Roots ‘N Rides: Southwest Florida Ag Expo continues through Sunday
It has been an interesting few years for the Southwest Florida Ag Expo. First the event was completely rebranded three years ago. Now, the location has had a name change.
However, those who showed up for the first day of the expo on Thursday at Mike Greenwell Regional Park (formerly to Lee Civic Center) learned that it’s the same event people in Lee County and vicinity have come to enjoy for decades.
The 11-day festival tagged Roots ‘N Rides this year, started with the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, starring county dignitaries.
District 5 Commissioner Trish Petrovsky said she hopes the entire county will come this year to share the joy.
“This is completely run by the county and we are totally in love with it. The community has been so supportive,” Petrovsky said. “We have the 4-H kids out, we have rides and the Blue Ribbon Bites going out and the public will be able to vote on them.”
Commissioner Brian Hamman has been attending the expo since he was a kid. He said the exposition that emphasizes Lee County’s rural roots is such a significant part of the community.
“This year is about honoring the traditions of this event. As a kid growing up, I would come out and enjoy the rides, eat the great food, especially the donuts that are the size of my head,” Hamman said. “I hope your family can make new traditions here.”
Last year, around 90,000 attended the expo, and a whole bunch of them came for the food. There were plenty of funnel cakes and fried Oreos to be had, as well as Turkey legs and five-star barbecue on opening day.
Dannie Moreland, from Lehigh, has been serving turkey legs and kabobs for as long as he can remember. He started with his family 48 years ago.
“We went all over and I finally settled down here. Got married to a local lady and now I live here,” said Moreland, who does fairs all over the country. “We do about 100 fairs every year. But I’m a fisherman and hunter, and my wife is from here.”
Andre Bulluck came from North Carolina to bring his barbecue to Lee County, complete with turkey legs, brisket and two kinds of barbecued ribs.
“This is our 20th year here, but the recipes we use are over 150 years old and it’s the best barbecue you ever want to put on your lips,” Bulluck said. “I usually win the people’s choice awards at these fairs and people are the most important thing. Don’t you want to eat?”
There was limited entertainment on the first day. Agri-Cadabra was an educational magic show for kids that taught them about agriculture.
Grayson Matchett is on the road 11 months out of the year doing his show, doing about 2,500, with performances several times a day. He also owns concession stands
“It’s fun. You get to hang out with kids and it’s great. They don’t teach agriculture as much anymore and they’re very important to the fairs, which was how they started out,” Matchett said.
In the beer tent, the North Fort Myers Civic Association was serving the beer, which has become the biggest fundraiser for the organization, according to president Toni Hill, adding the money they raised last year funded all the organization’s activities.
Opening day featured a whole schedule to performers.
Chasing Denver was the first one, followed by many others throughout the entire expo. More than 30 acts will perform on the main stage and in the expo hall.
There are nearly four dozen rides for people of all ages, including the new Joker ride that might be the most impressive one to date.
Of course, there are the kiddie rides such as the Merry-go-Round for the smaller ones and their parents.
But what would a fair be without the animals. 4-H will present more than 650 animals, such as steer, hogs, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. All of these animals will be auctioned off at the end of the fair.
Elaina Martinez, vice president of Team Leadership at 4-H, said she loves to show her animals as an exhibitor and when the community comes out to support them.
“We appreciate the people who come to watch us show and support us at the fair. It’s a great help and motivation for us.” Martinez said. “Without those who come and help support this, we would not be able to have this.”
Tracy Cameron, who leads the 4-H club called Southern Pride, was happy her hay bale won first place. Having come to the event her whole life, she said it has special meaning to everyone.
“We love the atmosphere this creates and how everyone comes together, especially when walking through the livestock barn,” Cameron said. “Watching these kids learn these projects and the kids who do the Creative Living entries and learn to take pictures and art.”
The Southwest Florida Ag Expo runs through March 8. Gates open at 4 p.m. during the week and 11 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Community Night is Monday. That is followed by $2 Tuesday. Senior Day is Wednesday and Hometown Heroes are celebrated on Thursday.
The final weekend features Ag Day on Saturday and Family Fiesta Day to close out the expo on Sunday.
For more information, including special promotions, visit www.swflagexpo.com.
Mike Greenwell Regional Park, formerly the Lee County Civic center complex, is at 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers.
* * *
2026 Southwest Florida Ag Expo Promotion Days
Today, Monday, March 2
Community Night
Gates open at 4 p.m.
Free admission when you bring three non-perishable food items.
$5 General Gate Admission
$25 Ride Wristband
$2 Tuesday
Tuesday, March 3
Gates open at 4 p.m.
$2 Tuesday
$2 General Gate Admission and $2 Rides
$2 food items
Senior Day
Wednesday, March 4
Gates open at 4 p.m.
General Gate Admission
Senior Admission (Half Off) – $5 for 50 years+
$25 Ride Wristband
Hometown Heroes
Thursday, March 5
Gates open at 4 p.m.
$5 gate admission for Fire, EMS, Law Enforcement & Lee County School District Staff
General Gate Admission
$25 Ride Wristband
Moonlight Madness
Friday, March 6
Gates open at 4 p.m.
4-8 p.m.: General Gate Admission
Moonlight Madness – 8 p.m. to midnight: $30 admission (includes wristband for rides*)
Ag Day
Saturday, March 7
Gates open at 11 a.m.
General Gate Admission
$40 Ride Wristband
Family Fiesta Day
Sunday, March 8
Gates open at 11 a.m.
General Gate Admission
$40 Ride Wristband
*** *** ***
In addition to the various promotional nights, the SWFL Ag Expo also will feature Creating Living, which has eight different divisions – fabric and thread, handcraft, cottage food, fine arts, photography, tablescape, home gardening and horticulture and STEAM.
The gates are open for the Southwest Florida Ag Expo from 4 to 9 p.m. during the week with the exception of Friday during Midnight Madness, and from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For more information visit swflagexpo.com.
Mike Greenwell Regional Park, formerly the Lee County Civic center complex, is at 11831 Bayshore Rd., North Fort Myers.