The Pleasure Pier in 1925. PHOTO PROVIDED

Locals and guests are invited to go back in time for an evening and learn about Lee County’s rich history.

The theme for this year’s Cracker Dinner is early Lee County memories.

Longtime resident Genevieve Bowen researched some of the area’s oldest residents to obtain memoirs for the annual dinner, hosted by the Southwest Florida Historical Society.

Bowen said she was inspired after a man she’s known for a while told her a story about riding a tricycle into Fort Myers when he was 4 or 5 years old.

“I thought that was a perfect start,” she said.

The May 10 dinner will highlight about a dozen memories that people from the community shared with the organizers.

For example, did you know that Fort Myers once had a dance hall in the middle of the Caloosahatchee River? Or that 75 students formed a singing Christmas tree for years that performed for former President Dwight Eisenhower?

Bowen hopes to see about 200 people attend the event, which is at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre at 1380 Colonial Blvd., in Fort Myers.

Mike Pcolar and Bonnie Chappelle will be the storytellers for the evening.

Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. and the program starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $35 and available at the Broadway Palm.  

Masks and social distancing will be observed.

Funds raised will be used to support the Southwest Florida Historical Society’s mission, which is dedicated to preserving area history and archiving donated historical documents, photos and maps along with working to stimulate public interest and appreciation for local history.

There will also be a silent auction, music and door prizes.

Bowen said some prizes include art work, books, framed Wellington wood prints, a vase and more.

Barbara Peterson will play piano and vocals will be sung by Roger Peterson, John Goulet and Beverly Cox.        

“They’re fantastic on piano,” Bowen said.

The memories highlighted on May 10 haven’t been published anywhere, until now.

“Just a bunch of stuff that’s accumulated,” Bowen said. “I thought it was so fun and unique to talk about.”

One story that stuck out to her was about a plane landing at Page Field in 1936.

When asked which memory resonated with her the most, Bowen said, “Oh, golly. There’s so many of them.”

She settled on a story of a man who saw a flying saucer in the Everglades in 1965.

Bowen said the government even came and investigated.

She’s been a member of the historical society for well over 20 years.

“I usually tell people I just haunt the place,” she said. “It fascinates me so much. I’m there just about every time the doors open.”

When asked what appeals to her about the history of Lee County, where Bowen is from.

She simply said that it’s just fun.

“If anyone could come down and get here, they’d understand.

The Southwest Florida Historical Society is at 10051 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.

For additional information about the Cracker Dinner or the Southwest Florida Historical Society, please call 239-939-4044.