Category: Food/Restaurants

Falling (Pine) Needles Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is a national day created to remind families to recycle their Christmas trees rather than burning them or tossing them on the curb. One way is to search Earth911’s recycling solution to see where you can recycle a tree near you. You can also be sure to make use of each part of the tree. Strip the pine needles to use the wood after allowing it to thoroughly dry out; you can use the wood for fires, carving, and more crafts. Even the pine needles themselves can be utilized! Collect the needles, place them in a large bowl filled with cold water, and gently rub the needles to wash off dust and other debris. You can then use the needles to make sprite-flavored natural soda or tea! Visit Ms Shi & Mr He’s pine needle recipe page here for details, warnings, and recipes! 

New Year’s Eve at Wakulla Springs

Debbie Roney Smith on

Ring in the New Year with pizzaz at The Lodge at Wakulla Springs this Saturday! From 5:30 PM – 12 AM, The Lodge will be hosting an exclusive New Year’s Eve celebration. There will be live music by Hot Tamale and Garnet & Soul. Additionally, a delectable menu will be offered including firecracker shrimp, filet au poivre, chocolate lava cake, and more!

The price is $70 per person (plus tax & gratuities) to enjoy the entirety of the event including the full menu. However, there is also a $25 option that includes the music, ambiance, and small bites. Call 855-632-4559 to RSVP today! Visit the Facebook event page here for more information. 

Countdown Downtown

Debbie Roney Smith on

Looking for some family fun to ring in the new year? Come to Cascades Park Amphitheater for Countdown Downtown! Starting at 6pm on December 31st, the festival has TWO separate fireworks shows. The 7pm showing is perfect for families with young children. The 9:45pm show is perfect for all ages. There will also be live music, food trucks, activities, a photo booth, and more. Beverages are allowed but please note the event is BYOB. The event is FREE to everyone but bring cash/card for the food trucks and activities. Visit the event website HERE for more information. 

30A Farmers’ Market

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The last 30A Farmers’ Market will be next Thursday, December 29th. Come by Rosemary Beach for an end-of-the-year holiday market. It will run from 9 am to 1 pm. Please note that the market will be CLOSED on December 25th and January 1st. Follow the Facebook market page here for more information on 30A in 2023. 

Peppermint Bark Recipe

Debbie Roney Smith on

Looking for a kid-friendly Christmas treat to make this holiday? Try Peppermint Bark! It contains only three ingredients and is fun to prepare for little hands.

Ingredients include:

  • 16 oz. white OR dark chocolate, chopped
  • 4 drops of food-grade peppermint oil
  • 3/4 c. crushed candy canes or peppermint candies

Instructions:

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan with a few inches of simmering water over low heat (do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water). Gently melt the chocolate: stir occasionally, only a few lumps should remain by the end, about 3 minutes.
  3. Remove from the heat and stir until completely smooth. Slowly stir in the peppermint oil. 
  4. Pour the chocolate mix onto the lined baking sheet. Smooth it into an even layer with a spatula. 
  5. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. You can buy pre-crushed peppermint OR allow your kids to crush handfuls to their hearts’ content. 
  6. Let the baking sheet set at room temperature or in the refrigerator (1-2 hours). 
  7. Once the bark is completely hardened, break it into pieces and serve or pack. 

A Hanukkah Celebration!

Debbie Roney Smith on

Join James Weldon Johnson Park, Gili’s Kitchen, Catering and Bakery, and the Jacksonville Jewish Center for their annual celebration of Hanukkah and its related traditions. Totally Lit! A Hanukkah Celebration will be hosted in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. There will be live music, storytelling, crafts, dreidel games, traditional baked treats like sufganiyot, and the lighting of the Memorah. Beer and kosher wine will be available for adults. Totally Lit! will be held on December 20th at James Weldon Johnson Park from 4:30-7:30pm. The Menorah lighting ceremony will be at approximately 6:30pm. 

The event is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Visit the Facebook event page HERE for more information. 

Christmas City

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Today is the last day of Christmas City by Sunland Center. From 6-8 PM tonight, visit Sunland Ranch in Marianna to enjoy a night of Christmas lights, live entertainment, food vendors, and wagon tours. Sunland is asking for a $5 donation per car to help fund the Christmas City event. For more information, contact them by phone at (850) 482-9373. 

Cottondale Christmas Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

The annual Cottondale Christmas Festival is here! Today from 10am to 2pm, come down to the quaint town of Cottondale for a fun family event. The parade will begin at 10am for viewers. The lineup will take place on Thomas Rd. beginning at 9 am., pulling out onto Willow Street., then turning left on HWY 90 parading in front of Cottondale High School. The Festival will run from 11am – 2pm at the Community Center. There will be inflatables, games, Santa, crafts, music, and food! 

Call (850) 352-4361 or visit the City of Cottondale website here with questions or to learn more. 

Winter Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

The 36th Winter Festival is happening this Saturday at the Tallahassee State Capitol. There will be live music on FOUR stages, a Candy Cane Lane in McCarty Plaza, a kids arts & crafts zone in Kleman Plaza, a lighting ceremony in the Chain of Parks, and a Capital Health Jingle Bell Run. The highlight of the event will be the Nighttime Holiday Parade; there will be over 65 entries! Grab a seat along Monroe Street early. Learn more about the event by visiting the official website HERE. 

The Elfin’ Craft Show

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Coming soon to the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, The Elfin’ Craft Show!

When: December 10th from 10AM to 4PM

There will be food trucks, over 75+ local vendors, live music feat. DJ Felix, arts & crafts, and more! Come get your holiday shopping started and enjoy a lovely Florida winter day. Entry and parking are FREE for this event. Learn more by visiting the Facebook event page here.