Festival of Lights: Cape holiday tradition continues Saturday
Cape Coral’s traditional start to the holiday season arrives downtown on Saturday with the lighting of the Christmas Tree and a visit by Santa Claus.
Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral, the 27th Holiday Festival of Lights starts at 4 p.m. with activities for kids and live entertainment by local entertainers on three performance stages.
There is an opening ceremony at 5:30 on Cape Coral Parkway in front of Cape Coral Town Center (Big John’s), followed by the arrival of Santa Claus and his Elves for the official lighting of the 40-foot tree at 6:15.
Santa will be available for photos until 9:45 p.m.
“Bring a camera and take all the pictures you want,” said Annette Siner, special events director for the Chamber of Commerce. “People might want to bring a folding chair for the childrens’ areas where there might be lines.”
Cape Coral Parkway will be closed to traffic at 5 a.m. Saturday between SE 15th Avenue and Candia Street and traffic rerouted to SE 47th Terrace.
“We’ve condensed the festival area this year,” said Siner. “It used to go past Winn-Dixie, but now stops before their lot. The crowd seemed sparse so by condensing it people won’t have to walk as far to get from one end to the other. With the parkway medians being renovated we ask that people not cross over the medians for their own safety and to not damage the construction zone.”
The festival is the largest holiday celebration between Tampa and Miami with more than 20,000 visitors every year.
“It’s a great way to bring the community together for a free event,” said Siner. “It’s also an outlet for our businesses to get together with the community. The chamber board of directors is very passionate about the community getting to enjoy themselves at free events.”
There’s so much more for the whole family to enjoy. There’s a 25-ton snow slide for kids of all ages and a tiny tot train ride at Snowcap Square adjacent to the Winn-Dixie parking lot. For the younger set, there’s also bounce houses at the free Candy Cane Park at the east end of the festival next to Tropical Furniture Gallery.
The Masonic Lodge has a booth where they will offer kids’ identification kits.
“Everything in the kids areas is free,” said Siner. “The only cost comes with the vendors.”
More than 50 vendors will be selling their crafts and toys and other gift items for your holiday shopping pleasure, plus the familiar festival food and beverages available from vendors.
“We even have a mobile sports bar coming that will have the football games on TVs,” said Siner.
Vendors also include businesses and non-profits handing out pamphlets and other valuable information.
Local entertainers will perform on three stages located throughout the festival area between SE 15th Avenue and Candia Street.
Community Stage 1 is located at Razzle Dazzle with performances by the Calendar Girls, Lariats and Lace, Rowdy Rhythms, Gulf Coast Dance Project, Melody Lane PAC, and the Cape Junior Football Cheerleaders.
Community Stage 2 is located at Tropical Furniture Gallery with performances by the Lee County Drill Team, Robin Dawn, Heart & Sole Dance Group, The Silver Foxes, and Rhythm in Motion.
Community Stage 3 is Located at Vincennes Boulevard with performances by the Cape Coral Academy of Music, Dixie Dancers, Dance Dimensions, Kobayashi Dojo, Cape Coral High Hawkettes, and Maranatha School of Dance & the Arts.
Parking at the public lots and streetside is on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizers remind visitors to be aware of tow away zones in the downtown area.
“The idea is for everyone to come and have a good time and get into the holiday spirit,” said Siner.
For more information visit www.holidayfestivalcc.com.