2020 Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, FL

There will be a Festival of Lights in 2020.  The safety of our visitors, volunteers and park staff are of foremost importance.  Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there are significant changes that had to be made for this year’s festival.    You will be able to see beautiful lights and scenes that the Stephen Foster Festival of Lights is …

Spend The Night and Spread Your Wings From Perry, Florida

Perry, in Florida’s Taylor County, is known as the “Forest Capitol of the World”. And rightly so, as for many years the smell of the local paper mill was the giveaway that this small city was more important than just a “wide spot in the highway”. But now, with the Foley mill is now turning …

Visit A Few Of North Florida’s Preserved Historic Homes and Villages–

In spite of its international reputation for beaches, big cities and amusement parks, Florida is largely, and historically, a rural state. Soon after the Revolutionary War, settlers moved into Florida, seeking cheap land and opportunity. By the time of the Civil War, settlements had popped up all over the state. Many were based around farming …

Coming Soon! Best Western Premier Hotel in Fanning Springs, Florida

The town of Fanning Springs is located in Gilchrist County, at the junction of SR26 and US19/98, and on the banks of the mighty Suwannee River. Located here, with its namesake State Park, Fanning Springs State Park, it’s the logical place to begin your explanation of the Natural North Florida Region. The 95-room Best Western …

Take A Virtual Vacation to Wonderful Wakulla County, Florida—An Outdoor Paradise

Take A Break and Take a Virtual Vacation in Natural North Florida Spring 2020 has brought a sllowdown to Florida tourism, and tourism worldwide.. Our Visit Natural North Florida region has slowed, too, and with the restrictions of social distancing and travel we’re all dreaming of better times to come. And we hope that potential …

A Sinkhole Like No Other–Devils Millhopper Geological State Park, in Gainesville, Florida

When there’s a news story about a sinkhole in Florida, it’s mostly about one “eating” a house or a car dealership.  But there are thousands more, and none at quite the scale of Devils Millhopper, just west of downtown Gainesville..  This huge, 120-foot deep, sink, no doubt opened eons ago by a cave-in of the …

Have A Ball—At Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

By many accounts (and opinions), Edward C. Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, located just 17 miles south of Tallahassee, is the largest and deepest natural spring in the world.  Prehistoric humans thrived there, and for many years, modern man has taken advantage of this natural wonder. Open daily from 8AM to sundown, the park is …

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 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 …

Don’t Miss The 63rd Annual Florida Forest Festival and Free Fish Fry, in Perry–October 27, 2018

In 1955, the citizens of Taylor County, Florida, decided to stage a county-wide “Pine Tree Festival” as an educational tool to reduce forest fires that were crippling the county’s economic base-the timber industry. Over the years, the festival grew and accomplished its aim so well that by 1965, Taylor County could boast the lowest fire …