Islands Fall Fest

"Ding" Darling Days Family Fun Day on Sunday, Oct. 17, kicks of a week of eco-activities with all-free refuge tram tours, live wildlife presentations, hot dogs, kids crafts, and more. Birding, boating, and kayaking tours fill the week with environmental activities for all ages. The 21st annual celebration ends on Saturday, Oct. 23, with Conservation Art Day, where Federal Duck Stamp Winners, other artists, and a refuge photography tram tour will highlight a day devoted to Jay Norwood Darling's legacy as the first duck stamp artist and Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist.

Join artists from around the continent at this annual event as they create amazing works of art on Fort Myers Beach. In addition to witnessing the Master Sculptors Competition, spectators can participate in the amateur’s workshops and contests.

Held the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 p.m., Art Walk features local and national artwork in the downtown art galleries and several art stops in the Fort Myers River District. The evening culminates with an after party at 10 p.m. Free trolley service is available for stops outside the downtown core area. The nearly 40 participants in Art Walk include the Alliance for the Arts, Art League of Fort Myers, Art of the Olympians, Arts for ACT Gallery and Boutique, Caf� Matisse, Cigar Bar, Coloring The World, Conch Sweet Corner Caf�, daas Gallery, Delicious Things, Digital Data Destruction, Downtown Deli & Market, Downtown House of Pizza, Enjewel, First United Methodist Church, Florida Repertory Theatre, Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency, French Connection, H2 Downtown Bistro, Hampton Inn & Suites, Happenings A&E Magazine, Hideaway Sports Bar, Hotel Indigo, HOWL Gallery, Iberia Bank, LaTrattoria Restaurant, Main Street Antiques, Morgan House Restaurant, The Oasis Luxury Condos, Potomac Bead Company, Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, Select Transportation, SKS PhotoShoot, Space 39 Gallery, Spirits of Bacchus, The Spot, The Veranda Restaurant, and the Young Artists Awards Program. Contact: Andy Howl, HOWL Gallery, 6 to 10 p.m.

Oct. 29 - Nov. 7, 2010: 10-day event features a buffet of speakers and instruction, cultural and eco festivals, competitive races and tournaments, paddlers’ get-togethers and green activities. Events are at public parks and archeological sites as well as resorts and campgrounds along the Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail, a 190-mile marked-and-meandering saltwater trail on Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast.

The Cape Coral Coconut Festival will celebrate Cape Coral's reputation in the Lee County area for coconuts, multi-cultural food, boating, fishing, and wildlife. The festival will feature a live national musical act, gymnastic entertainment, carnival rides, tropical food, contests, coconut crafts, fireworks, and more. It kicks off Friday night from 5 p.m. to 12 midnight, and continues on Saturday from 12 noon to 12 midnight and Sunday 12 noon to 8 p.m. After 3 p.m. admission is $5 for anyone ages 12 and older., Friday night from 5 p.m. to 12 midnight, and continues on Saturday from 12 noon to 12 midnight and Sunday 12 noon to 8 p.m.

Show times are 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $38 to $68. ,

From November through February, themed artistic events take place throughout the second weekend of the month in Pine Island communities. Wander through unique art galleries, enjoy music, send a coconut postcard home. The galleries, shops and restaurants come alive in this quaint community with fun for the entire family. Art classes, special events, and entertainment take place throughout Matlacha, Bokeelia, and St. James City with extended hours on Friday evening. For a detailed list of venues and events, visit the website or call. This event takes place the second weekend of each month Nov. - Feb.

German tradition is alive and well in Cape Coral, home of Lee County's largest annual Oktoberfest, now in its 24th year. Hosted by the German-American Club, it is a huge celebration of German culture, food, music and dancing features. Highlights include authentic live entertainment from large musical groups from Germany, along with enough German food and beer to make anyone do the "Chicken Dance." Gates open Friday 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $5 in advance, $6 at the gate., Friday 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

German tradition is alive and well in Cape Coral, home of Lee County's largest annual Oktoberfest, now in its 24th year. Hosted by the German-American Club, it is a huge celebration of German culture, food, music and dancing features. Highlights include authentic live entertainment from large musical groups from Germany, along with enough German food and beer to make anyone do the "Chicken Dance." Gates open Friday 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $5 in advance, $6 at the gate., Friday 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

Stone Crab season starts Oct. 15, 2011. Enjoy fresh-caught and sweet stone crab claws at the many seafood restaurants and markets throughout the area.

The 28th Annual Taste of the Town, sponsored by the Junior League of Fort Myers, features samplings from more than 40 local restaurants from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The largest food and entertainment festival in Southwest Florida with more than 15,000 people attending, it also features live music, a rock climbing wall, giant slides, and other children’s entertainment. Admission is $5.

US Junior Olympic Sailing Regatta