Celebrate Fathers’ Day 2019 –Take The Kids to Family Fishing Day on June 15, at UF Fisheries, Gainesville

Why not start your Fathers’ Day weekend with a fishing trip?  If you”re lucky enough to be near Gainesville and the University of Florida/IFAS Fisheries complex off Millhopper Road, head on over on Saturday morning, June 15, and take the kids fishing.  This special Fathers Day fishing day will feature a great give-away to all …

E, I, E, I, Oh! Family Friendly Storytelling, Monticello, FL, June 15, 2019

If you’re looking for a family-friendly event, that’s out of the summer Florida June heat, come on over to the Monticello County Chamber of Commerce at 420 Washington Street, 5:30-7:00 PM for a fun and interactive storytelling program.  The program will feature Florida storytellers Linda Schuyler Ford, Pat Nease and Wanda Violet.  At $10 for …

Follow Your Dream To The Blackwater Grill in Yankeetown, FL

In the summer of 1961, Elvis Presley spent almost two months in the Yankeetown area, filming “Follow That Dream“.  It’s anyone’s guess why Elvis’ producers picked this sleepy Levy County town on the banks of the Withlacoochee River, but it’s solitary location might just be the reason.  Yankeetown is historic, and has grown little since …

2019 Steinhatchee NautiGirls Fishing Tournament, June 8—NO BOYS ALLOWED!

What began ten years ago as backlash to some friendly kidding among anglers at Steinhatchee, the NautiGirls Tournament has become one of the largest of the local tournaments. It’s fun, and yes, BOYS are only allowed to captain boats, and are NOT allowed to enter.  In fact, some of the best anglers in the area …

Red, White and BLUEBERRIES–Head to Williston, Florida For A Day of Family Fun and Good Eats

  Located just north of Williston, in Levy County off US27, Red, White and Blue Farms is a destination worthy of lots of family fun.  There’s something for every member of the family–playgrounds for the kids, picking blueberries for the grownups, and even some blueberry beer for Dad! It’s hard to say just what I …

Serenola Forest Preserve–Gainesville’s Latest Hiking Destination

Officially opened in April, 2019 after acquisition in 2018, the Serenola Forest Preserve is the latest addition to the lands overseen by the Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT). Located south of the University of Florida, just off Williston Road, the preserve consists of 111-acres of hardwood forest, open to the public for an in-town hiking experience. Here’s …

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 …