Events and Family Activities
Our Events and Family Activities expert, Tommy Thompson, tells you about upcoming and ongoing events across our ten county area.
Take A Kid (or a Grownup!) Fishing—Family Fishing Days, Gainesville
UF/IFAS’ School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC) has a big, long name, and even though it doesn’t say “fish” or “fishing”, its programs include Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (FAS) programs, including Family Fishing Days. This outreach program hosts monthly events (March through November) that provide families the opportunity to fish together in a safe …
Spend A Day At The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo—It’s Good For You!
There’s only one American Zoo Association accredited zoo on a college campus, and it’s on Gainesville‘s Santa Fe College campus. Santa Fe College offers both Associate and Bachelor’s degrees and won the 2015 Aspen Prize for Educational Excellence. It enrollment now tops 20,000 and it’s an excellent adjunct to the educational community in Gainesville, which …
Tour de Melon–Bring Your Bike to Chiefland, FL For Some Fun, June 1, 2019
Hosted by Suwannee Valley Rotary Club, The 2019 Tour de Melon in Chiefland, Florida is a great opportunity to ride the roads of Levy County with cyclists of all ages and experience. RIDE INFORMATION Choose from either a Road Route or multiple paved Trail Routes Terrain is flat. Well-marked rural highways. Route maps will be available …
Madison, FL–Down Home Days Festival and Rodeo, April 26 & 27, 2019
Madison’s 2019 Down Home Days celebration, rodeo and festival will be held on April 26 & 27. A street dance will be held on Friday, April 26th and the festival and parade will be on Saturday, April 27th beginning at 9:00 AM (parade at 10). Expect lots of fun, food, and art. The rodeo will …
Suwannee River Catfish Festival, Branford, FL, April 13, 2019
Come one, come all! To Branford’s annual Suwannee River Catfish Festival. This year’s event will be held in Greenway Park, alongside the mighty Suwannee River, in downtown Branford on April 13th. Branford is located on US27, at the river. The fun begins at 9AM and lasts throughout the day. Expect to hear live music, …
2019 Gainesville Native American Festival, Gainesville, March 29-31
The 2019 Gainesville Native American Festival is new and it’s destined to be a great time for folks of all ages. The event will be held at the Alachua County Fairgrounds and will feature traditional music and dances, handmade arts and crafts, native foods and a living history village. Hours are 9-3 Friday, 10-6 Saturday …
Suwannee River Paddling Festival, April 5-7, 2019
If you’re an avid paddler, you don’t want to miss this event. There are several 8-12 mile options on both the Suwannee River and the upper Withlacoochee River, all departing from Suwannee River State Park. In addition to the many paddling opportunities, attendees will experience kayak and canoe demonstrations, a silent auction, as well as …
2019 Florida Big Bend Bay Scallop Harvest Season Announced and Scallopers Are Optimistic!
Florida has one of the few recreational scallop harvests in the US, and it’s all centered around Natural North Florida’s Big Bend. While the scallop region extends from Gulf County (in the panhandle) to the Anclote Key lighthouse (off Tarpon Springs), the epicenter of the harvest is in Dixie and Taylor counties, west of Gainesville. …
Cedar Key, Workout On Waterfront Run/Paddle, Saturday March 16, 2019
Come visit Cedar Key for the day and participate in the 3rd Annual Workout on Waterfront festivities. Sponsored by the City of Cedar Key, the event aims to inform visitors about Cedar Key’s goal to become one of the cleanest and most-visitor friendly waterfronts in Florida. Events include the BowWoW run/walk with your leashed pooch, …
Your Florida State Parks Annual Pass–Cheaper Than a Gym Membership!
Florida’s State Parks are some of the best in the country, and our Natural North Florida region boasts some of the finest. This year, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the State Parks have begun a new initiative “Get Florida Park Fit”. While there are several ways to take advantage of the Park …