13th Annual Fiddler Crab Festival ~ February 12-14, 2021

Steinhatchee’s annual Fiddler Crab Festival has become the big event for this small coastal fishing community. From the very beginning, rain or shine, the event has attracted thousands of visitors to the riverside between Taylor and Dixie counties, in Natural North Florida. Steinhatchee is located in southern Taylor County, at the mouth of the Steinhatchee …

Cooler Weather = Hot Fishing on Florida’s Big Bend Gulf Coast

There’s something about cool weather fishing on Florida’s Nature Coast. Gulf of Mexico waters cool rapidly as cold fronts hit the coast on an almost-regular 3 day cycle. Air temperatures vary from the high 30’s to the 80’s as the Holiday season approaches, and water temperatures soon follow. In many cases, the Gulf water temperatures …

It’s All About Seafood….Florida’s Big Bend Shellfish Trail

Experience fresh, local seafood along Florida’s Big Bend Life on Florida’s Big Bend, especially in the coastal communities of Taylor, Dixie and Levy counties revolves around seafood, especially shellfish. Not only are oysters, clams, shrimp and crabs available at local eateries, they’re available at seafood retailers, often “fresh off the boat”. Certain species. like bay …

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 …

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 …

2019 Florida Big Bend Bay Scallop Harvest Season Announced and Scallopers Are Optimistic!

Florida has one of the few recreational scallop harvests in the US, and it’s all centered around Natural North Florida’s Big Bend.  While the scallop region extends from Gulf County (in the panhandle) to the Anclote Key lighthouse (off Tarpon Springs), the epicenter of the harvest is in Dixie and Taylor counties, west of Gainesville. …

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 …

Winter Fishing’s Best Bet–Spotted Seatrout on Florida’s Natural North Florida’s Gulf Coast

I’m no expert on spotted seatrout biology or mortality, but for some reason the Big Bend saw a decided decline in that fishery this past year. At first, trout were scarce from Tampa Bay to Apalachicola, and then they started to bite. However, anglers catching a hundred a day only caught three or four keepers. …

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 …

Don’t Miss The 63rd Annual Florida Forest Festival and Free Fish Fry, in Perry–October 27, 2018

In 1955, the citizens of Taylor County, Florida, decided to stage a county-wide “Pine Tree Festival” as an educational tool to reduce forest fires that were crippling the county’s economic base-the timber industry. Over the years, the festival grew and accomplished its aim so well that by 1965, Taylor County could boast the lowest fire …