punta Gorda
The Third Friday Drive In features a family friendly movie
monthly. There will be concessions on site but people are
welcome to bring their own food. Some listen to the sound
on their car radios as we have an FM transmitter (95.5 FM)
but many others choose to sit in lawn chairs in front of the
40’ screen and listen through the speaker system.
24th Annual Gasparilla Island Fly-Fishing
Tournament (G.I.F.T)
Tuesday, Nov. 24, Charlotte Harbor Back Bay
The 24th annual G.I.F.T (Gasparilla Island Fly-fi shing
Tournament) presented by Gasparilla Outfi tters to benefi t
the Boca Grande Historical Society. Entry Fee is $150 per
angler, a charitable donation to the Boca Grande Historical
Society. Includes two tickets to the captains meeting/cocktail
party at Scarpa’s Coastal the night before. See
gasparillaoutfi tters.com for full details and to register for
fl y fi shing tournament.
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, Nov. 26
/friendsofbocagrande.org
/tters.com