alachua
9th Annual Winter Fine Arts Fair, March 4-6, Town of Tioga, Alachua County
The 2016 event kicks off Friday, March 4 at 5PM with dance, music and over 120 exhibiting artists. Expect to see paintings, sculpture and all forms of fine art. There will also be a Kids’ Zone, with activities for the younger set. The show is open 10AM to 5PM on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is …
2016 Gatornationals, Gainesville, FL–NHRA Drag Racing At Its Best–March 17-20
The 2016 Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals is scheduled for March 17-20 in Gainesvllle, Florida. Gainesville Raceway opened in 1969 and held its first Gatornationals event in 1970. Long considered one of the fastest tracks on the NHRA circuit, it was from this legendary launch point that drivers clocked the first 260-, 270- and 300-mph Top …
Shop Waldo’s Antique Village For Unique Holiday (Or ANY Day) Items!
Waldo’s Antique Village is located just north of Waldo in northern Alachua County, Florida. When you enter the grounds, and if you have blinders on your eyes and look straight ahead into the Farmers’ Market, you might miss the shop and the display of antique farm machinery and the log cabin, to your left. But …
Natural North Florida Springs–Cool in Summer, Warm in Winter
Our Natural North Florida counties (Alachua, Gilchrist, Levy, Dixie, Taylor, Madison, Jefferson, Union, Lafayette and Wakulla) have the largest concentration of natural freshwater springs in the world. And, when the weather gets hot, they’re the perfect place to cool off. However, visitors and residents flock to the springs, and their contant 72-degree water temperatures, when …
Gainesville Area’s “Big City” Farmers’ Markets Bustle in Fall
While mostly rural, the 11-county region we call “Natural North Florida” has one large urban area. Gainesville and Alachua County are large, that is, if you count the 75,000-plus college students at the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. Without those venerable institutions, you’d see fewer Publix Supermarkets and more roadside farmers’ markets! Not …
Heading To The Water? Use Florida Boat Ramp Finder For The Best Access
If you’re heading to the Gulf, the rivers or the lakes in our Natural North Florida region, be assured we have plenty of boat ramps with public access for your use. And the best way to find them is to use the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Boat Ramp Finder. It’s a complete listing, …
Hike, Bike and Camp at Paynes Prairie State Park’s South Side, in Alachua County, Florida
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is biologically, geologically and historically unique. The park became Florida´s first state preserve in 1971 and is now designated as a National Natural Landmark. Noted artist and naturalist William Bartram called it the great Alachua Savannah when he wrote about his visit to the prairie in 1774. The State Park …
Small Town Escape: Alachua, the Main Street of Natural North Florida
Don’t be fooled by all the new development, gas stations and fast food outlets when you exit I-75 at Exit #399, US441. You’re in the town of Alachua (pronounced Al-ach-u-way) in rural Alachua County (pronounced Al-ach-u-wah). And you’re in a real gem of a Natural North Florida town. The restoration of downtown Alachua is impressive, …
Bike, Hike or Ride Your Horse at San Felasco Hammock State Park, in Alachua County, Florida
This preserve has one of the few remaining mature forests in Florida. The limestone outcrops and extreme changes in elevation provide ideal conditions for many species of hardwood trees, including several champion trees. Bobcats, white-tailed deer, gray foxes, turkeys, and many species of songbirds make their homes in the 18 natural communities found in the …
Take A Walking Tour of Historic Micanopy in Alachua County, FL
Founded in 1822, Micanopy, FL is the oldest inland settlement in the state. And it’s still an interesting place to spend a day, just walking and shopping in the many antique and collectable shops found there. Located about 15 miles south of Gainesville, Micanopy is located between two prominent prehistoric lake beds, Paynes Prairie and …