What's Up Ave Maria

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🍜 Restaurant Grand Opening in Ave Maria: Umami AveA new dining option is coming to Midtown Plaza as Umami Ave announces ...
05/14/2026

🍜 Restaurant Grand Opening in Ave Maria: Umami Ave

A new dining option is coming to Midtown Plaza as Umami Ave announces its grand opening on Monday, February 16.

Owned and operated by chef Jason Cao, this Southeast Asian fusion restaurant is bringing together flavors from Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Japan — focused on the rich, savory taste known as umami.

🍽 Menu Highlights Include:
• Traditional Vietnamese pho
• Fresh sushi rolls
• Thai favorite Pad Kra Pao
• Japanese dishes like tataki tuna

The concept blends multiple regional influences with unique twists, offering something different from typical local options.

📍 Location: Midtown Plaza
5360 Ave Maria Blvd, Unit 102

Another strong addition to the growing food scene in Ave Maria.

🍀 Shamrock Festival Returns to Ave Maria – March 14! 🍀Celebrate the spirit of Ireland at the Shamrock Festival on Saturd...
03/13/2026

🍀 Shamrock Festival Returns to Ave Maria – March 14! 🍀

Celebrate the spirit of Ireland at the Shamrock Festival on Saturday, March 14 from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Ave Maria Town Center.

Enjoy a lively afternoon filled with Irish music, dance, and family-friendly fun. Highlights include:

🎶 Live Irish music by Michael Joyce
💃 Celtic dance performances by Ave Maria Dance Academy
🍺 Stein Mug Holding Contest hosted by Oil Well Craft Beer
🍞 Irish Soda Bread Contest at The Pub & Grill at Ave Maria
🐐 Kids’ activities & petting zoo
🎭 Stilt walkers and surprise entertainers throughout the day

📍 Location: Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria, FL
🕛 Time: 12 PM – 5 PM
🎟 Admission & Parking: Free
☔ Rain or Shine

Bring the family and enjoy a festive day of Irish culture, music, and fun.

🍀

🌮🍹 Ave Maria Margarita & Taco Festival – March 28! 🎉Get ready for a day of music, food, and family fun at the Ave Maria ...
02/25/2026

🌮🍹 Ave Maria Margarita & Taco Festival – March 28! 🎉

Get ready for a day of music, food, and family fun at the Ave Maria Town Center!

🗓 Saturday, March 28, 2026
⏰ Noon – 5:00 PM
📍 Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria Town Center, FL 34142

🎶 Live Music: DJ BlackOut & El Gato Sloea
🌮 Food & Drinks: Authentic Mexican dishes, desserts, and a variety of margaritas
🐒 Entertainment: Twins & Jungle Friends primate show, wrestling performances
🚗 Special Features: High-performance & vintage car show by Cool Cruisers
🎨 Extras: Local artisans, farmers market, and plenty of kids’ activities

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the fiesta rain or shine.

✅ Admission and parking are FREE!
📞 More info: Ave Maria Welcome Center – (877) 963-4063

02/25/2026

🩺 Health Alert: Measles Cases Rising in Collier County

Collier County is seeing an uptick in measles cases, primarily linked to the ongoing outbreak at Ave Maria University.

📊 Local Stats (Feb 7–14, 2026):

Cases in Collier County: 45 → 66

Statewide in Florida: 67 → 92

CDC reports 982 cases nationally so far this year across 26 states.

💡 Important Notes:

Mater Dei Clinic in Ave Maria has not treated any new cases in the last two weeks.

No community transmission beyond the university has been reported.

Only 4% of cases nationwide had received two MMR doses.

📍 Ave Maria University: Students are recovering after 21-day quarantines, and health officials continue monitoring the outbreak closely.

⚠️ Precautions:

Monitor for symptoms: fever, rash, cough, runny nose, red eyes

Seek medical care immediately if symptoms appear

Stay informed through local health updates and the Florida Department of Health.

02/25/2026

🔥 Alert: Brush Fire at Big Cypress National Preserve

A 25,000-acre brush fire is currently burning in Collier County’s Big Cypress National Preserve.

⚠️ Traffic Advisory: Motorists on I‑75 near mile marker 78 should exercise caution and expect possible delays.

Authorities are actively responding to the fire. Residents and travelers in nearby areas are advised to stay clear of the affected zones and follow official guidance.

For updates, monitor local news outlets and Collier County emergency channels.

⚽🔥 FC Naples Fan Fest is coming to Ave Maria! 🔥⚽FC Naples brings the energy to North Park on Saturday, February 21 from ...
02/06/2026

⚽🔥 FC Naples Fan Fest is coming to Ave Maria! 🔥⚽

FC Naples brings the energy to North Park on Saturday, February 21 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and the community is invited!

Kick off the morning by watching live team practice, including drills, conditioning, and skill demonstrations. After practice, stick around for player meet-and-greets and autographs.

🎉 Fan Fest highlights include:
• Food trucks
• Local & sports vendors
• Soccer-themed inflatable games
• DJ entertainment & giveaways
• Family-friendly fun for all ages

Celebrate the growing connection between professional soccer and our community—right here in Ave Maria.

📍 North Park
4010 Anthem Parkway, Ave Maria, FL

🏗️ Development Update Near Ave Maria: Brightshore VillageA major mixed-use development known as Brightshore Village is m...
02/05/2026

🏗️ Development Update Near Ave Maria: Brightshore Village

A major mixed-use development known as Brightshore Village is moving forward in eastern Collier County. The project received approvals in December 2022 and is planned for a 700-acre site northwest of Immokalee Road and Everglades Boulevard.

According to Gulfshore Business, Brightshore Village will be a primarily residential community featuring approximately 2,000 housing units, with 170 designated as affordable housing. While detailed plans for the residences have not yet been released, most units are expected to be market-rate.

In addition to housing, the development will include 106,000 to 120,000 square feet of retail space, creating a walkable, village-style environment similar in concept to Ave Maria and Hyde Park Village.

Brightshore Village is part of Collier County’s Stewardship Receiving Area, a planning initiative that allows development while preserving environmentally sensitive land. Under this program, three acres of land are preserved for wildlife conservation for every acre developed, helping protect natural Florida habitats.

Construction timelines have not been formally confirmed, but sources indicate the multi-million-dollar project could take approximately two years to build. If construction begins soon, residential units could potentially begin leasing between 2025 and 2026.

The development reflects broader growth trends across Florida. Since 2020, the state’s population has increased by more than 700,000 people, driving demand for new housing and mixed-use communities in previously undeveloped areas.

🎷 Gulf Coast Big Band Jazz Concert – NaplesLooking for a relaxing afternoon of live music? Head to Cambier Park Bandshel...
01/26/2026

🎷 Gulf Coast Big Band Jazz Concert – Naples

Looking for a relaxing afternoon of live music? Head to Cambier Park Bandshell in Naples for the Gulf Coast Big Band Jazz Concert!

Enjoy classic big band favorites performed by this talented ensemble, supporting local youth jazz scholarships. Bring your chair or blanket, gather friends and family, and soak up the music under the Florida sky.

Upcoming Dates:
🗓 March 29, 2026 | 2:00–3:45 PM
🗓 April 19, 2026 | 2:00–3:45 PM

Location: Cambier Park Bandshell, 755 8th Ave South, Naples, FL
Admission: Free (donations appreciated)

Don’t miss this chance to enjoy a fun, family-friendly jazz afternoon.

Savor the Flavor at the 16th Annual Charity Steak CompetitionMark your calendars for Saturday, January 24, and head to t...
01/16/2026

Savor the Flavor at the 16th Annual Charity Steak Competition

Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 24, and head to the Ave Maria Town Center for the Knights of Columbus’ 16th Annual Charity Steak Competition! This family-friendly event promises an afternoon of entertainment, delicious food, and community spirit.

From 2:00 – 6:30 p.m., enjoy:

Live music and performances throughout the day

A festive beer garden for adults

A vibrant farmers market with local goods

Inflatables and activities for kids

The main event? Grill masters competing to serve 2,000 mouthwatering steak dinners between 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., with competition winners announced at 6:30 p.m.

Admission and parking are free. Steak dinners are available for $35 in advance at www.sssco.org
or $40 on the day of the event.

Come out to eat, celebrate, and support a great cause in the heart of Ave Maria!

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, January 24

Time: 2:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Location: Ave Maria Town Center, Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria, FL 34142

Taste of Ave Returns to Ave Maria Town CenterTaste of Ave, one of Ave Maria’s most popular community events, returns on ...
01/15/2026

Taste of Ave Returns to Ave Maria Town Center

Taste of Ave, one of Ave Maria’s most popular community events, returns on Saturday, January 31, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Ave Maria Town Center.

Guests can sample a wide variety of food offerings from local grills and restaurants, explore boutique shops, and browse a vibrant 70+ vendor farmers market. The event will feature live music from hometown favorites TreeHause and the Back Country Boys, along with free-entry raffles hosted by community businesses.

Families can enjoy kid-friendly activities, including the Biz Kidz Expo, inflatables, and interactive booths featuring local artisans and small businesses.

Admission and parking are free, and the event will take place rain or shine. Coolers are not permitted.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, January 31

Time: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Ave Maria Town Center, Annunciation Circle, Ave Maria, FL 34142

For additional information, contact the Ave Maria Welcome Center at (239) 352-3903.

Address

Ave Maria, FL
34142

Website

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