The 2026 Southwest Florida Ag Expo will kick off its first weekend with its traditional Moonlight Madness rides-and-admission special tonight.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0expo \u2014 themed this year as Roots N Rides \u2014 opened Thursday and will run from through Sunday, March 8, with promotional nights happening throughout at Mike Greenwell Regional Park at 11831 Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Friday, Feb. 27, opens with free gate admission during the sensory friendly time from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by general admission at 6, and then Moonlight Madness from 8 p.m. to midnight. <\/p>\n It\u2019s $30 for admission, which includes a ride wristband with the promotion to be offered again on Friday, March 6, also from 8 p.m. until midnight.<\/p>\n *** *** ***<\/p>\n 2026 Southwest Florida Ag Expo\u00a0main entertainment lineup announced<\/p>\n The highly anticipated 2026 Southwest Florida Ag Expo got underway on Thursday and runs through Sunday, March 8, at Mike Greenwell Regional Park (formerly the Lee County Civic Center Complex), at 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Enjoy an array of talented performers throughout the event. Here\u2019s the current entertainment lineup on the main entertainment stage:<\/p>\n \u2022 Matt & Zack, 7-10 p.m., Tonight, Friday, Feb. 27<\/p>\n \u2022 Nostaljah, 3-6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28<\/p>\n \u2022 Back Country Boys, 7-10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28<\/p>\n \u2022 Flora Top Hits Band, 2-5 p.m., Sunday, March 1<\/p>\n \u2022 Joe Yeoman Band, 6-9 p.m., Sunday, March 1<\/p>\n \u2022 Deb & the Dynamics, 6-9 p.m., Monday, March 2<\/p>\n \u2022 Smokin\u2019 Aces, 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, March 3<\/p>\n \u2022 Supernatural Santana Tribute, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4<\/p>\n \u2022 Hairdaze! The Amazing \u201980s Rock Show!, 6-9 p.m., Thursday, March 5<\/p>\n \u2022 SoapyTuna, 7-10 p.m., Friday, March 6<\/p>\n \u2022 Pure Country, 7-10 p.m., Saturday, March 7<\/p>\n \u2022 Heat Latin Jazz Band, 2-5 p.m., Sunday, March 8<\/p>\n \u2022 Orquesta Tropical Sound, 6-9 p.m., Sunday, March 8<\/p>\n \u00a0The event will also highlight local talent and live demonstrations on the Family Stage inside the Expo Hall. In addition to scheduled stage performances, guests can enjoy daily strolling entertainers and interactive shows throughout the grounds, offering fun for all ages.<\/p>\n The entertainment schedule is subject to change. For complete details of the shows and entertainers visit swflagexpo.com<\/a>; check back often, entertainment is added daily.<\/p>\n Advance tickets for general gate admission are available for purchase at swflagexpo.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n Residents are encouraged to submit photos for the \u201cRoots \u2018n\u2019 Rides: A Celebration of Tradition\u201d exhibit. Submissions from past fairs, Ag Expos or family visits to the grounds may be uploaded at swflagexpo.com<\/a> with a short entry form.<\/p>\n For a complete schedule of events, special promotions, ticketing and creative living registration, visit swflagexpo.com<\/a> or follow the SWFL Ag Expo on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n *** *** *** <\/p>\n Among the highlights \u2014 midway rides and games by Reithoffer Shows, live music and entertainment, an assortment of food vendors 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 \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 Other promotional nights include: <\/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 *** *** ***<\/p>\n 2026 Southwest Florida Ag Expo\u00a0Promotion Days<\/p>\n Moonlight Madness<\/p>\n Friday, Feb. 27<\/p>\n Gates open at 4 p.m.<\/p>\n 4-6 p.m.: Sensory Friendly ($0 gate admission)<\/p>\n 6 p.m.: General Gate Admission<\/p>\n Moonlight Madness \u2013 8 p.m. to midnight:\u00a0$30 admission (includes ride wristband*)<\/p>\n Saturday, Feb. 28<\/p>\n Gates open at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n General Gate Admission<\/p>\n $40 Ride Wristband<\/p>\n Sunday, March 1<\/p>\n Gates open at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n General Gate Admission<\/p>\n $40 Ride Wristband<\/p>\n Community Night<\/p>\n Monday, March 2<\/p>\n Gates open at 4 p.m.<\/p>\n Free admission when you bring three non-perishable food items.<\/p>\n $5 General Gate Admission<\/p>\n $25 Ride Wristband<\/p>\n $2 Tuesday<\/p>\n Tuesday, March 3<\/p>\n Gates open at 4 p.m.<\/p>\n $2 Tuesday<\/p>\n $2 General Gate Admission and $2 Rides<\/p>\n $2 food items<\/p>\n Senior Day<\/p>\n Wednesday, March 4<\/p>\n Gates open at 4 p.m.<\/p>\n General Gate Admission<\/p>\n Senior Admission (Half Off) \u2013 $5 for 50 years+<\/p>\n $25 Ride Wristband<\/p>\n Hometown Heroes<\/p>\n Thursday, March 5<\/p>\n Gates open at 4 p.m.<\/p>\n $5 gate admission for Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement & Lee County School District Staff<\/p>\n General Gate Admission<\/p>\n $25 Ride Wristband<\/p>\n Moonlight Madness<\/p>\n Friday, March 6<\/p>\n Gates open at 4 p.m.<\/p>\n 4-8 p.m.:\u00a0General Gate Admission<\/p>\n Moonlight Madness \u2013 8 p.m. to midnight:\u00a0$30 admission (includes wristband for rides*)<\/p>\n Ag Day<\/p>\n Saturday, March 7<\/p>\n Gates open at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n General Gate Admission<\/p>\n $40 Ride Wristband<\/p>\n Family Fiesta Day<\/p>\n Sunday, March 8<\/p>\n Gates open at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n General Gate Admission<\/p>\n $40 Ride Wristband<\/p>\n *** *** ***<\/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 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