Top 5 things to do this week in SW FL: Super Mario Bros. Movie, Island Hopper, Ian rally
Looking for some entertainment in Southwest Florida?
Here are five fun things to do this weekend and beyond, including the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, Cape Coral's Blessing of the Pets and Frightmare on 78's return to the woods.
Plus, we look ahead at other things to do in the coming weeks: The Hurricane Heroes concert with Matchbox Twenty, controversial comedian Roseanne Barr and more.
EVENT SUBMISSIONS: Got anything cool happening next weekend or later? I’m always looking for concerts, festivals and other great events for my weekly Top 5 things to do. To be considered, email me the details at crunnells@gannett.com or message me at facebook.com/charles.runnells.7.
1. Movie in the Park: ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’
The popular 2023 videogame movie adaptation gets shown on an outdoor screen at Lehigh Acres’ Veterans Park. There will be free popcorn and bottled water. Pelicans SnoBalls of Lehigh Acres and Red’s What the Food truck will also be there selling food. Bring your own blankets and chairs. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. Free. In the event of bad weather, the movie will be moved into the Veterans Park Recreation Center gymnasium. The outdoor movie will be shown in the front athletic field at Veterans Park, 55 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres. 533-7275 or facebook.com/VeteransRecCenter
2. Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
The annual music festival continues with concerts happening Sept. 27-28 in downtown Fort Myers and Sept. 29-Oct. 1 on Fort Myers Beach. Country singers Chris Janson and Kristian Bush of Sugarland play a pool party at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach. Tickets are $45. Most other festival shows are free. island-hopperfest.visitfortmyers.com
3. Cape Coral Together: Resilience Rally
The City of Cape Coral hosts this event commemorating the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian with three live bands, five food trucks, a raffle and a supply drive for local nonprofits (including canned and non-perishable food). The musical lineup features Deep Cover, Deb & The Dynamics and Taylor Goyette. 6-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. Free admission with the donation of food, hygiene products, other supplies or cash. German American Social Club, 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. capeconcerts.com
4. Frightmare on 78: Back from the Dead
The annual event returns as a haunted hike for the first time in five years. Walk through the Gator Mike’s woods and experience zombies, aliens, killer clowns, horror-movie scenes, a pitch-black maze, a spinning tunnel and lots more. Open every Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29, through Oct. 28. $20 ($25 for Fast Pass). Gator Mike’s Family Fun Park, 35 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. 574-4386 or gatormikes.com
More Halloween events in Lee County: Haunted hikes, scary movies, fall festivals and other spooky things to do
5. Wonder Gardens Halloween Nights in the Gardens
This new month-long outdoor event replaces the annual, one-day WonderWeen. Includes trick-or-treating, decorations, special animal-enrichment programs, family games, activities and a rare opportunity to visit the gardens at night. The lushly landscaped botanical gardens feature more than 300 rescued, rehabilitated and non-releasable birds and reptiles. All the candy comes from brands that support sustainable palm oil production and distribution. Costumes are optional but encouraged. 5-8 p.m. every Thursday and Saturday, Oct. 5-28 (except Oct. 21). $12 ($7 for ages 3-12, free for younger, $10 for ages 65 and older). The Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 239-992-2591 or wondergardens.org
MORE THINGS TO DO
Lab Theater’s ‘Noises Off’
Last chance to see this classic farce that shows the zaniness happening both onstage and behind the scenes as actors try to perform a stage comedy. Now through Sunday, Oct. 1. $35. The Laboratory Theater of Florida, 1634 Woodford Ave., downtown Fort Myers. 218-0481 or laboratorytheaterflorida.com
Festa Italiana (Italian Festival) in Cape Coral
The Cape Coral Museum of History hosts this new fest celebrating the heritage of Cape Coral’s many Italian-American residents. Includes food, entertainment, cooking demonstrations, games, contests and vendors. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. The event will be followed by a 6 p.m. dinner, dance and concert with singer Michael D’Amore. Both events are fundraisers for the museum. Tickets are $10 for the festival (free for ages 12 and younger), $40 for the dinner and concert, or $20 for the concert only. German American Social Club, 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. capecoralmuseum.org/festa-italiana
Hurricane Ian fundraiser at Wicked Dolphin
Wicked Dolphin Distillery hosts a benefit to help Pine Islanders return home after Hurricane Ian. The Pine Island area was devastated by Ian. The event includes a raffle, live music from D Rox and food truck Horse Eyed Jake's American Sliders. Proceeds from drink bucket specials and raffles go directly to rebuilding efforts, according to the Greater Pine Island Alliance. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. Wicked Dolphin Distillery, 131 SW 3rd Place, Cape Coral. 242-5244 or wickeddolphin.com
Cape Coral’s Blessing of the Pets
Bring your pets to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, at this fourth-annual event. Pet blessings will be done by Pastor Mark McAnlis from First Congregational Church and Reverend Denise Sawyer of Lee Health. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1. Free. The event is open to all pets and all faiths. Each participant receives a prayer card and a St. Francis medallion. The event also includes a pet boutique, a photo station and a bake sale. Free, although donations are welcomed. Cape Coral Animal Shelter, 325 S.W. Second Ave., Cape Coral. capecoralanimalshelter.com
LOOKING AHEAD
Wonder Gardens Halloween Nights in the Gardens
This new month-long outdoor event replaces the annual, one-day WonderWeen. Includes trick-or-treating, decorations, special animal-enrichment programs, family games, activities and a rare opportunity to visit the gardens at night. The lushly landscaped botanical gardens feature more than 300 rescued, rehabilitated and non-releasable birds and reptiles. All the candy comes from brands that support sustainable palm oil production and distribution. Costumes are optional but encouraged. 5-8 p.m. every Thursday and Saturday, Oct. 5-28 (except Oct. 21). $12 ($7 for ages 3-12, free for younger, $10 for ages 65 and older). The Wonder Gardens, 27180 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 992-2591 or wondergardens.org
Fort Myers Art Walk
The monthly event in downtown Fort Myers features new art exhibits at downtown galleries, receptions, live music and art vendors outside on First Street. This month’s exhibits include the annual “Dark Art” show at Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. 6-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6. Free. Art Walk takes place on the first Friday of each month. Downtown Fort Myers. facebook.com/fortmyersartwalk
Community Day at the IMAG
Get half-off normal admission for this annual event at IMAG History & Science Center. Activities include children’s crafts, animal shows, science shows, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office “ICRT” (Ice Cream Response Truck) and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Half-price admission is $9.75 for adults, $7.50 for college students and children ages 3-18 (free for younger). IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Avenue, downtown Fort Myers. 243-0043 or theimag.org
Matchbox Twenty, The Eagles’ Don Felder play Hurricane Heroes
Rock stars Matchbox Twenty and Don Felder of The Eagles are lending their musical muscle to this fundraiser marking the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian. Organized by local nonprofit The Charity Pros, which will recognize several of Southwest Florida’s “Hurricane Heroes” during the show. The concert also includes local musical acts Red Hannah, Matty Jollie, Sheena Brook and more. 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. $69-$199. The concert is a fundraiser for Southwest Florida musicians through the nonprofits Music Alive SWFL, the Tabarrini Children’s Outreach Foundation and the Charity Pros “Megan’s Wish” program. Hammond Stadium at CenturyLink Sports Complex, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, south Fort Myers. thecharitypros.org
Roseanne Barr at Mann Hall
Controversial actor-comedian Roseanne Barr brings her touring comedy show to south Fort Myers. Barr is best known as the star of the hit TV sitcom “Roseanne” in the ‘80s and ‘90s. She also starred in a 2018 reboot, but the show was canceled after Barr’s controversial tweet about Valerie Jarrett, a Black woman who was a senior adviser to Barack Obama throughout his presidency. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. $40-$100. Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, south Fort Myers. 481-4849 or bbmannpah.com
— Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 (for tickets to shows, call the venue) or email him at crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), X (formerly Twitter) (@charlesrunnells), Threads (@crunnells1) and Instagram (@crunnells1).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Island Hopper, Hurricane Ian rally: Fort Myers, Cape Coral things to do
