Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce

2019 Tarpon Festival
2019-06-08 10:00 - 16:00, 2019-06-07 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Downtown Boca Grande, 301 Park Ave., Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
The 2019 Tarpon Festival will be held on Friday and Saturday, June 7-8 in beautiful downtown Boca Grande. The weekend event centers around the 37th Annual World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament and the 8th Annual Boca Grande Invitational Art Festival presented by Carroll Swayze. The art festival will be held on Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm.

2019 WRTT Awards
2019-06-07 21:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Downtown Boca Grande, 301 Park Ave., Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
The Award Ceremony for the 2019 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament will be held at the Main Stage downtown at the Tarpon Festival at 9:00 pm. Join us in celebrating our winning Anglers and Captains! There will be live music following the ceremony to continue celebrating the 2019 Tarpon Season. See you there!

2019 Worlds Richest Tarpon Tournament
2019-06-07 15:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Boca Grande Pass, Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
DAY 2 of WRTT
Anglers compete in the 37th Annual World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament in the legendary Boca Grande Pass. It is a live-bait only, catch and release, no-weigh, no-kill, traditional drift-fishing tarpon tournament that represents what Boca Grande’s fishing culture was build on. Join us as we witness these sportsmen go head to head in a Grande Tradition, The World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament.
Call the Chamber office for more information: (941) 964-0568.

2019 Worlds Richest Tarpon Tournament
2019-06-06 15:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Boca Grande Pass, Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
DAY 1 of WRTT
Anglers compete in the 37th Annual World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament in the legendary Boca Grande Pass. It is a live-bait only, catch and release, no-weigh, no-kill, traditional drift-fishing tarpon tournament that represents what Boca Grande’s fishing culture was build on. Join us as we witness these sportsmen go head to head in a Grande Tradition, The World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament.
Call the Chamber office for more information: (941) 964-0568.

2019 WRTT Captain's Party
2019-06-05 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Untitled, Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
Private Event for WRTT Anglers, Captains, Sponsors, and their Families.
Register for the 2019 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament at the Captain’s Party! There, you will pick up your team bag, hear the reading of the rules, and have the chance to purchase the tournament gear as well as win some pretty awesome raffles! You can expect food, refreshments, music and more! See you there!
Call the Chamber office for more info: (941) 964-0568.
(Venue TBD)

2019 WRTT Sponsor Reception
2019-06-04 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Eagle Grille, 220 Harbor Dr., Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
[Private Event for WRTT Sponsors Only]
The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce thanks all of the generous sponsors who supported the 2019 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament. There will be an educational program by our conservation partners: Bonefish Tarpon Trust and Captain’s For Clean Water, as well as food, refreshments, and a presentation by the tournament committee.
Call the Chamber office for more information: (941) 964-0568

Grande Tradition Event
2019-06-03 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Boca Grande Community Center Grounds, 131 1st St. W, Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
The World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament is a Grande Tradition that has marked the history of the Boca Grande fishing culture for 37 years. The Grande Tradition event is sponsored by Grande Aire Services, a company that is passionate about preserving Boca Grande’s History. Join us in reflecting on the different eras of the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament with speakers from over the years. We will be honoring Capt. Jimmy Robertson for his contribution as a local legend, tournament captain, and his involvement in the Boca Grande Fishery. We hope to see you on this special evening of local island history!

9th Annual Gasparilla Island Kids Classic
2019-06-01 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Boca Grande Pass, Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
The Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament is the world’s greatest kids fishing tournament for children ages 15 and under.
100% of all entry fees from this event are donated to our charitable partners and benefit children’s health and educational programs throughout Southwest Florida.
With great support from our sponsors and contributors, in just eight short years we have now raised over $225,000 for institutions and programs such as:
Moffitt Cancer Center, All Children’s Hospital, The Englewood Community Care Clinic, The Island School, Lemon Bay Conservancy, the Charlotte County School System’s S.T.E.M Camp program, EasterSeals SW FL and Dee Wheeler Scholarship Fund.

15th Annual Howl at the Moon Tarpon Tournament
2019-05-18 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Boca Grande Pass, Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
Event Date: Saturday, May 18th, 2019
Event Time: 8 p.m. – 11 pm
Capt. Sandy Melvin of Special Effects/Gasparilla Outfitters has announced the date for the traditional “Howl at the Moon” Open Invitational Tarpon Tournament on Saturday, May 18th, 2019 from 8 p.m. – 11 pm. The entry fee will be $600 per team.
Long time local fisherman Dave “Smitty” Smith will be the head judge for the events. Winners will be determined by the most releases, and an observer will be placed on every boat.
Many other prizes will be awarded as well.
The rules for the tournaments have been designed to release our fish as quickly and healthy as possible while showcasing the traditional methods that local fishing guides use in Boca Grande Pass. We also strive to show the quality of the evening and nighttime fishing.
“Tarpon season has been so good the past few years, especially at night, we want to continue to let people know that,” Melvin said. “This will be our 15th year and the tarpon we have caught number in the hundreds. Fishing has been great, with lots of fun and excitement.”
“We want everyone to come on down and celebrate the season with us. We’re trying to just have some fun, and we want people to get their teams together, to enjoy the parties with food and entertainment, and even if people don’t feel like fishing they can come down to the Lighthouse and support the local fishing guides.”
The monies raised from the Howl at The Moon event will benefit the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce’s web cam project.
“We enjoy making these tournaments a community-involved tradition,” Melvin said. “We want as much support and involvement that we can get, and for everyone to have a great time.”

2019 LDTT Awards
2019-05-11 20:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce, 471 Park Ave. Suite 3, BOCA GRANDE, FL, 33921, United States
The award ceremony for the 2019 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament will be held at the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce Courtyard immediately after the event. Join us in celebrating our winning anglers!

2019 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament
2019-05-11 16:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Boca Grande Pass, Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
Register for the 2019 tournament. Saturday, May 11, 2019 is the official tournament date. Please check back for regular updates. The registration fee is $700 per team of 4 anglers. Thank you for supporting the best all-release tournament for the Ladies.
Contact the Chamber at (941) 964-0568 for more information.

2019 LDTT Captain's Party
2019-05-10 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Crowninshield Community House, 131 1st St. W, Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
Register for the Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament at the Captain’s Party! There, you will pick up your team bag and have the chance to pick up the tournament gear as well as some pretty awesome raffles! You can expect food, refreshments, music and more! See you there!

April Chamber Mixer: Grande Aire Services
2019-04-18 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Grande Aire Services, 330 E. Railroad Ave., Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
The April Chamber Mixer will be hosted by Grande Aire Services on Apr. 18th from 5:30-7:30 pm in their Boca Grande Office courtyard at 330 E. Railroad Ave. Boca Grande, FL 33291. Enjoy this opportunity to network with your fellow chamber members, drop off some updated business literature, and enjoying good refreshments with great company! Looking forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions please contact the chamber office at (941) 964-0568 | info@bocagrandechamber.com

The Great Seashell Hunt
2019-04-17 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, 880 Belcher Rd., Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
RSVP here! Bring the kids and join us on Wednesday, April 17th at 11:00 am at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum for this eggstarordinary event in partnership with FL State Parks! Kid’s love BIPS’ Annual Great Seashell Hunt because it’s not only fun but educational too! They’ll learn fascinating facts about barrier island shells and then the hunt is on to find them on the beach and turn them in for awesome prizes! The Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum is located inside the Gasparilla Island State Park at the south end of the island at 880 Belcher Road, Boca Grande.

Florida Lighthouse Day!
2019-04-13 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, 880 Belcher Rd., Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
Join Barrier Island Parks Society to celebrate Florida Lighthouse Day on April 13th from 10 am to 4 pm! One day a year, to celebrate this special day, both Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Gasparilla Island Lighthouse are open for climbs to the top for only $5 per person! Enjoy cake and lemonade, visiting local authors, Florida State Parks, Friends of Stump Pass Beach State Park and Mote Marine at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum. The gift shop will be open too! This family, community event is free, the climbs are $5 and climb space is limited so please RSVP at the links below!
Reserve space to climb Port Boca Grande Lighthouse at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4badac28aaf58-florida2
Reserve space to climb Gasparilla Island Lighthouse at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4badac28aaf58-2019

Mullet and Mangroves Film Documentary
2019-04-12 13:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium, 131 1st St. W, Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
Join us April 12th from 1:30 to 3:30 at the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium for the Mullet & Mangroves film, as we explore Cayo Costa Island through the eyes of early pioneer fishing families and modern day children.
Wine and hors d’oeuvres reception immediately following in the Woman’s Club Room. The Boca Grande Community Center is located at 131 1st St W, Boca Grande, FL 33921 RSVP at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4badac28aaf58-mullet

Building Science Seminar 2019
2019-03-28 07:30 - 17:00 UTC | Miromar Design Center, 10800 Corkscrew Rd., Estero, FL, United States
Dr. Joe Lstieburek returns as the leading expert in building science in the U.S. The Wall Street Journal has described him as “the dean of North American building science.” Dr. Lstiburek’s commitment to advancing the building industry has had a lasting impact on building codes and practices throughout the world, particularly in the areas of air barriers, vapor barriers, and vented and unvented roof assemblies.
Joining Dr. Joe is Chris VanRite who will present “The Joy of Flex”. Most of our Florida air conditioning systems are constructed using flexible duct. Properly installed, they work fine. If not, they don’t. Chris VanRite, whose company manufactures duct and fittings, will show some do’s and don’ts along with very sad photos of what happens when you don’t get it right.
If you need additional information, please contact Cheryl Harris at charris@buildingscienceseminar,com or 727-209-0890.

March Chamber Mixer: Michael Saunders & Company
2019-03-21 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Michael Saunders & Co., 420 E. Railroad Ave., Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
The March Chamber Mixer will be hosted by Michael Saunders & Company on Mar. 21st from 5:30-7:30 pm at their Boca Grande Office at 420 E. Railroad Ave. Boca Grande, FL 33291. Enjoy this opportunity to network with your fellow chamber members, drop off some updated business literature, and enjoying good refreshments with great company! Looking forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions please contact the chamber office at (941) 964-0568 | info@bocagrandechamber.com

Spring Ballet Extravaganza
2019-03-03 14:00 - 17:00, 2019-03-02 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice, FL, United States
The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School returns to VPAC in 2019 to present a performance that is sure to move, thrill and delight all dance lovers. Prepare to be wowed by the artistry, strength, and passion of Cuban ballet as these young dancers bring to the stage a vast repertoire of classical and contemporary dance works.
For more information visit veniceperformingartscenter.com or call 941.218.3779, Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

February Chamber Mixer: BCB Homes
2019-02-21 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Hilltide Estates, 890 Belcher Rd., Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
The February Chamber Mixer will be hosted by BCB Homes on Feb. 21st from 5:30-7:30 pm at Hilltide Estates: 890 Belcher Rd. Boca Grande, FL 33291. You will get a chance to get to know one of our newest Chamber Members, networking with your fellow chamber members, take in this beautiful venue, and enjoying good refreshments with great company! Looking forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions please contact the chamber office at (941) 964-0568 | info@bocagrandechamber.com

Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Boca Grande Event
2019-02-01 18:00 - 21:00 UTC | Gasparilla Inn Beach Club, 451 Gilchrist Ave, Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
Please mark your calendar and make plans to join us for the 10th Annual BTT Boca Grande Event on Friday, February 1, 2019. Anglers from around the area will gather at the Gasparilla Inn Beach Club beginning at 6:00 pm to catch up on BTT’s work, hear a brief research/conservation update, and honor Capt. Tommy Locke for his continued support of BTT’s work to enhance tarpon conservation through scientific research, habitat improvement, and clean water advocacy. Enjoy cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, live music, and a program on BTT’s ongoing tarpon research and its critical importance to the future of adult tarpon populations. Silent auctions and raffles for lodge trips, guide trips, fishing gear and unique experiences, and more will round out the night.

January Chamber Mixer: Barnichol Hardware
2019-01-17 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Barnichol Hardware, 380 E. Railroad Ave., Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
The January Chamber Mixer will be hosted by Barnichol Hardware on Jan. 17th from 5:30-7:30 pm at their storefront at 380 E. Railroad Ave. Boca Grande, FL 33291. Kick off 2019 by networking with your fellow chamber members, dropping off new literature, and enjoying good refreshments with great company! Looking forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions please contact the chamber office at (941) 964-0568 | info@bocagrandechamber.com

Benefit for Captains For Clean Water
2019-01-06 16:00 - 19:00 UTC | Gasparilla Inn Beach Club, 451 Gilchrist Ave, Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
Join the non-profit group Captains For Clean Water for this friend/fundraiser to help protect our most valuable resource… Water
Heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, live music and silent auction.
Questions or ticket sales: 941-964-1426

December Chamber Mixer: Boca Grande Historical Society
2018-12-20 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Boca Grande Historical Society, 170 Park Ave., Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
The December Chamber Mixer will be hosted by the Boca Grande Historical Society on Dec. 20th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm @ 170 Park Ave. Boca Grande, Florida 33921. You will get the chance to check out their brand new exhibit: “Boca Grande: Once a Railroad and Industrial Town” and learn more about how they preserve Boca Grande’s history while networking with your fellow Chamber Members. We look forward to seeing you all there and rounding out the 2018 year! If you have any questions or inquiries about this years event, please call or email the chamber at (941) 964-0568 | info@bocagrandechamber.com

Cookies with Clara at VPAC
2018-12-09 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice, FL, United States
Share a snack of Christmas cookies and milk with the cast of SCBS Nutcracker, take a photo with your favorite dancer, and take home a Christmas ornament souvenir.
Tickets on Sale Now! Visit veniceperformingartscenter.com or call 941.218.3779, Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Children $12, adults free.

The Nutcracker at VPAC
2018-12-09 14:00 - 16:00, 2018-12-08 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice, FL, United States
After its 2017 sold-out performance, the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School returns to VPAC to present this holiday favorite. Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they journey, by way of a magical Christmas tree, from her home into the whimsical Kingdom of Sweets.
Tickets On Sale Now! Visit veniceperformingartscenter.com or call 941.218.3779, Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Special pricing available for families

Annual Lighting of the Lighthouse
2018-12-08 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | Port Boca Grande Lighthouse, 880 Belcher Rd., Boca Grande, FL, 33921, United States
???There is nothing like the Annual Lighting of the Lighthouse! On one special night a year the lighthouse beacon shines into the night sky, surrounded with beautiful holiday lights and merry cheer as happy voices are heard inside and out, mingled with festive live music, laughter, and the relaxing sound of surf breaking on Boca Grande Pass Beach. The gift shop in the museum will also be open from 5:30-8:00 p.m. to help you with some of your holiday shopping. We have amazing sterling silver jewelry, hand-painted lighthouse ornaments (limited supply), great selection of history and nature books for the bookworm on your list, and some beautiful artwork from local artists, to name just a few. Proceeds from sales help support our lighthouses and our four barrier island state parks.
We hope you’ll share the magic of the season with us at the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum, and make this experience a lovely addition to your holiday tradition each an every year!
