Events and Family Activities
Our Events and Family Activities expert, Tommy Thompson, tells you about upcoming and ongoing events across our ten county area.
Poe Springs Park in Alachua County, FL—Recently Upgraded and More Fun Than Ever!
Poe Springs, one of the largest of the springs alongside the Santa Fe River, is located in a county park, just a short drive from Gainesville. And it’s Alachua County’s only park with an open, public spring suitable for swimming. Located on CR340 (Poe Springs Road), just a few miles from the town of High …
ButterflyFest and Plant Sale, Florida Museum of Natural History, October 12-15, 2018
The Florida Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Rainforest is located on the western edge of the University of Florida‘s Gainesville campus. While the Natural History Museum offers an excellent look at Florida’s history and natural resources, the Butterfly Rainforest is a “living” exhibit. The ButterflyFest is a FREE* event, held annually to celebrate “backyards” and …
Ride Levy County’s Goethe Forest by Horseback–An Orange Blossom Ranch Adventure!
Levy County‘s Goethe State Forest is the perfect place for your next equestrian adventure. The 53,398-acre forest is located near the gulf coast, south of Williston Four trailheads are located on County Road 337. The main trail usage is equestrian, both riders and carts. Goethe is known for its population of red cockaded woodpeckers, …
30th Annual Big Bend Saltwater Classic Fishing Tournament, Wakulla County, June 13-16, 2018
Everyone of the Big Bend is happy to have the Big Bend Saltwater Classic back at Shield’s Marina in St. Marks! The Big Bend Saltwater Classic fishing tournament was launched in 1989 by The Organization for Artificial Reefs, Inc, (OAR), a private, non-profit, marine interest group based in Tallahassee,Florida. To date, it …
Scallop Harvest Forecast Numbers Will Be Released At The 2018 Scallop Seminar at Steinhatchee, June 15, 7PM
The BIG summertime event on Natural North Florida’s Big Bend is the recreational bay scalloping harvest. Our best waters are found between Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County and Steinhatchee in Taylor County. Bay scalloping is also allowed in Wakulla County, near St. Marks and Panacea. General information regarding the scallop harvest can be found at …
Cyclists! Ride Through Scenic Levy County, Florida On The 2018 Tour de Melon, June 2
Cyclists! Amateur and “professional” riders will enjoy the 64th Annual Chiefland Watermelon Festival and get to ride on a variety of routes through Levy County (20, 40, 60 miles on Rails-to-Trails paved Trail and 50, 100 mile road routes). This is a ride for the entire family! Here’s the “scoop”: Choose from either a Century Route or …
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park–Florida’s Newest State Park Now Open!
Gilcchrist blue Springs State Park is the latest addition to Florida’s state park system. The 400-plus acre park was previously privately owned, and in 2018 it was sold to the state of Florida. Located just a short “run” from the Santa Fe River in Gilchrist County, the main spring is a second-magnitude vent pushing …
Natural North Florida’s 2018 Bay Scallop Season Opens Soon!
Pinning down the dates for the 2018 bay scalloping season isn’t as easy as it’s been in past years. Essentially, our most popular scalloping areas (Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach and Horseshoe Beach) open on June 16, while northern parts of Taylor County (not including Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach) and Wakulla County open on July 1. The …
Gainesville’s Depot Park—A Downtown Destination For The Entire Family
Depot Park is one of the latest additions to Gainesville’s South Main Street District. Located at the old railroad depot, which now houses two food concessions, the park is a fun destination for the entire family. Whether you’re planning a family picnic, a playground visit for the kids, or a stroll after visiting the adjacent …
Visit Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens Near Williston, Florida–It’s the “Pits”!
So….what do you do with a retired hundred-plus-year-old rock quarry? If you want to create a masterpiece of flora and fauna, you move tons of rock and divert lots of water and build a park for visitors to enjoy. That, in a nutshell, is the history of Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens, located just off …