|
26 June 2012
JULY 2012
July-Dec. 2012
Complete
Forgotten Coast
Calendar of Events
(EDITOR”S NOTE: Kindly note that festivals and events on the Forgotten Coast are mostly organized by volunteers and schedule changes are not that unusual. That’s why we post contact numbers and websites, so you can verify dates and times before making a long trip. If you know of an event that we haven’t listed kindly contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (preferred) or 850-697-5138.)
JULY
1-Scallop Season Opens. It's the most wonderful time of the year...Scallop Season!! No other Scallop in the world is as deliciously succulent and sweet as these treats found in St. Joseph Bay. For more information or for a saltwater fishing license, go twww.bluewateroutriggers.com Website: www.bluewateroutriggers.com
3- Apalachicola fireworks display at Riverfront Park downtown on Apalachicola River
4 – Mexico Beach Best Blast on Beach. The eastern Bay County Community celebrates Independence Day in classy style.
4 – Sopchoppy Independence Day. All eyes in Wakulla County turn towards Sopchoppy’s annual Independence Day celebration.
4 - St. George Island Independence Day Parade Decorate your vehicle and join in! Anyone in costume or on a float or in a decorated vehicle can participate in the parade. Bring your squirt guns and plan to get wet! Line up at the intersection of 1st Street W and W. Pine. Parade begins an hour later at 11 am. Hosted by the St. George Island Business Association with contributions from local merchants. There will be some fireworks on the beach behind the Blue Parrott that night.
4- Port St. Joe fireworks display.
4 – Carrabelle fireworks display at darkthirty.
3 -Sunset /Full Moon Climb St. George Island Lighthouse.
6-7-8 Big Bend Saltwater Classic It has always been a Father's Day Weekend of family, fishing and fun, but the Big Bend Saltwater Classic has been moved to July 6-8. Headquarters in Carrabelle. North Florida's Premier Fishing Tournament and some $135,000 in Cash and Prizes, Four Competitive Divisions, Donating over $450,000 FOR Artificial Reefs since 1989. Weigh Stations all over the Forgotten Coast. 850-227-9393. site: www.saltwaterclassic.com
6- First Fridays Fine Art & Music Series The Thirsty Goat, Port St. Joe / 6pm. First Fridays Art & Music Series is held at the Port Inn & Thirsty Goat Bar & Grill, located at the corner of Hwy 98 and Cecil Costin Blvd in Port St. Joe, Florida. First Fridays is free and open to the public. Opening reception from 6-7 pm, followed by music on the porch from 7:00 to 11:30pm. Website: www.gulfalliance.org
14 - Second Saturday Celebration in Apalachicola- Dance under the stars and enjoy the special nod to our historical ties to France.
22- C-Quarters Youth Fishing Tournament. Kids from all over the South are invited to attend the 8th annual Youth Fishing Tournament. Open to all kids 16 and under. Registration required on site. Sponsored by Jimmy Crowder of C-Quarters Marina, fishfloridatag.org and Carrabelle area businesses.
27- 8th Annual Mexico Beach Marina Offshore Classic in Mexico Beach. A trwo-day offshore fishing tournament with outstanding cash prizes in King, Wahoo and Dolphin Divisions.
Website: www.mexico-beach.com
TBA - Apalachicola Wild/Scenic Film Fest Wild & Scenic Film Festival Tickets can be purchased online, by calling Apalachicola Riverkeeper at 850- 653-8936, or at the door immediately preceding the event if tickets are still available. However, seating is limited so advanced purchases are recommended. Shows in Apalachicola and Carrabelle. Tickets can also be purchased at the Apalachicola Riverkeeper office. The office is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is located at 232-B Water Street, Apalachicola, FL. 850 653-8936
2 - Sunset /Full Moon Climb St. George Island Lighthouse.
3 – 4 - 16th Annual Florida Scallop & Music Festival at George Core Park in Port St. Joe. The Florida Scallop & Music Festival brings out the big to enjoy this seasonal delicacy! Enjoy scallop served fried & other creative ways, live musical lineup, arts & crafts, the kid's zone, and great festival foods. Have a good time and bring a cooler to take some scallops home with you! 850-227-1223. A great musical lineup is available in a great setting.
Website: www.scallopfest.com
4-5 - 9th Annual Kingfish Shootout at C-Quarters Marina in Carrabelle. All proceeds go to the Leukemia Research Foundation. Over the past eight years the tournament has raised $645,000 for the cause. Grab a boat and pole and help contribute to this worthwhile cause.
11 – St. George Island 5k Fun Run This is the 15th annual 1 Mile / 5K Summer Sizzler Fun Run. Fun Run begins at 7:00; 5K at 7:30 EDST. Registration at 5:00 in the evening, $20. Post race party & awards presentation at Harry A's. Proceeds benefit a local charity. 850-670-8306 or 850-670-8306. A Tate's Hell Track Club production. Contact Hobson Fulmer 850-509-2191 (leave msg) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
11- Second Saturday Celebration - Join Apalachicola as it salutes former resident Dr. John Gorrie; the man who brought the ice to ice cream, the snow to snow cones, and the cool to our hot, hot summers. Be sure to visit the Gorrie Museum.
24-25 -16th Annual MBARA Kingfish Tournament in Mexico Beach. The Kingfish Tournament host, Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association, is dedicated to artificial reef deployment, research, and public education. Prizes awarded in several categories. 850-648-4354
Website: www.mbara
31 - Sunset /Full Moon Climb St. George Island Lighthouse.
SEPTEMBER
TBA – Pork-A-Thon in Eastpoint. The Eastpoint Volunteer Fire Department, like most all other volunteer organizations in the region, has to figure out ways to raise money for equipment and such. This Pork-A-Thon is one such fundraising event.
8- Beach Blast Sprint Triathlon/Duathon at Veterans Memorial Park at St. Joe Beach starting at 7 am. A favorite course for the race enthusiast! Athletes will run, bike, and swim in a race of speed and endurance. After the race the fun continues at the Veteran's Memorial Park of Beacon Hill with food and drinks to celebrate the day! Website: www.beachblasttriathlon.com.
14 -Covenant Hospice is delighted to announce the 2nd Annual Denim & Diamonds will be held Friday, September 14 beginning at 6pm at the Centennial Building in Port St. Joe. We would like to invite you to become a part of this casual and rustic evening of dinner and dancing extravaganzas, benefiting Covenant Hospice. This second annual event will take place from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for just $25 per person. Dinner provided by local restaurants, music, dancing, and a bar will be offered to guests. We invite you to boot up and dazzle yourself in your favorite jewelry for one fun night while supporting the irreplaceable services of Covenant Hospice!
28-30 - Florida Catfish Classic in Wewahitchka Break the State record! Bring your family and friends out for a day of great fishing on the River. This festival and Fishing Tournament captures all the excitement of sport angling and family friendly fun. Website: www.catfishclassic.com
30- Sunset /Full Moon Climb St. George Island Lighthouse.
OCTOBER
TBA – Apalachicola “Running for the Bay. ”The “Running for the Bay Marathon” is expected to be held on a Sat. in late Oct. It begins in Apalachicola before heading over the beautiful Apalachicola Bay to Eastpoint and then crossing the bridge to St. George Island. The run, which begins at 7:00 AM, includes full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K (all with wheelchair divisions) and Walk-a-Thon. St. George Island is the half-way point of the full marathon. www.RunningForTheBay.com
TBA- Apalachicola Bay Chamber Golf Tournament. Apalachicola Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament to be held at St. James Bay Golf Course in Carrabelle. Please contact the Chamber of Commerce for details. 850 653-9419 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 850 643- 6580
TBA – Franklin County Oyster Festival This festival was initiated in 2011 and activities were staged both on St. George Island and in Eastpoint. It included lots of live music and a fishing tournament with great prizes. Stay tuned as details for the 2012 event are formulated.
TBA – A truly fun-loving organization, the St George Island Yacht Club, hosts a luau on the beach in October. No, you don’t have to own a yacht or even a boat for that matter.
TBA – St. George Island Methodist Church yard sale & BBQ
TBA – Port St. Joe Ghost on the Coast. Safe Trick or Treat fun for the kids, prizes awarded for best adult, children’s and pet costumes. On Reid Ave. 6:00 pm. Free 227-1223
27 – Panacea Might Mullet Festival
TBA -Carrabelle Crooked River Lighthouse Lantern Fest. The annual Lantern Fest (a two-day affair) at the Cooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle has truly grown in popularity. Two days full of cultural, educational and theatrical activities draws hundreds to the site just west of town.
6- Friends of the St. Joseph Bay Preserves Day Shrimp Boil at Simmons Bayou on C-30 11 am to 2 pm. The Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves invites you to join them to enjoy their Bi-Annual Shrimp Boil and Open House. This fundraiser serves up great food and music as well as guided tours of the preserve. Website: www.stjosephbaypreserves.org
6- 14th Annual Art & Wine Festival. Fine Wines, great food, live auction, musical entertainment and, of course, ART! Make your plans today to attend this great annual event which brings in Artist from all over! Website: www.mexico-beach.com
6- Crawfordville FWMA WoodStork Music Festival. 4th Annual WoodStork Music Festival. The Annual WoodStork Music Festival will be held on from 11am to 5pm at Harvey-Young Farms in Crawfordville to benefit the Florida Wild Mammal Association. Silent and live auction for the cause (FWMA). Admission is $10.00 per car at the gate. Come for a day of fun, food and music! Chris Beatty, 850-363-2351
7- Autumn Golf Scramble at St. Joseph Bay Country Club This awesome 18 Hole event held at the St. Joseph Bay County Club. Website: stjosephbaygolf.com
10- Tee up with business members from around the Franklin, Gulf, Leon, and Wakulla County areas at the 9th Annual Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament on Wednesday, October 10th, 2012. Tee time is 1:00 pm on the beautiful St James Bay Golf Course, just east of Carrabelle. Well-known golf course designer Robert Walker created this beautifully manicured 18 hole championship course that creates a challenge for even the most skilled golfer, yet still a course golfers of abilities will love. The tournament will be a flighted man scramble, low score wins with prizes for the top three teams. Scores will be totaled and prizes will be awarded at the reception following the tournament, Cost per team is $400, $100 per player. Fees include range balls, golf carts equipped with color GPS system. Tournament proceeds will go toward the Chamber's building fund. For more information contact the Apalachicola Bay Chamber at (850)653-9419 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
19-21 Blast on the Bay Songwriters Festival. Port St. Joe, Mexico Beach & Indian Pass. It's that time of year for Florida's Forgotten Coast to once again play host to a group of musicians and songwriters direct from the streets of Nashville!! Festival performers will consist of approximately 15-20 musicians. Website: www.blastonthebay.com
20 – St. Marks Stone Crab & Monarch Festivals. Most all of Wakulla County and a whole lot of visitors converge on the coastal waterfront community of St, Marks for the annual Stone Crab Festival. The all –day event is held smack dab on the main drag and great seafood is available.
27- Mighty Mullet Maritime Festival at Woolley Park in Panacea from 9 am to 4 pm. Your contact is Bill Lowrie This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
27 – Annual Bow Wow Bash in Port St. Joe. Pet lovers are welcome to this benefit for the St. Joseph Humane Society featuring a 5K Run, pet competitions, Masquerade Ball, Silent and Open Auction, Live Entertainment, Great Food, and more!! Website: www.isbhumanesociety.org
29 -Sunset /Full Moon Climb St. George Island Lighthouse.
NOVEMBER
TBA – Port St. Joe Christmas on the Coast celebration
2 – Apalachicola Downtown Oyster Roast Apalachicola Bay Chamber will host its annual oyster roast. Enjoy roasted and raw oysters, artichoke and oyster soup, shrimp, crabs, and homemade desserts under the stars on Commerce Street. Musical entertainment, great micro-brewery beers and wines, plus some of the freshest seafood in the country will be served up. Tickets are available at the Chamber office. (850) 653-9419 or info@apalachicolabay. org.
2-3 - Apalachicola Florida Seafood Festival 47th Annual Florida Seafood Festival, Battery Park - Oldest maritime and seafood spectacle in state. www.floridaseafoodfestival.com
24 –St. George Island Methodist Church Community Thanksgiving Community Thanksgiving Dinner at 12:30 p.m. at St. George Island United Methodist Church, 201 E. Gulf Beach Drive. Turkey & ham are provided, bring a covered dish. Everyone is welcome.
25 – Apalachicola Christmas Celebration The Historic Apalachicola Christmas Celebration will light up Apalachicola from 4:30-8:00 p.m. the streets of downtown Apalachicola will be lined with luminaries and filled with holiday spirit. Merchants will be open late and the sounds of carolers will echo through the streets filling the evening with Christmas spirit. The highlight, of course, will be the big guy himself. Santa will arrive on a shrimp boat at 4:00 p.m. at the City Dock on Water Street, across from City Hall. Santa will hear children's Christmas wishes and carolers will sing.
28 - Sunset /Full Moon Climb St. George Island Lighthouse.
DECEMBER
TBA – Apalachicola Holiday Fresh Market
TBA – St. George Island Lighting of Palms. Annual St. George Island Lighting of the Lights and the arrival of Santa Claus on the first Friday of December. (850) 927-7744
TBA – Eastpoint Christmas Celebration
TBA -Shell Point Golf Cart Parade. Shell Point Holiday Golf Cart Parade Parade starts at high noon and all gather for a covered dish dinner at the Shell Point Fire Station.
TBA -Sopchoppy Christmas Celebration. Annual Old Fashioned Christmas with food vendors, arts & crafts, and Santa Claus
850 962-4138
3 – Panacea Christmas Celebration. A Panacea Christmas held from 6:30 to 9 pm in downtown Panacea. Sherrie Miller 850-984-4279 is the contact.
TBA -Mexico Beach Christmas Celebration. Annual Mexico Beach Celebration of Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony. Caroling, refreshments and visit by St. Nick. Free
TBA -Crawfordville Christmas in the Park. Christmas in the Park in Crawfordville’s Azalea Park is the scene and the time is 5-8 pm for this celebration. The contact is Larry Massa 850-926-0821.
8– Carrabelle Holiday on Harbor Boat Parade. Carrabelle Holiday on the Harbor. Marine Street will be glowing with lights, and the River Walk is the place for watching the decked out boat regatta. Stroll with old friends, make some new ones, sip cider, see Santa (Carrabelle's Cris Cringle) and fill your eyes with enchantment! Watch the Fireworks. 850-697-2585
28 - Sunset /Full Moon Climb St. George Island Lighthouse.
31 – Mexico Beach Celebrate New Year’s Twice. Port St. Joe /Mexico Beach New Year’s Celebration. Celebrate Safe ~ Celebrate Twice Beaches New Year's 8:00 PM - 3:00 am EST / 7:00 pm - 2:00 am CST in Port St. Joe, St. Joe Beach, and Mexico Beach. Celebrate Safe-Celebrate Twice! No need to wait another 12 months to celebrate the next new year. Ring in the New Year twice. Start in the Eastern Time Zone in Port St Joe and St. Joe Beach, then travel west just five minutes to Mexico Beach and celebrate all over again an hour later in the Central Time Zone. The shuttle busses will be carrying passengers to local hot spots and everywhere in between. The shuttle bus is FREE to all riders (must be 21 or older to ride). Contact: 888 723-2546.
-30-
62oF 
69oF 