November 27, 2013
By MCKENZIE CASSIDY (mcassidy@breezenewspapers.com) , Island
Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva Islander
Sanibel
and Captiva Islands are known for their world class beaches, fishing, and
outdoor recreation, but the island also hosts some of the most unique and
popular holiday events in Southwest Florida.
Visitors from the mainland participate
in old-fashioned holiday events like tree lightings, singing carols, and
hayrides within the island's uniquely "small-town" atmosphere, as
well as new twists on old traditions, including luminaries, lighted boat
parades, golf cart parades, and a Mullet March.
The festivities kick-off after
Thanksgiving with the 29th Annual Luminary Festival Weekend, hosted by the
Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce, and the community-led Holiday Village
on Captiva Island.
During
the luminary, volunteers from the Sanibel Captiva Lions Club place hundreds of
white bags, filled with sand and containing a lit candle, along Periwinkle Way.
Island businesses open their doors with refreshments, music, special holiday
sales, and even visits from Santa Claus. The Sanibel Community Church also
hosts a live nativity scene.
It's suggested that visitors park
wherever there is space and use trollys that will pick up passengers at nine
different stops. The chamber will produce a trifold with details about where to
board the trollys and what special events are being hosted along Periwinkle
Way.
"Luminary Festival Weekend is the
one time a year that the entire island community comes together to celebrate
the season and we are delighted to be able to help bring light to our amazing
island family during the holidays," said Ric Base, president of the
Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce.
The Fourth Annual Captiva Holiday
Village begins after Thanksgiving with tree lightings at 'Tween Waters Inn and
the South Seas Island Resort. Holiday Village events have grown so popular that
a production crew from the Travel Channel's "Xtreme Xmas" filmed the
golf cart parade last year.
Locals decorate golf carts with
decorations, lights, garland, hats, stuffed animals and even plastic flamingos,
and the drivers wear over-the-top outfits. Awards are given for the best
decorated golf carts and proceeds benefit the Sanibel Captiva Conservation
Foundation.
"This was such a great opportunity
to bring our quirky island festivities to the world," said 2012 Golf Cart
Parade Chair Denice Beggs. "This parade is such a unique and fun event for
locals to be involved in. The competition has really increased, and many
participants plan their decorations a year in advance."
Holiday Village events are scheduled
throughout the entire month of December, ranging from holiday strolls at South
Seas where guests can access the resort's grounds and marina for lights,
entertainment, and arts and crafts, to a lighted boat parade in the evening.
"There's something for everyone
to enjoy, from live entertainment to arts and crafts, games, S'mores, and of
course old St. Nick," said Dorothy Fitzgerald, an island resident and
chair of the Holiday Stroll. "This holiday stroll is sure to become a new
holiday tradition for families.
Proceeds from the South Seas Holiday
Strolls benefit the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.
For more information or a complete
schedule of events: Visit the chamber's website at sanibel-captiva.org to learn
about the 29th Annual Luminary Festival Weekend and captivaholidayvillage.com
to learn about the Captiva Holiday Village.
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