FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mike Hammond Lee County Parks & Recreation/ Calusa Blueway (239) 707-7981 or mhammond@leegov or Contact: Betsy Clayton, A.P.R. Communications Director Lee County Government (239) 826-4606 bclayton@leegov Calusa Blueway events slated for this fall and 2015 Fort Myers, FL, Oct. 1, 2014 — Lee County is set to take the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival – a longtime Southwest Florida autumn event – and spread it throughout the year. Instead of an annual three-day happening, the festival’s activities have been segmented to offer canoeists, kayakers and SUPers more to do in various months. Returning to the slate of events are the annual catch-and-release fishing tournament and an SUP race. New happenings include a monthly speakers’ program. “The Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival had so much appeal but demanded multiple days of paddlers’ time so Lee County Parks & Recreation is morphing the great aspects of the festival into multiple activities at many of our locations countywide,” said Mike Hammond, Calusa Blueway coordinator. “This gives local paddlers and those who drive and fly to see the Blueway something to do every month.” Upcoming events include: Oct. 19: Ding Darling Days. Join Family Day at the Sanibel refuge to visit the Blueway Mobile and tent for route suggestions and opportunities along the 190-mile Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail. Visit dingdarlingsociety.org/dingdarlingdays.php. Oct 25 Riverfest Bonita Springs. Riverside Park a full day of paddling fun on the Imperial River. The final race of the CGT Paddle Series and the Imperial River Challenge. Live entertainment, food, vendors, and more. cgtkayaks - added by CGT Oct. 26: Surfers For Autism. The annual event at Fort Myers Beach by this organization is Oct. 25, and registered event participants and volunteers can register with Lee County Parks & Rec for a day-after eco-tour. Visit surfersforautism.org. Nov. 1: Calusa Blueway Fishing Tournament. For nearly a decade, non-motorized paddlecraft transported anglers to inshore grand slams on Pine Island. Captains’ meeting Oct. 30, all-day fishing Nov.1. Visit 2014calusabluewayfishingtourney.eventbrite. Nov. 13: Fort Myers Boat Show. The Calusa Blueway returns to this annual downtown Fort Myers event; get blueway info at the City Pier. Visit goboatingflorida. Dec. 6: Great Outdoors Adventure Day. The annual Friends of Lovers Key event at the south end of Fort Myers Beach near Bonita creates a collaborative focus on what you can do in parks and on waterways, including the Calusa Blueway. Visit floridastateparks.org or friendsofloverskey.org. Monthly Speakers’ Series: Calusa Blueway Gatherings will happen the first Tuesday of each month from December through April. Mark your calendar for 6:30- 8 p.m. Dec. 2, Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 3 and April 7 at Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center in South Fort Myers. Visit leeparks.org/blueway May 30, 2015: Battle on the Blueway SUP Race. Details coming soon for race at Crescent Beach Family Park, Fort Myers Beach. Stay tuned for more events and further details. Find Calusa Blueway on Facebook or CalusaPaddle on Twitter. Trail information is at calusablueway or leeparks.org/blueway. Visit the iTunes store or Google Play to download the free smart-phone app. Visitors can find information at fortmyerssanib Note to media: Images available upon request. Contact Mike Hammond or Kristie Valone at Lee County Parks & Recreation, (239) 533-7275.
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 10:13:58 +0000
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