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Eagles and Cowboys Game of the Weekend

Cowboys and Giants

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 11: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his touchdown reception against the New York Giants during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on October 11, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

The Eagles and Cowboys is an NFC East battle with a top playoff seed at stake and clearly the game of the weekend on the NFL slate.  Both teams come into this game needing to be at their best but both have some questions that need to be answered.  First of all, the Eagles are 10-2, so they don't have a lot of questions to be answered.  But the general consensus is that the team hasn't looked like it is playing as smoothly as last year.  And they are coming off an embarrassing home beat down at the hands of the 49ers.  That loss is more concerning when you realize that they may very well be playing the 49ers for an NFC Championship with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line in a few weeks.  But, the bottom line is the Eagles usually find a way to win no matter how they are playing.

MUST WIN

On the other side, the Dallas Cowboys are rolling right now.  And they are scoring a ton of points and they are blowing teams out.  The knock on them is that almost all of their wins have come against bad teams.  Their three losses have come against the 49ers, Eagles, and inexplicably, the Cardinals.  In the end, this is a must win game for the Cowboys if they want to land the number one seed in the NFC playoffs.

Get ready for the game with a quiz on Craig Shemon and Company on ESPN Southwest Florida!

QUIZ TIME

  1. How many Super Bowls have the Eagles won? 1
  2. How many Super Bowls have the Cowboys won? 5
  3. Where did Cooper Rush go to college? Central Michigan
  4. Where did Marcus Mariota go to college? Oregon
  5. What Linebacker did the Eagles just sign after the Colts let him go? Shaquille Leonard
  6. Shaquille Leonard changed his name in 2022. What was his previous name?  Darius Leonard
  7. The Eagles were blown out by the 49ers last week. Who is their only other loss to?  NY Jets
  8. Who did the Cowboys last lose to 5 weeks ago? Eagles 28-23
  9. Where did Tony Pollard go to school? Memphis
  10. Where was Nick Sirianni the OC before coming to Philly?  Indianapolis Colts

Southwest Florida Holiday Events Happening in 2023

The year of 2023 is just flying by!  Before we know it, it will be the new year!  How did we get here so fast?

We're almost half way through November which means Thanksgiving and the mouth watering meal is upon us and it's almost time for Christmas and all the fun holiday cheer that comes along with the season.

I don't know about you, but I am ready to put up the Christmas tree and hang the stocking, wear matching pajamas with my loved ones, watch Christmas movies on repeat and drink hot chocolate (yes, even in Florida).

The weather down here in Southwest Florida is cooling off a bit...just a bit, and getting outside to enjoy the holiday events is so enjoyable.

If you're looking for some fun and exciting holiday festivities, to get your family into the spirit of the holidays this year, look no further.  We've put together a list of many of the Southwest Florida holiday events happening over the next several weeks.

Make sure to check back again often for the latest updates as this is an ongoing list.  If we missed something, send the event to Diana.Beasley@bbgi.com so we can get it on the list.

Check out these Southwest Florida Holiday Events Happening in 2023:

Fort Myers - Holiday Nights at Edison Ford Winter Estates

Returning for the 48th season, Holiday Nights has been revamped with new light displays and much more.

Holiday Nights runs through December 27th (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Night). Be sure to check the website to see the nightly schedule.

There will be Santa visits, carolers, science shows and Inside-the-Homes tours on select nights. Lee County residents will receive $5 off admission on Sunday nights.

$20 for adults, $10 for teens (13-19), $2 for children (6-12), and children 5 and under get in free.

Fort Myers - Santa at Bass Pro Shops

Santa's Wonderland is open now thru December 24, 2023 at Bass Pro Shops In Gulf Coast Town Center.  Advance reservations are required in all locations and can go quickly.
For more details, click here

Naples - Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District (BID) will host the 49th annual “Christmas on Fifth” on Friday, December 2nd from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, December 3rd from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. This special festival will combine holiday themed activities along with the ultimate nights of ‘al fresco’ dining on the street.

Fort Myers - Annual Holiday Tree Lighting & Luminary Extravaganza

Mark your calendars for the Annual Bell Tower Tree Lighting, Friday December 1st 6pm-9pm!

Santa Claus will arrive to Bell Tower at 6:30 p.m. in a South Trail Fire Department fire truck at the main entrance near Grimaldi’s and Blue Pointe.

Following his arrival, the festivities will commence in Center Court with a special tree lighting ceremony and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, ideal for holiday photo opportunities. 

Fort Myers - Holiday Lights at Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium

All December long!

Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in nature’s wonderland, brimming with holiday cheer!  Our 1/3 mile trail will be illuminated with twinkling lights. After walking the trail, cozy up to the fire and enjoy roasting a marshmallow with hot chocolate!

https://www.calusanature.org/holidaylights

Fort Myers - Jingle Jog 5K and Santa Strut Fun Run

Jingle all the way for the most fun, family tradition of the holidays this year and years to come! Join Santa at Lakes Regional Park on December 17, 2023, for a competitive timed 5K run, or a family fun 1 mile Santa Strut, and some traditional Christmas fun!

Fort Myers - Deck The Halls at Barbara B. Mann PAH

Sunday, December 3rd at 7pm

Celebrate the spirit of the season with Gulf Coast Symphony’s annual holiday tradition! The festive sounds of the season ring through the Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall, as the Gulf Coast Symphony presents your most favorite symphonic pops holiday medleys. From Leroy Anderson’s endearing Sleigh Ride, a medley of music from Christmas movie classics, to the Mannheim Steamroller Silent Night, and much, much more! Deck the Halls is your favorite Southwest Florida holiday tradition, perfect­ for the whole family!

For more details, click here

Fort Myers - Nutcracker! Magic of Christmas Ballet at Barbara B. Mann PAH

Friday, December 29th at 1pm and 5pm

Gather your loved ones for the warm-glow-nostalgia of America’s favorite Christmas celebration. Experience the extraordinary international cast and Ukrainian Principal Artists performing at the peak of classical European Ballet. Be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger-than-life puppets and stunning hand-crafted sets and costumes. Don’t miss this chance to experience the wonder of NUTCRACKER!

Fort Myers - Breakfast With Santa at Bell Tower Shops

Join us Saturday November 25th 9am to 11am as Cantina Laredo will be hosting our Annual Breakfast with Santa once again! Proceeds for this event will go to one of our favorite charities, Valerie's House!

Fort Myers - HOWLiday Yappy Hour at Bell Tower Shops

Join us Friday, December 8th for our HOWLiday Yappy Hour featuring pet photos with Santa! A minimum of a $20 donation to Gulf Coast Humane Society for your pet photo with Santa.

Fort Myers - Strolling Santa at Bell Tower Shops

Santa Claus is coming to Bell Tower Shops this holiday season and YOU can snap selfies with the big man himself! Santa's first public appearance will be at our annual Tree Lighting & Luminary Extravaganza but there are many more dates for you to visit him here at Bell Tower throughout the holiday season! 

Fort Myers - Holiday Family Fun Night at Bell Tower Shops

Thursday, December 21st from 5-7pm 

To provide families a time to bond, have fun doing activities together and get their family rhythm going again.

Marco Island - Christmas Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 2, 2023 - 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Veterans Community Park

Marco Island - Christmas Street Parade

Saturday, December 9th, 2023  6:30pm-8:30pm  Free to attend!

*Parade begins at Balfour and San Marco Road and will end at San Marco and Barfield.
San Marco Road is lit up every year for the annual Marco Island Street Parade! The parade will feature floats, marching bands, music, costumes, candy and Santa Claus!

Marco Island - Christmas Boat Parade

Saturday, December 16th at 6pm

Marco Island - Canine Christmas Parade

Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Watch festive pets in the holiday parade from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at CJ’s on the Bay 740 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island.

Bonita Springs - Holiday In The Park

The City of Bonita Springs Holiday in the Park event is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5th, 2023, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event will include the annual tree lighting, the arrival of Santa Claus, children’s activities, musical performances, as well as food and beverages.

Bonita Springs - Holiday Stroll

Throughout Riverside Park from December 1st, 2023- January 1st, 2024

The park will sparkle with holiday lights and holiday-themed photo opportunities will be available throughout the park for the public to take pictures with. Holiday music will play throughout the park. The music will be scheduled from dusk-9pm nightly unless there is an event scheduled.

Bonita Springs - Movies in the Park

Friday, December 8th. The aminated holiday movie, A Christmas Carol (2009) [PG], will be shown. Enjoy a magical evening in the park this holiday season with an outdoor movie. The park will be lit up with holiday lights. The movie starts at dusk! The event is free for the community. 

Fort Myers - 17th Annual Festival of Trees

The 17th Annual Festival of Trees returns to the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center! Experience the beautiful trees decorated by local businesses to raise money for Goodwill of Southwest Florida and SBDAC. See these gorgeous creations for just $2 per person, beginning on November 30th!

Naples - Christmas Boat Parade

Saturday, December 9th, 2023

The parade may be viewed from: Naples City Dock (ticketed), Pinchers Tin City, Riverwalk Restaurant, Naples Landing, Kelly’s Fish House, The Boat House on Naples Bay, and Bayview Park.

Craig Shemon has been hosting afternoons on ESPN Southwest Florida since 2017. Prior to that he was a nationally syndicated host in Los Angeles at FOX Sports Radio and in Houston at Yahoo! Sports Radio. Along the way Craig did play-by-play for the NFL on FOX, NFL Europe, Big Ten Network, and The Citadel Radio Network. Craig is a native Detroiter and Indiana University graduate. He has been known to proudly display his Detroit and IU fandom on the air. Craig likes to write about athletes, create quizzes, and covers big sports headlines.