Category: Events

This is Halloween 2025

Debbie Roney Smith on

Happy Halloween!

Did you know that Halloween came from the Gaelic festival Samhain? It was celebrated on November 1st as a way to mark the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Over some 2,000 years, it shifted and became a commercial holiday after immigrants brought it over to the ‘new world’ from the 1600s to the 1800s. After the influx of Irish immigrants during the USA’s colonization, candy bigwigs like Lifesavers, Beech-Nut, and Curtiss are the second biggest influence on Halloween as we know it. 

This is because candy companies realized trick-or-treating could be very lucrative for them in the 1950s. Between attractive themed packaging and a focus on single-item packaging for safety, candy was a growing market after most folks went without sugar during WWII. According to candy expert historian Beth Kimmerle, the marketing message from candy companies in the 1950s was, “If you buy the right candy, you won’t get tricked.” Candy ads from the ’50s and ’60s indirectly guarantee safety from pranks, razors, or mystery drugs if only you buy the right brand. 

Interestingly, the candy industry single handedly carries Halloween as a commercial holiday – over $3 billion is spent each year on Halloween candy just in the U.S.A. 

If you’re looking for your own Halloween score, consider Truck or Treat in Blountstown, Cutest Costume Contest in Marianna, Trunk or Treat in Bristol, or Final Friday in Chattahoochee. 

There’s no shortage of fun events happening across the Panhandle tonight, but what about tomorrow? Look no further than the Fountain based Decker Training Facility. They’ll be hosting Boo at the Track tomorrow, November 1st from 12pm-4pm. The event will have 20+ local business vendors, raffles, kids activities, food, and all day open ride on the track. Learn more by visiting their Facebook page. 

Conservation Park in PCB

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Conservation Park is one of Panama City Beach’s favorite destinations for locals and visitors. It was established in the early 2000s with two fundamental goals in mind: protect and balance natural resources while providing outdoor recreational opportunities. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Corp of Engineers, and the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife worked together to bring over 2,900 acres under protection. They use the city’s reclaimed water to rehydrate the wetlands that were decimated by commercial logging. Along with bringing new life to crucial ecosystems, it also provides over 24-plus miles of trails and over a mile of boardwalks for public recreation.

Open from dusk to dawn every day of the week, it welcomes bikers, hikers, photographers, kids, birders, adults, walkers, artists, and well-behaved dogs on leashes. The trails range anywhere from 0.6 miles to 11 miles, with 12 different trails to choose from. There’s always something new to see with some much space to explore; see beautiful wildflowers, hear a variety of bird calls, or simply enjoy a stroll through shady cypress swamps. 

Looking for a reason to go see Conservation Park for yourself? Join the City of Panama City Beach at the park for their 2025 Fall Walk! It will take place on October 14th from 3:30-4:30pm at Conservation Park (100 Conservation Drive). 

PCB Oktoberfest 2025

Debbie Roney Smith on

Panama City Beach’s annual Oktoberfest is geared towards the 21+ crowd primarily due to it’s focus on beer and other alcohol, but it does offer some activites for the whole family. While adults will find themselves enjoying the food, drink and live music, kids will run themselves ragged enjoying bounce houses, face painting, and more. There will even be a photo booth available to commemorate your Okotoberfest! Come out to Aaron Bessant Park October 3rd-5th. Or visit the event page HERE to learn more. 

Panacea Blue Crab Fest

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Panacea Blue Crab Festival is happening soon. For 50 years locals have paused on the last Saturday in September to feast on the blue crab bounty harvested from their waterfront community; the last Saturday is this Saturday, September 27th!!! This year is the 47th annual event. There will be a parade along U.S. Hwy 98, live music and entertainment, arts and craft vendors, and a Blue Crab Pickin’ Contest. Panacea is a nature lover’s paradise; sitting between the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and the Apalachicola National Forest. Learn more by visiting the event website HERE. 

Hair Haven: Your New One-Stop Shop For Hair Care

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Join us in celebrating the opening of Hair Haven Salon! They had a soft-launch in April and are thrilled to open their doors for full services Monday through Saturday (closed on Sunday).

They’re a cute, cozy salon that offers more than just hair cuts, colors, and extensions. They also offer nail services like full set acrylics and gels. Or, get some skincare and waxing done while your friend gets their hair colored; they offer facias, brow tinting, spray tanning, waxing, and more. Tomorrow’s opening features a few specials, refreshments, and a chance to win some goodies with a name-in-the-jar.  

Learn more by visiting the Hair Haven Facebook page. 

35th Annual Juana Good Time Regatta

Debbie Roney Smith on

Juana’s Pagodas & Sailors Grill is thrilled to host the 35th Annual Juana Good Time Regatta! Come out next weekend, September 5th-7th, to enjoy a weekend of both experienced and novice racers, drinks, and live music. With a focus on everyone having a “Good Time,” it is open to all sizes of multihull sailboats, from beach cats and trimarans to cruisers. 

Want to participate? You can still register online HERE. 

Another Year, More Beer!

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Tallahassee Beer Festival is back for its 7th annual craft brew extravaganza! The event is getting bigger every year. This year, it’ll take place August 8th and 9th at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

The event will feature over 360 fermentations of more than the ‘traditional’ beer — ciders, sparkling sodas, meads, wine, and seltzers! The fermentations are the best of some 100 national, regional, and local brewers. Along with plenty of drinks and food, there will be a beer run, live entertainment, ax throwing, and vendors. Please note this is a 21+ event. Learn more about the event HERE. 

Panama City & Beach: 4th of July Celebrations

Debbie Roney Smith on

It’s once again that time of year, the Fourth of July will soon be here!

Panama City and Panama City Beach are the places to be this July Fourth weekend (July 3-5). The weekend begins with two kick-off events that promise food, fun, and fireworks: Light Up The Bay at Papa Joe’s Bayside and Freedom Rocks at the Grand Lagoon.

The fun continues with the city’s premier event, the Star Spangled Spectacular, where fireworks are shot into the sky from both the Russell-Fields City Pier and the M.B. Miller County Pier for the visual enjoyment of all. Local radio stations will be offering simultaneously music choreographed to match the Freedom Rocks and the Star Spangled Spectacular.

Then, the holiday weekend festivities will culminate with Boardwalk Beach Resort’s fireworks extravaganza, Light up the Gulf, on July 5. Learn more by visiting the Event Website Here.

Tallahassee’s Model Railroad Show & Sale is Back

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The 34th Annual Tallahassee Model Railroad Show & Sale is happening this month! Come out to the North Florida Fairgrounds June 28-29th to enjoy a day packed with all things model railroads. Model train enthusiasts and hobbyist conductors will be in train heaven with over 150 tables of miniature trains, accessories, apparel, and collectibles to peruse. New and used items will be available from vendors like LGB, Aristocraft, Lionel, American Flyer, Atlas, Kato, and more should. This year’s show will feature T-Trak layouts in “N”, “HO”, and “O-27” scales. The event host, the Big Bend Model Railroad Association, will display their own layouts featuring animation and new technology. Guests will be able to talk with equipment, construction, landscaping, and technology experts. Learn more by visiting the event webpage here. 

Blueberries for Father’s Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Blue Sky Berry Farm is offering a Father’s Day weekend special!

Bring a dad out Father’s Day weekend to enjoy 20% off blueberries and flowers.

Visit them June 14th and 15th from 8am-12pm in Monticello.

Want to keep up-to-date with announcements and potential weather cancellations?

Follow the Facebook event page.