NEWS

2/23/2017

Public invited to enjoy progress at Babcock Ranch during Founder’s Festival & Sun Run March 11th and 12th, 2017

Babcock Ranch is the first solar powered town in the world. Kitson & Partners invites the public to come enjoy the progress being made at Babcock Ranch during a two-day Founder’s Festival event on Saturday, March 11th from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 12th from noon to 6:00 p.m. The 2017 Sun Run starting at 7:30 will precede the opening of the Festival on Saturday. Kitson & Partners invites the public to enjoy the progress at Babcock Ranch during a Founder’s Festival on Saturday, March 11th from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 12th from noon to 6:00 p.m. The Festival’s 2017 Sun Run will include 10-K and 5-K races and a one-mile Fun Run on Saturday. Babcock Ranch is the first solar powered town in the world being developed by Kitson in Charlotte County 20 minutes east of Fort Myers off Florida State Road 31 just north of the Lee County Civic Center.

Founder’s Festival will celebrate the completion of Founder’s Square’s event lawn, band shell, and boardwalk, the first buildings in Babcock’s Downtown District, including Woodlea Hall, Curry Creek Outfitters, and the Table & Tap restaurant, as well as a fishing pier, dog park, the first four miles of the new town’s trail network, and a number of new model homes. The celebration includes two days of music, food trucks, a farmer’s market, model home tours, games, family activities, and more. On March 11th, Babcock will host the Sun Run’s 10-K race starting at 7:30, the 5-K race at 8:00, and the Fun Run at 9:00. On-line registration for the 10-K and 5-K at HYPERLINK “http://www.foundersfest.net” www.foundersfest.net ends March 8th. Day of the race registration is $20.00. The free Fun Run is open to runners and walkers of all ages. Strollers are allowed. Dana Miller of Cypress Lake High School’s Performing Arts group will perform the national anthem.

At 10:30 on Saturday, Kitson & Partners’ Chairman & CEO Syd Kitson will welcome Festival visitors at Founder’s Square. Kitson will be joined by Babcock Ranch President Rick Severance, representatives from numerous partner organizations, and Charlotte and Lee County Commissioners as he dedicates Founder’s Square with a ribbon cutting. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs.

Attendees will then be treated to music by the “Pride” of Port Charlotte High School Marching Band and the games and activities will begin. The DeSoto Arts & Humanities Council and Peace River Arts & Humanities Council will feature painting on the boardwalk. Food and beverages will be available Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6:00 p.m.

Music will be featured all weekend. Saturday, The Mystic River Band will play from noon to 2:00 p.m. followed by JP Soars & the Red Hots Band 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday’s performances start at noon and include the Kollections Band, The American Made Band, and The Ben Allen Band from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. Drawings for giveaways by five homebuilders will be held at 3:20.

For information about Founder’s Festival, or to register for the Sun Run, visit www.foundersfest.net. To learn about Babcock Ranch, visit www.babcockranch.com. ¦