This weekend in Bonita Springs, FL

Take on a festive day of running in Naples, Florida, with a challenging half marathon alongside a fun 5k at North Collier Regional Park. Expect a scenic, clearly marked course, a race shirt to commemorate the experience, and a finisher medal waiting at the line. Free race photos and a finish video are included, and friends and family can follow progress in real time through the Elite Events Tracker App. Afterward, enjoy Naples with a dip in the Gulf of Mexico, seafood at local restaurants, or time exploring unique shopping spots.

Now in its eighth year, this fishing tournament supports Humane Society Naples. Competitors vie for cash prizes for the longest snook and the longest redfish. A great time for a great cause.

The inaugural Tee Up for Literacy Golf Tournament brings golfers together at Stoneybrook Golf Club for a day that blends friendly competition with food and fundraising in support of Literacy Council Gulf Coast. Entry is $210 per person or $840 for a foursome. Proceeds help grow local literacy initiatives, provide essential resources, and empower individuals and families across the community. For registration or sponsorship information, call 239-676-5202.

Explore Lakes Regional Park on a relaxed, guided nature walk led by Bird Patrol volunteers in partnership with Lee County Parks and Recreation. Follow easy, well maintained paths while experienced guides help you spot and identify birds in native vegetation throughout this Lee County hotspot, an important nesting habitat for many species. There is no tour fee, and standard park parking rates apply, $1 per hour or $5 for the day. Meet at Shelter A7 near the Train Station inside the park. Plan to arrive a little before the start for a short introduction, the walk begins promptly. Wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the outdoors, and bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars. For information, call 239-533-7275 or 239-229-0559, and check the Bird Patrol Facebook page for schedules and details about additional birding opportunities in Lee County.

Now in its 37th year, the Cape Coral Farmers Market has grown into a lively Saturday morning tradition with more than 125 vendors. Fresh, local produce anchors the experience, including Certified Organic options, alongside a wide range of homemade and handmade goods. Shoppers can find fresh-baked breads and pastries, homemade pickles, jams and jellies, Gulf seafood, fresh meats, treats for pets, handcrafted soaps, essential oils, local honey, made-on-site guacamole, cut flowers, and native plants and trees. A dedicated food truck court and tent vendors serve BBQ, crepes, empanadas, Mexican fare, German street food, and lighter choices like kombucha, health smoothies, acai bowls, and salads. The market gives back by offering space to non-profits, schools, and community groups. EBT/SNAP shoppers are welcome, and Fresh Access Bucks are available, adding $40 to spend on Florida-grown fruits and vegetables. Live music enhances the atmosphere during the season.

The Corsa Velocity Mile Event is a professionally sanctioned 1/2 mile and 1 mile timed runway competition where cars make solo top speed runs with the opportunity to set world records. Participation is limited to 75 vehicles, and the location will be provided upon registration. Pricing includes both the half mile and mile timed runway events, an optional hotel stay, awards, food available for purchase, coverage by a professional media team, appearances by Corsa models, and Corsa Velocity Mile apparel.

Chef Mazzotta’s crab cakes are featured at Bonita Springs Farmers Market, made entirely from Blue Crab with no fillers. They are offered in regular and gluten-free varieties, and complimentary samples are available.

A festive 5K with a twist comes to Florida Gulf Coast University in support of Special Olympics Florida. Participants take on the Pumpkin Challenge by choosing a pumpkin placed at different points along the course and carrying it for part of the run. Smaller pumpkins appear near the beginning and must be carried farther, while larger ones are found later for a shorter carry, and the pumpkin you choose is yours to keep. Expect a lively atmosphere with community activities and celebration after the finish. Awards will recognize the top three overall male and female finishers, along with the top three male and female in each age group of 0–10, 11–19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and 70+. Every participant receives a Running Scared shirt and a finisher medal. Packet pickup is available at Fleet Feet Fort Myers and on race morning at FGCU.

Support breast cancer awareness at the 2nd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Poker Run. Registration is available on site prior to the start. The route begins at VFW Post 7721, includes multiple stops that will be announced, and finishes back at VFW Post 7721. The first participants head out after check-in, and purchasing information is available through the provided link.

The 4th Annual Over the Bridge Bike Run brings riders together for a charitable ride benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation with the Charlotte County Defenders LEMC. Every dollar raised goes to the foundation. Registration begins at Black Widow, the route continues to Bert’s Black Pearl in Fort Myers, and the finish at Pirate’s Deck includes a special presentation. Entry is $25 for riders and $10 for passengers, with lunch included. The first 200 riders will receive a gift bag.

Enjoy a playful yoga class in a tranquil outdoor setting with friendly goats and Marsala, a Highland calf. Move through poses, breathe deeply, and share a few laughs as the animals mingle nearby. All experience levels are welcome, with a minimum age of 12. There will be time to feed the goats and take photos, but please do not bring outside food. Bring your own mat, blanket, or towel. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The gate opens 15 minutes before the class begins.

Discover handcrafted jewelry by Kaye Krest at the Fort Myers Farmers Market. The collection features beaded and wire-wrapped designs made with gemstones and Sanibel Island seashells, plus creations in resin and polymer clay. The market highlights local food and operates year-round, and this vendor offers affordable pieces suited to many styles.

The season kicks off with a car show featuring a wide variety of cars, food, and music. Raffles will run throughout the event with prizes to win, and a 50/50 drawing will benefit Cape Coral Animal Shelter. Kids can serve as honorary car show judges for the day. Pre-registration is available.

At Rockstar Harley-Davidson, a boat show features a Coastal Daze Outdoor display of premium outdoor furniture designed for Florida living. The collection emphasizes weather-resistant construction along with durability, comfort, and style, presented by a locally owned and operated business. Expect a coastal vibe with plenty of boats and a fun atmosphere.

Create a friendly, free-standing ghost in a hands-on sculpting class designed for every skill level. Guided by Jeff in a relaxed, conversational setting that encourages individual creativity, participants learn to layer and shape masking tape with paper and wire, using glass marbles for the eyes, to build a figure about 7 inches tall. The session opens with a short tour of the artists’ studios inside DAAS CO-OP Gallery and The Union Artist Studios at the Arts & Eats Café. Everyone leaves with a one-of-a-kind masking tape sculpture and an instructional handout with simple steps for sealing and painting at home using easy-to-find materials. All supplies are provided. Price is $110, with a $90 rate for members.

A free meditation group offers sessions with Rissho Kosei-kai. Each gathering features two short meditation periods with an introduction to begin, a brief break in the middle, and a group discussion to close. Newcomers and long-time practitioners are welcome. For more information, call or text Jacob at (239)851-9824.

An Oktoberfest gathering at Resurgence brings a spirited atmosphere with beer and music. Arrive ready to raise a glass and celebrate.

Live music fills Beer Bar with an easygoing vibe. Sip something refreshing and take in the tunes in a relaxed setting.

An elegant gala centers on advancing the mission of 4KIDS of Southwest Florida to help children in crisis find safe, loving homes and to strengthen families across the region. Community-minded leaders, philanthropists, and partners come together for an evening that blends an elegant dinner, heartfelt storytelling, live entertainment, and meaningful chances to contribute through auctions and direct giving. Funds raised support foster care, prevention efforts, and services for families in need throughout Southwest Florida, working to restore dignity, build stability, and help children thrive. Sponsorship offers a purposeful way to align a brand with this cause, increase visibility among engaged community members, and make a concrete difference in young lives.

IMAG History & Science Center hosts the FMAS monthly meeting and auction featuring a presentation that explores wild livebearers, introduces the American Livebearer Association, and encourages looking beyond retail staples like swordtails, platies, mollies, and guppies. The speaker, Mike, brings a lifetime in the hobby, having bred and traded fish since childhood, with successful spawns for more than 475 species spanning 33 fish families. He is a Fellow of the Missouri Aquarium Society, operates a small hatchery with about 3,000 gallons across 100 tanks, and holds top rankings in MASI programs for both breeding and aquatic horticulture, including over 320 horticulture submissions from 50 families with more than a dozen grown from seed. An ALA Century Breeder with nearly 150 livebearer species spawned, he attributes results to frequent large water changes, live plants in every tank, and daily feeding of varied live foods for both breeders and fry. Mike has delivered more than 400 talks throughout the USA and Canada, written over 400 articles for hobby publications worldwide, published two live foods books with TFH Publications, and authored a popular booklet on shipping fish, with an updated live foods book and a fish breeding book on the horizon.

Cape Cabaret Dinner Theater turns into a discotheque for a night of dancing in Cape Coral. The music features disco along with freestyle hustle, house and the Bus Stop line dance. The event is hosted by DJ Nancy Alonso, a multi-award winning DJ previously known as DJ ISIS (I Spin In Style) in the Mid-Atlantic during the 1970s and 1980s. There is a $5 cover with a $10 minimum purchase. Happy hour precedes the dancing and the kitchen will be open. Reservations or tickets are available.

DJ Nancy powers a night of disco and more in Southwest Florida at Cape Cabaret, spinning dance favorites from the 70s and beyond. Expect a mix of disco, hustle, house, Latin freestyle, and salsa with hits by artists such as the Bee Gees, Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, KC and the Sunshine Band, the Trammps, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Marc Anthony, Shakira, and others. Cape Cabaret offers three rooms dedicated to dining, dancing, and entertainment and is known for a wide variety of tribute shows. There is a $5 cover charge and a $10 minimum purchase on food or beverages. Reservations guarantee seating and can be made by phone, and walk ins are accommodated when tables are available.

Enjoy an evening of dinner and live music on the outdoor patio at Cape Cabaret Dinner Theater as 78 RPM Duo performs a wide-ranging set of favorites. The playlist draws from artists like Bruno Mars, Queen, Jackson Browne, Harry Nilsson, the Beatles, Elvis Presley, America, the Eagles, Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, Otis Redding, Hoyt Axton, Loggins and Messina, and more. There is no cover charge, and a $10 minimum purchase for food or beverages applies. An early bird special offers 20 percent off soups, salads, appetizers, and entrees.

Relive the spirit of 1960s rock and roll as The Del Rays light up the ballroom at Cape Cabaret Dinner Theater. Hailing from New Jersey, this band delivers energetic classics that evoke the era of sock hops, burger counters, and going steady, setting the tone for a lively night of music and dancing. There is a $10 cover charge. An early bird offer provides 20% off the dinner menu, with specials excluded, and there is a $10 minimum purchase for food or beverages. Walk-ins are welcome as space permits, and reservations are recommended.

New York Cosmos travel to face FC Naples for an evening match at Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples, Florida. The matchup brings a club with a long history against a local team in a more intimate environment. The setting keeps spectators close to the field, making it easy to follow every moment as it happens.

Catch the jams and soak up the laid back vibe. The mic is open to anyone who wants to sing, play an instrument, or jump into some karaoke. Expect skilled performers, an easygoing atmosphere, and cool drinks.

A dance party at Seed to Table features live music by Extasy Band, followed by a set from DJ Zee. The music transitions from a full band performance to DJ mixes for nonstop dancing.

Take a turn at the mic at Sing-A-Rama, a welcoming open mic and karaoke night for performers of every level. Share a song, try something new, or support fellow acts as the room fills with music, laughter, and memorable moments. The spotlight is open to anyone ready to have fun and show what they can do.

Whether the vision is an elegant black tie celebration or a relaxed barefoot moment on the shore, a curated group of wedding experts will be available to share guidance tailored to every style. The focus is on turning plans into lasting memories, with practical advice to help shape a day that feels personal and true to you.

At Rooster's Barn & Grill - Ft. Myers, Songo Music Bingo brings a musical twist to the classic game with sing along moments to familiar songs by favorite artists. Alan James keeps the energy going throughout. It is free to play, and prizes are available to winners.