World Ukulele Festival takes over Bonita Springs

While many weekend events are canceled because of the cold, one festival is refusing to put its music on mute.

This Sunday, the streets of downtown Bonita Springs are filling with the cheerful sound of ukuleles as the World Ukulele Festival and Concert takes over town.

Musicians from near and far are traveling to Bonita Springs to play their tiny but mighty instruments. Headliners include well-known ukulele performers Lil Rev and Ray Crygrymus.

Throughout the day, artists are popping up inside local restaurants and businesses, turning the entire area into one big island-style jam session.

Because of the cold weather, the main concert schedule is moving up. At 2:30 p.m. at Riverside Park, amateur performers take the stage, including the Naples Happy Ukulele Group Strummers, better known as HUGS. At 3:00 p.m. The headliners will take over and play till around 4:30 p.m.

Bobbie Schuster, the teacher and leader of HUGS, says the ukulele does more than make music. It builds community.

“A lot of people come to our class and make friends,” Schuster said. “It’s a way to stimulate your mind and also a social place. Our class and community have grown so much over the year.”

Before heading to the park, music lovers can warm up with a ukulele-themed brunch at the Shangri-La Spring Hotel. The reservation-only brunch includes menu favorites like quiche, key lime pie and the hotel’s famous key lime pancakes.

Different ukulele groups are sharing songs they have been practicing all year, giving the audience a mix of styles and sounds.

Lil Rev, one of the featured performers, is also taking the stage at Riverside Park. He says the ukulele has a special power.

“The ukulele is a happy instrument,” Rev said. “You can’t play sad songs on it. I’ve tried. The world needs music and the ukulele because it brings us together.”

Bonita Springs Mayor Mike Gibson attended last year’s festival and says the event brings energy to downtown.

“The restaurants and businesses will have ukulele players throughout the day,” Gibson said. “It’s great to see so many people in downtown Bonita Springs. It’s going to be a great day.”

Festivalgoers may also hear steel drums played by Orlando Phillips. While Phillips has performed with many instruments and bands before, this is his first time teaming up with ukuleles.

“The steel drums and ukuleles are very happy instruments, so they work well together,” Phillips said.

The World Ukulele Festival and Concert is free to attend.