Category: Family Friendly

Blountstown Magnolia Street Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

Coming this Saturday, the annual Magnolia Street Festival! From 5 – 7 p.m., visit Main Street Blountstown and walk amongst the 50+ vendors including food trucks, plant sellers, baked goods, arts & crafts, and more! Additionally, there will be a 6 p.m. drawing; tickets are $5 and there are multiple baskets availble to win. Proceeds from the raffle will go towards projects to improve downtown Blountstown. Best of all, there will be free musical performances and kid-friendly activities such as an animal encounter. Hope to see you there in support of the close-knit Blountstown community!

 

Guided Nature Hike at Camp Helen

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today in Panama City Beach, a ranger will be offering a Guided Nature Hike at Camp Helen. Camp Helen boasts nine distinct natural communities throughout the park with varied flora and fauna. Learn about our rare coastal dune lake, Lake Powell, as well as the park wildlife. The hike is suitable for all ages; be sure everyone in your party is dressed for the weather; water and bug spray are recommended. The hike will start at 10 a.m. and will last an hour. Contact scarlett.a.dunn@FloridaDEP.go for more information and/or with questions. 

Can’t make it out today but want to catch the next hike? Be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, June 03, 2021 from 10-11 a.m.!

Cinco de Mayo

Debbie Roney Smith on

While not a federal holiday, today is a culturally significant national holiday – Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated annually on May 5th in honor of the anniversary of an early victory by Mexican forces over French forces in the Battle of Puebla, 1862. These days, it is an opportunity to celebrate the culture, achievements, and experiences of people with a Mexican background. Celebrations include food, drinks, and music. You can learn more about the history and current state of Cinco de Mayo here: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo

National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Did you know that every single year, over 6.5 million companion animals end up in animal shelters in the U.S.? Sadly, over 1.5 million are euthanized and only 3.2 million are adopted. National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day was created in order to bring awareness to these tragic numbers. It is the result of the annual Adopt A Dog Month that the American Humane Society founded in 1981. Observed annually on April 30th, this national observance helps bring attention to the needless suffering of animals in shelters and encourages people to make to adopt not shop.

Below are the links to some local Panhandle animal shelters and their online listings of adoptable pets!

Friends of the Library Mini Book Sales

Debbie Roney Smith on

Yesterday was the first day of the Friends of the Library’s ongoing Mini Book Sales! The book sales are held at multiple libraries: the Main Library (445 North Oates Street), Westgate Library (535 Recreation Road), and the Ashford Library (305 6th Ave). Sale hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds from the sale help support the Friends and the Dothan Houston County Library System.

There will be many great finds being sold at a steal: new and gently used fiction and nonfiction books on a variety of subjects (hardback books are $2.00; paperback books are $1.00 each), children’s books (50 cents each), vintage books, vinyl records, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, book sets and surprise bags! 

For more information, contact friends@dhcls.org or 334-796-1594.

North Florida Wildflower Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

This Saturday, April 24th, the 7th Annual North Florida Wildflower Festival will be hosted in Magnolia Square, Blountstown. It will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include plants, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, FREE kids’ activities, music, AND train rides on the Blountstown Rotary Train. 

For more information, visit the official festival website here or the Facebook event page here. 

Spring Festival feat. Easter Egg Hunt

Debbie Roney Smith on

Tomorrow, April 3rd is Grand Ridge’s Annual Spring Festival and Easter Egg Hunt! Come out to the John Thomas Porter Park behind the Grand Ridge School from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.. The Easter Egg Hunt will start at 10:30 a.m. and includes three age divisions. Admission is free for the Egg Hunt!

Additionally, there will be arts, crafts, food vendors, children’s games, shopping vendors, and more activities for all ages! The day is forecasted to be a lovely, cool spring day with a high of 70′ and a nice breeze. 

Walk in the Park

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is National Take a Walk in the Park Day! This is a day to slow down, clear your mind, re-energize, and improve mental and physical health by visiting a local park be it community, urban, national, or state. Did you know that Greenland’s National Park is the largest in the world? It covers an area of 604,000 miles!

Considering visiting a local park such as Marianna’s Citizen Lodge Park, pictured below. 

Kayak Local Econfina Creek

Debbie Roney Smith on

The weather is beginning to get warmer here in the Florida Panhandle as the spring equinox draws closer. Looking for something to get you out in the wonderful world of nature or something to occupy the kids on the weekend? Consider visiting the local Econfina Creek and its beautiful canoe trail in Youngstown, FL for a leisurely trip down the calm trail. The local Econfina Creek Canoe Livery LLC is currently offering shuttle services by reservation only seven days a week. They offer one or two-person kayaks as well as a pick-up from the end of the trail to take you back to your vehicle. They suggest bringing lunch and/or snorkeling gear to make the most of the trip, turning the 3hr paddle trail into a lovely, relaxing day-trip along the cool waters. 

Visit their official website HERE for more information or to make a reservation today. 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is St. Patrick’s Day, an annual event that began as a religious holiday honoring St. Patrick. Also called the Feast of St. Patrick, it is observed on the day of St. Patrick’s death. As the patron saint of Ireland, this day of observance has evolved into a fantastic celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, and drinking. Interested in learning more about the history of the holiday, the culture, or how you can participate? Visit A&E’s History page on St. Patrick’s Day HERE.