The 2026 Southwest Florida\u00a0Ag\u00a0Expo\u00a0will open Thursday in a familiar location that now has a new name <\/p>\n
The traditional ribbon cutting will be held at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 26, at Mike Greenwell Regional Park, the old Lee County Civic Center at 11831 Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lee County commissioners and other dignitaries will provide brief remarks with the gates to open at 4 p.m., kicking off 11 days of fun for the agricultural\u00a0exposition that this year has the theme \u2013 Roots N Rides, A Celebration of Tradition.<\/p>\n There is $1 gate admission and $1 rides on opening day.<\/p>\n The\u00a0expo\u00a0will run from through Sunday, March 8, with promotional nights happening throughout.<\/p>\n Among the highlights \u2014 midway rides and games by Reithoffer Shows, live music and entertainment, an assortment of food vendor and, of course youth livestock exhibitions.<\/p>\n Southwest Florida\u00a0Agricultural Exposition\u00a0spokesperson Miriam Dotson said the last Saturday of the event, March 7, will be\u00a0Ag\u00a0Day, which speaks to the title of this year\u2019s theme. The days pays respect to the\u00a0agricultural portion of the Ag\u00a0Expo.<\/p>\n Doors will open at 11 a.m. for the market animal auction, the livestock auction.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s when the youth get the chance to put their animal on display,\u201d Dotson said. \u201cThe public can bid on the youth exhibit, the animals, that are up for purchase. The auction proceeds go back to the youth exhibitor.\u201d<\/p>\n Individuals can register and bid on the animals, or hang out and experience the educational fun.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a rewarding moment for them. They take care of animals and know what they are doing is important,\u201d Dotson said of youth participants. \u201cYou see a lot of joy in the kid\u2019s faces, parents, and people that end up purchasing.\u201d<\/p>\n Promotional nights include: <\/p>\n On Friday, Feb. 27, the\u00a0expo\u00a0will offer no gate admission during the sensory friendly hour from 4 to 6 p.m. These two hours offer less noise and lights for families.<\/p>\n \u201cWe did find that many families were very grateful of that last year. We like to make sure we include and think about that family friendly environment,\u201d Dotson said.<\/p>\n Moonlight Madness will also be offered on Friday, Feb. 27, as well as Friday, March 6 from 8 p.m. until midnight. It is $30 for admission, which includes a ride wristband.<\/p>\n Community Night will be Monday, March 2. It\u2019s a partnership with the Harry Chapin Food Bank and those who bring three canned food items receive free admission.<\/p>\n Two-dollar Tuesday \u2013 $2 gate admission, $2 rides, and at least one $2 food item from each vendor will be available on Tuesday, March 3.<\/p>\n Senior Day will be Wednesday, March 5, for those 50 years old or older. This day will have half off admission, making ticket prices only $5.<\/p>\n Hometown Hero Night is Thursday, March 5, with $5 off gate admission for police, law enforcement, fire and Lee County School District staff.<\/p>\n The last day of the expo, Sunday, March 8, is Family Fiesta Day. Gates open at 11 a.m. with general date admission and $40 ride wristbands.<\/p>\n In addition to the various promotional nights, the SWFL\u00a0Ag\u00a0Expo also will feature Creating Living, which has eight different divisions \u2013 fabric and thread, handcraft, cottage food, fine arts, photography, tablescape, home gardening and horticulture and STEAM.<\/p>\n The gates are open for the Southwest Florida\u00a0Ag\u00a0Expo\u00a0from 4 to 9 p.m. during the week with the exception of Fridays during Midnight Madness, and from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.<\/p>\n General admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 4 to 11 years old and free for children 3 and under. All active duty and veterans will receive free gate admission with proof of military ID.<\/p>\n Dotson said the best deal is the MEGAPASS, which is $30 for admission and unlimited mechanical rides for any one day of the\u00a0expo. The MEGAPASS cannot be purchased once the gates open at 4 p.m. on opening day.<\/p>\n There are walk through metal detectors at all entry gates for enhanced security measures. The permitted bags include small purses, clutches, wallets, or clear totes with maximum dimensions of 12x12x8 inches, and one-gallon plastic zip top bags.<\/p>\n Large totes, backpacks and cooler bags are prohibited. Both medically necessary bags and diaper bags containing only baby supplies will be permitted upon inspection by security.<\/p>\n Parking is free. There is an overflow parking lot available during peak hours with LeeTran offering shuttle services to transport attendees back and forth when needed.<\/p>\n For more information visit\u00a0swflagexpo.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n