Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau

Experience the uniquely-funky town of Pine Island on the 2nd weekend of each month(Nov.- April)! It is all about art in this quaint fishing community and beyond. Enjoy special events, gallery openings, classes and entertainment for the entire family. Galleries and shops extend hours on Fridays and events and workshops are available on Saturday and Sunday. Please visit FortMyersSanibel.com or www.floridascreativecoast.com for more details and for participating galleries & vendors.

In celebration of Thomas Alva Edison's life and his contributions to the modern world, the Edison Festival of Light, Inc. holds a month-long series of events for all ages. Edison Day of Discovery Saturday, January 14, 2012, 10am - 4pm Florida Gulf Coast University - Free Edison Day of Discovery Discovery Village Saturday, January 14, 2012, 10am - 4pm Alico Arena (Outside) - Free Mutt Strutt Sunday, February 5, 2012 11am - 4pm Sam Galloway Ford Junior Fun Run Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 1pm Junior Parade Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 2pm Junior Coronation & Awards Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 4:30pm Downtown River District Crafts on the River Friday, Saturday 10am - 5pm; and Sunday 10am - 4pm February 17, 18 and 19, 2012 Centennial Park Parade Party Saturday, February 18, 2012, 12 Noon Centennial Park 5K Run Saturday, February 18, 2012, 5:45pm Fort Myers River District-Downtown The Edison Festival of Light Grand Parade Saturday, February 18, 2012, 7:00pm Fort Myers High Edison Stadium to Fort Myers River District Downtown Classic Car Show and Cruise-In Presented by the Hot Chili Rods of Cape Coral! Sunday, February 19, 2012, 11:00am - 3:00pm Fort Myers River District Centennial Park For additional information please visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com or www.EdisonFestival.org

Shellabration! 2012, from Feb. 26 to March 4, not only “shellabrates” the 75th anniversary of the Sanibel Shell Show & Fair, but also the islands’ shell-bent predilection. Sanibel Island, which has been named the best shelling beach in the U.S. and one of the best in the world, hosts shelling enthusiasts from around the globe each year for this annual event. The festivities will kick off with a mass Sanibel Stoop event beginning at 10 a.m. on Feb. 17 on Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island.Come out to break the 208-person Guinness Book World Record record! On Feb. 26, the Shell Fair & Show tradition returns to its roots at The Matthews, today the historic Island Inn. Traditions on the Beach, the inn’s restaurant, will host a gala “shellegant.” Fair activities start Wednesday with a Judges Reception Dinner at the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum. The public is invited. The following day, the three-day affair runs as it has for decades, with a free fair outside and a show ($3 donation) inside of hobby shell-crafters, professional shell artists, and scientific collections. Hours are Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 200 exhibitors are expected in the 2012 competitive show. Shellabration’s grand finale on March 4 features a local actor in the role of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, whose highly revered Gift from the Sea, written on Sanibel’s sister island, Captiva, compares the stages in a woman’s life to seashells on the beach. An ice cream social follows the one-woman play. For details and updated calendar of events, visit www.Shellebration2012.com. For information on planning a vacation to The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, visit www.FortMyersSanibel.com.

Savor delicious pink Gulf Coast shrimp and enjoy the unique Fort Myers Beach atmosphere at the 54th Fort Myers Beach Lions Shrimp Festival! Two days filled of festivities to celebrate Fort Myers Beach’s shrimp harvest.This event boils up more than 1,000 pounds of shrimp for its 40,000 visitors! All profits benefit local Lions Charities. For additional details please visit www.FortMyersBeachShrimpFesitval,com. Friday, March 3rd- Festival Princess Ball Saturday, March 4th- Shrimp Festival Run for Kids Saturday, March 10th- Shrimp Festival Parade; 20th Annual Shrimp Festival Food & Crafts Expo; Official Festival T-shirt, Tanks & More Sale; World Famous Lions Shrimp Dinners; Crowing of the 54th Shrimp Festival Queen Sunday, March 11th- 20th Annual Shrimp Festival Food Fun & Crafts Expo; Official Festival T-shirt, Tanks & More Sale; World Famous Shrimp Dinners