Ballyhoo... your local calendar of events

Newlins ...

Stop in to Newlins, serving soup and sandwiches daily along with catering. Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through July 5.

Hibiscus Festival ...

Celebrate the unique history of Punta Gorda and the connection to hibiscus on Friday, May 2 at6 p.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.and Sunday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 200 W Retta Esplandade, Punta Gorda.

Poker Run ...

The Southwest Florida Honor Flight is hosting a Poker Run on Saturday, May 3 at 9 a.m. at the Adrenaline Harley Davidson, 330 Cattleman Rd., Sarasota. SWFLHonorFlight.org

Cruisin’ on Dearborn ...

Hundreds of cars and thousands of car lovers will converge on W. Dearborn St., Englewood on Saturday, May 3 from 2 to 8 p.m. Free admission.

Journey Tribute ...

Separate Ways: Journey Tribute Band will be performing on Saturday, May 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Bldg 5, Venice.
VenicePerformingArtsCenter.com

Plant Clinic ...

UF-IFAS Master Naturalists will be at Shamrock Park Nature Center on Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to noon to answer your plant questions. 3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice.

BIPS ...

The historic Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum at the Gasparilla Island State Park will reopen on Monday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy full access to the restored museum exhibits, educational displays and the breathtaking views from the surrounding park. BIPS.org

VHS Spring Concert ...

Venice High School Chorus is holding a free concert on Tuesday, May 6 at 7 p.m., Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice.

Lemon Bay H.S. Theatre ...

“Star Struck: A Night of Movie Musicals Spring Dessert Cabaret” Join the choir and musical theatre classes as they present to you a variety of songs and performances from the movie musicals genre! Did we mention there’s also dessert? Shown at the LBHS Black Box Theatre, 2201 Placida Road, Englewood. Thursday, May 8 and Friday, May 9. Tickets $15. 

LBHSTheatre.net

Venice Theatre ...

“Pinky’s Players” an inspiring performance of Venice Theatre’s Community Engagement Program that partners with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to develop and share their artistic talents on Thursday, May 8 to Sunday, May 11 at the Raymond Center, 140 Tampa Ave. W, Venice. Tickets $26 VeniceTheatre.org

Ladies Day ...

The Ladies Day Captains Party will be held on Friday, May 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 301 Harbor Dr.(4th & Bayou).  The Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 10 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. with the awards ceremony later on in the evening at Scarpa’s, 321 Park Ave., from 8 to 10 p.m. (941) 964-0568. BocaGrandeChamber.com

Cabbage Palm Mysteries ...

The Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society is holding a talk on Tuesday May 13, at 1 p.m. Guest speaker Jono Miller, author of The Palmetto Book: Histories and Mysteries of the Cabbage Palm, at Lemon Bay Environmental Center, 570 Bary Park Blvd., Englewood. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

World’s Richest ...

Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce Worlds Richest Tarpon Tournament on Wednesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 15.
BocaGrandeChamber.com

Charlotte Players ...

“Nana Does Vegas” Nana has taken a gamble and moved to Las Vegas. If you loved Nana’s Naughty Knickers, you’ll love this! Thursday, May 15 through Sunday, May 25, Charlotte Players, 1182 Market Circle, Port Charlotte. Tickets $29.
CharlottePlayers.org

The Hermitage ...

“Broadway: Off and On” at the Selby Gardens Historic Spanish Point, 401 N Tamiami Tr., Osprey on Friday, May 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
HermitageArtistRetreat.org

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

Englewood Farmers Market every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pioneer Plaza, Englewood through May.

The Market on Dearborn every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 232 W. Dearborn St., Englewood through May.

The Dearborn Street Farmers Market every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 348 W Dearborn St., Englewood through May.

Sea Star Cove every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 353 W Dearborn St., Englewood through May.

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.  The corner of Taylor and Olympia. (941) 391-4856

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 five to 11 year.       380 Old Englewood Rd., Englewood      
(941) 875-7772.

SUMMER CAMP

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 9-17 at Indian Mound Park in Englewood. June 9-13, June 23-27 and July 7-11. EnglewoodSailing.org

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 

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

First Baptist Church - Worship will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal at 11 a.m. on
Sundays. 

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church - Please confirm service information prior to arrival. 240 Park Ave. Daily Mass is held at the Parish Life Center. (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