Wedding venue in Blue Ridge, GA for couples in Fort Myers, FL

FORT MYERS, NAPLES (WFTX) — This weekend marks a significant lead-up to Halloween, offering an abundance of enjoyment and treats. Fox 4 is excited to present an impressive array of "4+" engaging events, featuring a Special Oktoberfest and an opportunity to meet some of our remarkable Fox 4 team members, alongside an exciting heartfelt Oktoberfest Fundraiser hosted by The Stage Restaurant & Nightclub scheduled for next week, all designed to create a memorable Halloween experience. Attendees are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes or finest outfits and immerse themselves in a weekend filled with joy, including the Trunk or Treats-Halloween Movie, a Super Hero Boo Bash, a Spooky Splash Bash, and the 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat Costume Contest, complemented by the thrilling Special Oktoberfest, exclusively from Fox 4.

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????FOX 4 is committed to engaging with the community, exemplified by its participation in Florida's largest Oktoberfest celebration. We invite you to join FOX 4 Anchor Amy Wegmann, Cape Coral Community Correspondent Bella Line, Account Executive Brian Nagy, and Storm Fox 4.0 this evening, Friday, October 25, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm!

OKTOBERFEST~Cape Coral! ????????????????????"Prost’"! Time once again to bring the community back "tagether" for an unforgettable celebration to enjoy, and experience Southwest Florida’s biggest party – the 39th Annual Cape Coral OKTOBERFEST! The German-American Social Club is so excited to invite you to their event for fun, great food, German beer, live music, laughter, and dancing – from Polka to Blues and Country, to the Chicken Dance. Mark your calendar ????️ and celebrate with your clan or crew, with your significant other, or even on your own – you’re bound to meet great people there! With German music and local bands, German food, and beer, there’s plenty of fun to go around, for any age! So, dust off your "Dirndls, launder your Lederhosen" and join in for an epic time of "stein slurping" with your “beste Freunde”! All weekend long festivities tonight, from 4pm-12am, Saturday, 12pm-12am and Sunday, 12pm-8pm. Last chance to indulge is this weekend! For tickets/VIP info and further details here!

Truck or Treat ????& a Halloween ????Movie!Witch Your Way To The Candy! The City of Cape Coral's official event, the 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat & Halloween Movie, hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department. This festive gathering promises candy giveaways (while supplies last), lively music, and plenty of spooky fun for everyone. Costumes are highly encouraged! The evening will feature a screening of "Hotel Transylvania" on a massive inflatable screen around 7:00 p.m. This free event provides a safe space for the community to kick off the Halloween season together. Don't miss out this Friday, October 25, starting at 6:00pm at Cape Coral City Hall. The schedule includes food trucks arriving at 6:00pm, Trunk-or-Treat activities from 6:00pm to 8:00pm (while supplies last), the movie screening from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, and a spectacular drone show at 8:30pm. Flavorous vendors, including Spelltacular Sweets LLC, Hot off the Press, Love Boat Ice Cream, Maddie's Sweet Lemonade, and Between the Bunz, as well as our community partners, Bruce L. Scheiner, Sam's Club, and Walmart Supercenter, for their generous support for this Halloween celebration. Further information here!

????Boo Bash 2024 is BACK!????‍♂️Super Hero Theme!Shake That Boo-ty for a Spooktacular day of family fun Super Hero Themed Boo Bash! This year's celebration is set to be even more exciting, featuring fantastic entertainment and activities for all ages.????Big Mama Radio and the Rise and Grind Show will keep the energy high with the latest hits, while the????Haunted Blow-Up Maze invites you to navigate its spooky twists and turns, courtesy of The Bounce House People. Test your skills at the????Dunk Tank, provided by Quality Fencing of SWFL, and enjoy complimentary buttery????popcorn from SJC Technology Inc. Beat the heat with refreshing????snow cones, thanks to Honest Health Group and Fausto Insurance Agent at Thompson Agency, or satisfy your sweet cravings with fluffy cotton candy from Albert Mathews Law. Don’t forget to????capture memories with your favorite characters like Deadpool and Bluey at the Petwell Clinic Tent! Join in for an exciting afternoon filled with music, contests, crafts, face painting, food trucks, and much more! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 11AM to 2PM at Big John Plaza, located at 1331 Cape Coral Parkway East, behind John Michael's Diamond and Jewelry. Admission is FREE, so bring your little monsters for a day of frightful fun! Hosted by SJC Technology Inc & John Michael’s Diamond & Jewelry Studio, this is an event you won't want to miss!Further information here!

Spooky????Splash????Bash!Get ready for a frightfully exciting day filled with thrills and chills as we get ready for the spookiest day of the year! The park will be all decked out in its finest frightful décor and with fab-boo-lous fun day full of activities, including a Halloween-themed DJ dance party, foam fun, spooky storytelling, and meet-and-greets with Sharky, among other delightful surprises. To elevate the excitement, we’re offering a Spooktacular Ticket Package that includes pumpkin painting at 11:30am, spooky storytime at 2pm, and trick-or-treating from 3pm to 5pm, with the costume contest winner revealed at 4pm. Additional activities like face painting, caricature art, hair tinsel, and balloon animals will also be available. Please note that a Spooktacular Event Ticket is required to join in on these special activities, they are not included with a standard daily admission ticket. Further information and tickets here!

Torched Bar & Grill 2nd Annual Truck or Treat & Halloween Party????????????!Give 'em Pumpkin To Talk About! Scream Your Way Into Halloween for a Shake That Booty fabulous time for this all day excitement at Torched Bar & Grill's 2nd Annual Truck or Treat and Halloween Party! This exciting event promises all day Happy Hour, endless FREE entertainment that will keep you smiling this Saturday. Join the festivities, starting at 10am-1pm for a thrilling Costume Contest, engaging games, fantastic prizes, and, of course, the beloved tradition of trick-or-treating! Then, don’t miss the Halloween party kicking off at 6pm, also featuring a Costume Party at 9pm, where you can win prizes for the best individual and couples costumes! Plus, anyone in costume gets a FREE drink! With live music from A'ffinity, this is one event you won't want to miss—be sue to save-the-date for a frightfully fantastic time! Further information here!

**Upcoming Bonus Events Below Mark Your Calendars????**

Oktoberfest???? Fundraiser - Rotary Club/The Stage!O'zapft is! Get out your Dirndls and lederhosen for an unmissable evening this Wednesday, October 30th! The HafenKapelle German American Band from Cape Coral is set to delight you while you indulge in an amazing German buffet, delicious desserts, and a beer tasting experience featuring four complimentary 4oz beers plus a selection of German and European brews. There's a 50/50 fundraiser to spice up the night, all paired with the lively sounds of an authentic German band! The doors swing open at 5PM for check-in and a cash bar, the buffet kicks off at 5:30PM, and the show starts at 7:30PM! Be sure to make your reservations here now and help support your community in a fabulous way! Further information here!

FOX SPORTS THIS WEEKEND – DON'T MISS OUT⚾????????BE SURE TO TUNE IN! Friday, October 25th – Sunday October 27th

As always, have a FUNTASIC & SPOOTACULAR????weekend! ????

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

In a decisive move, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council has unanimously voted against a contentious proposal for a 17-story condominium project. The decision came after months of heated debates and strong opposition from local residents and environmental groups. The proposed development, spearheaded by a prominent real estate company, aimed to construct a luxurious high-rise condominium complex on a prime beachfront property. The project promised to bring in significant revenue and create jobs for the local community. However, critics argued that the development would have a detrimental impact on the area's fragile ecosystem, obstruct beach views, and strain the town's infrastructure.

During the council meeting, over a hundred concerned citizens voiced their objections to the project. Many expressed fears that the towering structure would irreversibly change the character of the quaint beach town and set a dangerous precedent for future developments. Environmental activists highlighted the potential harm to local wildlife, including endangered sea turtles that nest on the beach. Councilwoman Sarah Johnson, who has been a vocal opponent of the project, stated, "Our responsibility is to protect the unique charm and natural beauty of Fort Myers Beach. This development would have been a step in the wrong direction, prioritizing short-term gains over the long-term well-being of our community and environment."

Supporters of the project, including the real estate company behind the proposal, argued that the condominium complex would have brought much-needed economic growth to the area. They claimed that the development would have created hundreds of construction jobs and generated substantial tax revenue for the town. However, their arguments failed to sway the council members, who remained committed to preserving the town's character and ecological integrity.

Mayor Robert Thompson expressed his satisfaction with the council's decision, saying, "Today, we have sent a clear message that Fort Myers Beach values its natural resources and the quality of life of its residents above all else. We will continue to work towards sustainable development that respects our environment and enhances our community."

The rejection of the 17-story condominium project marks a significant victory for local activists and concerned citizens who have tirelessly campaigned against the development. It also sets a precedent for future proposals, emphasizing the importance of responsible and sustainable growth in the region. As Fort Myers Beach moves forward, the town council has pledged to work closely with the community to create a comprehensive development plan that balances economic growth with environmental conservation and the preservation of the town's unique character.

Fudgie the Whale and Cookie Puss are back.

Carvel, a beloved ice cream franchise, returned to Southwest Florida for the first time in decades when Tony and Gilda Diaz opened a Fort Myers location on Oct. 13 in Summerlin Crossings.

"We were supposed to open Thursday (Oct. 10) but that's when the hurricane hit," Tony said. "We moved 300 ice cream cakes to Publix. They were gracious enough to take them all in case we lost power."

Now those cakes, Fudgie and Cookie Puss included, are back and proudly displayed in Carvel's sleek and modern space, completely redone after taking over GNC's former spot in the Publix-anchored plaza off Summerlin and Winkler roads.

The store — one of three prototypes in the country (with Gainesville and Jamaica, New York) for all Carvels to come — has a brighter and more streamlined look than the franchise's fans may be used to. But rest assured, it features the same classic products Carvel has had for the past 90 years.

"We've had a great reception so far," Tony said, who has 13 employees working for him. "Everyone's been saying, 'We've been waiting for you.' Well, we're finally open."

Inside, you’ll find a dozen flavors of soft serve, a dozen more of scooped (hard) ice cream, plus ice cream cakes and sandwiches (flying saucers are just $2.29!), sundaes, sundae dashers (layers of soft serve and toppings), shakes and Carvelanches (think Blizzards).

"We're getting a lot of orders for classic chocolate and vanilla with sprinkles," Tony said. "That's what customers remember getting and that's what they're coming in for. Everything's made in-house. It's made to order, how you want it."

If all goes accordingly, Diaz plans to open several more locations (Babcock Ranch and Cape Coral to get things started) soon. In the meantime, stop by this shop at 15880 Summerlin Road, Unit 301, Fort Myers, anytime between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. (239) 689-8119 or follow on Facebook.

And that's just the start of this week's restaurant news ...

Jiggly Tasty

This cute and trendy shop opened Oct. 6, introducing wiggly, jiggly, social-media-friendly Japanese cheesecake to Cape Coral.

“It’s not like regular cheesecake,” said Jasmine Rothausen, whose family runs the new venture in the Publix-anchored plaza on the southwest corner of Santa Barbara Boulevard and Hancock Bridge Parkway. “It’s hard to describe. You have to try it. It’s like a cloud — a very fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth bite of heaven.”

Jiggly Tasty is the creation of her father and engineer Duilio Gonzalez-Abreu, who can be found making the cheesecakes in the open kitchen.

He mixes eggs, milk, cream cheese, sugar and flour to create a fluffy base. It’s baked, cooled and served with toppings of your choice — from ice cream and guava to caramel and dulce de leche.

There are 14 in a batch and each batch takes an hour to make.

“It’s very light and airy,” Jasmine said. “The regular size is good for one. I wouldn’t share mine it’s so good.”

A limited amount of medium and large cheesecakes are available in the morning. After that, customers are encouraged to order ahead.

Jiggly Tasty also offers homemade tarts topped your way, plus coffees, smoothies and Boba.

It’s open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at 140 Santa Barbara Blvd., Unit 119, in the strip mall just down from Hana Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi, Little Caesars and Tacos Mexican Restaurant. Follow all the jiggly goodness on Facebook and Instagram.

Jim Cantore’s dipping sauce lands in Fort Myers

When the Weather Channel’s hurricane guru stopped by Farmers Market Restaurant in Fort Myers on Friday, Oct. 11, he left something behind. Jim Cantore, who was in Southwest Florida covering Hurricane Milton, concocted a sauce to go with an order of fried green tomatoes. Owner Betsy Barnwell was so impressed, she added it to the menu five days later. Cantore sauce is available with fried green tomatoes for $10 or for $1 when paired with any other menu item. And a portion of each appetizer is donated to The Humane Society in honor of the animal-loving weatherman (as if we didn’t need another reason to love him). According to Barnwell, it consists of “ranch dressing, hot sauce and some other things” (ketchup and parsley too would be our guess). It’s flavorful and tangy with a slight kick. We had it on the fried green tomatoes this time around, and we’ll return soon to try it on fried okra. And then drizzled on gizzards … 2736 Edison Ave., Fort Myers, (239) 334-1687, follow on Facebook.

Bruno’s of Brooklyn

Damage from Hurricane Milton has postponed the grand opening of this downtown Fort Myers gem’s new location until Monday, Nov. 4. On that date, the popular family-operated restaurant will officially move to the fully renovated space at 2149 First St., on the corner of First and Dean. Reservations can be made through brunosofbrooklyn.com. Hours as of Nov. 4 will be 5-10 p.m. Monday to Friday; lunch will be added from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Nov. 11; and brunch will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, starting Nov. 16. In the meantime, Bruno’s is still open and welcoming customers at 2112 Second Street until the grand opening of the new location. Follow Bruno’s on Facebook for more.

The Beach Bar

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday, Oct. 17, on Fort Myers Beach for a new 5,813-square-foot, three-story building after Hurricane Ian destroyed the original structure. The popular live music venue will feature an open-air, walk-up bar with covered beachfront seating on the first floor. Upper levels will be designated residential units. It’s all expected to be complete in 2025. 1668 I St., Fort Myers Beach, follow on Facebook.

More:Massive fire engulfs Cape Coral's Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill

Sundial Resort

Dining at Shima Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar and Turtle’s Tiki Bar resumes at the Sanibel resort on Saturday, Oct. 19. Shima offers a new sushi bar (with beach and pool views!) and the full dinner and show experience at the hibachi tables. Call 866-565-5093 for reservations. Turtle’s, meanwhile, focuses on island favorites and cold drinks at the tiki bar and family-friendly patio. Daycation passes (2-for-1 all month) and pickleball and tennis courts also open Saturday. 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel, (239) 472-4151 or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Prime Time

After being pushed back by Hurricane Milton, the grand opening of this new sports bar & grill in Cape Coral will be held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. It takes over the spot vacated by The Lion’s Den Bar & Grill in Chandelle Square on Del Prado Boulevard. But you don’t have to wait until Sunday. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 1127 Del Prado Blvd., Cape Coral, follow on Instagram for more.

Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com

Posted

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Fall Festival at Lakes Park in Fort Myers is back in action and the Park is open!

Milton caused power outages and playground damage, which delayed the Fall Festival for a week. However, the Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation says it opened Friday.

For those who want to participate in some nighttime activities at the park, you should consider seeing scarecrows in the park, bounce houses, faint painting, pumpkin patches, and more.

"We love the train," said the Preston family who has been attending the park and the festival for ten years. "We go in that little train ride, the playground, the little museum, the splash pad, all of that.

It's those things the Prestons enjoy; however, not everything is open while attending the fall fest.

The Lakes Park Enrichment Foundation says the splash pad is still closed because of Hurricane Ian's funding delays.

The main playground is closed due to damage caused by Milton, but despite damages, the train rides are chugging along.

You can enjoy the fall fest decorations mixed in with Florida history as you ride.

"It's a great place, great family place," says Mrs. Preston.

Ty Preston is practicing how he will scoot around scarecrows in the park.

A foundation member, Vickie Little says the scarecrows you see were made and donated by businesses and families.

"This is all totally free, and they'll be able to walk through there and pick out your favorite scarecrow and just put a ticket in there, and whoever gets the most votes at the end gets the grand prize," says Little. It is a competition, and you can participate in the voting process.

You can enjoy face painting, fall-themed photo opportunities, and hayrides.

The bounce houses are festival favorites.

Little says the festival was delayed a week because of Milton, so the board decided to extend it until November 2.

Despite the delay, the Preston family says they are ready for the fun.

"Get here soon," says Mrs. Preston. "It's gonna be a great night."

Parking is 3 dollars, and carnival-like pop-up food stations are available for purchase.

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Hurricane Milton brought several feet of storm surge to Southwest Florida last week, leaving coastal areas flooded. But how are Lee beaches recovering after the storm?

Here;s a guide to which Lee County beaches are open and which ones are still closed after Hurricane Milton.

What Lee County beaches are open?

What Lee County beaches are still closed?

According to the Lee County Parks and Recreation website and Facebook page, "All other beach locations remain closed, including Causeways Islands, Bonita Beach and Bonita Beach Accesses, Boca Grande and other county-owned locations on Fort Myers Beach."

All county facilities in Boca Grande also remain closed.

What beaches on Sanibel are open?

What beaches on Sanibel are closed?

According to the City of Sanibel's website:

Are Lee County beaches under no-swim advisories?

Several beaches across Southwest Florida were under precautionary no-swim advisories after the Florida Department of Health found Enterococcus bacteria in the water.

State officials believe the bacteria was triggered by Hurricane Milton. The bacteria can cause everything from urinary tract infections to wound infections.

As of Monday, water tests in Lee County showed no increased risk of illness from swimming at its beaches. The tests showed acceptable levels of the same Enterococcus bacteria.