Don’t Miss The Annual “Smokin’ in the Pines” BBQ and Music Festival, Perry, Florida, September 21 and 22, 2018

Smokin’ In The Pines BBQ Festival Sep 21 – Sep 22 · Smokin’ In The Pines BBQ Festival Forest Capital Park, Perry, Florida     Southern Rock & Country Music, featuring Andy Pursell, the Micheal Miller Band, Band of Brothers, Frayed Knot and much more. Craft vendors, BBQ tasting, sampling and People’s Choice. Competitions with …

Satchel’s Pizza–Gainesville’s Best Pizza, Salad, Music and Entertainment

As is the case with many college towns, Gainesville has many pizza joints.  Some are national and regional chains, but there are a few “independent operators” with a single location.  And, Satchel’s Pizza, at 1800 NW 23rd Avenue, on Gainesville’s East Side, is one of the best!  Not only does Satchel’s serve excellent pizza (don’t …

Cyclists! Ride Through Scenic Levy County, Florida On The 2018 Tour de Melon, June 2

Cyclists!  Amateur and “professional” riders will enjoy the 64th Annual Chiefland Watermelon Festival and get to ride on a variety of routes through Levy County (20, 40, 60 miles on Rails-to-Trails paved Trail and 50, 100 mile road routes).  This is a ride for the entire family! Here’s the “scoop”: Choose from either a Century Route or …

Natural North Florida’s 2018 Bay Scallop Season Opens Soon!

Pinning down the dates for the 2018 bay scalloping season isn’t as easy as it’s been in past years.  Essentially, our most popular scalloping areas (Steinhatchee, Keaton Beach and Horseshoe Beach) open on June 16, while northern parts of Taylor County (not including Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach) and Wakulla County open on July 1.  The …

2018 Watermelon Festival, Monticello, FL, June 8 & 9 and 15 & 16

Don’t miss this fun weekend in one of Natural North Florida’s most historic towns!  Monticello is the county seat of Jefferson County, just east of Tallahassee on US90 and just north of I-10.  The Watermelon Festival is centered on the county courthouse and stretches throughout the shop-lined streets of the downtown. Festival events include the …

Alachu-Way or Alachu-Wuh?–A “Must Stop” Stop on Your Visit to Natural North Florida

If you’re driving south along Interstate 75 in North Florida, at about mile marker 410, you’ll cross the Santa Fe River and enter Alachua County.  The name of the county is pronounced “Alachu-Wuh”, derived from the Timucua word for “sinkhole” or “spring” which pepper the geography of the region.  There’s also a town, at the …

“Eew” – Frog Legs! A Natural North Florida Favorite!

You no longer have to be the one to catch (and clean and skin—“Eew”) frog legs. Many seafood specialty shops sell them, and I’ve even found imported, frozen frog legs acceptable and tasty.  That’s a good option for visitors to our Natural North Florida region.  Also, you’ll find them in many restaurants in the region. …

Perry–Much More Than Florida’s Forest Capital!

There’s something for everyone when you visit Perry, Florida–Florida’s Forest Capital! Yes, Perry’s main industry still revolves around pine trees and the products produced by the wood harvested nearby.  But there’s more to see and experience in Perry, and it’s certainly worth a visit if you’re traveling down US19/98 into our Natural North Florida region. …

Florida’s 2017 Stone Crab Season Now Open–At Full Steam!

Florida’s 2017 stone crab season opened on October 15 and runs until May 15, 2018.  This year’s crop is excellent and there should be no shortages of these delicious crab claws throughout the winter months. Stone crabs are the perfect appetizer or main course.  You’ll find them served cold or hot, with any number of …

Save The Dates: Natural North Florida’s Fall 2017 Music Festivals

As summer winds down in Natural North Florida, residents and visitors alike flock to our famous music and food festivals.   It seems that every year, the number of events increase, as do their quality and breadth.  In 2017, three are of particular note. In Hamilton County, just north of I-10 and east of I-75, the …