Trunk Or Treat–Halloween in Perry, Florida

“Trunk or Treating” is an excellent way to meet you neighbors and to get ready for All-Hallows Eve, on October 31. This year (2019), the city of Perry is planning an all-out festival in the downtown, featuring lots of vehicles, a costume contest and a carved pumpkin contest. Expect to see plenty of ghouls, movie …

64th Annual Florida Forest Festival (and Free Fish Fry!), at Perry, FL October 26, 2019

Yes, that’s a helicopter in the background of this photo of the two-man lumberjack competition at the 2018 Florida Forest Festival in Perry. And there’s more! You can expect to see lots of really spectacular logging gear, military vehicles this year as well as eat some gret food. You’ll also be able to climb aboard …

Paddle Suwannee River Wilderness Trail: October 18-23, 2019–65 Miles and 6 Days

Florida’s Suwannee River is one of the great features of our Natural North Florida region. It flows from the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia, over 200 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s big, free flowing, has few hazards and is spectacular to view–and to paddle. Sponsored by Paddle Florida, this trip is popular, not only …

Suwannee Roots Revival, October 10-13, 2019 at Live Oak, Florida

When you first arrive at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, just north of Live Oak Florida, on the Suwannee River, you might be intimidated by the size of the event. With a huge number of headline acts, playing on several stages and in several venues, the Suwannee Roots Revival, now in its fourth year, …

Tom Petty Birthday Bash, A Celebration of Music, Gainesville, October 19&20, 2019

Gainesville is the largest city in our Natural North Florida region, and with its lively population of young people, it’s always been “musically inclined”.  And one of the city’s most famous musicians was Tom Petty.  Tom grew up in Gainesville, attended Gainesville High School and then went on to perform on stages worldwide.    And after …

Poker Anyone? Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament, Monticello, Saturday, August 24th To Benefit Chamber Building Fund

What a great way to help the Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Building Fund than to spend an evening with players of all skill levels in a Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament.  The Chamber’s building is an old wooden church and is always in need of work.  Recently, the wood floors were refinished and it’s a …

Don’t Miss Smokin’ In The Pines BBQ Festival, Perry, FL, September 20-21, 2019

The 2019 Smokin’ In The Pines BBQ Festival is just around the corner, Septermber 20-21 at Forest Capitol Park in Perry.  The Park, located on US19, south of Perry, is adjacent to the Forest Capital Museum State Park.  With Free Admission, and plenty of good food and entertainment, it’s time to mark your calendars NOW! …

Don’t Miss Gainesville On Your Next Visit to Natural North Florida–It’s Where Nature and Culture Meet!

While Gainesville is our region’s largest city, it’s still relatively small compared to Florida’s “mega-cities” like Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando and Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater.  Gainesville’s size is largely due to its central location, its access to US Interstate 75 and to the fact that it’s home to the University of Florida, our “flagship” university.  Gainesville is the …

Florida’s Big Bend Recreational Bay Scallop Harvest Underway, June 2019

Tiny bay scallops “rule” the waters of Natural North Florida’s Big Bend during the summer months.  The harvest brings visitors from all over the state, as well as many internationals wishing to snorkel for these tasty treats.  Snorkeling for bay scallops isn’t about filling the freezer, but it’s about having fun one the water, followed …

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 …