The 92nd Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair runs February 25 through March 6, and is still accepting registrations for the Creative Living and Home Arts Department. All divisions and categories can be found at www.swflcfair.com. Online registration ends February 18. If you miss the registration deadline, you can still register at the time of delivery of the items.
The Creative Living and Home Arts Departments is where the community’s creativity comes alive. With just under 1,000 entries in 2015, this vibrant department continues to grow as categories expand and entries arrive from neighboring counties. New this year are the Cake Decorating Category and 3D Doodling. Cake Decorating is open to Youth, ages 14-20, and there are adult categories for non-professionals and for advanced/professionals.
There will be Master Gardener Workshops throughout the Fair on a variety of topics from Growing Hydroponically to Growing Orchids. Master Gardeners ‘Ask the Expert’ will be held Wednesday, March 2 from 12:30 – 3 p.m.
All seniors and veterans are invited to attend a special day of appreciation on Wednesday, March 2 beginning at 11 a.m., with $5 gate admission all day. A lineup of entertainment includes a dance contest to live music from the Del Prados, open to seniors ages 62 and over. Registration begins at 12:15 and ends at 1 p.m., and will be held onsite only. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners of the Jitterbug and the Twist. At 4 p.m. it’s Danny & The Juniors, featuring Joe Terry. Lee Memorial Health Services will host a mini health fair, along with various agencies.
The Community Stage located inside the Lee Civic Center is where the local talent happens. The Port Charlotte High School Pirate Dance Team kicks off our Saturday, Feb. 27. Next is the Inaugural 5th Grade Math Bee, sponsored by Sylvan of Fort Myers, and then it’s the Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair Beauty Contest. The community stage will host a number of schools’ dance groups, chorus ensembles, and jazz bands throughout the Fair. There’s even a Songwriters Seminar, sponsored by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, scheduled for Saturday, March 5 at 4 p.m.
For the ride enthusiasts, the Mega Pass is still on sale. The Mega Pass is a pre-event sale item, only, and is good for admission and rides on any one day of the Fair. New this year we have the Galaxy Roller Coaster, a new exciting thrill ride! Back by popular demand is the Stinger and the Speed.
A printable brochure is available at swflcfair.com. The Fair Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and re-donates to a number of other non-profits, including the local 4-H clubs, the United Way, Rotary and the Araba Shrine units. Lee County Schools are also a beneficiary, and the Fair offers scholarships to graduating seniors.
Until Feb. 24, advance tickets are available at a discount online at swflcfair.com/tickets and at authorized outlets across Southwest Florida for the Fair that has been “Making memories since 1924.” Tickets purchased in advance are $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Tickets purchased at the gate will be $10 for adults and $5 for children. Mega passes, good for gate entry and unlimited rides for one visit, are $25, and cannot be purchased after Feb. 24.
About the Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair
Held at the Fairgrounds and Lee County Civic Center, located on Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers, the Fair is dedicated to promoting agricultural, horticultural, creative arts, and educational opportunities while providing quality entertainment for the citizens of the area. The Fair is recognized as a 501(C)3 non-profit educational organization by the federal government and the State of Florida. The Southwest Florida and Lee County Fair Association is chartered under Florida State Statues Chapter 616 as a District Fair serving Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties. For more information visit www.swflcfair.com