The 27th annual American Sand Sculpting Championship from November 22 to December 1, attracting an estimated crowd of 50,000 to Fort Myers Beach over the entire 10-day event, continues its tradition as one of the most popular, family-friendly events in Florida.
With name entertainment, this island-wide festival has been named one of 20 recommended events for November in the southeastern United States by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Presented by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, the event owes much of its success to the area's abundant natural resources, particularly the soft, sugar-white sands of Fort Myers Beach, which are considered the best in the world for sand sculpting events.
This year's festival will feature 16 of the world's best master sculptors along with Florida state and amateur sculptors. These artists will unite on Fort Myers Beach to create their imaginatively stunning works of art.
Earlier, from November 1 to 3, the 8th annual Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival showcases the 190-mile Great Calusa Blueway paddling trail, which helps stand-up paddle boarders, kayakers and canoeists explore southwest Florida's waterfront communities.
This signature eco event, named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, includes a family fun race, a kayak fishing tournament, paddling clinics and demonstrations, seminars, wildlife activities, archaeological events, guided tours, and more.
The Cape Coral CoCoNut Festival from November 8 to 10 celebrates Cape Coral's reputation in the Lee County area for coconuts, multi-cultural food, boating, fishing and wildlife. The festival will feature a national musical act, gymnastic entertainment, carnival rides, water-ski shows, tropical food, contests, coconut crafts, fireworks, and more.
Tastes of the Islands is back for its 32nd year on November 10 to celebrate three Sanibel signatures - community, cuisine and the wildlife organization CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife). Local restaurants will descend on Sanibel Community Park with their most decadent delicacies from 12:30pm to 5pm and duke it out to earn top honors for their dishes from judges and the crowd, accompanied by live entertainment.
For the latest information on the area's many accommodation choices, event and activities, visit www.FortMyers-Sanibel.com.
The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel in southwest Florida includes: Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande & Outer islands, North Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres.
For more information about top events in Florida take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Florida.