Return of the SWFL Ag Expo

We are counting down to the return of the annual Southwest Florida AG Expo beginning this Thursday, February 26th. This year's event will feature carnival rides, livestock shows, exhibits, and much, much more. To learn about the return of this huge event, we are joined by Miriam Dotson with the AG Expo. Miriam, welcome. Thank you so much for having me. Miriam, can you first explain what is the theme of this year's AG Expo and tell us all about it? Yeah, so we're very excited about this year. The theme is Roots and rides. A tradition, of course, that we want to keep going because we want to make sure that we're focusing on the AG portion of this event. It's in the name, but there's so much more to go for when you're going to the AG Expo. Of course, many people want to go for the rides and the food, but we really want to make sure people are remembering the traditions and the importance of the AG Park in North Fort Myers and our surrounding areas, where that's a big part of our community and the kids. And for H and FFA and everybody who's been involved with putting this event on, you know, it's quite a big deal. It's been a lot of work for them over the past year or so. We want to make sure that we are honoring that and letting people know that there's a lot to do surrounding all of that. You know, including a market auction. And when the kids get to show off their animals and all their hard work. So we don't want that to get forgotten about. And I think we've done a good job letting people know, but, there's so much more to do and lots of fun to be had. Can you touch on how important it is? We have children showing their livestock. How important is it to show the agriculture community what we have here in Southwest Florida to support this? Yeah, I love talking about this because many people really think of us as the beach. Even our residents. Right? We love our beach. We love our coastline. But when you go inland just a little bit in communities like North Fort Myers, I mean, within an hour, you're in a completely different atmosphere. And the farming community is incredibly important to all of us and the children and the families who are working on these farms and work with animals year round teaches more than just raising livestock. You know, they're learning all kinds of life skills. When you go there and talk to just little kids, the piece of Southwest Florida, they learn so many more things and love it, and they have a passion for it. And this creates a better community all the way around. You know, we're building confidence. These kids are being able to go and show their animal, learn how to take care of an animal. As a parent, we know, you know, that can be fun to watch, too, because it's all about learning. And and they are the future of where we're going. You know, we're we're going to see all of this. So it really goes much deeper than just going and looking at a a goat agility contest or beautiful horses. I mean, they're beautiful. But the kids and these. This is our family, right? These these are our neighbors. These are our kids in our community who we want to see thrive. And this is one way they get to do it. And and as a resident or someone who's coming to visit, we want you to be part of that and be able to experience it. And this is just one way that you can do that. And, there's a lot of events surrounding it throughout the entire, 11 day event. But our big showcase is on that Saturday during the market auction, so you don't have to, you know, go up for auction. You can just go and be a spectator to see, what this all means and learn a lot about the agricultural community. Now, Miriam, in your time since you've been involved with the Expo, how have you seen this event mature and change over the years? Well, I've been honored to be part of it since, the county, took this to be calling it the Southwest Florida AG Expo because, we have, in the past few years, grown quite a bit. As a matter of fact, our attendance has been up, the past few years, so that's a good sign. Of course, we want to be able to keep these traditions going because it really, outside of what I was talking about, about the agricultural part, it gets our community together, and that's incredibly important, for all of us, no matter where you're coming from. So, you know, there's great music and there's great food, there's great ways to unite and be able to have family friendly activities that are affordable. But we've added a few things throughout the years that we've also seen the needs in the community, including things like, sensory, sensory night. So that's going to be, one of the evenings where you can come as a family. We often think of children, but there's adults as well who may be overwhelmed by events like this and feel that, you know, that's just too much that they really don't want to go and deal with crowds. We know that is a a topic that needs to be addressed. So there's a special time where families can come for a few hours right before nighttime hits, where it's just a little bit, you know, less overwhelming for, for entire families to come. So that's something that is exciting. We've added different things in the creative living portion, including the cottage food part, where people can create food, food items, and be able to put them out on display, again, creating another opportunity for our community to do something to, hone in on something and, and be passionate about food and putting it on display. There's also other things like the selfie spots, you know, we want to be engaged. We want to be out there. We want people to know this is happening. And that's another way we have to keep up with the times. And, that's been really fun to see. But, the past few years, we've added a different theme night, for all different types of members of our community. And one of them this year is the hometown heroes. So that means, police law enforcement, fire department, and also school district members, teachers and beyond, to get a discounted night because those are considered heroes in our community as well. So we see that. And it's been really fun to see the way we've been able to incorporate that into this event. It sounds wonderful. Now, this will be one of the first events held at Mike Greenwell Regional Park, which many of us know. This facility as the former Lee County Civic Center complex. Now it has been renamed in honor of our late county commissioner. What does that mean to have the expo in this newly named park and center? And what would you like people who want to attend to know about it? Yeah, we want to make sure people know that you are going to the exact same location. It is the same address that you've gone to for years. The Lee County Civic Center complex in North Fort Myers, right there on Bayshore Road. It was recently renamed Mike Greenwell Regional Park in honor of late Commissioner Mike Greenwell. That was changed over just in the past few months, so late last year to honor Mike Greenwell. But it is the exact same location. So this will be the first year that it is, you know, that we're holding the AG Expo, naming it that we've put some language in our literature that's out there for people to know, but obviously, in passing, people may think, oh, I'm going to a different park. I'm going somewhere new. It is the same location again, just renaming that to honor Commissioner Mike Greenwell and and his love for that area and for agriculture. And again, why that is so important to that neighborhood. But, but again, to let the visitors know, let our neighbors know that is the name change. And we're excited to be able to, you know, move forward, calling it that. But we understand that everybody may have learned when that happened. So by all means, you're going to the same place. That's great info. Is there anything else you would like us to know? Well, I think I'm always big on getting people together to be able to just enjoy ourselves. We live in such an amazing area and the whole team, beyond Lee County and Parks and Rec and our departments who work hard all year round. You know, I mentioned the premise of Southwest Florida for FFA. These are big parts of our community that we've watched grow. So I really love to see this on display. So ultimately, I really just want everyone to know they are welcome. There is something for everybody, whether it's a particular type of music you like entertainment, it's family friendly. There's different theme nights, so be sure to check the website for that. And it's a nice, affordable way to get out and about. I mean, these are traditions. We want to see them continue and that's really important. So really I just want everyone to feel welcome and know that there's a lot going on and there's something for everybody. I just want to know if we have funnel cakes available. That's my big concern. Well, we have those works and fry funnel for all those yummy and delicious goodies. I know I've tried not to go too hard on the food because I know that's my favorite part too. Maybe I'm hardening too much. And those big lemonades. I love those giant lemonades. You know, you just it's like that fresh squeezed sugary lemonade with the funnel cake hand in hand. Let this be your cheat day. Have some fun and enjoy all. Nothing like it, right? Nothing. Thank you so much for joining us today and sharing with us all this information. Where can we go for more? If someone who's listening wants to check out the latest information as far as ticket prices, etc.? Yeah. Great question. Lots of different offers as I mentioned. So it's S.W. FL ag expo.com. So Southwest Florida AG expo.com. And we're updating that website constantly to keep up to any changes that may happen. And also on our social media pages as well. But our website is a great place to go. That's awesome. And hopefully we have great weather that will take us through the entire length of the fair. Yes, I hope to see you all out there and again, enjoy our community all together. All right, have a great day and thank you for joining us. Thank you. You too. Thanks for watching. We've got more great content for you, from the news to the arts to the environment. So be sure to like and subscribe to the YouTube channel and follow us on all of the social media platforms for the stories that matter to you.