Collier County

Cars & Coffee 239 – Father’s Day Edition
Car-loving dads won’t want to miss the Cars & Coffee 239 event at Mercato in Naples. This free, family-friendly meet-up features classic, exotic, and custom cars—perfect for snapping some photos and chatting with fellow enthusiasts.
Website: mercatonaples.com
Address: 9110 Strada Place, Naples, FL 34108

The Local – Free Beer for Dad
All dads receive a complimentary local beer with the purchase of an entrée at The Local on Father’s Day.
Website: thelocalnaples.com
Address: 5323 Airport-Pulling Rd, NaplesFL34109

Naples Botanical Garden
A favorite Southwest Florida tradition—Naples Botanical Garden offers FREE admission to dads and grandfathers on Father’s Day, and free admission for library cardholders from June 9–15.
Website: naplesgarden.org
Address: 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL 34112

Father’s Day Card-Making – Naples Regional Library
If your child loves creating handmade gifts, take them to this Father’s Day card-making session at Naples Regional Library on June 12. All materials are provided—just bring your creativity.
Website: collierlibrary.org
Address: 650 Central Avenue, Naples, FL 34102

Pure Florida – Father’s Day Cruise
Dads cruise FREE with the purchase of a full-priced adult or child’s ticket on Father’s Day. The narrated tour mixes scenic views, wildlife, with a sprinkle of dad jokes. Must call to book reservation – 239-263-4949.
Website: purefl.com
1200 5th Ave S, Ste 501, Naples, FL, 34102

Hawaii Fluid Art
Celebrate Father’s Day with creativity at Hawaii Fluid Art. On June 13-14, dads pour for 50% off when paired with a family member. No experience needed— get ready to make a masterpiece together.
Website: hawaiifluidart.com/naples-fl
Address: 2343 Vanderbilt Beach Rd Suite 622, Naples, FL 34109

Courtyard Bar at Ridgeaway
Is Dad a Formula One fan? Fathers can join other race enthusiasts at Ridgeway Bar & Grill on Father’s Day from 2 – 4 pm to watch the Formula One races.
Website: thirdstreetsouth.com
1300 3rd Street S, Naples, FL 34102

Wonder Gardens
On June 15, from 9 a.m. to last admission at 3 p.m., fathers get into the gardens for free with one paid admission ticket. Enjoy the beautiful botanical gardens and meet dozens of rescued, rehabilitated and non-releasable birds and reptiles
Website: wondergardens.org/
Address: 27180 Old 41 Rd, Bonita Springs, FL

Lee County

SunSplash Family Waterpark – Dad Gets in Free
Cool off with Dad at SunSplash Family Waterpark, where dads get free admission with a paid child or adult ticket on June 14–15. Special craft beer deals and family fun make this an easy win for Father’s Day weekend.
Website: sunsplashwaterpark.com
Address: 500 W Lake Kennedy Drive, Cape Coral, FL 33991

Beer & BBQ at Millennial Brewing Company
For a more casual celebration, head to Millennial Brewing in downtown Fort Myers, where Dad can enjoy yard games, BBQ, and $4 craft beers.
Website: millennialbrewing.com
Address: 1811 Royal Palm Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Bay Street Yard – Live Music & Food
Celebrate Father’s Day at Bay Street Yard. Kick back, listen to live music, and enjoy food and drink specials all day such as $7 Four Roses and $15 burger and draft beer.
Website: baystreetyard.com
Address: 2136 Bay Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Car Show & Vendor Event – Sonshine Worship Center
On Saturday, June 14, take dad to this fun event featuring classic cars, food, and local vendors. It’s a pre-Father’s Day outing for car fans of all ages.
Website: sonshineworshipcenter.com
Address: 12925 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers, FL 33905

Texas-Style BBQ & Brews at Hopsized Brewing
On June 15th, starting at 12pm, celebrate all things dad in the Hopsized Brewing taproom. The beer garden will be filled with fun lawn games for the whole family, and limited edition cool dad merch just for him.
Website: hopsizedbrewing.com
Address: 9201 Cockleshell Court, Unit 13, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Happy Father’s Day!

The post Best 2025 Father’s Day Events & Deals in SWFL appeared first on SWFL Family.

Tell us about yourself and your family.

I moved to Naples 25 years ago from Downers Grove, Illinois (western suburbs of Chicago). I met my wife, and we had three kids. Now, they are 15 (boy), 9 (boy), and 5 years old (girl). There’s a pretty big age gap between each kid, which has been interesting. We took our time, and we got to live with each one. We’d start missing the baby stage, look at each other, and say, “What’s one more?” We’re done now. Both of our boys are very heavily involved in basketball. My 9-year-old is heavily involved in football as well. My daughter just recently got involved in cheerleading.

Il Primo is so supportive of youth sports. Can you tell me a little bit about your “why” behind that level of support and investment?

Il Primo Pizza & Wings has restaurants from Sarasota County (North Port) down to Collier County (Naples), and all of those stores are heavily invested in those communities. It’s important to me to give back to the community through youth sports sponsorship. I’m heavily invested in the school systems as well. The kids there now are going to be running our communities in Southwest Florida – and beyond – when I get to retire. It’s important to me to make sure they get a good education.
I’m invested in our youth through funding and sponsoring sports and education, and by employing students. We employ a lot of high schoolers.

Tell me the Il Primo story.

My step dad created the brand in 1983 in Arizona. He sold those stores and then started popping up stores in Naples. He passed away in 2013, which is when I decided to take the reins and try to keep it going. We’ve been able to expand, opening two additional stores within the last several years. Our plan is to continue to grow.

What sets Il Primo apart from other restaurants in Naples?

Our business has changed over the past five years since COVID. We do more take-out business now. Where it used to be 60% dine-in business and 40% take-out, now those numbers are reversed. But what sets us apart is our focus on making our restaurants truly family friendly. Our vision is to provide a way for families to come and eat without breaking the bank. We have Disney movies playing; we have event nights where kids can come in and make their own pizzas; we have face painting nights. Everything about the restaurants is geared toward families. The idea is to let mom and dad come in and relax. We serve beer and wine only, which is intentional. When my step dad started the brand, he wasn’t interested in selling liquor. He always said, “If my restaurants get too rowdy, I’ll up the prices on beer and wine to keep Il Primo’s family environment.” Our restaurants are still geared toward the family and family togetherness.

At the end of the day, Il Primo Pizza & Wings is family-owned and operated. It’s not a corporation. We go to work every day to promote the family – for our employees and for our customers. We’re family -owned. I’m not the founder, and I’m not the owner of all the stores, but I oversee them all. But I run the business as if I was the founder. I’m proud of it. 

You mentioned growing the business. Where do you see that growth happening?

We’re looking at possible new locations in Naples and Cape Coral, and we’d like to continue to grow north into Sarasota and Bradenton. 

How do you maintain balance between your work and your family life?

I’m extremely blessed to have very good managers; they are the face of the company. That includes both kitchen and operations managers, some of whom have been with me for more than 10 years. That has made balance possible for me. There are certainly times when I’m working in the kitchen or the front counter in one of the stores. But, I can always break away and support my kids in their activities. 

What advice do you have for other dads who are business owners in Southwest Florida?

It’s so important to understand that your kids are only young once, and that you can only control the controllables. My daughter is about to start kindergarten next year, and the little years go by so fast. I’d encourage other dads to enjoy it now. I have some older friends that tell me the same thing: “Enjoy it now. Once they leave the house, you’re going to miss it.”

I value being present for my family and to create memories with them. Life is short, and I want to be able to remember these stages of life with my kids. They mean everything to me. Without them, I have nothing.

What do you want for Father’s Day?

I want to go fishing with my kids. I want to spend the day with them out on the Gulf. I want perfect weather and a beautiful day out on the water.

To find out more about Il Primo’s menu and locations, and how it supports the Southwest Florida community, visit ilprimopizza.com. Happy Father’s Day!

The post Meet the Rad Dad Behind Il Primo’s Family-Friendly Pizza in Southwest Florida appeared first on SWFL Family.

Tell us about your family and what it was like growing up in Naples as a fourth-generation Neapolitan. 

My wife, Jenna, and I have been married for 12 years and have three daughters who mean everything to us. My family has been in this area since the late 1800s. We started out in the Ten Thousand Islands, and we moved around through Marco Island, Goodland, and then into the Naples area. My family came here for fishing; we made our living in trades that had to do with the water. My great-grandfather, Preston Sawyer, has had books written about him. He was a fishing guide and well-known as The Caxambas Kid. (Caxambas was a Marco Island settlement.) 

My dad, Kit Sawyer, opened Sawyer’s Outboard Service in 1990, where he and my mother still work full time. I began working there as a teenager and still work part-time there today. 

Naples was a lot different during my childhood; there were a lot less people, and Southwest Florida was obviously much less developed. Growing up, I attended Naples Christian Academy from preschool through eighth grade, and I had a very small, tightknit community. Outside of school, I spent most of my time with my family; I was always outside fishing, hunting, four-wheeling, and camping.  

How have you carried on that legacy in your immediate family?

My family and I are always outdoors, going on little adventures. That’s why we moved to the Estates; we wanted our girls to grow up the way I did. The girls are always eager to wear camo and go hunting, or get out and ride around in the Picayune State Forest looking for wildlife.

We also like to show the girls the different parts of Naples and share the history of our family in this area. We take them to different local islands, tell them our stories, and show them where the Sawyer family has lived. It’s really neat when we walk into a local restaurant and I can point out a picture of my great-grandfather on the wall. 

As a family, we pursue self-sustainability; we have farm animals and grow our own food as much as possible. We enjoy working out in the yard, learning about what we can grow here, and eating tropical fruits that people don’t normally eat – food you can’t find in the grocery store. That’s how my family has always lived in this area, and that’s some of what we’re trying to teach our daughters. 

Tell us about your work with the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District.

I started my career with Golden Gate Fire Department in 2003. Since then, several local independent fire districts merged to become what is now the Greater Naples Fire Rescue District. I am currently a lieutenant in the operations section, as well as a member of the dive team and the Technical Rescue Team (TST). I joined both of those special operations teams early in my career, and they are a big part of who I am, and what I love about my job. 

I love my role on the dive team. It is equally as important to me as the TST. It’s never pretty; it’s never fun, but the dive team is action-packed and carries so much responsibility. When someone is trapped underwater, you’re it, and you are usually down there alone and in total darkness. 

What happens when your team gets deployed during natural disasters?

Our TST can be deployed anywhere in the state in response to disasters. We are trained and equipped to do [multiple types of] rescues. After a natural disaster, we work alongside many other urban search and rescue teams from all over Florida and other parts of the country to search for anyone who may be trapped or missing.  

Deployments are voluntary, but we always have more volunteers than open seats. When we agree to deploy, we agree to a lot of unknowns. We don’t know how long we will be gone, we don’t know where we will sleep, and we don’t know what we will be asked to do once we get there. Once we get to the area of operation, the infrastructure may be damaged or destroyed, and communication back home will be limited. On past deployments, I’ve slept in nice hotels overlooking the ocean, in civic centers with hundreds of other responders, in the back of trucks, and on the floor in a jail. Sometimes, we find that we have no showers or bathrooms. We have created makeshift showers using fire trucks as walls and a fire hose for the water supply. We have built bathrooms with tarps and a bucket. 

These challenges allow us (and force us) to get closer to the people with whom we serve and to see a deeper side of each other as we see the impact of what we are doing. Hurricane deployments are always emotionally charged. In many cases, we may be leaving our own families, who are also in the midst of a disaster, to help other people.

How did you decide to become a part of Greater Naples Fire Rescue Department?

It’s always been a calling for me from a young age. I loved fire trucks, and I always wanted to know what was going on. I have always been a thrill seeker, and I love to help people, so it seemed like it was the perfect job for me. 

How would you encourage other parents who are also first responders in a role like yours?

Always put your family first. This job can and will change you. Don’t let it become your only focus, don’t let it define you, and don’t let it take its toll on you or mar your outlook on life. Seek help when you need it, and seek out things that bring about good in your life rather than destructive habits. Your family is always going to be there and help you through the tough times that this job will bring. Don’t ignore that kind of support system or take it for granted.

Do you have any stories that stand out from the past 20 years?

Over the years, we have had some significant brush fires out in the Estates that have impacted a lot of people. These are always action-packed, and I really enjoy the fast-paced nature of fighting brush fires. They are one of the big reasons why I joined the Golden Gate Fire Department in 2003. 

One aspect of these fires that stands out is how the community rallies behind us. To see the amount of love and appreciation that the community pours out over us is motivating — from the piles of drink and food donations to the handmade signs lining the side of the road thanking us for doing our job. It is inspiring and stands out as one of my great memories during these fires. That’s why I do this work and pursue excellence and growth. That’s why I love Collier County so much.

Meet Other Neapolitan Family Rad Dads

Neapolitan Family Rad Dad: Craig Price

Neapolitan Family Rad Dads: Adam Meistrell

Neapolitan Family Rad Dads: Michael Shapiro

The post Neapolitan Family Rad Dad: Daniel Sawyer appeared first on SWFL Family.

Tell us about your life and work.

My wife, Monica, and I are both artists and art teachers, and we share the adventure of having four kids together. We love to run, travel, make art, spend time with our chosen family (our dear friends), go to the beach, and camp. I would say we’re a family of makers; we’re a very creative, passionate band of people. Trek and Tern Studios was born out of our passion to create – to make things that are both functional and inspiring – pieces of beauty that didn’t already exist in the world.

How do you balance making art, family life, and teaching?

Fortunately, the Venn diagram of my teaching profession and artistic profession overlap quite a lot in content. But, it is still a challenge. The timing of being a high school teacher works well for me to teach during the school day, then come home and get in my studio for two to three hours each afternoon before spending the evening with the family. I’m thankful for the relationships I’ve built with galleries around the country thanks to my graduate work in ceramics at Louisiana State University and relationship with the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, Montana, and Companion Gallery in Humboldt, Tennessee.

What do you enjoy about teaching high school students? What is challenging?

There are a lot of challenges with teaching this generation of students, and there are a variety of reasons a high school student might not initially be excited about any given ceramics project. But, it’s the communication – the showing a student they are valuable, the noticing, the talking with them on an individual level. All of those aspects of teaching go a long way to impact student outcomes. And, it’s those relational elements inherent in teaching that I really love.

Is it a challenge to make time for a home life?

Yes. There is always an understanding of there is life beyond the four walls of my classroom. And that can affect your motivation for today. I try to build that in to the length of my lessons and my overall projects and work with the students. 

What is your vision for Trek and Tern Studios?

I would love to, as Lorna Meade said, “cultivate my back yard” by growing our local market share here in Naples and Southwest Florida rather than relying on only national shows to which I ship ceramics. Monica is a painter and printmaker, and her vision for our business aligns with mine; and, moreover, the look and feel of the art we create aligns with the local culture here in Naples. Both of us draw inspiration from the beauty we see in the natural world around us in Southwest Florida, and the unique ecosystems in Florida as a whole. 

We’d like to make the world a more beautiful, artistic place through accessible, functional, and original pieces. Monica and I are compelled to create – it’s at the very core of who we are. We wanted to spend more time making, and so we started Trek and Tern as a means of doing that. 

 What do you love the most and like the least about running Trek and Tern?

The process of making and creating is my favorite thing – by far. I love getting to know individuals who use and enjoy my wares. For me, marketing Trek and Tern Studios has always been a challenge. Utilizing online platforms, such as social media, feels forced and inauthentic to me, so I tend to struggle with that aspect of our business.

How do you see the process of running a business influence the process of raising your children?

Monica and I have individual studios in our home, and our children often spend time with us while we are making art. Our children sometimes talk with us as we make, and sometimes they participate by making their own art alongside of us. Often, we are discussing our work – what needs to be packed and shipped, what events or shows we are applying to, what we’re inspired by or working on. 

We try to share our work with our kids; they are wonderfully perceptive of the changes we make within each body of work. They see how our work has changed over time. We have an ability to speak into our children as they home in on what they’re passionate about and what they want to pursue. We chat about the cost of materials and shipping, along with the value of our time and pricing our work appropriately. But we also emphasize the value of time playing and pursuing creativity and growth. 

What advice would you give other dads about starting and running a business?

I have been keenly aware that my kids are young for only a short period of time; I have spent more time focusing on them than my business. I have better relationships with my kids, but I’m also further behind in my business than I would like to be. As a father, the balance of finding time with our kids is always worth it, but I would love to show them what it is to have a greater amount of success in my business and invite them to share in and celebrate that success together as a family. 

How do you and your wife balance making art? How do you inspire each other?

We’ve both carved out spaces in our home for our own separate studios. We make it a point to seek out what each other is doing in our current studio practices and give each other ample time to make. We chat often and habitually encourage one another; we share household tasks equally. We love to be outside as much as possible, and we both exercise regularly, which is so important. Monica paints Florida wildlife, landscapes, and custom portraits, along with other more abstract and surreal subject matter, and I exclusively make ceramic wares. However, from time to time, we will collaborate on pieces, which I love!

Beyond that rhythm of daily life, Monica and I go on lots of dates and trips where we can see and discuss art that others make. For our 15th wedding anniversary last summer, we traveled to Portugal and experienced the everyday, functional art present in a handful of Portugal’s cities. We go camping in various places in Florida, and we take every opportunity to move past the ordinary and experience adventure as a family. 

Our art is part of our family culture, and as a Floridian dad, I see inspiration everywhere I go. I’m thankful for the time I get to spend during the day creating wares for people across the country. 

To check out Adam’s (and Monica’s) artwork, visit www.adammeistrell.com.

Related Content:

Neapolitan Family Rad Dads: Meet the original Rad Dad Michael Shapiro!

The post Neapolitan Family Rad Dads: Adam Meistrell appeared first on SWFL Family.

Tell us about your family and your background.

Michael Shapiro: My wife and I grew up in Boca Raton, and we lived 5 miles away from each other when we were growing up. When I was in my 30s, I developed a passion for cooking and food. I decided to take a leap of faith – I left a comfortable job, and I gave it my everything to make it into the restaurant industry as a prep cook. An Italian restaurant hired me, and everyone there made a bet that I wouldn’t last three weeks. I worked at that restaurant for ten months before learning of a new Benihana Japanese Steakhouse opening a few miles away from my house. I applied and was hired on the spot for a position as a hibachi chef. 

Describe your journey as a dad and its intersection with Rad Dad Hibachi. 

During my time at Benihana, I worked 60 hours a week. When my son was born, I cut back to 14 hours a week and essentially became a stay-at-home dad. My wife continued working as an air traffic controller, and we eventually decided to move to Ave Maria. I knew work was likely going to be scarce and difficult. We bought a flat top grill and discussed how I could possibly make money on the side by cooking fried rice for the builders. We started dreaming about how I could offer the complete hibachi experience at people’s homes, and that is how Rad Dad was born.  

What makes Rad Dad unique in the catering space?

I bring the complete hibachi experience to the comfort of people’s homes. When the pandemic started, people hesitated to go out to dinner and controlled, in-home dining experiences became even more popular. As a dad of two toddlers, I understand the struggle of going out to dinner with small children. I saw the opportunity in the marketplace of having a chef come to the comfort of families’ homes at an affordable, accessible price point.

How do you envision the future of Rad Dad Hibachi?

I want it to keep growing and expanding; I just want it to be successful. I originally viewed Rad Dad as a side project. To see how far it has come – to see my full calendar and the amount of clients I have – is such an amazing feeling. 

What are some specific ways you balance your life as a dad with the demands of Rad Dad?

My kids and family have always been my number one priority, and my family has always come first. I’ve been a stay-at-home dad for over four years now. My kids demand so much from me; parenting is a nonstop job. Bedtime is a moving target, so I usually get into a business mindset at some point between 8 and 10 p.m. – this is when I help my company grow, when I spend time building and perfecting it. It’s hard. I’m exhausted and burned out at times. I spend lots of time in the kitchen prepping for events. The food is the most important part of any dinner event, but I’m constantly in a mindset of how to prepare myself for the entertainment part of my job as well. Even if I provide an excellent meal, I’m nothing more than just a typical cook in a commercial kitchen without the entertainment hibachi meals offer. As I prepare for each individual party and balance the demands of being a dad and a husband, I try to always have a full charge ready for any moment.

In short, I have a system that I try to stick to with my family in order to accomplish what’s necessary for Rad Dad to work. It can be hard and exhausting at times, but the reward is greater than the challenges at any given moment. 

What do you love most about Rad Dad Hibachi?

The thing I love most about my business is that it’s mine. My wife and I had the idea and created it together. There’s not one thing I don’t love about it, I have a profound passion for food, for cooking, and for serving others. As corny as it sounds, I like to make people happy with my food. 

Tell us about your ideal Father’s Day.

I just want to spend the day without my kids – haha! I know other fathers of really young kids can relate! I love the ocean, and I love scuba diving, and I love any chance to get out on the water. My ideal day also includes cooking dinner at home. 

Speaking of dinner at home, what’s your family’s favorite meal?

My wife and kids love pot roast along with braised vegetables and egg noodles. My wife always seems to be asking for fried rice.

Flat top hibachi-style grills are gaining popularity around the country. What guidance would you give to people looking to improve their skills?

It’s so important to season your food properly, or else it’s just bland with no flavor profile. To be great, food has to have lots of flavor.  

What advice would you give to other dads starting their own businesses?

Just go for it! If you can fail at something you don’t love, why not take risks with things you do love? My journey into the culinary world started by watching Gordon Ramsay and YouTube videos on how to do the most basic things. I started with nothing, learned from YouTube, and now, eight years later, I’m running a successful hibachi catering business. I’ve failed along the way, but I embrace my failures and use the emotions surrounding failures to push forward.  

Is it challenging to enter into people’s homes in such an intimate, personal way?

I cooked at a party a few weeks ago, and the host commented on the deeply personal nature of going into strangers’ homes and both cooking for and entertaining them. I’m an extrovert at heart, and after so much experience as a hibachi chef, it has become easy to engage with strangers in a fun and inviting way. I still get butterflies occasionally.  But, I’ve also had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs – all thanks to every single client who has booked Rad Dad Hibachi!  Without them, Rad Dad Hibachi wouldn’t be what it is today; I am so grateful.

Visit www.raddadhibachi.com. 

The post Neapolitan Family Rad Dads: Meet the original Rad Dad Michael Shapiro! appeared first on SWFL Family.