Category: Parks (Community/State/National)

New Year, New Hikes

Debbie Roney Smith on

Florida State Parks are hosting a series of hikes on the first of January 2024. They want to help individuals, friends, and families start the new year off with a breath of fresh air. The walks are free with state park admission and are guided by rangers. Guests are encouraged to wear sensible shoes and bring binoculars, water, camera, bug spray, and sunscreen.

  • Anastasia State Park (Jan. 1, St. Augustine): Guided 2-mile hike on two of Anastasia’s iconic trails: the Marsh Trail and the Ancient Dunes Trail. 
  • Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park (Jan. 1, High Springs): A guided mile-long hike that educates on the importance of natural springs.
  • St. Andrews State Park (Jan. 1, Panama City Beach): Guided mile-long hike along the park’s Heron Pond Trail that includes a discussion on the park’s natural plants and wildlife. 
  • Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park (Jan. 1, Pensacola): Guided, leisurely mile-long hike along the ADA-accessible Tarkiln Bayou Trail that includes a discussion of the park’s native plants. 
  • T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (Jan. 1, Port Saint Joe): Guided 1.6-mile loop hike with views of St. Joseph Bay through the park’s various terrain.
  • William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area (Jan. 1, Port Saint Joe): Rather than a walk, the Rish Recreation Area would like to invite you to enjoy the first sunset of 2024 on the beach. Bring a chair, blanket, or towel. There will be games of cornhole, bocce ball, and more available for entertainment. 

Christmas on the Square

Debbie Roney Smith on

Come out to Magnolia Square in Blountstown this Saturday for a day of family fun, food, and holiday shopping. Christmas on the Square will start at 8am on December 2nd. Start your Christmas shopping by visiting your local vendors; then grab lunch at one of the event food trucks. Learn more by visiting the event’s Facebook page. 

Diabetes Awareness in Marianna

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Florida Health Department of Jackson County is hosting a Community Health Fair tomorrow. From 3-7pm, come out to Madison Street Park in Marianna. The goal is to raise and celebrate diabetes awareness. There will be food, fun, health education, live music, vendors, community resources, and a live DJ. The highlight of the event is the FREE health screenings and HIV testing. Come out for an evening of fun and health safety. 

Apalachicola National Forest Trash Cleanup

Debbie Roney Smith on

Southeastern Dog Hunters Association and Seasons of Hope Outdoors are seeking volunteers for the 7th Annual Apalachicola National Forest Trash Cleanup! The event counts towards volunteer hours for various organizations including school hours. Cold drinks and trash bags will be provided.

The cleanup will run from 6am-11pm CST on September 30th. Volunteers will meet at Highway 12 and Forest Road 105. Volunteers are welcome to bring their ATVs and UTVs. Contact Michael Harris (850-630-8187), Joseph Hall (850-272-6507), or Sky Scott (850-272-1983) with any questions. 

National Beach Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Enjoy a Florida summer beach day to celebrate National Beach Day today! National Beach Day was created in 2014 to raise public awareness of the beauty of beaches while also calling attention to keeping them clean and safe. To celebrate yet honor beaches, remember: enjoy the beach, leave nothing behind. See the list below for some suggestions of Pandhandle beaches you could visit:

  • Navarre Beach
  • Henderson Beach State Park
  • Pensacola Beach
  • St. Andrews State Park
  • Seagrove Beach
  • Grayton Beach State Park
  • Okaloosa Island

FL Scallop, Music, & Arts Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

Celebrate Labor Day weekend by feasting on freshly harvested St. Joseph’s Bay scallops with the ambiance of two days of live music. The Florida Scallop, Music, and Arts Festival is happening September 2-3 at George Core Park.

The festival lineup includes John Del Toro Richardson, Memphis Lightning, the Bo Spring Band, Damon Fowler, and more! The festival kicks off the Port St. Joe scallop season which runs from August 16 through September 24. If you have a fishing license, you can dive for your own dinner! Make sure to bring your mask, snorkeling gear, and eagle eyes because most finds are hidden in seagrasses in four to six feet of water.

Learn more by visiting the event website HERE. 

Taco & Tequila Fest

Debbie Roney Smith on

The annual Jax Taco and Tequila Fest is coming soon! From September 2-3, visit the Metropolitan Park from 3-11pm. The annual event is most famous for its Grand Sampling Experience which includes over 40 craft tequila distillers pouring samples twice each day. Is Tequila not to your taste? The Fest includes two days of live music headlined by Big Boi, Gym Class Heroes, Iration, and Lupe Fiasco. There will also be immersive art performances, complimentary dance lessons, cultural music, and a silent disco party featuring dueling DJS and an immersive light experience. And, of course, tacos! Get your tickets HERE or learn more at the event website. 

Greenwood is the Place to Be

Debbie Roney Smith on
Click on the image to visit the listing!

Nestled in a small yet private 0.87 acres, this 1930s home is located in the historic, Antebellum town of Greenwood. The home is within walking distance of the grocery store, a bank, a town park, and the oldest running hardware store in the county. The yard has established flowering trees and is partially fenced; the empty space has endless potential. It would fit everything from a wildflower patch to a water slide to a few fruit trees. The homeowner has updated many of the house’s features including replacing the front porch and installing a new septic system. They have also installed a new HVAC, blown insulation, and replaced the main water line from the street to the house.

Greenwood is a lovely town and a peaceful place to live. It has seven homes and one store that are eligible for the National Registry. The store, Pender Store, is open for business to this day. Many of the homes can be viewed from State Highway 71. Additionally, Greenwood is close to a number of parks such as Torreya State Park, Florida Caverns State Park, and Falling Waters State Park. Visit Greenwood or move here today!

Sip & Shop Market

Debbie Roney Smith on

Southern Fields Brewery is hosting its first Sip & Shop Market this Sunday. The event kicks off with a  Pints and Paint at 2pm. The Market will run from 3-6pm. There will be beer, food, a waterslide for all ages, vendors, AND live music performed by Dylan Kelley starting at 4pm. Learn more by visiting the event’s Facebook page HERE.