Category: Parks (Community/State/National)

Fall Fest Downtown

Debbie Roney Smith on

Historic Downtown Panama City is hosting a Fall Fest on October 29th. The festival will run from 8am to 9pm and include a day packed with family fun. There will be games, candy, and spooky surprises for all ages! The schedule is as follows:

• (8 am – 1 pm) Fall Farmer’s Market at McKenzie Park
• (1 pm – 4 pm) Fall Bash at McKenzie Park
• (4 pm – 7 pm) Trunk or Treat at McKenzie Park
• (6 pm – 9 pm) Fright Nights Haunted House at the Center For The Arts
Learn more by visiting the Fall Fest Facebook event page here. 

C.M. Kidd Harris Events

Debbie Roney Smith on

This Sunday will be a packed day for C.M. Kidd Harris Park in Panama City. The day starts with a Raised Bed Event at 10am. Put on by Living Healthy. Simplified and the Quality of Life Department of Panama City, this is a volunteer event to get raised beds built and filled for the benefit of the surrounding community. Learn more by visiting the Raised Bed Event Facebook page here.

During the event, there will be a number of other activities taking place so the whole family can come out. There will be plant starters for kids so they can help get seasonal plants going for your home, a tour of the food forest park, and a tour to learn about backyard beekeeping at 1pm. This will also be the location of the Fall Seed and Plant Swap; learn more here! Bring seeds and plants to swap with other community members. There will be snacks and refreshments available but they are of a limited quantity, so please prepare for a day in the Florida sun by bringing your own water, sun protection, and comfy clothes. 

Guided Three Rivers State Park Hike

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Jackson County Extension Office is hosting a guided walk at Three Rivers State Park this September 30th. The hike will begin at 8am and take participants along the Dry Creek Loop Trail. The trail is a distance of .60 miles and should be completed by 11am at the latest. The hike is rated as a beginner to moderate hike. The guide will talk about the terrain, habitat, flora, fauna, and more. 

The guided hike will cost $5 per person. The cost includes entry to the park itself, the guided tour, water, and snacks! It is recommended that participants bring reusable water bottles, bug spray, sunscreen, and anything else they’d need to remain comfortable in the Florida heat. 

Visit the Jackson County Extension Office at 2741 Penn Avenue, Suite 3, Marianna, FL or visit http://JacksonCountyFCS.eventbrite.com to register. If you have any questions, call the extension office at 850-482-9620.

Pensacola Seafood Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on
Mullet Swimming Under a Rainbow by Frank Abbott

The Pensacola Seafood Festival is coming soon to Pensacola! It will be held in Downtown Pensacola at the Historic Seville Square, as well as adjacent Fountain Park and Bartram Park. The festival will start on run Friday, September 23rd (11am – 11pm) and will continue through Saturday (10am – 11pm) and Sunday (11am – 5pm).

There will be a plethora of food vendors preparing seafood; come enjoy Crawfish Mac’n’Cheese, Alligator, Conch Fritters, Coconut Shrimp, and more! Additionally, the festival will feature a live music lineup including The Molly Ringwalds, Tenille Townes, Goldmine, and more. There will even be a Children’s Area located in Bartram Park with face painting, crafts, and more.

While the event itself is FREE to the public, please note that arts&crafts vendors as well as most food vendors will be charging. Visit the Pensacola Seafood Festival website here for detailed itineraries and more. 

Calhoun Cruisin’

Debbie Roney Smith on

Coming to Magnolia Square Park in Blountstown, it’s time for Calhoun Cruisin’! This is a special event celebrating cars. It will also feature music, food trucks, and assorted vendors. Come down this Saturday, September 10th, from 9am – 1pm. 

Florida Scallop, Music, & Arts Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

This weekend, September 3rd-4th, is the Florida Scallop, Music & Arts Festival. Celebrate Labor Day weekend by enjoying freshly harvested St. Joseph’s Bay scallops while enjoying live music. The event will be held at George Core Park in Port St. Joe starting at noon. This two-day festival includes American Blonde, Tiger County Regulators, Sauce Boss, and The Josh Garrett Band. One-day passes cost $15/per person while a two-day pass is $25/per person. Please note that kids under 12 get in for free. Visit their Facebook page here to stay up-to-date on the line-up and festival announcements. Visit their event website here to purchase tickets or learn more. 

Drag Boat Racing in Sneads

Debbie Roney Smith on

The Town of Sneads and the Outboard Drag Boat Association is hosting a Sneads Showdown this coming week, August 20-21. The race will be held at Sneads Park on Legion Road. Admission is $10/person while kids 10years-old and younger get in for free! There will be food and beverage vendors on-site for your enjoyment. Please note that while racing does not begin until 10:30 am, the gates and festivities will open at 8 am. Please come prepared for the heat with water, sun protection, and bug spray. 

Cascades Trail Skate Park

Debbie Roney Smith on

It took 8 years of hard work, funding, meetings, planning, and construction to bring the Cascades Trail Skateable Art Park & Coal Chute Pond to the public. It was a $2.8 million investment that officially opened in June 2022. The park is located at 810 FAMU Way.

At 225-feet long, the park has Florida’s longest snake run. The snake was designed to honor FAMU and features the school’s colors. Additionally, the trail offers a paved walking trail around the pond, lighting, shaded seating, water fountains, interactive musical instruments, and cell phone charging stations.

Marianna Market: Christmas in July

Debbie Roney Smith on
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This Saturday from 7:00 am-noon is the special Christmas in July at Marianna City Farmers’ Market. There will be a number of local crafters set up with goodies to purchase – get ahead on your holiday shopping on July 23rd. Vendors include: Crafts by Moni, Memere’s Crafts, Walk by Faith Artisan Soap, LLC, LonnieAnd Vicki’s Pens N Crafts, 5 Needle Ninja, Gloria Frazier, @stinkin’ cute hand-crafted decor, Panhandle Arts and Crafters, and Friends of the Market. Additionally, Santa Claus will be on-site for photos. Marianna City Farmers’ Market is held at 2898 Madison Street Corner of Madison Street and Clinton Street, Marianna. 

First Woman to Hike All 11 National Scenic Trails

Debbie Roney Smith on

Arlette Lann has become the first woman to hike all 11 National Scenic Trails on July 11th! Lann moved from Holland to Massachusetts, and has hiked around 19,000 miles to complete all the National Trails. She finished her record-setting hike at the Ice Age trail in Potawatomi State Park in Wisconsin. The other 10 Scenic Trails are as follows:

    • Appalachian Trail: a 2,180-plus mile-long public footpath in the Appalachian Mountains.
    • Arizona Trail: stretches more than 800 miles across the entire length of the state, from the U.S.-Mexico border to Utah.
    • Continental Divide: stretches across the United States approximately 3,100 miles between the borders of Mexico and Canada.
    • Florida: a federally-designated recreation trail of about approximately 1,500 miles.
    • Natchez Trace: five sections of hiking trail that runs roughly parallel to the 444-mile long Natchez Trace Parkway scenic motor road in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
    • New England: covers 215 miles from Long Island Sound, across long ridges, to scenic mountain summits in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
    • North Country Pacific Crest: spans eight states, including Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wyoming.
    • Pacific Crest: covers a distance of 2,650 miles through California, Oregon, and Washington, all the way to the Canadian border.
    • Pacific Northwest: travels more than 1,200 miles through Montana, Idaho, and Washington, before reaching the Pacific Ocean near Cape Alava.
    • Potomac Heritage: travels through D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.