Fall brings a vibrant yet relaxed vibe to Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and the Southwest Gulf Coast communities of Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands. The launch of a new film festival, two food festivals, fishing competitions and Halloween celebrations are just a few of the happenings that draw visitors to this off-the-beaten path Florida vacation destination. Many of the events offer free admission.
1. Founding Families Festival
Kicking off the season is Englewood Pioneer Days, a 55-year tradition honoring the original settlers of the area with history and zany events. Festivities start with a cardboard boat race on Sept. 3 and end with a day-long festival on Labor Day (Sept. 5) featuring a parade, music, food, and fun. For additional details, visit
Pioneer Days.
2. Film Fest
The inaugural Peace River Film Festival runs Sept. 9 - 11, with A-List Hollywood producer Michael Uslan, Executive Producer of the Batman movie series, receiving a Lifetime Achievement award. A juried selection of “Flash Mob” videos will be followed by the first-ever award for this video art form. Films from Floridian and international movie makers will be presented during the event. Festival passes are available for adults at $45 and $35 for those 18 or under. A limited number of VIP all-festival passes ($100) are available and include a private reception with Uslan, special seating and autographed book. Details can be found at Peace River Film Festival.
3. Fall Festival
Oktoberfest is held Saturday, Oct. 8 at Fishermen’s Village, a unique boutique mall, marina, resort and restaurant collection that loves to host events on a regular basis. A Weiner Dog Derby, German food, live music and dancing are featured, and admission is free. For more details, go to Fishermen's Village.
4. Fishing and Food Feast
On Saturday, Oct. 15, Hook Kids on Fishing (ages 6-16), is an event designed to pass on the tradition to the next generation. Free pre-registration is required and the first 100 kids to register receive a free rod, reel and tackle box. Clinics on casting, conservation, fishing safety, knot tying and more are included. More information can be found at KingFisherFleet or by calling (941)-639-0969.
Nearby, The Ultimate Rib Fest will feature competing restaurants preparing thousands of baby back and spare ribs and mouth-watering signature side dishes, competing for the grand prize and bragging rights to "Southwest Florida's Ultimate Barbeque Ribs." The festival, at Punta Gorda’s Laishley Park, features live entertainment on stage from noon until sunset. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit local charities.
5. Frightful Fun for All
Haunting on the Harbor, from Friday, Oct. 28 – Monday, Oct. 31, features a frightfully-fun house of horrors, live music, food, kid-friendly activities and other festivities at nearby Laishley Park adjacent Laishley Crab House, one of Southwest Florida’s largest and most delicious restaurants and part of the renowned Smuggler’s Restaurant Group.
Even Fido and Bowser can join in the Halloween spirit at “Ghouls & Drools Barktoberfest,” a human and pet costume contest on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Fishermen’s Village. Entrant pre-registration is required ($5 donation to pet rescues), but there is no fee to enjoy the colorful cacophony. For registration information and other items needed by the pet shelters, call 941- 575-7599 or visit Salty Paws.
That’s just five reasons to fall for Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands in September and October. The area is a delightful, off the beaten path destination full of friendly faces, without the crowds found on many Southwest Florida beaches, and plenty of attractions. To make the season even more appealing, hotels are offering discount rates and packages that run through November and early December.
Following are two examples.
Palm Island Resort
Cape Haze, FL 33946
866-838-1653
Palm Island Resort, a secluded barrier island resort accessible only by ferry, offers uncrowded beaches, spectacular shelling and peaceful relaxation along with a full program of activities for children include diverse special programs. Among them are nature and scavenger hunts, self-guided bicycle nature tours, scavenger hunts, sand castle building contests, arts & crafts, shell hunts and more.
Reserve a Villa for a four night stay and get three additional nights free: Special includes villa accommodations, complimentary boat dockage, family activities with Palm Island Resort’s own Redbeard the Pirate, a Saturday Tennis Round Robin with resident tennis pro, full access to all resort amenities to including private beach, complimentary car ferry and water taxi to/from Palm Island and the mainland and complimentary local and long distance telephone. Pricing ranges from $480.00 for a one bedroom mainland villa for two people, to a similar beachfront villa starting at $797.00, through a three-bedroom beachside villa accommodating up to six people from $1,417.00, Package valid through October 31, 2011, excluding holidays and holiday weekends, subject to availability at time of booking. Prices do not include applicable taxes or gratuities.
Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside
33 Tamiami Trail Punta Gorda, FL 33950
The Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside, recognized as the #1 Four Points hotel in customer satisfaction, is offering a “Greens Savings” package that includes three day, two night accommodations and two rounds of golf per person at a choice of four award-winning courses, including Bobcat Trail, Deep Creek, Heron Creek and Rotonda Golf Clubs. Golf Digest ranked the area one of the top three places in the country to live and play golf. Following a day on the links, sample the cuisine of the Four Points’ Dockside Grill or relax at the new tiki bar overlooking the Peace River. Many other nightlife options and attractions to explore in artsy, historic Punta Gorda include the Ice House Pub, the Celtic Ray, Muscle Car City Museum, and Fishermen’s Village. Rates start at $118/per person based on double occupancy, excluding taxes and packages can be customized to include additional nights and/or rounds of golf. To book, call the sales department at 941-637-6770 and mention the Greens Savings Package. To view additional specials, please visit http://www.fourpointspuntagorda.com Pricing is valid until December 15, 2011, excluding holiday/special event weekends.
For more on what to do, where to stay and where to dine, visit CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” Port Charlotte was named “Best Place to Retire” by MONEY magazine in 2009. The city of Punta Gorda was named in 2008 as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.
For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the website at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
Media Contact:
Mary Huff
Senior Media Relations Specialist
SMITH
MHuff (at) SMITHadv.com
(404)713-3774
1. Founding Families Festival
Kicking off the season is Englewood Pioneer Days, a 55-year tradition honoring the original settlers of the area with history and zany events. Festivities start with a cardboard boat race on Sept. 3 and end with a day-long festival on Labor Day (Sept. 5) featuring a parade, music, food, and fun. For additional details, visit
Pioneer Days.
2. Film Fest
The inaugural Peace River Film Festival runs Sept. 9 - 11, with A-List Hollywood producer Michael Uslan, Executive Producer of the Batman movie series, receiving a Lifetime Achievement award. A juried selection of “Flash Mob” videos will be followed by the first-ever award for this video art form. Films from Floridian and international movie makers will be presented during the event. Festival passes are available for adults at $45 and $35 for those 18 or under. A limited number of VIP all-festival passes ($100) are available and include a private reception with Uslan, special seating and autographed book. Details can be found at Peace River Film Festival.
3. Fall Festival
Oktoberfest is held Saturday, Oct. 8 at Fishermen’s Village, a unique boutique mall, marina, resort and restaurant collection that loves to host events on a regular basis. A Weiner Dog Derby, German food, live music and dancing are featured, and admission is free. For more details, go to Fishermen's Village.
4. Fishing and Food Feast
On Saturday, Oct. 15, Hook Kids on Fishing (ages 6-16), is an event designed to pass on the tradition to the next generation. Free pre-registration is required and the first 100 kids to register receive a free rod, reel and tackle box. Clinics on casting, conservation, fishing safety, knot tying and more are included. More information can be found at KingFisherFleet or by calling (941)-639-0969.
Nearby, The Ultimate Rib Fest will feature competing restaurants preparing thousands of baby back and spare ribs and mouth-watering signature side dishes, competing for the grand prize and bragging rights to "Southwest Florida's Ultimate Barbeque Ribs." The festival, at Punta Gorda’s Laishley Park, features live entertainment on stage from noon until sunset. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit local charities.
5. Frightful Fun for All
Haunting on the Harbor, from Friday, Oct. 28 – Monday, Oct. 31, features a frightfully-fun house of horrors, live music, food, kid-friendly activities and other festivities at nearby Laishley Park adjacent Laishley Crab House, one of Southwest Florida’s largest and most delicious restaurants and part of the renowned Smuggler’s Restaurant Group.
Even Fido and Bowser can join in the Halloween spirit at “Ghouls & Drools Barktoberfest,” a human and pet costume contest on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Fishermen’s Village. Entrant pre-registration is required ($5 donation to pet rescues), but there is no fee to enjoy the colorful cacophony. For registration information and other items needed by the pet shelters, call 941- 575-7599 or visit Salty Paws.
That’s just five reasons to fall for Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands in September and October. The area is a delightful, off the beaten path destination full of friendly faces, without the crowds found on many Southwest Florida beaches, and plenty of attractions. To make the season even more appealing, hotels are offering discount rates and packages that run through November and early December.
Following are two examples.
Palm Island Resort
Cape Haze, FL 33946
866-838-1653
Palm Island Resort, a secluded barrier island resort accessible only by ferry, offers uncrowded beaches, spectacular shelling and peaceful relaxation along with a full program of activities for children include diverse special programs. Among them are nature and scavenger hunts, self-guided bicycle nature tours, scavenger hunts, sand castle building contests, arts & crafts, shell hunts and more.
Reserve a Villa for a four night stay and get three additional nights free: Special includes villa accommodations, complimentary boat dockage, family activities with Palm Island Resort’s own Redbeard the Pirate, a Saturday Tennis Round Robin with resident tennis pro, full access to all resort amenities to including private beach, complimentary car ferry and water taxi to/from Palm Island and the mainland and complimentary local and long distance telephone. Pricing ranges from $480.00 for a one bedroom mainland villa for two people, to a similar beachfront villa starting at $797.00, through a three-bedroom beachside villa accommodating up to six people from $1,417.00, Package valid through October 31, 2011, excluding holidays and holiday weekends, subject to availability at time of booking. Prices do not include applicable taxes or gratuities.
Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside
33 Tamiami Trail Punta Gorda, FL 33950
The Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside, recognized as the #1 Four Points hotel in customer satisfaction, is offering a “Greens Savings” package that includes three day, two night accommodations and two rounds of golf per person at a choice of four award-winning courses, including Bobcat Trail, Deep Creek, Heron Creek and Rotonda Golf Clubs. Golf Digest ranked the area one of the top three places in the country to live and play golf. Following a day on the links, sample the cuisine of the Four Points’ Dockside Grill or relax at the new tiki bar overlooking the Peace River. Many other nightlife options and attractions to explore in artsy, historic Punta Gorda include the Ice House Pub, the Celtic Ray, Muscle Car City Museum, and Fishermen’s Village. Rates start at $118/per person based on double occupancy, excluding taxes and packages can be customized to include additional nights and/or rounds of golf. To book, call the sales department at 941-637-6770 and mention the Greens Savings Package. To view additional specials, please visit http://www.fourpointspuntagorda.com Pricing is valid until December 15, 2011, excluding holiday/special event weekends.
For more on what to do, where to stay and where to dine, visit CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state’s second largest harbor. Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countless memorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine’s “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” Port Charlotte was named “Best Place to Retire” by MONEY magazine in 2009. The city of Punta Gorda was named in 2008 as one of “Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy” by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla. was named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.
For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the website at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
Media Contact:
Mary Huff
Senior Media Relations Specialist
SMITH
MHuff (at) SMITHadv.com
(404)713-3774