{"id":11156,"date":"2014-07-25T15:45:10","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T19:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mcreativepr.com\/?p=11156"},"modified":"2014-07-25T15:45:10","modified_gmt":"2014-07-25T19:45:10","slug":"captiva-holiday-village-2014-schedule-of-events-happiest-seaside-town-in-florida-will-have-special-hotel-packages-available-for-holiday-fest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mcreativepr.com\/2014\/07\/25\/captiva-holiday-village-2014-schedule-of-events-happiest-seaside-town-in-florida-will-have-special-hotel-packages-available-for-holiday-fest\/","title":{"rendered":"Captiva Holiday Village 2014 schedule of events; Happiest Seaside Town in Florida will have special hotel packages available for holiday fest"},"content":{"rendered":"

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CAPTIVA ISLAND, Fla. (July 25, 2014) \u2013 The hoteliers, merchants, attraction owners and restaurateurs of Captiva Island are getting into the holiday spirit and busily preparing for the fifth annual Captiva Holiday Village<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The three-weekend-long Captiva Holiday Village launches its 2014 spectacular the Friday after Thanksgiving with fireworks, tree lightings, holiday readings, musical performances and more.<\/p>\n

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 will enjoy everything from decorated golf cart and lighted boat parades to Junkanoo dancers, live music and even a Marching Mullet Parade.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s event raised $50,000 for the Golisano Children\u2019s Hospital of Southwest Florida.<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptiva is a remarkable island village and known as a magnet for creative people,\u201d said Paul McCarthy of Captiva Cruises. \u201cIt\u2019s famous for its beautiful beaches, wildlife-filled waters, family-friendly atmosphere and a quirky, relaxed way of life. This island is a perfect place to unwind from holiday stress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coastal Living Magazine recently named Captiva the Happiest Seaside Town in Florida.<\/p>\n

According to the magazine, \u201cThe slender barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico west of Fort Myers has pale, powdery sands graced with more than 250 types of seashells.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s never too early to begin preparing for our boat and golf cart parades,\u201d said 2014 Golf Cart Parade Chair Denice Beggs. \u201cThese are such unique and fun events for locals and visitors to be involved in, and the competition has really increased with many participants planning their decorations a year in advance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each year, Captiva visitors and locals try to outdo each other 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.<\/p>\n

The Golf Cart Parade begins at South Seas Island Resort at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 and is limited to the first 100 entries. All entries must incorporate a holiday theme. The parade route travels from South Seas to Andy Rosse Lane then loops around Chapin and Wiles Drive and back past the Green Flash restaurant before returning to South Seas. A portion of the $20 entrance fee will benefit the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. Prizes will be awarded for the best entries.<\/p>\n

The Boat Parade will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 just outside Roosevelt Channel, Marker #2. The route will follow Roosevelt Channel to \u2018Tween Waters Inn and back. There is no entry fee for the boat parade and prizes will be given for the best-decorated vessels. A minimum of 100 lights is required for entry but more are encouraged. Best Boat Club & Rentals at South Seas Island Resort will rent boats to resort guests if they want to decorate and participate in the parade.<\/p>\n

Captiva Island resorts, inns, cottages and vacation homes are also offering lodging specials in conjunction with this year\u2019s event.<\/p>\n

To learn more about Captiva Holiday Village, visit www.CaptivaHolidayVillage.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 2014 event schedule:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Friday, Nov. 28 <\/strong><\/p>\n