Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Marianna Market: Christmas in July

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This Saturday from 7:00 am-noon is the special Christmas in July at Marianna City Farmers’ Market. There will be a number of local crafters set up with goodies to purchase – get ahead on your holiday shopping on July 23rd. Vendors include: Crafts by Moni, Memere’s Crafts, Walk by Faith Artisan Soap, LLC, LonnieAnd Vicki’s Pens N Crafts, 5 Needle Ninja, Gloria Frazier, @stinkin’ cute hand-crafted decor, Panhandle Arts and Crafters, and Friends of the Market. Additionally, Santa Claus will be on-site for photos. Marianna City Farmers’ Market is held at 2898 Madison Street Corner of Madison Street and Clinton Street, Marianna. 

First Woman to Hike All 11 National Scenic Trails

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Arlette Lann has become the first woman to hike all 11 National Scenic Trails on July 11th! Lann moved from Holland to Massachusetts, and has hiked around 19,000 miles to complete all the National Trails. She finished her record-setting hike at the Ice Age trail in Potawatomi State Park in Wisconsin. The other 10 Scenic Trails are as follows:

    • Appalachian Trail: a 2,180-plus mile-long public footpath in the Appalachian Mountains.
    • Arizona Trail: stretches more than 800 miles across the entire length of the state, from the U.S.-Mexico border to Utah.
    • Continental Divide: stretches across the United States approximately 3,100 miles between the borders of Mexico and Canada.
    • Florida: a federally-designated recreation trail of about approximately 1,500 miles.
    • Natchez Trace: five sections of hiking trail that runs roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
    • New England: covers 215 miles from Long Island Sound, across long ridges, to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
    • North Country Pacific Crest: spans eight states, including Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wyoming.
    • Pacific Crest: covers a distance of 2,650 miles through California, Oregon, and Washington, all the way to the Canadian border.
    • Pacific Northwest: travels more than 1,200 miles through Montana, Idaho, and Washington, before reaching the Pacific Ocean near Cape Alava.
    • Potomac Heritage: travels through D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

 

Jackson County Chick-Fil-A

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Chick-Fil-A is on its way to Jackson County. It will be located on Highway 71 South on the right just past the interstate. The Jackson County Economic Development Committee is hopeful that contractors will break ground on the standalone location at the former Malloy Glad Farms by early Fall. The doors are tentatively planned to open by late 2022 to early 2023 depending on factors such as supply procurement and weather delays. This project has been in development since February 2020. 

Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center

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The Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center (NBSTCC) is “Giving sea turtles more tomorrows through conservation, education, and research.” A nonprofit organization founded in 2013, the NBSTCC is a working conservation and education center. They currently welcome walk-in guests at a reduced capacity Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm. Please note that, due to the reduced capacity, there may be a waitlist; check their Facebook page here for current information.

NBSTCC is a predominately volunteer-run organization that operates in a 2,010-square-foot conservation and education center. Learn more about volunteering with the organization HERE. Alongside walk-in visits and scheduled private tours, NBSTCC also offers paid experiences: Painting Tortoise Tracks, Honorary Animal Care Team Member, Shark School, and Shark Tooth Treasure Hunt. Visit the NBSTCC website here for more information on experiences, the organization, and turtle conservation. 

Wetlands Nature Hike in Jacksonville

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Clay County Parks and Recreation is hosting a wetland tour Saturday, July 16th. The tour will be guided by one of the Camp Chowenwaw Park naturalists. They will give information on Clay County’s wetlands ecosystem. The wetland tour will take place at Camp Chowenwaw Park at 1517 Ball Road, Green Cove Springs. Everyone will meet at 9:30 am by the picnic area to the left of Big Cabin. Bug spray, water, and closed-toe shoes are highly recommended. Registration is REQUIRED and free! Space is limited to 20 people. Click here to register. 

 

Veg Out Food Festival

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The Veg Out Food Festival is happening this weekend, Saturday, July 16th from 12 – 8 pm. The event is free to the public and f local artisans and restaurants. Veg Out Food Festival includes music, vegan and vegetarian eats, local crafters, local growers, and more. Held by The Fuzzy Pineapple at 1205 S. Adams Street, it is a family and pet-friendly event. Please note that there will be limited parking at the event location; however, roadside parking will be within a few blocks by walking, biking, or bus. Come out for a pleasant afternoon of fun, art, and food! 

For more information please visit us online here or register for the event here. Enjoy and share the fun using #TFPSHOP on your favorite social media sites!

COVID-19: The event is safe and secure for guests and businesses. Social distancing will be practiced. Masks are mandatory to attend. Sanitation stations will be available on site. The Fuzzy Pineapple says “Please, let’s be considerate of everyone’s health and safety.”

Derl’s Lock & Safe

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Visit Derl’s Lock & Safe on July 12th for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony! The event starts at 10 am, and is a celebration of Dylan Keith taking over as owner of Lock & Safe. He is continuing his grandfather’s business legacy. Derl’s Lock & Safe is located at 1095 S Ferdon Blvd in Crestview. 

 

Peach Cobbler Factory

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Today is the grand opening of the Peach Cobbler Factory! Located at 4495 Roosevelt Blvd in Jacksonville, the Factory will open their doors at 12 pm. They offer a variety of southern desserts such as peach cobbler, banana pudding, cinnamon rolls, peachy sweet tea, and cold rush coffee. Come on out and #StayPeachyJacksonville!

 

Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament

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The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament is coming soon! From July 14-23, the 42nd annual tournament will be held at Jim King Park & Boat Ramp. The event benefits the community as proceeds are donated to the Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc. The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament is one of the largest kingfish tournament in the Southeast. The event includes the General Tournament, a Junior Angler Offshore Tournament, and a Redfish category. The event is presented by Summit Contracting Group and is sponsored by a plethora of great local businesses. The Tournament will host a Food Festival, live entertainment, a liar’s tent, exhibitions, and more!

Visit the official tournament website HERE to sign up, view the 2022 program, and more! 

Red, White, and Blues Week

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Today is the first day of Red, White, and Blues Week! The week is anticipated to be a patriotic trifecta in Pensacola beach: fireworks, fun, and flying. The Blue Angels will be closing out the Fourth of July holiday weekend with three days of daredevil aerial acrobatics. 

The annual Pensacola Beach Air Show (July 9th) features other high-flying acts and is the culmination of the week’s events. From today to Sunday, catch a series of practices and dress rehearsals. View the schedule by visiting Pensacola Beach’s event webpage here.