Annual Antique Ford Car Show
Each year, classic car owners exhibit their cars on the Ford estate lawn as a tribute to Henry Ford, the pioneer of the automobile industry. Along with the car show, there will be music, a food truck and visitors can tour the gardens, museum, laboratory and see the historic homes.
This family event is free for Edison Ford members and included with admission for non-members. Admission tickets may be purchased online or at the ticket counter (advance ticketing not required).
For antique Ford owners wanting to participate, registration will be accepted for Ford models 1980 and older. The deadline for registration is February 2 and the fee is $30 per car (includes admission to the site). Registration will open later in 2025. On the day of the show, exhibitors may start driving in at 7:30 a.m. and all cars must be on the property and parked by 9 a.m.
A food truck will be on site for participants and visitors to purchase lunch.
Rhythm on the River: Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band – Caribbean Chillers
Calling all parrot heads! Join us on the historic Ford lawn for an exciting performance of the Caribbean Chillers — a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. Guests will get to hear many of Buffett’s top hits and crowd favorites. Plus, there will be a cash bar and food trucks on site. Gates open at 6 p.m. with the concert starting at 6:30 p.m.
So put on your flip flops and come spend the evening along the river for some great music, a fantastic river view and refreshing beverages – because after all, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere!
Parking is available in the Edison Ford lots only. Guests should bring a folding chair and a sweater if the weather is chilly. No coolers or picnic baskets permitted.
Edison Ford members: $30; non-members: $35 (individual ticket holders should bring a lawn chair)
Click here to purchase tickets.
VIP Tables (for up to 5 guests): $275 (Includes table and chairs)
Sponsored by Humana.
Rhythm on the River – The Collaboration Band
The Collaboration Band is an extraordinary gathering of veteran musicians dedicated to the authentic playing of soul, R&B and Motown music. Each member brings years of experience: Ms. Verceal Whitaker, former lead vocalist with the Platters, soars above a band where everybody sings; Willie Miller lends the big pocket of his drumming plus lead and background vocals; on guitar and vocals, we have Steve LaValley; Joshua Townsend adds his tasty keyboards and vocals; Alonzo Smith (aka Zo) provides vocals and the funky bottom. In addition, there will be three feature artists for this show: Mike Caddy, lead vocalist for the Cleveland philharmonic; Trez Gregory, former background vocalist for Brooks & Dunn; and Steve E. Geroge, who was inducted in the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame. This is music meant to be heard and felt, and when Collaboration plays it, you’re going to feel it!
Come feel the music with us! Bring your favorite lawn chair and a sweater if the weather is chilly. Food trucks will be on site. No coolers or picnic baskets are permitted. Concert begins at 6:30 p.m., doors open at 6:00 p.m. Parking is in Edison Ford lots only (no charge for parking).
Tickets: VIP tables (up to five people): $275 (table and chairs provided)
Individual admission for members: $30; non-member admission: $35. We recommend you bring a folding chair.
Advance ticket purchase recommended. Tickets may be purchased at the door if they are available. Click here, and then click on the events link to purchase.
Thomas Edison’s 178th Birthday Celebration
Come celebrate Thomas Edison’s birthday with us!
The annual tradition continues with a visit with Thomas Edison, and students from the Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School singing, dancing and playing stringed instruments. We will serve birthday cake, and there will be a calliope demonstration outside under the banyan tree. The party is a free public event (does not include tours or admission to the museum or laboratory). This event takes place near the Banyan Café.
Vintage Base Ball Game – at Terry Park
Edison and Ford Winter Estates will host a day of vintage “base ball” at historic Terry Park in East Fort Myers. Join us to celebrate the early days of our national pastime with three teams playing consecutive games (the Fort Myers Vagabonds, Bradenton Shamrocks, and the Central Florida Awkwards).
The teams will play by 1860s rules. Players will wear vintage uniforms, no gloves, and use wood bats and lemon peel baseballs. Spectators will see the game played as it was when Thomas Edison was a teenager and he developed his life-long love of the game, inspiring him to proclaim: “Baseball is the greatest of American games.”
Game Location:
Terry Park
3410 Palm Beach Boulevard
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Admission: $5 for adults, children 18 and younger admitted free. Guests may purchase tickets at the game or online (click here).
Sponsored by Humana.
45th Annual Turkey Trot 5K
The Fort Myers Track Club, in partner with the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, is hosting our 45th Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K
Run/Walk. The 5K course will start and finish at Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Downtown Fort Myers. For years, this fun-filled family event has been an annual holiday tradition for locals and visitors alike, hosting thousands of visitors from over 42 states in 2023. This event and its beautiful location is a great way to kick-off the Thanksgiving Holiday. For those unable to travel to wonderful Fort Myers, we also provide the option to participate remotely.
REGISTRATION FEES* (No Race Day Registration):
Adult: $25 thru Nov. 20 | $30 Nov. 21-27
Youth: $15 thru Nov. 20 | $20 Nov. 21-27
Tot Trot: $5 (100yd dash) 6 & Under
The deadline to register online and be guaranteed a shirt size is November 11, 2024. Shirts will be available for the first 3000 registered participants. An inventory is set for all shirt sizes, once your shirt size is selected, there will be no exchange in size. Two things that will ensure you receive your shirt and size choice: (1) DO NO WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO REGISTER (2) PLAN TO ATTEND AN EARLY PACKET PICK-UP. Shirts are unisex sizing. There is a specific inventory of shirts, once this runs out, participants must choose another size.
Entry fee is discounted 20% for all Fort Myers Track Club Members.
Visit the Fort Myers Track Club to register or learn more.
Annual Wreath Auction
In partnership with the Fort Myers Woman’s Community Club, guests may select from dozens of unique, handmade wreaths being auctioned to benefit restoration and preservation efforts at the Estates. Come see the lights, listen to music, enjoy some appetizers and cash bar and bid on a wreath!
Cost: $20 per person
Bring your e-ticket to be scanned at the welcome booth.
Click here to purchase tickets!
Sponsored by:
Annual Bromeliad Sale
In partnership with the Caloosahatchee Bromeliad Society, there will be hundreds of different specimens of Bromeliads for sale, including rare species. Experts from the society will be on hand to answer questions about Bromeliads. Parking and admission to the event is free (does not include tours or admission to the museum and laboratory). A limited number of garden carts will be available; guests are encouraged to bring their own.
The Garden Shoppe will be open and stocked with tropical and native plants and trees, including edibles and butterfly host plants.
Orchid Sale and Symposium — CANCELLED
This event is being rescheduled for April 12-13 due to Hurricane Milton.
Come learn about orchids during this fun two-day event! Presentations are free on a first-come first-served basis and registration is not required (does not include tours or admission to the museum, lab, or riverside estates). The Lee County Master Gardeners will have an advice table and several vendors will have orchids available for sale.
Presentation Schedule
Saturday
10 a.m. – Stan Griski, President, SWFL Orchid Society – To Repot or Not
11 a.m. – Carly Pfalz, Jungle House Nursery – Orchids and Lighting
NOON – Jim Hopton, artist and hypertufa expert – Creating a Hypertufa Orchid Display (Jim’s creation will be raffled off at the end of his presentation)
1 p.m. – Gary Sims, SWFL Orchid Society – Have Fun with Orchids
2 p.m. – Ashley Palmer, Palmer Orchids – Growing Beautiful Vanda Orchids
Sunday
10 a.m. – Debbie Hughes, EFWE – Choosing Orchids to Mount in your Trees
11 a.m. – Micky Carnell, Blue Pagoda – Orchids 101
NOON – LUNCH BREAK
1 p.m. – Aaron Apsley, Aaron Apsley Artwork – Painting Orchids in Watercolor
2 p.m. – John Hampton, SWFL Orchid Society – The Joy of Kikis
Participating Vendors (to date):
Bello Tropicals, Blue Pagoda Orchids, Florida Orchid House, FTE Studios, Hang-A-Pot, Jim-N-I Orchids, Jungle House Nurseries, Kreative Gardens, Krull Smith Orchids, OFE Orchid Supplies, Palmer Orchids, Pelican Coast Orchids, Red Hawk Nursery, Sierra Madre Orchids, Smiley’s Orchids, So Orchids, Sunland Orchids, and Tropiflora.
Sponsored by 
