Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Concerts in the Park

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Today is the kickoff night for Concerts in the Park. Come down to Madison Street Park at 6 pm for food, fun, and music. Bring a blanket or folding chairs to enjoy the Killin’ Time Band while enjoying Lydia’s Mexican Food Truck and The Ice Box. This is the first summer concert being held by Mainstreet Marianna; come out to The Mere on July 3rd and Blue Springs Recreational Park on August 4th. The First Baptist Church of Marianna will be providing children’s entertainment. 

Fernandina Beach Pride

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After a two-year hiatus due to Coronavirus, Fernandina Beach will be hosting its second annual Pride Parade and Festival. The event will be held on June 11th from 10 am – 6 pm. Fernandina Beach Pride will kick off with the parade before hosting a plethora of other fun activities. There will be live music, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and more! Come down to Central Park, Fernandina for a fantastic day celebrating the local and surrounding LGBTQ+ community!

Learn more by visiting the official event website HERE.

Fiesta Pensacola

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Pensacola’s heritage celebration of the city’s establishment is coming up. The Spanish Conquistador Don Tristan de Luna arrived in what is now Pensacola in 1559. The Fiesta event begins with the Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon Fiesta Days Celebration; local dignitaries surrender the city and its citizens to DeLune and his Queen (June 1). The Fiesta includes other events such as the Grand Fiesta Parade (June 3), Fiesta Boat Parade (June 4), and Fiesta All Krewe Ball (June 9). Both parades feature floats or boats, an appearance by the 2022 Fiesta King and Queen and their “royal” court, and the local Krewes. Pensacola Fiesta occurs from June 1-9th. Visit the official event website HERE for more information. 

Sunshine State Games

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The Sunshine State Games features 30 different sporting competitions and has been operating for 40 years! Amateur athletes of all ages and skill levels compete in this multi-sport festival. Most competitions are held in various venues throughout the state from May 20th through June 25th. Competitions are to be held as follows in North Florida: Swimming (June 3-5, Gainesville), Artistic Swimming (June 3-5, Lakeland), Pickleball (June 10-12, Green Cove Springs), Canoe/Kayak Marathon (June 12, Middleburg), Taekwondo (June 17-19, Winter Haven), and Fencing (June 25-26, Alachua).

Visit the official event webpage HERE for more detailed information and to keep up-to-date with the Games. 

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Announcement

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The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office would like to make the public aware of its new TEXT to 911 program. This is a free service that can be used in emergency situations where voice calls cannot be safely made. For instance, the text to 911 service is designed to be more available for victims of abduction, domestic violence, or active shooter situations. Additionally, the program is also ideal for those who have issues hearing, have speech disabilities, and those whose first language is not English. 

Scott’s Ferry: General Market

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Scott’s Ferry General Market will be held on Saturday, June 18th from 9 am – 3 pm. Bring what you have to sell! The sites are 10ftx10ft; non-electric sites are $25 and electric sites are $30. Fleas, farmers, peddlers, and vendors are welcome! Call the store at 850-237-1156 to reserve your spot.

Visit the Facebook event page HERE for more information.

Green Anole Lizards

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Green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) are the only native anole species in Florida. They are growing rarer as they are forced to compete with similar species that were introduced to the state. These include non-native brown anoles, bark anoles, crested anoles, green iguanas, spiny-tailed iguanas, basilisks, and more. Brown anoles are particularly prolific and hardy, giving them a better chance at surviving and therefore allowing them to take excess resources.

Anolis porcatus is another fierce competitor; this non-native green lizard is a lookalike to the green anoles. Some experts argue that DNA analysis is the only way to factually tell the two species apart. This makes identifying them in the wild nigh impossible. 

Summer Reading Program

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The Marianna library’s Summer Reading Program starts Monday, June 6th, and will run until July 22th. There will Take and Make packets available for children and adults for the duration of the program. Take and Make packets will be divided into 4 age groups: Ages 0-5, Ages 6-12, Teens, and Adults. The packets are filled with fun information on the program and crafts. This year’s program is ocean-themed with stories, games, experiments, crafts, and more. They hope to “SEA” you there!

Check out their website at

Boat Lake, Chipley

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Summer is coming to Florida! Visit the blue-green waters and the white sand beach of Boat Lake, Chipley. Boat Lake is one of Washington County’s most gorgeous and natural sandhill lakes. Go swimming, enjoy the shady oaks, take a picnic, play beach volleyball, and enjoy the concession stand. Be sure to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen! 

Big River Honey

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Big River Honey is a harvesting and processing company that specializes in Tupelo honey. Tupelo honey is “extracted from [the] beehives which have been floated to the dense tupelo groves on barges and by spinning honeycomb in stainless steel centrifuge extractors.” Big River Honey The raw honey produced is left unheated and unfiltered and contains some bee pollen and beeswax. This means the honey not only contains all its original nutrients but also carries a “distinctively rich taste”Big River Honey that is highly favored. Big River Honey sells Tupelo honey and skincare; visit their official website HERE to place an order online or learn more about the company and its products.

Exciting news for Jackson County – Big River Honey is coming to Endeavor Property! Unfortunately, the building the company intends to rent needs some work done on the roof before they can officially move in and open. Officials are hopeful that the opening of Big River Honey will help the growth of the property.