Category: Food/Restaurants

Flora-Bama Lounge

Debbie Roney Smith on

Florida is home to the last great roadhouse – the Flora-Bama Lounge! The Flora-Bama was constructed in 1964, two years after Alabama State Route 182 was completed. Route 182 connected Orange Beach, AL to Perdido Key, FL; the Lounge sits at the state line right on the beach. It is the quintessential dive bar where known celebrity millionaires and bikers hang out side by side. Despite having to complete repairs after a few hurricanes almost destroyed the bar, it has remained a renowned location.

 The Bama even has its own special drink: the “Bushwacker“. The drink is a frozen concoction that has a coffee-esque taste. Flora-Bama is so renowned that it has been mentioned by many musicians, some of which are listed below:

  • Kenny Chesney: “Flora-Bama”
  • Kenny Chesney: “Coastal”
  • Jimmy Buffett: “Bama Breeze” and “Rag Top Day”
  • Chris Young: “Lighters in the Air”
  • JJ Grey & Mofro: “Florabama”
  • Blake Shelton: “Good Ole Boys”
  • Neil Dover: “Flora-Bama Time”
  • Riley Green: “Bury Me In Dixie”

Clean Out Your Fridge

Debbie Roney Smith on

When was the last time you cleaned out your fridge? Today is National Clean Out Your Fridge Day; it was created to remind everyone of the importance of keeping your refrigerator clean and tidy. Here are 1 reason to tackle the fridge today:

  1. Cleaning it out will help get rid of any bad smells.
  2. You can assess what goes to waste and save on your next grocery trip.
  3. Fridges can last 15years or more if treated well; occasionally wiping down the insides to remove built-up dust and spills is important for longevity. 
  4. The wonderful feeling of taking in a freshly cleaned and organized fridge when you go to get a job-well-done snack!

Great Gulfcoast Art Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is the last day to score one-of-a-kind holiday gifts at the annual Great Gulfcoast Art Festival. Over 200 artisans will be displaying their creations: pottery, jewelry design, painting, woodworking, glass, sculptures, and more will be available. Other festival highlights include live music, food, performances by local dancers and folk groups, craft demos of traditional trade skills like blacksmithing and spinning in the Heritage Arts Area, and the Student Art Show. Visit Seville Square Park in Pensacola today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to enjoy the last day of this amazing Art Festival. 

Seafood Festival in Apalachicola

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today and tomorrow, visit Battery Park in Apalachicola for the Florida Seafood Festival! The festival includes more than delicious seafood; there will be live music, food competitions, blue crab races, a blessing of the fleet, and the 5K Redfish Run. Music will be provided by country artists Dante Bowe and Drew Parker. Admission is free. Pets are not welcome unless they are service animals. Visit the Florida Seafood Festival website to see a detailed schedule of events, join any of the competitive events, and more!

Veterans Fair

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The GFWC Marianna Woman’s Club is partnering with the Chipola Civic Club to host the 7th annual Veterans Day Program. This Friday, November 5th, all veterans are invited to come down to Madison Street Park for the fair. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., veterans will have the opportunity to receive information from a selection of vendors. Additionally, a sausage dog lunch will be available for free while live music is performed by the Charlie Basford Band. Door prizes will be passed out at the end of the program. 

*Masks and social distancing are encouraged

Happy Birthday Black Dog Cafe!

Debbie Roney Smith on

Congratulations on 24 years of female-owned excellence, Black Dog Cafe! The Cafe is giving back to celebrate their birthday today, November 1st, by offering a free coffee when customers bring in a donation for Second Harvest Food Bank. Black Dog is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers a wide selection of coffee, drinks, pastries, and frozen treats; everything is sustainably and locally sourced. Some come out to Lake Ella today to enjoy the lovely weather, great drinks, and do some good for the community!

Second Harvest Food Bank accepts donations of non-perishable food items, and would like to draw attention to their most needed items:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Grains
  • Protein Foods
  • Dairy/Dairy Alternatives
  • Canned Meals (ex: soups, chowders, and chili)
  • Nutritional drinks (ex: Ensure, Boost)
  • Baby Food
  • Non-food Items (ex: diapers, toiletries)

Visit their official website here to view a detailed list or learn more about the organization. 

Pumpkins in Marianna

Debbie Roney Smith on

Come down to Madison Street Park this Saturday, October 23rd, to enjoy the farmer’s market and a pumpkin patch. Marianna Farmer’s Market, open most Saturdays, is partnering with Main Street Marianna to bring “Pumpkins in the Park.” Children get a free pumpkin, and there will be a decoration station for those interested. Additionally, there will be food trucks, a pumpkin carving contest, door prizes, face painting, and more! There is no entry fee, and the event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hope to see you there for some family-friendly fall fun! 

Live Comedy Show

Debbie Roney Smith on

Coming live to 926 Bar & Grill on October 22nd, Tallahassee native comedian Tekk Johnson!

Tekk Johnson

Hosted by Heather Goode, this spectacular comedy line-up will also feature Cait Delucchi, Ol Head Johnson, Nicole Ortiz, Jamar Gay, Abelardo Riojas, Sleepy P. Floyd, and John Strickland.

The show is limited capacity, so be sure to get there before doors open at 6:30 p.m.! The show will begin promptly at 7 p.m. and end by 9 p.m. Tickets are $8 for those over 21 and $10 for those under 21.

ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

Coming this weekend to Miramar Beach is the ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival! For its 33rd year, ArtsQuest juried art show is scheduled to occur Saturday, October 9, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, October 10, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in conjunction with National Arts and Humanities Month.

The show will feature over 150 artists in the following disciplines: Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media, Oils & Acrylics, Original Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture, Wood and Works on Paper (Watercolor, Printmaking, Pastels, Pencils, Ink).

ArtsQuest will be awarding $10,000 in cash prizes, and is a rain or shine outdoor event. The festival is open to the public, although a $5 admission donation is requested to help keep the event going. There will be food vendors on site. Additionally, they are looking for volunteers. For more information on anticipated artists, volunteer opportunities, and more, visit the ArtsQuest website. 

International Coffee Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Did you know that coffee has been around since the 15th century? In this modern day-and-age, coffee is celebrated nationally in the U.S.A. on September 29th and internationally on October 1st. The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is responsible for the international recognition of Coffee Day as of 2015. The U.S. has been celebrating nationally since 2005. Thanks to these annual events, awareness and appreciation of the art of sustainable coffee has grown.