The Southwest Florida Ag Expo is back with more of the things people love about the annual event: Carnival rides, fair food, livestock exhibitions, live music and more.
The expo kicks off Thursday, Feb. 26, for two weeks of fun at Mike Greenwell Regional Park in North Fort Myers.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When and where is the Southwest Florida Ag Expo?
The third-annual Southwest Florida Ag Expo takes place Feb. 26-March 8 at Mike Greenwell Regional Park (formerly known as the Lee County Civic Center Complex), 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers.
What are the Ag Expo’s opening and closing hours in North Fort Myers?
Ag Expo hours are 4-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
How much are tickets to the Ag Expo? How can you get a megapass?
Admission is $10, or $5 for ages 4-11. It’s free for younger.
Retired and active military receive free gate admission every day with a valid Military ID.
A $30 megapass ― only available until the gates open at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26 ― includes all rides and admission. You can buy megapasses and regular tickets online at swflagexpo.com/pages/tickets.
Various promotional nights are also available. Opening night (Feb. 26) is Dollar Night with $1 admission and $1 ride tickets (minimum purchase of $10).
Parking is free.
For a list of discount and promotional nights, visit swflagexpo.com/pages/promotionalnights
What can you do at Lee County’s Ag Expo?
Visitors can expect fair food, livestock exhibitions, live music and entertainment, and plenty of carnival rides, including the popular Super Himalaya, Dragon Coaster and Tilt-a-Whirl.
How much do fair rides cost at the Ag Expo?
Rides cost extra. They require three to seven tickets each.
Ride tickets are $3 for two tickets, $15 for 11 tickets, $25 for 22 tickets or $55 for 55 tickets.
What happened to the Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair?
The Southwest Florida Ag Expo is the new name for the former Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair, which was taken over and rebranded by the Lee County Government in 2024. The reason: An impasse over contract negotiations with the Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair Association.
The change required a new name under Florida law. According to Florida statute 616, an annual public fair, by definition, must be held and conducted by a fair association. The county government doesn’t meet that requirement.
4-H, FFA kids show off their animals, plants
Every year, kids in 4-H, Future Farmers of America (FFA) and other programs raise animals and grow plants and produce all year long. Then they compete for award ribbons and scholarships at the Ag Expo.
The agricultural events often draw big crowds for the livestock judging, auctions and other events.
For the full schedule of animal and plant events, visit swflagexpo.com/pages/livestock or swflagexpo.com/pages/creativeliving.
Bands, musical lineup at the Ag Expo
Rock. Country. Latin Jazz. Reggae. You’ll find many bands playing many genres of music at this year’s expo.
Here’s the lineup (schedule subject to change):
- Chasing Denver (6-9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26)
- Matt & Zack (7-10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 27)
- Nostaljah (3-6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28)
- Back Country Boys (7-10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28)
- Flora Top Hits Band (2-5 p.m., Sunday, March 1)
- Joe Yeoman Band (6-9 p.m., Sunday, March 1)
- Deb & the Dynamics (6-9 p.m., Monday, March 2)
- Smokin’ Aces (6-9 p.m., Tuesday, March 3)
- Supernatural Santana Tribute (4:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4)
- Hairdaze! The Amazing 80s Rock Show! (6-9 p.m., Thursday, March 5)
- Soapy Tuna (7-10 p.m., Friday, March 6)
- Pure Country (7-10 p.m., Saturday, March 7)
- Heat Latin Jazz Band (2-5 p.m., Sunday, March 8)
- And Orquesta Tropical Sound (6-9 p.m., Sunday, March 8)
Other entertainment
In addition to those scheduled stage performances, daily strolling entertainers and interactive shows include:
- One-man band Marc Dobson,
- Variety entertainer Pirate Man Dan,
- Agricadabra Magic & Hypnosis Show,
- Real pigs doing stunts and comedy in Porkchop Revue,
- Sky High Skyler Stilt Show,
- Eudora Farms Petting Zoo,
- And the Kids Foam Zone.
For more about this year’s shows and entertainers, visit swflagexpo.com/pages/entertainment.
Learn more about the Southwest Florida Ag Expo
For updates, schedules and more information, visit swflagexpo.com or facebook.com/swflagexpo.
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Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email [email protected]. Follow or message him on social media: Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells)
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