CAPTIVA ISLAND, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2013) – A new twist has been added to the 2013 Captiva Holiday Village celebration. South Seas Island Resort will open its gates to the public this holiday season, and it’s all for a worthy cause.

During two weekends, South Seas Island Resort will host the South Seas Holiday Stroll where attendees can access the resort grounds and marina that will be aglow with lights, entertainment, arts and crafts, and visits with Santa. From Dec. 12 to 15 and 19 to 22, South Seas will admit anyone who has purchased a Captiva Village Coupon Book for $20. Each book includes $500 worth of coupons from island businesses. They also include a ride on the Jolly Trolley which will run from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. to transport visitors from South Seas’ South Village to North Pointe, where they will exit at Harbourside Bar & Grill and walk along the Marina, where all the events, activities and entertainment will take place.

“This is such a fabulous opportunity for all ages to enjoy the perfect island holiday setting while raising much needed funds to help our local children,” said Dorothy Fitzgerald, a Sanibel Island resident and member of the Captiva Island Yacht Club who is chairing the Holiday Stroll. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from live entertainment to arts and crafts, games, S’mores and of course jolly old St. Nick. This holiday stroll is sure to become a new holiday tradition for families.”

All proceeds will benefit the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, a new 128-bed pediatric medical facility being built on the grounds of HealthPark Medical Center in South Fort Myers.

The Fourth Annual Captiva Holiday Village launches its 2013 spectacular the Friday after Thanksgiving with fireworks, tree lightings, holiday readings, musical performances and more.

Each special themed weekend will be a fun filled extravaganza of sight and sound, set against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico and evening sunsets. During the event weekends, visitors can enjoy everything from decorated golf cart and lighted boat parades to Junkanoo dancers, live music and even a Marching Mullet Parade.

A production crew from the Travel Channel filmed last year’s annual Captiva Holiday Village Golf Cart Parade as part of a proposed show called ‘Xtreme Xmas’ based on unique Christmas events across the United States.

“We were looking to showcase the best of the best across America but wanted to get away from the typical stories like the Radio City Rockettes or the lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree in New York City,” said Travel Channel Creative Producer Nicole Dunn.

The show, which also featured a festival in Jennings, Louisiana, a parade in New Mexico and Trappist monks in Missouri making fruitcakes for the holidays, is expected to air seven to 10 times between this year’s Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“This was such a great opportunity to bring our quirky island festivities to the world,” said 2012 Golf Cart Parade Chair Denice Beggs. “This parade is such a unique and fun event for locals to be involved in. The competition has really increased, and many participants plan their decorations a year in advance.”

Each year, Captiva locals try to outdo their neighbor by extravagantly decorating their personal or rented golf carts in lights, garland, hats and even plastic flamingos. Fun, festive and sometimes gaudy outfits go along with the tradition.

Captiva Island resorts, inns, cottages and vacation homes are also offering lodging specials in conjunction with this year’s event.

To learn more about Captiva Holiday Village or to buy your Captiva Holiday Village Coupon Book, visit www.CaptivaHolidayVillage.com.

 

The 2013 event schedule:

Nov. 29

• Tree Lighting and Fireworks at ‘Tween Waters Inn

 

Nov. 30

• South Seas Tree Lighting and Children’s Classic Holiday Reading

• Sunset Arias at ‘Tween Waters Inn

 

Dec. 5

•  Dolphins of Pine Island Sound lecture presented by Scientist Kim Bassos Hull and sponsored by SCCF at 7.30 p.m. in the Wakefield Room at ‘Tween Waters

 

Dec. 6

• Sunset Arias at ‘Tween Waters Inn

• Sanibel Luminary

 

Dec. 7

• Royal Shell’s Decorated Golf Cart Parade

• Golf Cart Awards & Party

• Captiva Luminary

 

Dec. 12

•  Ancient Mariners lecture by Archeologist Theresa Schober and sponsored by SCCF at 7:30 p.m. in the Wakefield Room at ‘Tween Waters

• South Seas Holiday Stroll

 

Dec. 13

• Mullet March at Jensen’s Twin Palms at 5 p.m.

• Captiva Memories and Holiday Captiva Island Historical Society film at Jensen’s Twin Palms

• South Seas Holiday Stroll

 

Dec. 14

• Seafood and Fishing Festival at Jensen’s Twin Palms all day

• American Realty of Captiva Junkanoo Parade

• The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company Lighted Boat Parade

• Post Boat Parade Party

• Holiday Hayride through the Village to South Seas Island Resort and back.

• South Seas Holiday Stroll

 

Dec. 15

• Carol Sing at Chapel By the Sea followed by refreshments at the Captiva Community Center

• South Seas Holiday Stroll

 

Dec. 19 to 22

• South Seas Holiday Stroll

 

About Captiva Island

Captiva Island is a barrier island in the tranquil Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s southwest coast. North of Sanibel Island and West of Fort Myers, world-renowned Captiva is also just three hours from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale by car. A narrow seashell-laden island famous for its dramatic sunrises and sunsets, celebrity visitors and creative residents, Captiva is home to private waterfront estates, two large resorts and several charming small inns. The heart of the island is its vibrant ‘downtown,’ coined “the village,” in which visitors and locals stroll among colorful galleries, shops and restaurants with live music and water views. As the gateway to the out-islands within Pine Island Sound, Captiva is also a watersports destination and offers boaters multiple marinas with overnight dockage. It has been featured in countless magazines and newspapers around the world.