Southwest Florida Quilt Festival this Weekend in Punta Gorda

Photo of Quilters promoting show at Gallery Walk (courtesy S. Miskell)

Peace River Quilters' Guild will host its 11th biennial Southwest Florida Quilt Festival, "Birds of a Feather" this coming Friday ( 9-5 p.m.) and Saturday ( 9-4 pm.) at the Charlotte Harbor Event Center.

The  Peace River Quilters' Guild came about through chance.  A few ladies were viewing a quilt show at the Port Charlotte Cultural Center in August of 1987. Recognizing their common interest, they exchanged  names and phone numbers.  Soon after the Peace River Quiters' Guild was born.

The Peace River Quilters' Guild was formally organized and the first official meeting was conducted in October 1987 at the Punta Gorda Women's Club.

The club continued to grow over the years, and held its  first quilt show in 1990 at the Women's Club. Soon it outgrew the the Women's Club headquarters, and in  1992 the show was moved to the Charlotte County Memorial Auditorium, which increased attendance even more.

Soon thereafter, the biennial events became known as the Southwest Florida Quilt Festival. Members decided to make the 1996 show a judged contest. Each successive show has continued to exceed expectations. The biennial shows were changed to odd numbered years to lower the competition of many other shows happening on the same schedule.

The club meets every Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church. For more information see 

Particulars of the Show:  


Since 2000. This judged show features over 300 judged quilts, raffles, boutique, silent auction, special exhibits, quilting demonstrations, concessions and more.


Additional Features: Crafts, Designated Parking, Food, Gate Admission, Handicapped Access


Location: Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center
75 Taylor Street
Punta Gorda, FL 33950


Hours: Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 10am-4pm

Admission:  $7 donation

Phone Number: (941) 639-5833

They came, they played and they drank at the Punta Gorda Wine and Jazz Festival

It was one of those Punta Gorgeous (thanks Elaine) days by the river... and a grand day for listening to Mindy Abair pour her soulful saxophone sounds across the harbor and to mellow out with a glass of wine taking in the unique music from a piano that only nationally recognized jazz artist David Benoit can produce.

Throngs came, a sold-out crowd, to taste the wines.... poured by Closer to the Vine (the new wine bistro on Sullivan), to taste nibbles from local chefs, and to hear jazz from these top jazz artists.

Here's some images captured during this top-notch Punta Gorda annual event:

While Dave Benoit and Mindi Abair jazzed it up on the harbor, listeners enjoyed wine, food, and  sunshine.

 Wine was poured and poured:

 Food was sampled.

Participants enjoyed the day....

As Mindy played on.

And some relaxed watching boats on the Peace River...

(Photos courtesy of S. Bates)

What is Dragon Boat Racing and Why is it coming to Punta Gorda this April 23?

Dragon Boat Racing dates back over 2000 years to the Chinese legend of Qu Yuan, a 4th-century statesman, poet, and advisor to the king.   Qu Yuan was exiled to a remote area of Hunan Province in southern China after giving advice to the King that was misinterpreted as self-serving. Dishonored and ashamed, he threw himself into the Milou River, and saved by fishermen who wildly beat their drums and splashed the water with their paddles to prevent the water dragons and fish from eating Qu Yuan.

In modern day China, Dragon Boat Racing  is based upon a re-enactment of the race to save Qu Yuan. And Dragon Boat Racing is one of  fastest-growing water sports in the world.  The World Championships of Dragon Boat Racing have been held annually in Hong Kong since 1976.  In 1991, the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) was formed.   Based in Hong Kong, theIDBF boasts over 100 member organizations in more than 40 countries. Since 1995, World Championship events have been awarded to Canada, China, New Zealand, England, Australia and the United States.

Because people of various fitness levels can participate, the activity has become one that corporations and local groups have become involved with, encouraging local clubs, businesses, etc. to form teams and participate in the race.  It  is a team sport, 20 people paddle the 40' long dragon boat 400 meters (in approximately 2 ½ minutes!) to a fast and furious finish. 


And starting this year, dragon boat racing is coming to Punta Gorda.  The Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce and the Charlotte Harbor Paddlers, a local dragon boat club, plan to make this fun activity an annual event showcasing Punta Gorda's waterfront and  a water sport in which co-ed teams of all ages can join in. In  addition to being  fun sporting event, it will support a charity right here in Punta Gorda.

Particulars: 

An SRDBA points race, bringing Dragon Boat paddlers from all over the state of Florida and beyond. 

Racing starts: Saturday, April 23, 2011 - 9 AM (Awards ceremony at the end of the racing around 3 p.m.)

Where: Laishley Park in downtown Punta Gorda. 

Registration due; by April 1, 2011
Other: Music by Cheeky Monkey at 3:30 p.m., Food and Libations 

To learn more about participating in this event see information on the chamber's website.