on 
Today is International Tea Day! The resolution was adopted on December 21, 2019. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to leads the observance of the Day. It’s designed to highlight tea’s cultural and economic significance, its health benefits, and the essential role of sustainable production. Tea production must put into practice sustainable and environmentally revitalizing processes so future generations can enjoy tea too.
on 
Dogs & Drinks is a relatively new membership-based dog park and bar. Located in downtown Panama City, it’s a community opportunity for dogs and their human companions. In order to visit, you must purchase a day, month, or annual membership. The membership includes all the dog amenities and access to the human bar – pet friends for the dog, refreshing beer, wine, or cocktails for the human! Dogs & Drinks frequently hosts food trucks and scheduled events such as Paint Your Pet, Puppy Day, and Foam parties. Call (850) 215-4522 to learn more or email dogsndrinks@gmail.com. You can also visit their website HERE.
on 
The Artsquest Fine Arts Festival is coming soon! Held at the Grand Boulevard Town Center in Miramar Beach, the festival features one-of-a-kind treasures from more than 100 artists and crafters in fields like jewelry, metal, mixed media, oils and acrylics, digital art, glass, photography, sculpture, wood, watercolor, and printmaking. The festival features a juried contest with $10,000 in cash prizes which means it attracts a lineup of national artists. There will also be live music, student exhibits, and food vendors. The Artsquest Fest runs from May 4-5th. Learn more by visiting the event website here.
on Today is the Day of the Mushroom! It’s a day to celebrate all things fungi. Mushrooms prefer dark or shady areas; that’s why they are often found on forest floors. The best time to hunt for mushrooms is a few days after a good rain. To celebrate these fun guys, here’s a list of local edible mushrooms to keep an eye out for while out in the woods today!
PLEASE REMEMBER: when foraging any food, do not eat it if you’re not 100% sure what it is – better safe than sorry. Additionally, here is a quick guideline for identifying mushrooms:
on 
The North Florida Wildflower Festival is held annually on the last Saturday of April in Blountstown, Florida. This year, that means it falls on April 27th. Blountstown is located in the heart of the Panhandle, just an hour from Tallahassee, Panama City, and Dothan, Alabama. Held in the picturesque Magnolia Square and surrounding streets, the event will run from 9am-2pm.
The festival features over 100 vendors specializing in flowers, plants, garden and outdoor items, handcrafted goods, jewelry, home décor, artwork, apparel, food, and more!
VENDOR REGISTRATION is now open! Apply HERE. The event is coordinated by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce.
on 
Located in Altha, Womble Farms is a local up-and-coming flower, animal, and event farm. They are hosting their first event next Saturday, April 20th. When the flowers bloom on Womble Farms, fairies arrive! Come see them before they’re gone and experience a family-fun event! Admission is only $1! Do bring cash or card for applicable vendors.
There will be a drum/dance circle (bring your own drum!), a DIY potted fairy garden, food, plants for sale, enchanted selfie stations, vendors, and a costume contest. The costume contest will be held at 7pm. There will be multiple categories organized by age: under 5, 6-12, 12-17, and 18+. Each age category will have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize. Dress up as a gnome, elf, fairy, or mix of all three! The costume contest is for all ages and all genders.
Womble Farms is currently accepting new vendors for this event and others. Email cre8byn8@gmail.com for more information! Or visit their Facebook page here.
on 
Did you know that 90% of the oysters sold in Florida are harvested along the gulf waters of the Panhandle and Big Bend regions? The Panacea Beer and Oyster Festival is a chance to enjoy the seafare! There will be plenty of fresh saltwater eats like stone crabs, grouper, shrimp, flounder, scallops, and oysters. Guests will dine on freshly harvested oysters from local farmers while enjoying live music and the coastal views of Dickerson Bay. The festival is free EXCEPT for those taking part in the beer-tasting experience (featuring local craft beer vendors). Come out March 30th to Woolley Park to enjoy; visit the event website to learn more or buy a beer ticket.
on 
Gulf Breeze is hosting The Arts Festival this month. This year’s festival will be the 28th annual juried festival. The festival hosts more than 100 local, regional, and national artists. There will also be food vendors, a local artists’ show, a silent auction, children’s activities, and live art demos. Gulf Breeze is conveniently located between Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. The festival will take place March 22nd to 23rd at the Gulf Breeze Community Center. Learn more by visiting the event website.
on 
The Suwanee County Fair starts this Friday. From March 15th to 23rd, Live Oak will be hosting its over 100-year-old county fair. There will be endless fun, food, and livestock at the event. The highlight is the annual Fair and Youth Livestock Show and Sale. There will also be carnival rides, live music, deep-fried food, and more. Midway through the fair’s run is the annual Hog and Steer Sale. The fair includes two nights for the Beef Heifer Show, plus Hog, Steer, Goat, Dairy Cattle, and Sheep Shows.
To view the schedule, visit the Suwannee County Fair website.
on 
We are sad to report that the locally owned coffee shop, Milk and Honey, will close in April. They’ve been serving Marianna for 12 years. They announced that they would be permanently closing on Sunday, April 14th. This is a sad lose for Marianna and Jackson County as a whole; Milk & Honey has served the community as a place to host meetings, birthday parties, gather after kids’ sports events, and more. They will be missed.
While they are still open, please come out and support them. The more income they make during the next few weeks, the more they will be able to give their employees upon closing. Visit Milk & Honey on Facebook for more information.