As full-time residents of beautiful Southwest Florida, we have the good fortune of enjoying everything our Sunshine State has to offer year-round, but as peak season begins to wind down, we have to wonder if our winter guests know what they are missing when they leave us in the spring. And no, we’re not just talking about the dropping of peak rates, which coincidentally occurs from March-May.
If the first week of spring is any indication of what’s to come, we’ll be enjoying glorious weather for the next few months. The chilly winter season has officially left us and the 90-degree summer temps are still a good few months away. Slightly elevated temperatures with refreshing breezes in the spring will make early morning nature or beach walks even more exhilarating and al fresco evenings more relaxed with less jackets and more colorful cocktails.
With some of our guests packing up and heading north, there will be more ground to cover at our award-winning white sandy beaches. Better yet, the chill of the water has now passed so you can enjoy swimming in comfortable ocean temperatures. Spring, specifically May, also marks the beginning of turtle nesting season, so nature lovers will be able to watch the start of the sea turtle progression from May until September, while keeping an eye out for dolphins in the glistening Gulf of Mexico.
Take a tip from the players of America’s favorite pastime and stay in Florida in the spring when the Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies, and yes even the beloved New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox head down to Florida for their spring training.
You can catch all of the spring training games throughout Southwest Florida:
The holidays always bring about some wonderful events, but spring is also a wonderful time to experience the very best of Florida. Here are just some of the events you can partake in during these ideal months.
Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts
The Naples Art Association puts together the spectacular Festival of the Arts every year in historic Fifth Avenue South in downtown Naples. Ranked #21 on Sunshine Artist Magazine’s list of best art festivals in the nation, the festival brings together more than 200 of the finest artists in the country with an extensive variety of artworks ranging from original oils and acrylics on canvas, panel and galvanized aluminum to watercolors on paper, 2D and 3D mixed media collages, limited edition prints, photography, digital art, metal sculpture, wood carvings, ceramics, hand-crafted jewelry and fashion accessories, leather works, and fine furniture and home decor items.
With the donations and application and booth fees, the Naples Art Association helps underwrite programming at The von Liebig Art Center.
Taste Of Collier
For the past 31 years, Taste Of Collier has put together this event to celebrate the best local restaurants and to help raise funds for charities in Naples such as St. Matthews House, the Collier Chapter of the American Red Cross, ProStart Culinary Arts programs, the Heil Luthringer Foundation, the Collier County Mental Health Association, and many more. At this event, guests can purchase samples from more than 40 restaurants, enjoy live music from local musicians, and watch ice-carving demonstrations and high-energy cooking competitions with local top chefs. You can also enjoy Cooking with the Chefs presented by American Culinary Federation, where local top-chefs create dishes made with fresh local ingredients to hand out to attendees and visiting the Copa Di Vino wine garden, where guests can sample fine wines from the featured winery, Copa Di Vino.
Great Dock Canoe Race
This year marks the 39th Annual Great Dock Canoe Race. What started as an end-of-the-season celebration with 25 contestants and about 150 spectators has transformed into the most popular event in Naples with thousands of contestants and spectators partaking in the event.
Beginning at The Dock at Crayton Cove, the race follows a path that runs parallel to the City Dock, then through the small cove facing Naples Yacht Club, then north to the Riverwalk at Tin City, before racers turn around and run the path in reverse to complete the race. As of 2003, the race has adopted a new theme every year for added fun and festivities.
The best part of the event is that all proceeds are contributed to a local organization working for the town’s benefit.
Downtown Sarasota Spring Fest Arts and Crafts Show
For the past 13 years, Sarasota has been home to the Downtown Sarasota Spring Fest Arts and Crafts Show at Five Points Park, where art and craft aficionados gather to see a variety of jewelry, pottery, ceramics, photography, painting, clothing, and much more from a variety of the nation’s most talented artisans. Each piece is handmade in America and is available for purchase, with prices ranging from $15 to $3,000.
Suncoast Boat Show
If you’re going to stay in Florida a few more months, it may be high time to get a boat, or at least just look at some amazing ones. The Suncoast Boat Show is held at Marina Jack’s every year and showcases hundreds of boats available for purchase. If you already have a boat, there is also a full range of marine electronics, products, and accessories for sale.
St Armand’s Fine Art Festival
Art lovers have another big event to attend in Sarasota when the annual St Armand’s Fine Art Festival is held in April. This art festival has made the list of Sunshine Artist Magazine's top art shows in the country multiple times due to the pieces brought by talented artists from all over the nation. Some of these artists have been attending the art festival for years, while others have just begun their careers and have their own one of a kind jewelry, pottery, paintings, and much more to display.
Annual Siesta Key Chamber Golf Tournament
The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce partners with new home communities every year for the Annual Siesta Key Chamber Golf Tournament. During this tournament, golfers can play the course for the day, which is a big deal considering these courses typically open to members only. This year, the Chamber has chosen to partner up with The Founders Club again, meaning you’ll be able to spend the day on the signature Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course, and then indulge in a fresh and delicious dinner prepared by the club’s new executive chef, Mark Traugutt.
These are just some of the reasons we love Florida in the spring. Only visiting? Make this paradise your forever home by contacting London Bay Homes and purchasing a gorgeous luxury custom home in one of London Bay’s award-winning new home communities.
