Events and Family Activities
Our Events and Family Activities expert, Tommy Thompson, tells you about upcoming and ongoing events across our ten county area.
2018 Watermelon Festival, Monticello, FL, June 8 & 9 and 15 & 16
Don’t miss this fun weekend in one of Natural North Florida’s most historic towns! Monticello is the county seat of Jefferson County, just east of Tallahassee on US90 and just north of I-10. The Watermelon Festival is centered on the county courthouse and stretches throughout the shop-lined streets of the downtown. Festival events include the …
Fort White–The Good Jumping-Off Spot for Ichetucknee Springs State Park!
The Ichetucknee River and springs put Fort White on the map, so to speak. Originally settled near “Fort White”, a military post built in the 19th century at the time of the Seminole Wars, this Columbia County town is truly a gateway to one of Florida’s most beautiful state parks. Ichetucknee Springs State Park stretches …
Visit The Cade Museum For Creativity and Invention, Gainesville’s Newest Attraction
While the official opening of Gainesville’s Cade Museum For Creativity and Invention isn’t until May 19, 2018, the museum is holding several “soft opening days”. Located at 811 South Main Street, the museum is adjacent to the new Depot Park and will likely become the architectural focal of new development and activity in the South …
Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival—A Unique Experience in Natural North Florida, April 14, 2018
Sopchoppy, Florida, located on US319 in western Wakulla County, is “famous” for two things: One tasty and one not! The local swamps are home to a huge growth of Tupelo Poplar trees and the soil is loaded with large earthworms! Sopchoppy is famous for Tupelo Honey, harvested by local apiaries and one of the most …
Don’t Miss Panacea’s Blue Crab Festival, May 4 & 5, on Florida’s Big Bend
The first weekend in May is almost upon us, which means the annual Panacea Blue Crab Festival is right around the corner! The 44th staging of this great event will take place on May 4th-5th at Woolley Park in downtown Panacea, and it promises to be one of the most exciting community gatherings of the …
Doug Johnson Reeling For Kids Fishing Tournament, May 31 & June 1, 2018, Steinhatchee, Florida
The Doug Johnson Reeling For Kids Fishing Tournament is scheduled for May 31 & June 1, 2018, at Steinhatchee, Florida. Started over 15 years ago, the event has become one of the largest fishing tournaments on Florida’s Big Bend. It benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Alachua County, and just last year donated over …
“The Granddaddy of All Tournaments”–Optimist Club of Perry Saltwater Fishing Tournament, at Steinhatchee, May 5, 2018
Now in its 27th year, the annual Optimist Club of Perry, FL Saltwater Fishing Tournament has become one of the largest fishing events on Natural North Florida’s Big Bend. While Perry is landlocked, it’s the county seat of Taylor County, which has some of the best saltwater angling in the state. And appropriately, the event …
Monticello, Florida–Bike Fest, May 12, 2018
The 2018 Monticello Bike Fest will take place on Saturday, May 12 and will consist of a series of pro/am bicycle rides throughout beautiful Jefferson County, in Natural North Florida. It’s a CAAM Tour Series Event, so you’ll rub shoulders with some seriouse cyclists from the southeast. Ride 10, 30, 60 or even 100 miles …
2018 Shands Saltwater Trout Tournament, Steinhatchee, April 29, Sea Hag Marina
The Shands Fishing For Kids Saltwater Trout Tournament, one of the largest and most popular fishing events in our Natural North Florida region takes place on Saturday, April 28 at Steinhatchee. Weigh-in and a celebratory fish fry will be held at the Sea Hag Marina. With some excellent (and guaranteed) payouts, this promises to be …
Santa Fe College SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL, April 7 & 8, 2018, in Gainesville, FL
The Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival is one of Gainesville’s largest events, attracting over 100,000 attendees statewide. The event transforms NE First Street, in downtown, to a bustling promenade of arts, crafts, entertainment–and just plain “people watchng”. This year is the 49th annual event, and is scheduled for April 7 and 8. In addition …