Holiday season under way at the Shell Factory
The holiday season is under way at the Shell Factory in North Fort Myers.
The attraction kicked off an entire month of fun with their first-of-the-season bike night with fun with Santa Claus and the first major fundraiser for the Nature Park, which is being rebuilt due to damage from Hurricane Ian, to come.
The holidays start Friday with Santa visiting the Christmas House on Sunday, Dec. 11 and on Monday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Kids from the area will have the opportunity to give him their gift ideas and take pictures with the jolly old elf.
There also will be a breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 18. Children 12 and under are $5.50 and adults are $8.95. Reservations are required and they are going fast, so call 995-2141, ext. 110.
“Santa will be here on other dates, too. So, check the website to see when he’ll be here,” said Anne Sheridan, general manager of the Shell Factory.
In the Holiday House, there will be 20 percent off all collectibles throughout the entire month of December.
But the biggest event in December will be the Nature Park fundraiser at Scallywags Fun Park on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under, and it includes a free carousel ride, free mini golf, a free pass to the Nature Park when it reopens, and the opportunity to see several of the animals up close., including Hootie the Owl.
“We’re bringing the animals to the people. The animals are fine, but their homes are messed up,” Sheridan said. “With what you get for the price of admission really makes this a bargain.”
All proceeds will go towards the rebuilding of the Nature Park, which was badly damaged during the storm and will take around $300,000 to fix up. Sheridan said they are looking for corporate sponsors, with three levels for which companies can participate as a sponsor.
“A company may want to have their name on an enclosure, they can donate $5,000 or $3,000. We’ll take anything we need. We hope to be open by Christmas,” Sheridan said.
Of course, Tommy’s is open, the Southern Grill has reopened and The Players Circle Theater has shows now onstage. “The Lady with All the Answers,” a production about famed advice columnist Ann Landers, will runs until to Dec. 18.
The Shell Factory is at 16554 N. Cleveland Ave.
For more information, go to www.shellfactory.com or call 995-2141.
To reach CHUCK BALLARO, please email news@breezenewspapers.com