Ballyhoo... your local calendar of events

J.McLaughlin...

J.McLaughlin is offering an extra 30 percent off sale starting Friday, May 30. Stop by 360 Park Ave. in Boca Grande or call (941) 855-9163.

 

Florida Air Show ...

Tickets for the 2025 Florida International Air Show are officially on sale. For more information and tickets visit FloridaAirShow.com

 

2025 Photo Contest ...

The Florida Wildlife Federation is holding their 2025 Photo Contest through July 11. This year’s theme is Florida in focus, what makes our state special. FloridaWildLifeFederation.org

 

Country Fun ...

A weekend full of goat cuddles, bunny snuggles, duck races and loads of country fun on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lightfoot Farms, 8323 Lightfoot Dr., Nokomis. EventBrite.com/e/wake-up-with-the-farm-goat-cuddles-bunny-snuggles-country-fun-registration-1351478010109

 

Mangrove Walk ...

The Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will hold a walk and discussion on longleaf pine and forest management on Friday, May 30 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Pinebrook Park, 1251 Pinebrook Rd., Venice. MangroveChapter@fnps.org

 

Baseball & Breakfast ...

Enjoy a breakfast buffet and baseball in a climate-controlled box on Saturday, May 31 at 9 a.m. 18800 S W Villages Pkwy, Venice.
CoolTodayPark.com/FCL

 

Tarpon Tournament...

Howl at the Moon on Saturday, May 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. Proceeds benefit Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum. Registration at Whidden’s Marina.

 

Lemon Bay Playhouse ...

“Grace and Glorie” a ‘dramedy’ showing Wednesday, June 4 to Sunday, June 22 at 96 W. Dearborn St., Englewood. Tickets $27. 

LemonBayPlayhouse.com

 

PAW-ty!

Suncoast Humane Society is holding a Disco fundraiser and silent auction on Friday, June 6 with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Plantation Golf & Country Club, 500 Rockley Blvd.,
VeniceHumane.org

 

 

Self-Defense Class ...

A four-hour classroom session followed by an afternoon of live range training on Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to noon in Venice. (941) 504-9525, CommandPerformance.info

 

Cruisin’ on Dearborn ...

Hundreds of cars & thousands of car lovers will converge on W. Dearborn St., Englewood on Saturday, June 7 from 1 to 6 p.m. Free admission.

 

Shaka Gnar Festival ...

A day of activities including skim, skate, art, a paddle board relay and sand sculpture competition on Saturday, June 7 from 1 p.m. to Sunset at the North Jetty Park, 1000 S. Casey Key Road., Nokomis.
CalebWouldGo.com/Register

 

Kids Classic ...

Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament, Saturday, June 7. Registration is 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Pink Pony courtyard. Fishing is 3:30 to 6 p.m. and awards are at 7 p.m. in the courtyard. For more details contact BocaGrandeChamber.com

 

Murder Mystery Dinner ...

Leadership Charlotte Class of 2025 is hosting a Mystery on the Harbor Murder Mystery Dinner at TT’s Tiki Bar, 33 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda on Saturday, June 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. TinyUrl.com/LC25Mystery

 

 

Learn to Sail ...

Englewood Sailing is offering summer camp for ages 9-17 which teaches small boat sailing at Indian Mound Park in Englewood. Monday, June 9 to Friday, June 13.
EnglewoodSailing.org

 

Guided Nature Walk

The Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and UF/IFAS Sarasota Extension Service member, Dr. Mary Davis, will be guiding a nature walk on Monday, June 9, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center, 570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood. Learn about the amazing and unique Florida ecosystems. Meet in the native plant garden at the far end of the parking lot. This event is free, and all are welcome to participate. For more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

 

Art Show ...

Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home is hosting an art show on Wednesday, June 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a wine & cheese reception. View Images By Photographer Watson Wu and Artist Kelly Reark. 635 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda. ImagesByWatson.com, KellyReark.com

 

Lemon Bay H.S. Theatre ...

“Frozen” on Friday, June 13 at 6 p.m. Lemon Bay Performing Arts Ctr., 2201 Placida Rd. LBHSTheatre.net

 

 

Summer Circus ...

A family-friendly circus show that runs Saturday, June 14 to Saturday, Aug. 9 at the Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota. Tickets are available at Ringling.org

 

 

TLC Golf Tournament ...

The Annual Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, June 14 starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Rotonda Golf & Country Club The Palms Course, Rotonda (941) 473-2266.

 

Baseball & Breakfast ...

Enjoy a breakfast buffet and baseball in a climate-controlled box on Saturday, June 14 at 9 a.m. 18800 S W Villages Pkwy, Venice.
CoolTodayPark.com/FCL

 

Cornhole Tournament ...

Father’s Day Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, June 14 from 3 to 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit scholarships for the Lemon Bay H.S. graduation class. Held at the Sportsmans Pub,
801 S Indiana Ave., Englewood.
(941) 270-3054

 

Electric Blues ...

Talented Blue Artists from around the country will be performing on Dry Beach at Fishermen’s Village on Saturday, June 14 from noon until 9 p.m. FishermensVillage.com

 

Venice Craft Festival ...

The 32nd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival will be held on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Historic Downtown Venice, Miami Ave., W, Venice
VisitVeniceFL.org

Father’s Day Tournament ...

Rotonda Golf & Country Club is holding a Golf Tournament on Sunday, June 15 at 8 a.m. at 100 Rotonda Circle., Rotonda. (941) 697-2414

 

Coffee & Conservation ...

SUP Englewood event will be hosting a coffee and conservation discussion with Tammy Gerringer, Operations Manager at Peace River Wildlife Center, Tuesday, June 17 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Englewood Chamber of Commerce, 601 S. Indiana Ave., Englewood. Learn about coexisting with wildlife in our neighborhoods. RSVP required. SUPenglewood.com

 

Tarpon Tournament...

Howl at the Moon Ladies Night Out

Cocktail Party on Friday, June 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Scarpa’s Coastal. Fishing Howl at the Moon Ladies Night Out on Saturday, June 21 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Proceeds to benefit the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum.Registration at Whidden’s Marina.

 

Vacation Bible School ...

The Gulf Cove UMC is holding Vacation Bible School on Monday, June 23 to Friday, June 27. The Theme is Alaskan tundra and is for children age 4 to grade 5. 1100 S McCall Rd., Port Charlotte. GulfCoveChurch.com (941) 979-9927.

 

 

Ongoing Local Events...

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

Fresh Harvest Farmers Market every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Downtown Wellen, 19745 Wellen Pk. Blvd. WellenPark.com

The Venice Farmers Market is open in front of City Hall, 401 W Venice Ave.,
Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
TheVeniceFarmersMarket.org

Punta Gorda’s Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the corner of Taylor and Olympia. (941) 391-4856

SUMMER CAMP/VBS

Cedar Point Environmental Park in Englewood is holding summer camp from June 2 to 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for ages eight to 12. Four separate sessions and themes. Registration is open. ChecFlorida.org

Englewood Sailing is offering summer camp which teaches small boat sailing for ages nine to 17 at Indian Mound Park in Englewood. June 9-13, June 23-27 and July 7-11. EnglewoodSailing.org

Gulf Cove UMC is holding VBS from June 23-27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Theme is Alaskan trundra and is for children age four to grade 5. 1100 S McCall Rd., Port Charlotte. GulfCoveChurch.com (941) 979-9927.

Suncoast Humane Society is holding summer camp for grades one to six, Paws for Play, on Monday, June 23 to Thursday, June 26, 2620 Worth Ave., Englewood. Humane.org

 ENTERTAINMENT, EDUCATION, LESSONS

Mangroves/Manatees Kayaking Tour every Monday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Don Pedro Island State Park. Registration required. (941) 265-2925.
SUPEnglewood.com

Mahjongg with Friends every Monday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Gulf Cove UMC, 1100 S. McCall Rd., Port Charlotte. (253) 350-7264

Free Guided Nature Walks every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 9 a.m. from November to May. For registration and information visit ChecFlorida.org or call (941) 475-0769.

Quilters & Knitters meet every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon, Fellowship Hall, Christ Lutheran Church, 701 N. Indiana Ave., Englewood.

Gasparilla Island Lighthouse Climb Tours- A paid climb and tour on Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. BIPS.org

Arts in the Garden every Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. for kids ages five to 11.
380 Old Englewood Rd., Englewood (941) 875-7772.

 

Lighthouse United Methodist Church - 300 Gilchrist Ave. Worship service at 10 a.m. on Sundays. bglighthouseumc.com

First Baptist Church - Worship will be held in their Fellowship Hall at 11 a.m. on Sundays. 

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church - 240 Park Ave. Mass is celebrated each Saturday at 5 p.m. and  Sunday at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Daily Mass is at 8 a.m. (941) 964-2254. 

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church - 390 Gilchrist Ave. Sunday worship will be in-person at 9:30 a.m. and live-streamed on YouTube. Pastoral care is always available by calling  (941) 964-2257, ext. 1. standrewsbocagrande.org