Category: Places

Sykes Family Farm Crop Maze

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Sykes Family Farms’ 9-acre corn maze is once again open for the spooky season! Located in Elkton, this crop maze has four phases. Guests are provided with a question-filled passport to help guide them through the maze. This year’s maze is a tribute to country legend Reba McEntire; expect some themed crop patterns and more! Admission to the crop maze also includes hayrides, duck races, pedal carts, corn popper, a chance to meet the farm animals, and the playground. The maze is open during daylight hours and after dark. Please note that guests entering the crop maze after dark must have at least one flashlight or glowstick per group. Learn more by visiting the Sykes Family Farm website. The crop maze will be open October 13-15, 20-22, and 27-29. 

Ghost Tours

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Just in time for the spooky season, here are two options for ghost experiences in the Florida Panhandle. Both offer unique views of an areas haunted, historic past.

In Apalachicola, join a ghostly night tour of the downtown area. It’s a 90-minute tour lead by an experienced guide who uses ghost-hunting equipments. Select tour participants will be allowed to work the EMF detectors! If the macabe is more your speed, sign up for the “Ghost Stories and Poe” tour which is lead by a ghostly “Edgar Allen Poe” character; he retells local lore and paranormal investigations. The Ghost Tours are available throughout October while the “Ghost Stories and Poe” tour is available only on Oct. 13, 14, 27 and 28. Visit the ghost tour website HERE to secure your spot or learn more.

Milton’s Ghost Walk, held annually on October 21-22, regularly attracts more than two thousand people! The city’s Halloween ghost walks explore Milton’s eerie past via community ‘ghosts.’ The tour leaves every 15 minutes starting at 6pm each evening. Come out to learn about the scary history of this small town. Be sure to bring a sweater as temperatures are expected to dip into the 60s or below. Learn more by visiting the event listing HERE. 

Sunland Center Fall Festival

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Sunland Center’s 42nd Annual Fall Festival is less than a month away! Held on the historic grounds of the Sunland Center in Marianna, this festival features over 100 vendors offering a variety of food, crafts, arts, and activities. There will also be live entertainment, food trucks, and a parade. Best of all? The event is FREE to enter. Be sure to bring cash and card for vendors and food. So come out on October 28th from 9am-2pm and get ahead on your holiday shopping with a family-friendly fall afternoon! 

Interested in snagging a booth rental? Contact Onna Lipford (850-482-9371) or James Godwin, Jr. (850-557-0911). Parade inquiries should be directed to Chris Weeks at 850-482-9372.

Willis House Grand Opening

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The Willis House Bed & Breakfast is a beautiful historic property undergoing renovation. Owner Karen Kirkland would like to invite everyone to celebrate a dual event: her 50th birthday AND the grand re-opening of her childhood home!

The home will serve as a quaint, refreshing bed and breakfast that features a lovely 6-acre property. With grand wraparound porches and what seems to be endless old-growth live oaks, the property is a lovely escape from modern life. Stop in anytime between 11:00 AM – 7:00 pm on October 7th to enjoy the Grand Opening. Take a peaceful stroll through the shaded oaks, sit and ponder on the porch, or view the home. There will be food trucks on the property. Learn more by visiting the Facebook event page. 

Pensacola Para Con 2023

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The Pensacola Para Con is happening September 23-24 at the Pensacola Expo Hall. This annual event salutes sci-fi, paranormal, horror, metaphysical, and pop culture. There will be celebrity meet and greets, discussion panels, and ghost hunts! Yes, ghosts. It’s truly fitting that the celebrity guests are Chris Smith and Mike Concalves of the Tennessee Wraith Chasers, hosts of the Travel Channel’s Haunted Towns. There will also be vendors, artists, metaphysical guests, psychic readers, and a costume contest. 

Visit the Pensacola Para Con website to learn more, buy tickets, or view the detailed schedule. 

Panhandle Pioneer Settlement Rentals

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The Pioneer Camp is excited to offer new rental options for families or large group gatherings. This is a great getaway for individuals, families, and youth/adult group gatherings for both single-day or overnight options. For additional information, pricing, and availability, please contact the office at 850-674-2777 or visit the Panhandle Pioneer website. 

Covenant Care Presentation on Dementia & Alzheimer’s

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Covenant Care is hosting an educational discussion on the Presentation, Progression, and Planning for someone with Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s Disease. The event is free to anyone in the community; they ask that you reserve your seat so they can properly prepare. The event will start with a Meet and Greet at 5:30pm and be followed by a Buffet Style Dinner starting at 5:45pm.

The Presentaiton will begin promptly at 6pm. It will be led by Dr. Steven Spence, a member of the Internal Medicine Associates of Jackson Hospital and Medical Director of Covenant Care. The event will be held at the Rivertown Community Church in Marianna. For more information or to reserve your seat, please contact either:

Jennifer Griffin; (850) 209-8008; jennifer.griffin@choosecovenant.org

Chelsea Dickinson; (850) 209-7799; chelsea.dickson@choosecovenant.org

Little Village Conch Festival

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The second annual Little Village Conch Festival is happening on September 30th! Come out to Little Village in Panama City for a day of family fun in the sun. There will be a plethora of Conch Shell festivities including the Cap’n Scuba Memorial Conch Shell Blowing Contest, The Queen of Conch, an all-age Conch Shell Blowing Contest, live music, kids arts & crafts, and more! Finns restaurant will have a Conch Special for one-day only. Live music will be provided by local talents Tyler James & The Momeuxs (noon-3pm) AND The Gr8tful Dads (6-9pm). Learn more by visiting the Facebook event page HERE. 

 

Keystone Heights

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Keystone Heights is a small North Central Florida town tucked away amidst several lakes. It boasts holiday parades down the main street, a great selection of outdoor activities for all ages, and a welcoming small-town community home to all kinds of people and wildlife. 

Love lake days? There are SIXTEEN lakes for you and your family to visit including Santa Fe Lake, Keystone Lake, Paradise Lake, Crystal Lake, White Sands Lake, Little Lake Johnson, and more!

Craving some seafood and a fun festival? Check out the Cedar Key Seafood Fall Festival, the Sponge Docks Seafood Festival, or nearby festivals in Gainesville – a nice day trip. 

Prefer parades? Check out the annual Christmas Parade, Christmas Boat Parade, the Micanopy 4th of July Fireworks Parade, the nearby Hawthorns Christmas Festival, and more! 

Does this sound like your dream town? Check out this current listing by CLICKING HERE and start your journey to your small-town, dream home!