Southwest Florida Fair

The Southwest Florida Fair is held the last week of February for ten days and is similar to many county fairs held in the winter in Florida and in the summer across other parts of the country.

That familiar smell of smoking ribs, sizzling sausages, corn dogs, and cotton candy mixed with the smell of farm animals and mechanical rides slinks into the parking lot and surrounds you before you even reach the gate.

But, the fair is much more than food, rides and games. The agricultural and horticultural exhibits and the participation of school age children through their school displays, equestrian and small animal competitions and steer and hog auctions define the core educational purpose of the fair.

From the raising of farm animals for auction or competition to the planning and construction of a school exhibit, the fair offers a learning opportunity to the area youth. For some children, a visit to the fair is their only exposure to the agricultural side of the local community.

Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary

The Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary is a non profit retirement village for abused and neglected animals. The animals living at the Octagon were not taken out of the wild. They were rescued from businesses, circuses, individuals and even zoos. Many of them were confiscated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and/or USDA Federal officials and brought to the wildlife sanctuary where they get their "last chance" to live out their final days. 

If you're visiting or live in Southwest Florida and love animals, put the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary on your list of places to visit. Bears, lions, tigers, and leopards are some of the more than 200 exotic animals you'll see and your admission fee will go towards the care of  these beautiful creatures.

The wildlife sanctuary, located off Highway 31 on Horseshoe Road in Charlotte County, is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. However, guided tours or weekday visits require advance appointments by calling 239-543-1130. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors (55 and older)and children ages 8 to 17. Children under age 7 are free with a paying adult.

If you're unable to visit the wildlife sanctuary in person, please visit their website to learn more about the sanctuary and how to help with donations.