Paddle your way to the Calusa Blueway Festival

Friday, 29 October 2010 05:49

Paddle your way to the Calusa Blueway Festival

Written by Laura Gates

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email
Add new comment

Rate this item

(1 Vote)

Ron Liles, armed with a metal spatula, waits on for mullet fillets to finish cooking at the Riverfest Fish Fry at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs on Friday. The event, co-sponsored by the City of Bonita Springs, was part of the Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival taking place from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1. Photo by AARON HALE

BONITA SPRINGS — The fifth annual Calusa Blueway Paddling Festival runs from Friday through Nov. 7, providing 10 full days of abundant outdoor fun.

The event celebrates the Great Calusa Blueway, Southwest Florida’s 190-mile paddling trail, which meanders from Bonita Springs to Pine Island Sound and up the Caloosahatchee River, and was named for the Calusa Indians.

Festivities include canoe and kayak races, a kayak fishing tournament and paddling clinics, as well as other assorted fun for the whole family.

caloosa The multitude of events is designed to appeal to serious kayakers, eco-tourists and novices.

“We like to think of it as a buffet,” said Betsy Clayton, Lee County’s Waterways Program Coordinator.

If you become overwhelmed at the possibilities, don’t panic. Just find the “Blueway Mobile,” and volunteers will help you form a plan.

The festival kicks off Friday with an opening party at The Prawnbroker Restaurant in Fort Myers and a sunset tour of Lover’s Key by kayak.

Saturday, has been dubbed the Great Outdoor Adventure Day at Lover’s Key Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features children’s activities, mini-trips, on-water demos, guided walking tours and a geocaching session.

The fun continues at Bonita Springs RiverFest, from 2-8 p.m. at Riverside Park. RiverFest kicks off with kayak and canoe races and even includes a rubber duck challenge.

The following Saturday brings “Free Day at the Bay,” in honor of National Estuaries Day. Nov. 7 marks the festival’s end with an all-day party at The Nauti Mermaid in Cape Coral.

With so many scheduled events, there’s something for everyone to explore along the Great Calusa Blueway.

Check out the full schedule at www.calusabluewaypaddlingfestival.com.

Last modified on Friday, 29 October 2010 17:18

Published in Kayak Events

Tagged under

Please login to post a comment.

JComments

Kayak Reviews

The list below shows all the kayak brands that have been reviewed by our editors and community members.

Latest From The Forum

- Found my next kayak
- I was in Blain's Farm and Fleet the other day and I thought that you would like to know that they are giving one of these boats away for free. Not...
- 1 minute ago
- Coosa FD vs Manatee
- That was really nice ! I never knew they were that friendly/tame .
- 18 minutes ago
- Larger Wheels For Kayak Cart...??
- Without a doubt the cart will be nicer and go over rough terrain better with larger wheels. My first thought was to go from what I call a 10" tire to...
- 3 hours 34 minutes ago
- New from NC
- Quote: Quote: Quote: You should try Get Outdoors in Greensboro. Very knowledgeable and great selection of Kayaks and accessories. Just saw your post. Coincidentally I...
- 15 hours 2 minutes ago
- Kayak Fishing BIG smallies!
- I wish there where smallies close to me. Nice job :up:
- 1 day 37 minutes ago