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The Florida Health Department of Jackson County is hosting a Community Health Fair tomorrow. From 3-7pm, come out to Madison Street Park in Marianna. The goal is to raise and celebrate diabetes awareness. There will be food, fun, health education, live music, vendors, community resources, and a live DJ. The highlight of the event is the FREE health screenings and HIV testing. Come out for an evening of fun and health safety.
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Walmart’s across the United States and Puerto Rico are implementing semi-permanent sensory hours. The hours will take place every day from 8-10 a.m. Depending on how things go, these hours could become permanent.
Sensory hours are designed for those who are easily overwhelmed by external stimulation. During as typical Walmart visit, highly-sensitive individuals have to handle an influx of stimuli including stranger’s conversations, accidental touch, bright overhead lights, store music, and more. This can cause irritability, stress, agitation, insomnia, loss of focus, overwhelming feelings and thoughts, and anxiety. Some individuals even experience physical symptoms such as tight, itchy skin or buzzing nerves.
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Kounty Candy Store is hosting its first Fall Festival! There will be candy, bounce houses, food, live music, games, and vendors galore. The event is being hosted for the benefit of the local no-kill animal shelter, Partners for Pets. The event will take place at Kountry Candy Store on November 18th from 8am-3pm. Learn more by visiting the event’s Facebook page.
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The 2023 Right Whale Festival will take place on November 4-5 at Main Beach Park in Fernandina. The festival is part of a regional effort to educate and protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Every year in late fall, these endangered whales return to the warmer waters off the coast of northeast Florida to give birth and nurse their young. There are fewer than 350 right whales left.
The festival features family-friendly education, marine exhibits, animal ‘ambassadors,’ a beach clean-up, live music, kids activities, food, and more. Learn more about the event by visiting the festival website.
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Lubee Bat Conservancy is hosting the 2023 Florida Bat Festival. Come out on October 21st to enjoy the 19th annual event; it will run from 10am to 5pm. There will be a plethora of bats including the largest bat species – a Malayan Flying Fox which has up to six-foot wingspan. There will also be baby bats, bat-themed merch, educational seminars, live music, food trucks, vendors, a kids zone, and a beer garden. The beer garden is exclusive for participants ages 21 and up; the Beer Garden includes a souvenir glass and unlimited pours from local craft brewers like Swamp Head Brewery, Azalea City Brewing Company, and First Magnitude Brewing Company. Visit the Lubee Bat Conservancy website to learn more.
on The Marianna Moose Lodge #1026 will be hosting an Open House on October 21st.
October 21st has been designated as “International Open House Day” for all Moose Lodge homes throughout the Fraternity as it corresponds closely with Founder’s Day (October 27th). The Moose Fraternity exists to serve children, seniors, and their communities through various programs and activities. The Marianna Lodge was recently honored and given special recognition by the Florida Moose Association for attaining “Premier Lodge” status while operating in a temporary tent structure. The open house on Saturday will be held at their new (and still under construction) location west of Marianna on US-90 from 4 PM until 7 PM on the 21st. The community is invited to stop by and see the progress of the new building, meet some Moose members, and find out more about what the Moose does.
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Marianna families: come one, come all to Chipola College! On October 31st from 4:30-6:30 pm, the college will be hosting a community Trunk or Treat around Indian Circle. Individuals of all ages are encouraged to show up in costume for a fun afternoon.
on Love Stephen King? Always wanted to be an extra in a movie? Just looking for a fun, cheap experience? Then this might be for you!
Director Mike Flanagan is returning to south Alabama to film a new Stephen King movie, The Life of Chuck. “The Life of Chuck” tells the story of Charles Krantz life. The cast currently includes Tom Hiddleston and Mark Hamill.
According to reporting from Gulf Coast Media, the local booking agency says 1,000 extras are needed for the film in a range of ages from 11 years old and up. Two large crowd scenes are planned to be filmed in Baldwin County.
To apply, email the following info to Nailim Sanchez at LifeofChuckbg@gmail.com:
The film is scheduled to begin filming on October 16, 2023.
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Amazing Grace Family Farm Fall Festival is running periodically through October into November. Visit Green Cove Springs October 13-14, 20-21, 27-28, or Nov. 3-4 to enjoy the family-friendly festival. The festival activities include a crop maze, pumpkin patch, hula hoop games, a jump pad, corn crib, fall photo ops, and a chance to meet the farm’s animals. Visit the Amazing Grace Family Farm website to learn more about each activity or buy tickets.
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The Northeast Florida Fair is comming to Callahan this week! From October 12-22, visit to enjoy Nassau County’s annual fair. The home site is in a largely rural area which means the fair has a full livestock show event calendar. Check out the Rabbit Showmanship, a Dairy Goat Show, Barnyard Olympics, Cattle Showmanship, a Market Animal Sale, and more. There is even an opprotunity for the youth to show off; local kids can enter their prize goats, lambs, and cattle in either the Pee Wee or Youth categories. Best of all? There will also be the typical fair favorites: midway rides, fried foods, and live music! Visit the Northeast Florida Fair website to learn more, register for contests, and buy tickets in advance.