Cape Council gets update on city events

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

After some discussion, the Cape Coral City Council showed interest in adding a Memorial Day event to their special events

Currently the city holds events for Halloween, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, various winter holidays, New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, St Patrick’s Day, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, Father's Day and 4th of July

“We are striking a significant number of holidays and providing quality of life opportunities for residents,” Special Events Coordinator Todd King said

He said there are national holidays that they do not offer a special event for, such as Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day

Councilmember Patty Cummings said she definitely feels that they should support the holidays.

“Memorial Day, I feel we should do something There are areas that partake in it As a city, we should be as well,” she said

She also suggested doing something for Purple Heart Day, which is Aug 7

“We have not done anything the last several years for the men and women who were wounded and serve our country,” Cummings said

Councilmember Jessica Cosden said she likes the idea of a Memorial Day event, but wants to make sure they are coordinating with Coral Ridge, as they put on a great ceremony

King said there are different special event categories, which includes city-produced events, city-supported events and independent events

The city-produced events are fundeds from the General Fund budget with Council approving the allocation during budget season With a city-produced event, it includes budgeting, entertainment acquisition, department coordination, operational and venue planning, turn-key logistics, day of execution load in and out, review and evaluation

Some of these events include Cape Bike Night, Red, White and BOOM!, Tour de Cape and the Holiday Boat Parade There are also neighborhood events, such as movies and concerts in the park In addition, there are event programs held at recreation facilities and parks

“Without the volunteers, the signature events would be hard to accomplish Some engage up to 50 volunteers to pull it off,” King said

The city-supported events, King said, are limited to 501c3 organizations whose focus is on raising money and awareness

The city’s support includes planning assistance, capital equipment, budgeted funds for city services limited to life safety and road closure, as well as the partnership, volunteer program

“The city comes alongside to create an experience for the community,” King said

Mayor John Gunter asked how they are going to hold up both sides of an agreement in terms of promises made in ful- filling volunteer hours

King said they are working on a penalty structure related to not fulfilling hours through a software tool

He said most of the capital assets that go out are way under $10,000 The capital assets partnership program includes providing such things as the stage, electrical distribution boxes, bleachers and trash barrels

Some of these events include the Brew Festival, Chamber Holiday Festival of Lights, Touch Truck and Burrowing Owl Festival The independent events are put on by a private promoter who works with the city to permit and rent assets that are available Some of these events include Octoberfest, LCEC 5K, Stone Crab Festival and March in the Park

Business Briefs

The PokeStop shop open in Cape Coral

The PokeStop, a Pokém o n / T C G ( t r a d i n g c a r d games) store, has opened in Cape Coral, in addition to the sports card store -- Str8 Cards & Collectables -- that are already in place at 2135 Santa Barbara Blvd , Unit 105 & 102

A grand opening for The P o k e S t o p w i l l b e h e l d Sunday, June 11, and feature food trucks, giveaways and many discounts

T h e s t o r e p r o m o t e s a f a m i l y / c o m m u n i t y e x p e r ience that will include trade n i g h t s , P o k é m o n t o u r n aments and more events

For information, call the shop at 239-763-3110

Cantina Laredo to celebrate 20th

anniversar y Bell Tower, a landmark shopping, dining and entert a i n m e n t d e s t i n a t i o n c e ntrally located in Fort Myers, invites the community to celebrate Cantina Laredo's 20th anniversary Cantina’s 20-Year Fiesta takes place Saturday, June 3, from noon to 3 p m , in the parking lot in front of Cantina Laredo at Daniels Parkway and U S 41

The event will feature a taco bar, a 21+ beer garden, games, contests with prizes, a bounce house, music provided by DJ Smash, face painting, a visit from stilt w a l k e r W a y T o o T a l l Torrie, live performances and themed photo ops

This event is free and open to the public; no preregistration is required To learn more, visit www belltowerfl.com.

Southwest Florida Inter national Airpor t repor ts April traffic

During April, 981,216 passengers traveled through Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers This was a decrease of 20 percent compared to April 2022 Year-to-date, passenger traffic is down 18 percent

The traffic leader in April was Delta with 207,290 passengers Round-ing out the top five airlines were Southwest (183,734), United (149,419), American (127,027) and JetBlue (106,054)

RSW had 8,380 aircraft operations, a decrease of 16 percent compared to April 2 0 2 2 P a g e F i e l d s a w 17,841 operations, which was a 14 percent increase compared to April 2022, and a new monthly record F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , visit flylcpa com or facebook com/flyRSW