Invasive Plant Removal

Eager to find an event that allows you to volunteer, learn, and get outdoors all in one fell swoop? Check out the upcoming Invasive Plant Species Removal event in Tallahassee! Hosted by UF/IFAS Leon County Extension, this educational experience will occur on Saturday, January 16th from 9 a.m. CST to 11 a.m. CST (although you are welcome to leave early as needed). This cool morning event will teach you how to identify and efficiently remove invasive plant species such as camphor, coral ardisia, and more!

Coral Ardisia

Participants must wear masks during the entire event, although it will be held entirely outside and social distancing will be a natural part of spreading out to cover the work area. Please meet by 9 a.m. at Gil Waters Reserve at Lake Munson. This is a lake that drains into Ames Sink and then makes its way to Wakulla Springs. By participating in this invasive species removal, you are helping native plants and animals thrive as well as improving water quality! Children and families are welcome; please bring gloves, water, buckets, and removal tools if you have them. 

Lafayette Landing Grand Opening Celebration

Tomorrow is the opening of Lafayette Landing! Enjoy the unveiling of this new community space in downtown Marianna from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, December 10th. There will be a ribbon-cutting to start the event as well as live music, refreshments, and food trucks. Please wear masks for community safety! 

Marianna’s Merry Market

It’s officially December which means holidays are upon us! Consider visiting the 1st Annual Merry Market at Citizens Lodge Park in Marianna this weekend to start looking for gifts, get pictures, or just to entertain the kids for a few hours. The event is this coming Saturday, December 5, and will run for ONE DAY ONLY from 9 a.m. CST to 4 p.m. CST. 

There will be a variety of things to do at the Merry Market including but not limited to:

  • Over 40+ vendors selling bags, Mary Kay, wood crafts, home goods, homemade crafts, food, produce, and more. 
  • Performances from Sarah Williams, Sandra Harrell, Amy Allen, the Tobacco Road Band, and possibly more.
  • Santa Pictures; professional photographer and picture packages available.
  • Petting zoo with goats, ducks, bunnies, and reindeer alpacas. Hercules the bull may make an appearance.

Visit the Merry Market Facebook event page HERE to keep up with vendor announcements and more! 

Food Truck Fest 2020

Want some affordable food and fun this weekend? Look no further than Downtown Pensacola! This Saturday, November 14th, visit the Community Maritime Park for the 2020 Food Truck Fest. The first-time annual event is scheduled on a forecasted warm, cloudy day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The festival is a family-friendly event featuring food trucks, vendors, live entertainment, a food truck tasting competition, AND a bounce house for kids. Entry is $2 per person with kids 12yrs old and under are free. So pack up your family, bring some chairs and reusable forks this Saturday!

And what’s better than a fun, food-filled community event? One that has a social conscience! A portion of the proceeds from the event goes to Feeding the Gulf Coast. 

For more information about the event, including vendor and volunteer opportunities, visit their official website HERE!

Torreya in Bloom

Photo provided by local, @noahs.notions

Are you looking for something to do this weekend? Need to get out of the house or wear the kids down? Consider visiting the gorgeously-blooming Torreya State Park in Bristol! Only $3 per vehicle for park entry, there are multiple trails open now, the canoe/kayak launch spot is open, picnicking areas are open, AND the weather this weekend is supposed to be in the mid-80s with a pleasant blend of cloud coverage and wind.

Photo provided by local, @noahs.notions

Open from 8 AM to sunset, Torreya State Park is also home to the historic Gregory House. Tours are offered at 10 AM on weekdays and 10 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM on weekends and state holidays. Masks mandatory while indoors. To get more information on the park before visiting, click HERE to visit their website!

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson