Category: Events

Panama City Christmas Parade RESCHEDULED

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Due to forecasted inclement weather, the Panama City Christmas Parade in Historic Downtown Panama City was RESCHEDULED to Saturday, December 16 at 6 p.m. The Parade will take place on Harrison Avenue; it will commence at the Panama City Marina and continue north on Harrison Ave to 13th Street. There will be lighted vehicles, local marching bands, sparkling dance groups, colorful floats, and festive costumes. At the end of the parade, Santa Claus will come to visit. For more information, please contact Parade Coordinator Angela Bates at abates@panamacity.gov. 

Altha Christmas Parade

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The Altha Parade will take place on December 16th. It will start at 6pm on Main Street. Highway 71 will be closed to ensure the safety of all those taking part in the parade or viewing it. After the Christmas Parade, there will be FREE hot dogs, cookies, and hot chocolate available at the Town Hall. 

The Artists’ Guild

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The Artists’ Guild of Northwest Florida will meet at the Historic 1st National Bank Multi-Use Facility today from 11 am-3 pm. The Artist Guild is a nonprofit visual and performing arts group focused on education, support, events, and community economic growth throughout Northwest Florida. They will be discussing the 2024 Gallery installations, events, and community workshops. All community members are welcome.

Learn more about the Guild and future meetings (held the second Saturday of every month) by visiting their website HERE. 

Sneads Christmas Parade 2023

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The Sneads Christmas Parade is this Saturday, December 9th. Starting at 4pm, everyone is welcome to come watch the community parade. There will be free hotdogs, chips, and drinks available. Stay until the countdown to the lighting of the town’s holiday decorations. PARENTS: be sure to have your kids’ letters to Santa ready or visit the kids’ table to let them make letters at the parade. Santa’s mailbox will be set up at City Hall. You can also bring them to Santa himself during the parade. should have their kids get their letters to Santa ready! Visit Santa’s mailbox at City Hall to drop off the letters early or bring them to Santa himself after the parade. 

Lighthouse Illumination Tour

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From now until January 13th, take part in a special Lighthouse Illumination tour. On select dates, visit the St. Augustine lighthouse rotunda AND enjoy a special holiday light display along the grounds. Visitors can explore the Keeper’s house and grounds illuminated by holiday lights and decor before their trip up the 219 steps of the lighthouse. The trip to the top of the lighthouse will reveal a bird’s eye view of the city’s Night of Lights display. Additionally, there will be 20 decorated Christmas trees for visitors to view.

Visit their website to book your tour now! Reservations are required as dates fill up quickly; click HERE to visit the booking page now. 

Christmas on the Square

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Come out to Magnolia Square in Blountstown this Saturday for a day of family fun, food, and holiday shopping. Christmas on the Square will start at 8am on December 2nd. Start your Christmas shopping by visiting your local vendors; then grab lunch at one of the event food trucks. Learn more by visiting the event’s Facebook page. 

Thanksgiving and More

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Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate! Today is a celebration of family, friends, and tradition.

Over the last decade, many individuals have turned away from the traditional celebration of ‘Thanksgiving’ to celebrate in other ways. People have begun to recognize that the story of a kind, collaborative Thanksgiving between the pilgrims on the Mayflower and the indigenous tribes was nothing more than a myth taught to elementary school children. In fact, the first ‘Thanksgiving’ was likely a celebratory dinner in 1637 following what’s now known as the Pequot Massacre. After killing over 700 men, women, and children of the Pequot Tribe, Governor John Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony declared the next day would be “a day of thanksgiving and celebration for subduing the Pequots.”

Understandably, many people choose to move away from celebrating a tradition rooted in murder, terror, and racism. Still, the celebration of friends, family, and thanks is not something to completely abandon. Many now celebrate the themes of the season via alternative holidays occurring during the same time.

  1. The National Day of Mourning is an annual protest held on Thanksgiving Day. Protesters acknowledge the historical and current suffering of Native American people.
  2. National Day of Listening falls on the day after Thanksgiving. It encourages individuals to broaden their perspective by listening to someone who is a member of a marginalized group.
  3. Friendsgiving. This is a celebration of friendship and found family; gather those closest to you for a potluck, a traditional holiday meal, or a day of snacks and games. 
  4. Thankskilling. A niche celebration that is growing in popularity on the internet. Many combine it with Friendsgiving. This particular celebration brings awareness to the true story of the ‘first thanksgiving’ while also indulging in fun activities such as watching bad movies. There is a growing selection of bad Thanksgiving movies such as Killer Turkey, ThanksKilling, The McPherson Tape, and more. 

Jackson County Calls for Citizen Engagement

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Jackson County is proactively addressing the challenges of flooding and its impact on our critical infrastructure with the initiation of a Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment. The County is calling for citizens to partake in the process. There will be three separate in-person meetings held to hear from the community from individual residents to businesses. The goal is to share collective insights to develop strategies for mitigating current and future flood risks. 
These meetings will include experts ready to discuss flood-related challenges, respond to inquiries, and gather valuable community input to shape a resilient Jackson County. Click on the image to enlarge and view meeting details and more.