Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Tallahassee Museum Halloween FUN-raiser

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The Tallahassee Museum is once again hosting an adults-only Halloween party as a fundraiser for the museum. The FUN-raiser features live music from the Tobacco Road Band, gourmet eats by local chefs, and an open bar! The theme of this year’s Zoobilee FUN-raiser is Witches and Warlocks. Costumes are encouraged! Come out to the Tallahassee Museum on October 25th from 7-10pm. You can purchase your ticket in advance HERE for only $50 OR buy at the door for $55; proceeds support the Museum’s education, preservation, and conservation services to the community. You must be 21+yrs old to attend. 

Pirates of the High Seas and Renaissance Fest

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Panama City Beach is throwing a mega party to celebrate the history of Florida Panhandle swashbuckling sea adventurers. Just in time for the holiday weekend, the Pirates of the High Seas and Renaissance Festival is three days of family fun! People of all ages will enjoy being wowed by the fire circus and live mermaid shows, the fireworks extravaganza, and the Medieval-themed Knights at the Beach Tournament. The Renaissance Fest activities may not have anything to do with pirates historically but it sure makes for a great time, good food, and fun entertainment. Ren Fest activities include chess tournaments, Dungeons and Dragons, knight training, and more! 

So come out to Pier Park in Panama City Beach this weekend, October 11th-13th, to enjoy! Click here to learn more. 

Pumpkins in the Park

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The Marianna City Farmers Market invites you to celebrate the month with Pumpkins in the Park! This fall festival will feature vendors, games for kids, a photo booth, fall basket giveaway, and an amazing pumpkin patch. Pumpkins in the Park will take place 9am-2pm at 2844 Madison Street. This event is FREE for the community but be sure to bring money to get a head start on holiday shopping with the vendors!

Hurricane Helene Relief

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Hurricane Helene hit landfall as a Category 4 Thursday evening. Shortly after making landfall, it weakened to a tropical storm but the damage was still widespread. Today, relief efforts and first responders are already making headway in the affected areas. If you’re in need of help, try contacting the following services:

  • 911; for medical emergencies or in case of dangerous situations such as downed but active power lines.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY: 1-800-462-7585); this is a toll-free line that helps individuals and businesses needing to apply for assistance.
  • Reach out to your local law enforcement department. 

If you’re interested in assisting others during this time, here are some resources to help you get started:

  • The Florida Disaster Fund; Florida’s official private fundraiser for disaster relief. It provides financial assistance to communities as they respond to and recover from emergencies or disasters like Hurricane Helene. Visit The Florida Disaster Fund website for more information or to contribute.

  • The United Way; assists in disaster-related evacuations, shelters, food/clothing distributions, volunteer opportunities and other resources. Monetary contributions can be made to the United Way of Florida Disaster Fund.

  • The American Red Cross; has deployed hundreds of trained disaster workers and will continue assisting through cleanup and recovery. Learn more or donate by visiting redcross.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS. You can also become a Red Cross volunteer or sign up to give blood.

Bays Estuary Program Fundraiser

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The St. Andrew and St. Joseph Bay Estuary Program is celebrating National Estuaries Week on September 28th! They will be hosting a 5k through the scenic wetlands of Conservation Park in Panama City. There will be a Kids’ 1K Fun Run will begin at 8:30am CDT with the 5k following at 9:00am CDT.

The event directly benefits the St. Andrew & St. Joseph Bay Estuary Program with all proceeds going towards their efforts to protect and restore the beautiful and vital estuarine ecosystems of the local Bays. The Kids Run will be $20 and the 5K is $25. *There will be a price increase after 9/21*

Interested in registering as a runner or sponsoring? CLICK HERE!

Paint and Sip at Chautauqua Vineyards

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Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery will be hosting a Paint and Sip class every Saturday in September! The upcoming class will take place on September 14th at 11am. There will be two artwork options to choose from designed by Rachel Kurtz: a pumpkin door hanger or flamingo door hanger. The tickets cost $55 each and includes your art supplies AND a glass of wine.

Learn more by visiting the winery’s event page here. 

MOCA Special Exhibit

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The Museum of Contemporary Art in Jacksonville is hosting a special exhibit to celebrate their centennial anniversary. Until January 12th, visitors can enjoy A Century of Contemporary exhibit. It traces the museum’s history, starting with its founding by a group of female visionaries, to its period as an art guild, to its new name, new location, and the place it occupies today in Jacksonville’s art scene. Visit the MOCA website to learn more. 

Paint and Sip at Chautauqua

Debbie Roney Smith on

Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery will be hosting a Paint and Sip class every Saturday in September!

Each class will begin at 11am and costs only $55/person. The cost includes all required art supplies, a glass of wine, access to food trucks on the lawn, and the instruction of a different artist each weekend.

Check out the Chautauqua website to register or follow their Facebook event page for more information. 

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday

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We’re in the thick of the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday! It started this past Saturday, August 24th and will run through next Friday, September 6th. 

Click on the image to enlarge.

You’ll be able to purchase qualifying disaster preparedness supplies tax-free! Visit the 2024 Florida Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday: FAQ by the Fla. Dept. of Revenue for more information.

Grant Given to Marianna Woman’s Club

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The GFWC Marianna Woman’s Club is the recipient of a Facade Improvement Grant from Main Street Marianna and the Community Redevelopment Agency. Follow the GFWC Marianna Woman’s Club and Main Street Marianna on Facebook to see how the community redevelopment plays out. 

For more information about the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Growth and Development Assistance Program Grant, contact Nikisha Milsapp by emailing mainstreet@mariannafl.city.