Bee Friends Farm Host Honeybee Festival

The 4th Annual Bee Friends Farm host Honeybee Festival is coming up quick! Head out to the Jacksonville Fairgrounds on August 18th to enjoy a day of all things honeybee. The festival is thrown in honor of National Honey Bee Day. Honey bees are crucial to a lot of agriculture here in the USA; the country relies on hardworking honeybee hives being transported back and forth across country to continue working year-round.

The annual festival includes hourly beekeeping talks by local beekeeper association experts; the talks will cover the honey-making process, backyard beekeeping, and more. There will be a Buzzy Bee Marketplace featuring over 60 vendors and a hands-on education annex for the kids. The education annex will feature kid-friendly bee biology lessons and planting sessions. There will also be food trucks, honey tastings, and more. Learn more by visiting Bee Friends Farm website

Tallahassee Beer Festival

Tallahassee’s 6th annual Beer Festival is this Saturday, August 10th! Featuring craft brews created by over 100 home brewers while breweries pour over 300 different fermentations to sample. Not a traditional beer fan? No worries! Other drinks such as ciders, meads, sparkling sodas, and wine will be available. Plus, all guests will receive a souvenir tasting glass! The festival will also feature live music and festival games like axe throwing and corn hole. Learn more by visiting the Tallahassee Beer Festival website

‘All About Sea Turtles’ Talk

The director of the Florida Coastal Conservancy will lead a special presentation that covers topics like why sea turtles cry salt and why turtle nests are protected on Florida beaches. Guests will also get to see turtle shells and skulls; depending on the specimens brought and the number of guests, they may even be allowed to touch. While the event is free to attend, they do ask guests to register in advance. To learn more or register for the All About Sea Turtles talk, click here. It will be held on August 1st from 10am-12pm at the William J. Rish Recreation Area.

Possum Festival

The Wausau Possum Festival is coming up quick! Come enjoy this all-things-possum small-town festival August 2-3rd. There’s no end to the activities: Hog Callin’, Rooster Crowin’, Donkey Ball, Pancake Breakfast, arts & crafts vendors, a quilt auction, a Possum Parade, and more!

Wausau celebrates their historical dependence on possums during this annual event. Individuals are encouraged to come dressed as a possum. During the Possum Parade, the Possum King and Queen will be crowned. Best of all, there will be possum ice cream! Don’t worry, it’s not possum-flavored; possums love persimmons, so the ice cream is persimmon flavored as a nod to their enjoyment of the native fruit. Learn more by visiting the event webpage HERE

Announcement for All Event Coordinators

Are you an event coordinator in Jackson County? Then you are invited to the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s meeting on Monday July 15th. The meeting will take place at the Russ House (4318 Lafayette Street, Marianna) at 2pm. All churches, non-profits, venues, parades, festivals, individuals, and associations are encouraged to attend. The focus of the meeting will be creating a community calendar for the County that will keep citizens up-to-date and avoid same-day event competition. There will be cookies! A Zoom link will also be posted on the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page; keep an eye out to participate online.

Marianna Independence Party

The Fourth of July is coming up quick! The City of Marianna and Main Street Marianna want to invite you to celebrate with them on July 3rd. The celebration starts at 5pm at the MERE Sports Complex. There will be food trucks, vendors, live music, and fireworks.

Follow the Facebook event page for more details. 

Alice in Wonderland in Altha

Looking for a fun weekend event in or around Altha? Look no further than Womble Farms!

Womble Farms, a local homestead, is hosting a two-day Alice in Wombleland event. The event will run from 4pm-10pm daily on June 21st and 22nd. Follow the White Rabbit down Womble Road for a whimsical evening surrounded by nature. Activities include vendors, plants for sale, a drum and dance circle, fundraiser photo ops, lights, nature trails, music, and more!

Visit the event’s Facebook page to learn more and stay up-to-date with event announcements. Follow and like Womble Farms on Facebook to see future event announcements! 

Panhandle Watermelon Festival

Chipley’s annual Panhandle Watermelon Festival is coming soon! June 21st and 22nd, come out to Chipley’s 68th annual festival celebrating all things watermelon. The festival also celebrates country music and headlines favorites such as Grace and Grit, Exile, Clay Walker, and Jeff Bates.

But that’s not all! There will also be a parade, pancake breakfast, 5K Hot Trot, a classic car show, watermelon by the slice, arts & crafts vendors, AND a watermelon auction. Visit this free music festival’s website for more information. 

Vendors Wanted for Marianna Festival

The Artists’ Guild of Northwest Florida, Inc is looking for food and craft vendors for their Artists’ Festival. The festival will take place at Madison Park on July 13 from 2pm to 8pm. The deadline for application submissions is June 28th; email tagnwfl@gmail.com to request a vendor packet. 
Any community members who are creative and wish to exhibit their talents are welcome to bring their art to show the community. Additionally, they are looking for musicians and musical groups to play at the event. Follow the Artists’ Guild Facebook page for more updates. 

Candlelight Tour of Amelia Island’s Historic Fort

Fort Clinch, located on Amelia Island, became one of Florida’s first state parks in 1935 due to historic conservation efforts. Now, Fort Clinch State Park is a 1,400 acre park featuring diverse nature, a historic fort, and a variety of outdoor activities. Tomorrow, visitors can register to participate in a candlelight tour of the fort. The fort has quite the ambiance with its narrow underground passageways, spiral staircases, and furnished bunkhouse. It also offers a gorgeous view of the Atlantic coast and Cumberland Island. Learn more about reserving your spot HERE

Additionally, the First Weekend Federal Garrison is occurring this weekend. During the Garrison, living historians dress and act as the Union soldiers who occupied the fort during its construction in 1864.