“It’s All About Da Crab” at the 11th Annual Steinhatchee Fiddler Crab Festival, February 15-17, 2019

        I remember the very first Steinhatchee Fiddler Crab Festival.  The community stuck it’s neck out, en masse, with a fishing tournament, a few food trucks, a chili cook-off, music and of course, fiddler crab races.  And it poured rain!  But in spite of the bad weather, the crowds magically appeared.  I …

17th Annual Florida State Bluegrass Festival in Perry, FL April 4-6, 2019 Don’t Miss It!

Join music lovers from all ’round the southeast April 4-6 in Perry, Fl for the 17th Annual Florida State Bluegrass Festival & Chili Cook-Off.  The event will be held at the Forest Capital State Park, just south of town.  Sponsored by the Perry/Taylor County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Development Board, the event has something …

Panacea Oyster Festival Rescheduled for February 9, 2019

I don’t know about you, but I can eat a lot of oysters on a Saturday afternoon, especially if they’re farm raised in the waters of Wakulla County, on Florida’s Big Bend.  Farm raised oysters are special.  They are called “triploid” and they grow faster than wild “diploid” oysters.  With oysters now being farmed at …

Sheepshead–A Favorite Cool Weather Nearshore Fish Species on Natural North Florida’s Gulf Coast

Inshore and nearshore fishing along Florida’s Gulf Coast has as much to do with economics as it does with species. Of course, many inshore anglers long to be aboard a big sport fishing boat trolling the depths of the Gulf for fish of mammoth proportions. The reality, however, of a round trip that has fuel …

Mark Your Calendars for the 17th Annual Florida State Bluegrass Festival and Chili Cook-Off, 4/5-6, in Perry

The 17th Annual Florida State Bluegrass Festival is coming to Perry, in Taylor County, April 4-6, 2019. This is a “don’t miss” event, with three days of professional and amateur music, food, music workshops, arts and crafts–AND a CHILI Cook-Off!   Tickets are available for each day as separate purchases, and there’s a three-day pass, …

Downtown Christmas Open House and Parade–Perry, Florida–December 7, 2018

Leave it up to our friends in Taylor County to come up with a new “twist” on Christmas.  This year, in addition to a “Santa’s Little Helpers” parade, there will be a tribute to “Sheriff Taylor” at the “MayPerry Christmas” festivities.   Perry, the vibrant County Seat of Taylor County, is the perfect place to …

Great Southern Biscuit Company Opens New Location in High Springs, Florida

It’s often said that it takes a brave (and sometimes foolish) individual to open a new restaurant.  As a food writer for Florida Sportsman magazine, I sometimes receive invitations to try new restaurants, and on many occasions they’ve closed before I get there.  I’m happy to say that what follows may be a success story! …

St. Marks Stone Crab Festival, October 27, 2018–Great Things To Eat in Wakulla County

The annual St. Marks Stone Crab Festival is planned for October 27, 2018.  St. Marks is the southernmost town in Wakulla County, just a few miles south of Florida’s capital, Tallahassee.  St. Marks, and neighboring Panacea, have long been vibrant commercial fishing hubs, specializing in both crabs and fin fish. Here are a few words …

It’s Getting Cool–Expect FOOD and FUN at 2018/2019 Festivals in Natural North Florida

Fall and winter in Natural North Florida can be warm, but generally not as hot as in the summer months.  And cool days and nights mean that it’s “food festival time”, with several great events on the region’s calendars. Some events revolve around drink, like  the Big Bend Brewfest.  Others center on food, especially the …