Category: Upcoming Events

Strawberry Festival 2024

Debbie Roney Smith on

Lake City’s fourth annual Strawberry Festival takes place February 24-25th at the renowned Suwannee County Fairgrounds. The fest features just-picked strawberries in shortcakes, shakes, and more. The two-day event is family-friendly; there will be entertainment and activities for all ages. The fun never ends with live music, axe throwing, Frisbee dog shows, Monster Truck rides, kids’ games, pie contests, arts and crafts vendors, and so much more. Learn more by visiting the Festival website.

Barkus Parade & Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Mardi Gras Barkus Parade and Festival is coming soon to Riverfront Park! Since 2010, Apalachicola’s Mystic Krewe of Salty Barkers has hosted this annual fundraiser parade to support the local Humane Society AND the Florida Wild Mammal Association. Did you know approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year? Events like the Barkus Parade help raise desperately needed funds to home those animals in need; animal shelters not only offer housing for anywhere from a few days to a few years but also feed, entertain, and provide health care for the animals in their care. 

So come out to this family fun event and support the wonderful pets of Apalachicola! This year’s theme is Wild West; Git Along Little Doggies. Come dressed in a matching cowboy hat and boots with your precious pup. The parade culminates in two adoptable dogs from the local shelter being crowned the parade’s king and queen. There is also a Fais Do-Do public party after the parade; it includes live music, Cajun food, local seafood, and arts and crafts vendors. The event will take place on February 24th from 11am-4pm. Learn more by visiting the event website.

Field Day Music Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Field Day Music Festival is coming soon! This annual event is a chill music festival held at the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. Come to Tallahassee on February 25th for a relaxing afternoon of great music, food trucks, field games, and more. Live music will be presented by The Lil Smokies, Sugarcane Jane, and Revival. There will also be a Beer Tent featuring pours from Lake Tribe Brewing. Additionally, there is an opportunity for you to enjoy the festival as a VIP; the VIP tent includes a full dinner, bar, and covered seating areas. Learn more by visiting the festival website here.

Pensacola Mardi Gras Celebrations

Debbie Roney Smith on

There are three big opportunities to celebrate Mardi Gras in Pensacola next weekend! 

On February 9th, the Krewe of Lafitte is hosting the Illuminated Parade. The largest all-male Krewe in the Panhandle, Lafitte features 300 “gentleman” pirates and 12 floats. The Illuminated Parade is the only after-dark parade in Pensacola. Learn more by visiting the Krewe’s website. 

On February 10th, come out to the city’s largest parade. The Pensacola Mardi Gras Grand Parade includes more than 6,000 participants. It features local Krewes, marching bands, organizations, and Scout groups. It attracts over 100,000 in-person spectators and is also broadcast live on local TV stations. Learn more by visiting the Pensacola Mardi Gras website. 

And on February 11th, there will be a beachside parade. The Krewe of Wrecks will host its annual Mardi Gras Parade from Via de Luna to the Gulfside Pavilion. The daytime event is family-friendly. Learn more by visiting the parade website.

Paw Di Gras 2024

Debbie Roney Smith on

Pensacola’s third annual Paw Di Gras event is coming soon. The event will take place on Garden Street between Tarragona and Palafox Streets on January 28th. The street will be packed with vendors, sponsors, music, food trucks, drinks, and adoptable dogs! Paw Di Gras is free and open to the public, but we ask everyone who plans to walk in the paw-rade to register their dog and make a small donation to the event benefactor, The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare. 

The event is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for local animal shelters and rescues. The theme for this year’s festivities is Bow Wow Luau so dress your dog accordingly. There will be dog-themed vendors, dog AND human games, costume contests, a parade, and more! Learn more by visiting the event website HERE.

Hoggetowne Medieval Faire

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Gainesville’s annual ren festival is next weekend! The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire is only taking place one weekend this year – January 27-28th. Come out to Depot Park to feast on turkey legs as big as your fist, watch jousting competitions, and get a break from the hullabaloo of the modern day. There will be medieval revelry and merriment including living chess board matches, carnival rides, a medieval marketplace, artisans, and craftsmen. Learn more by visiting the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire website. 

Butts & Clucks 2024

Debbie Roney Smith on

Apalachicola’s annual BBQ festival coming this weekend! Come out to Battery Park in Apalachicola January 19-20th to enjoy BUTTS & CLUCKS. The festival features a grill master competition with $15,000 in cash and prizes; there are four categories: chicken, ribs, pork butts, and brisket.

There is a unique bonus competition – The Cluck that Came from the Butt! It’s a deviled egg contest with a $5 entry fee so anyone and everyone can try their hand at the 2024 title. 

Don’t forget to come hungry! Everyone gets to sample as much pulled pork as they want in the People’s Choice Swine Tasting competition. Learn more by visiting the event website HERE. 

PCB Mardi Gras

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Panama City Beach Mardi Gras and Music Festival is happening this month! Taking place on January 26-27th, the Festival will take place in conjunction with the Krewe of Dominique Youx’s Great Mardi Gras at the Beach Parade. There will be float tours, parades, a Mardi Gras 5K, a kids’ parade, live music, food, beads, and fireworks!!! To see the complete schedule with times and locations, visit the event page HERE. Registration for the Fun Run 5K will close on January 24th; register here. 

Pensacola Poultry & Farm Animal Swap

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The Farm & Nursery Mart is hosting a Poultry & Farm Animal Swap for Pensacola and surrounding areas on January 6th from 8am-Noon. Located across from Five Flags Speedway, the event occurs on the first Saturday of each month. The Swap is a free event with vendor set up being first come, first serve. The Mart invites you to bring chickens, turkeys, bunnies, goats, quail, ducks, and small farm animals to sell, buy, swap, and trade with your fellows. There will also be plants, herbs, honey, and homemade jams to obtain. 

For more information, contact Rick Lipham at 850-287-2103. Farm & Nursery Mart is located at 7460 Pine Forest Road in Pensacola. 

Wakulla River Manatee Viewing

Debbie Roney Smith on
Join Harry Smith Outdoors and fellow paddlers on a leisurely trip down the beautiful, spring-fed Wakulla River in search of manatees! The trip will be a 3 mile, 2.5 hour float perfect for families, beginners, and seasoned kayakers alike. For the price of $60/person, you get a knowledgeable guide, transportation (if needed), shuttle service, sit-on-top kayaks, a paddle, and a life jacket.
The trip begins at the “upper” bridge along Shadeville Highway and continues 3 miles down to the “lower” bridge where the shuttle will be waiting to transport everyone back. Please note: we recommend avoiding cotton in the cooler months. Additionally, we recommend bringing:
  • Water/weather-appropriate clothing & footwear
  • Wide-brimmed hat or ball cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water or your drink of choice. There is plenty of room in the kayaks for a small cooler. Alcohol is not allowed.
  • Lunch and/or snacks depending on the length of trip
  • Waterproof camera
  • Small dry bag (Ziplocks work great!) for personal belongings (ie. keys, wallet, phone, etc.)
  • Any personal items you may want and/or need (ex. medication, inhaler, etc.)

We look forward to guiding you on a unique, enjoyable, safe, and memorable experience! Have questions? Contact the event host, Harry Smith Outdoors, by phone – (850) 559-3400 – or email at hsoutdoors@hotmail.com. 

Visit the Facebook event page to learn more or message Harry Smith Outdoors, LLC via Facebook direct message.