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Below you will find:   a month by month list of the area events, live theatre, festivals, live music, fishing tournaments & other special events and things to do scheduled in Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe, Apalachicola, Mexico Beach, St. George Island, Panama City and the entire "Forgotten Coast"

   
FEBRUARY

• Low Impact Aerobics & Stregth Training Classes -  Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday through March in the Barrier Dunes Clubhouse!  Free!  For more information, call Cheryl Bullerdick at 850-229-2515
• Annual Forgotten Coast Chef’s Sampler in Apalachicola.   850-653-9419.    
  Area Chefs will put out their finest fare at the Fort Coombs Armory (Avenue D & 4th Street) in Apalach.  Benefits will go to the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce. There is also a silent auction including original artwork, vacation packages and much more.
• Annual Shrimp Boil.  850-229-1787.  St. Joseph Bay Preserves Center. 
• Winter Woods & Wildlife Walk at Wakulla Springs.  850-224-5650.
• Annual Bow Wow Ball on St. George Island. 850-670-8417.
• Annual Mexico Beach Gumbo Cookoff.  850-648-8196.
• Port St. Joe Mardi Gras Gala  850-482-GULF.
• Crawfordville Swine Festival.  Last Saturday in February.  850-926-3931.
  "Pig Party" at the livestock pavilion grounds starts at 10:30 am and extends through the day.  Real down-home event with parade, booths, beauty, contests, pig scramble, swine judging and sale of exceptional BBQ plates.  FREE Admission.    
• Annual Wakulla County Valentine Celebration and Parade.  The Sat. before Valentines Day.  Hudson Park in Crawfordville.  Regional arts and crafts, bands, parades, floats and educational organizations. Starts at 10 am.  Admission is free.

• Low Impact Aerobics & Stregth Training Classes -  Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday through March in the Barrier Dunes Clubhouse!  Free!  For more information, call Cheryl Bullerdick at 850-229-2515
• Annual St. George Island Charity Chili Cookoff Auction Preview.    850-927-2753.
  Preview 5-7 pm.  "Civic Club" above firehouse.  $5 per person entitles glass of wine & cheese.  Additional wine available.  Preview art, antiques, etc. to be featured in the following day's auction.  Get auction number at above number.
• Annual St. George Island Charity Chili Cookoff & Auction – 1st Saturday in March.  850-653-2753 
  St. George Island.   8 am 5K run.  Auction 11-3.  Entertaining "Mr. Hot Sauce" and "Miss Chli Pepper" contests.  FREE, but bring money for country store, sweet shoppe, auction bargains, samples of chili & other food!
• Battle of Natural Bridge in Woodville.  1st weekend in March.   850-926-1848.  A reenactment of the 1865 Civil War battle which defeated the Union takeover of Tallahassee.  The only Confederate capital East of the Mississippi which did not fall into union hands!  
• The Dixie Does Nashville.  Dixie Theatre in Apalach.  850-653-3200
• Dixie Theatre Professional Seacion.  The Queen of Bingo.   850-653-3200
  Show times are Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 pm & Sunday at 3:00 pm. 
• 4th Annual Charity Rib Cookoff.   Eastoint Fire Department.  850-670-9000
  Come eat some of the best BBQ ribs & chicken & enjoy live music all day, a car show, face painting & rides for the kids.  In addition to the great food, there will be live music all day, a car show, face painting & rides for kids. 
• Jazz and Blues Festival.  March.  850-576-1636.
  Features non-stop jazz, blues & gospel, showcases local musicians.  Fee.  Tallahassee Museum of History & Natural Science.
• St. Marks Trail 5K Run.  850-922-6007.

APRIL

• Worm Gruntin’ Festival in Sopchoppy.  850-962-4611.  Downtown Sopchoppy.
  Throughout the day there will be a wide assortment of live music & other entertainment including games for children, the Wakulla County Horseshoe Championship, & the Worm Grunter’s 5K race. We will crown our Worm Monarch! (It might be a King &/or a Queen this year.)  Hands-on demonstrations, activities, exhibits, food, music & more, plus the annual Worm Gruntin’ Ball. Starts at 10 am with live music, 11 am Gruntin' contest & demonstartion.  Live bluegrass music throughout the day.
• Port St. Joe Easter Egg Hunt.  850-227-1223.  Port St. Joe in Monument Park at 10 am EST.  Prizes will be given to 1st, 2nd & 3rd place in 3 age categories!     
• The Beach Blast Triathlon.  See web site or call 850-522-6666 for more information! Atheletes from near & far with gather at Beacon Hill Park for The Beach Blast Triathlon and Dualthon.  This event is made of of biking, swimming & running & will wind its way through the neighborhoods and thoroughfares of St. Joe Beach.
• Carrabelle Riverfront Festival. Carrabelle, FL.
  Two days of fun, food & festivities!  Lots of entertainment & activities, including arts & crafts, children's events, bingo, & educational exhibits.  This is 1 of the area's premier art events w/quality regional artists displaying & selling their works!
  Historic Apalachicola Classic & Antique Boat Show.   Appalachicola.    850-653-9419.
  All types of antique boats, classic examples of traditional vessels will be on display, work boats, fiberglass classics, antique outboard motors & antique cars.  Art show will be held in conjuction with the Boat Show. Email info@apalachicolabay.org for more information. 
• A Taste of the Coast.   The Centennial Building, Port St. Joe.  For lots of details, visit their link!    There will be food and artwork on display from all over the area.
• Welcome Back Songbirds and Wakulla Wildlife Festival.  Wakulla Springs.
• This Festival has music, seafood, arts and crafts as well as exhibits for all.
• Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Wewachitachka Dead Lakes.  800-482-GULF.
• Port St. Joe Spring Fishing Tournament.  800-482-GULF.
• Wakulla Springs Welcome Back Songbirds Festival. 850 224-5950.
• Wakulla Nature Festival.  April.  850-224-5950.
  Natures and birding classes, tours and hikes for the entire family plus children’s arts and crafts booths and exhibits.  Fee.  Wakulla Springs State Park.
• Gold Cup Antique Automobile Race & Show in Apalachicola.  850-653-9419.
• Mexico Beach Line Tournament & Festival.  850-648-8196.
• Riverfront Festival in Carrabelle.  850-697-2585.
• Mexico Beach Line Festival 5K Walk/Run & Children’s Fishing Tournament.  850-648-8196.
• Wakulla Springs Twilight Cruise & Dinner.  850-227-5950.
• Earth Day Celebration at Wakulla Springs State Park.  850-224-5950.

MAY

• Blue Crab Festival.  850-926-1846. Panacea, FL.
  World famous hard shell Blue Crab, fresh Florida seafood, arts & crafts, live entertainment, parade & more.  Free.   The Blue Crab Festival draw 20,000 seafood lovers for feasting, dancing, parade & more! Parade, top notch entertainment & fun plus dozens of arts, crafts & food booths.
• Tour of Historic Homes.   850-653-9550.  Apalachicola. FL
  Many of Apalachicola's private homes and building only can only be viewed from the exterior EXCEPT for this day!  For a $12 donation you can take a guided tour through architectural and historical significance homes, churches and commercial buildings.
• Derby Days Gala.  Port St. Joe.  850-665-6270.
  Will feature gourmet foods, drinks, a silent auction, live music, artwork by the Plein Air Society, carriage rides, gaming and lots more.  This night under the stars in Centennial Park will benefit community children's projects.
• Spring Fling Festival.   888-723-2546 or mbcdc@mexicobeach.com.
  8 category fishing tournament.  Cash prizes!  This festival has fishing tournaments, fish fries, car club rallys, a 5K walk/run & a wine-tasting contest.
• Tupelo Honey Festival – Lake Alice Park - Wewa. 850-639-2605.
   Quite possibly the world's finest honey!  Arts, crafts, food and entertainment beneath the trees at Lake Alice Park.  9:30 to 3:30 central time.  Free.
• Annual Shriners Fishing Tournament on Timber Island.  850-697-2585.
• Humanatee Festival.  850-925-6216. S Marks
  Welcome Wakulla River manatee herd with music, arts and crafts, tours & more.  Fee.  San Marcos de Apalache State Historic Site.
• Panacea Blue Crab Festival.  850-926-1848.
• Family Fun Day at Indian Pass Campground.  800-482-GULF.
• Annual Manatee Celebration at San Marcos de Apalache State Park in St. Marks.  850-922-6007.
• “St. Joseph Bay Cleanup and Kayak Festival”: Second Saturday in May. Hosted by Happy Ours Kayak & Canoe Outpost. Call (850) 229-1991 for more information.
• St. George Island Memorial Day festivities.  850-653-9419.
• Alligator Point Memorial Day Weekend Bargain Flea Market & BBQ.  850-926-1848.

JUNE

• St. George Island Annual SGI Mullet Toss. 850-927-2987.
  Sponsored by Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe.  $10 donation gets tee shirt & 2 mullet tosses.  Men's, women's & children's divisions.  10-4.  Event is held on the beach & lots of prizes and fun!
• Big Bend Saltwater Classic Fishing Tournament.  Carrabelle. 850-926-2628.  Email:  ReelCountry@gmail.com
  Largest non-profit saltwater fishing tournament (700-900 competitors) in Northwest Florida.  Father's Day Weekend.  Thousands in prizes & cash.  Adult & Youth divisions.  Individual & team competition.  Daily & overall awards.  Fishing & weigh stations all along Forgotten Coast!
• Wakulla Springs Sunrise Boat Tour & Breakfast.  St. George Island. 850-224-5950.
• Carrabelle Yamaha Big Bend Fishing Tournament.  850-697-2585.
• Indian Pass Raw Bar Roundup Fishing Tournament.  800-482-GULF.
  This offshore fishing tournament is a Friday and Saturday affair and is limited to the first 30 boats.  It is held at the Indian Pass Boat Ramp.
• Wakulla Springs Twilight Cruise and Dinner.  850-224-5950.
• Redfish Tournament.  Port St. Joe Marina.  Around the 19th of the month each year.

JULY

• Independence Day Celebration.  Port St. Joe.  850-227-1223
  Port St. Joe Black's Island Pirate Band attcks passing ships in the waters off Frank Pate Park.  After fun in the park party moves to Port. St. Joe Marina for fireworks display, live band & party!
• Independence on the Coast.  July 4, 2008.  Port St. Joe. 
• Mexico Beach Sandy Shoes 5K Walk/Run and Children’s Fishing Tournament.  850-648-8196. Email mbcdc@mexicobeach.com for more information.
• Mexico Beach Independence Day fireworks display.  850-648-8196.
• Sopchoppy fireworks display and celebration.  850-926-1848.  An all-day, all-American tribute complete with dazzling fireworks display, parade, canoe race, food & music at the park!  
• Port St. Joe 4th of July Jubilee at Frank Pate Park.  800-482-GULF.
• Timber Island Youth Fishing Tournament in Carrabelle.  850-697-2585.
• "Kids Win" Fishing Tournament.  Port St. Joe.

AUGUST

• Sunset Wine Tasting.    Sunset Coast Grill.  From 5:30 - 7 PM.  Stay for dinner and the wine tasting is on the house!  850-227-7900.
• Wewahitchka Annual Catfish Tournament and Catfish Festival.  3rd Friday in the month. Starting at 4 pm CT until Saturday 4 pm CT (a 24 hour tournament).  850-639-2605.
  For the non-fisherman, a festival is held at Lake Alice Park in Wewahitchka with arts & crafts galore!  The money & the door prizes are definitely worth the trip.  Tourney part of 3-tourney challenge.  Festival features arts & crafts plus food & entertainment.
• Annual Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association King Mackerel Tournament.   888-723-2546 or mbcdc@MexicoBeach.com.
  Proceeds for reef building efforts.   Largest King mackerel wins $2500!  $100 for the largest wahoo & $250 for the largest Spanish.  Fishing begins at 5 am.   Weigh-in 1-5 pm CST Marquardt's Marina. 
• Scallop Festival.   Marina Cove in Port St. Joe FL.  For more info call Gulf County Chamber of Commerce -  850-227-1223.
  A family oriented festival featuring live entertainment, arts and crafts, children’s rides, & FOOD. Fried scallop dinners are available as well as scallops to take home & cook. 2 days of fun & activities for the whole family.    The Chamber of Commerce sells frozen scallops at the festival!

SEPTEMBER

• Coastal Clean-up Day at St. Marks Wildlife Refuge.  Free.  850-925-6121. Help keep the ecology clean & enjoy touch tanks, hands on activities, educational programs. 
• Beach Blast Olympic Event.   850-522-6666
   The GUlf County Tourist Development Council and the Mexico Beach Community Development Council are coming together to sponsor the Fall Beach Blast Olympic Triathlon, for those interested in biking, running and swimming.
• September Music Thursdays.     888-723-2546
  Live music 6-8 pm CST beachside at Sunset Park next to El Governor Motel.  Each concert is different and usually covers a wide range of tastes.   mbcdc@mexicobeach.com
• St. Andrews Fall Seafood and Pirate Fest.  Downtown St. Andrews. 
• Paws in the Park.   Centennial Park in Port St. Joe!  
• C-Quarter's Marina King Fish Shoot Out.  Carrabelle, FL 850-697-8400.
• Slam Fishing Tournament in Port St. Joe.  800-482-GULF.
• Grady White Fishing Tournament in Carrabelle.  850-697-2585.
• Kingfish Shootout Fishing Tournament in Carrabelle.  850-697-8400. Held to raise money for the National Leukemia Foundation.
•  Grady White Fishing Tournament.  Late September.  Carrabelle.

OCTOBER

• Music by the Bay in Port St. Joe.  Every Thursday night in October.  Weekly series of free concerts in Port St. Joe at the Thirsty Goat (in the Port St. Joe Inn)
• Gulf County & Entire Forgotten Coast Florida Panhandle Birding & Wildflower Festival.  St. Joseph Wildlife Sanctuary.   850-229-1797.  More than 100 tours, lectures & workshops pertaining to the enviornmental wonders of the region!  You must make RSVP's.  info@birdfestival.info.
• St. George Island Oyster Splat Festival.  St. George Island Oyster Splat Festival will feature a parade, run, fishing tournament, kayak race, treasure hunt & live entertainment.  cwood@ccbflorida.com.
• Apalachicola Community Yard Sale.  
  From the attic treasures to unique merchandise, this even promises to be the best yard sale you'll ever attend.  850-653-9419.
• 3rd Annual Apalachicola Bay Chamber Golf Tournament.   850-653-9419
  1:00 at the new St. James Bay Golf Course in Lanark.  Prizes worth $4,000 for the top 3 teams!
• Marine Dock Market.  St. Andrews Marina.  Downtown St. Andrews.
• Octoberfest.  Downtown Panama City 
• Wewahitchka Annual Catfish Tournament and Catfish Festival.  850-63-1186. 
  Tourney part of 3-tourney challenge.  Festival features arts & crafts plus food & entertainment.
• Indian Summer Festival.   Panama City Beach.  Offers a variety of events from foods, crafts, all day musical entertaiment, local & regional artists as well as nightly national well known groups.  See link for details!
• Bobby Bayou Mullet Festival.  Intersection of Highway 85 North & College Blvd.  Fine arts & home hand crafts, live entertainment & lots of mullet! 
• Apalachicola Bay Chamber Golf Tournament.  850-653-9419 or email info@apalachicolabay.org.
  Tee time is 1:00 pm on the beautiful new St. James Bay Golf Cours in Lanark.  Prizes worth $4,000 for the top three teams. 
• Stone Crab Festival.   The Riverside Cafe in St. Marks.  850-925-5668.  Lots of good food, mailing Stone Crab claws, old car show, games, activities for the kids & music!
• Annual Mexico Beach Fall Festival of the Arts.  888-723-2546.  Held at the Driftwood Inn on gulf front.  Features fine art from Southest US plus wines & blues entertainment.  Tickets avaialable starting in August!  A limited number of tickets available.  Call above number or e-mail mbcdc@mexicobeach.com.
• 6th Annual Haunted Trail and Pumpkin Patch.   Museum of Bay County from 4-9 pm.  850-769-6128.  The Pumpkin Patch, for toddlers to elementary-aged children is full of non-scary fun.  It includes games such as Pumpkin Putting, Digging for Bones & the Ghouly Grabs and great crafts.  Costume contest both nights. 
• St. Marks Wildlife Refuge Monarch Butterfly Festival.  850-925-6121.
  View thousands of monarch butterflies as they prepare for their long journey across the Gulf of Mexico to wintering grounds in the mountains of Mexico.  Staff and volunteers provide educational sessions.
• Wewahitchka Catfish Classic Fishing Tourny. Wewahitchka
  REGISTRATION will begin at 9 a.m., Friday, Aug 13th  at the Gaskin Park Landing and will continue until midnight. You must be registered by midnight on Friday 13th to fish the tournament! Advance registration is advisable. To register in advance, mail attached registration form with entry fee of $45 ($20.00 for kids under 14 entering into the kids classic) to Florida Catfish Classic, PO Box 555, Wewahitchka, FL 32465.
• Sopchoppy Fall Fest.  850-962-5282.
• "National Wildlife Refuge Week" activities at St. Marks Wildlife Refuge.  850-925-6121.
• Taste of Wakulla Food Festival in Crawfordville.  850-926-1848. Restaurants for around the area showcase their delicacies in an outdoor food festival at the park!
• Wakulla County “Point In Time” living history interpretation.  850-926-1848.
• Port St. Joe Annual Tapper Golf Tournament at St. Joseph Bay Country Club.  800-482-GULF.
  This shotgun start tow-day event helps raise scholarship money for Gulf Coast Community College students.  The tournament is held at St. Joe Bay Country club just outside Port St. Joe.
• St. George Island yacht Club Old Time Luau.  850-653-9419.
• Wakulla Springs “Spooky Springs”.   Spooky  cruises and trail walks.  850-224-5950.   Ghosts and goblins and other spooky things are in abundance at Wakulla Springs State Park!
• Ghost on the Coast.  Port St. Joe Annual downtown Trick or Treat.  October 31.  Reid Ave. 6:00.  800-482-GULF.
  Come listen to great storytellers, tour the haunted house, and be treated to the best community haunt around.  Costume contest.  Great fun for kids...of all ages.  Free.
• 5th Annual Apalachicola Jazz Festival.   8:00 pm at the Dixie Theatre in Apalachicola.  Contact Dixie Partington at 850-653-3891.
  
     NOVEMBER

• Downtown Oyster Roast & Seafest Street Party.   Commerce St., Apalachicola.  850-683-9419
  The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce will host its annual oyster roast.  Enjoy roasted and raw oysters, artichoke and oyster soup, shrimp, crabs, & homemade desserts under the stars.  Musical entertainment, great micro-brewery beers and wines, plus some of the freshest seafood in the country!  Tickets available at the above phone number!
• Port St. Joe Music By the Bay.    850-227-1223.  Free Concerts.  Every Thursday night at the Thirsty Goat in Port St. Joe.
• Annual Florida Seafood Festival.  Battery Park, Apalachicola.  1st Weekend of Month.  850-653-9319.  Starts Friday at noon and goes to Sunday at 4 pm.  If you love great seafood, arts & crafts, fine folks and wonderful entertainment all wrapped up in a family atmosphere, then this is the place!  The event will feature quality entertainment and maritime crafts paying tribute to Apalachicola Bay’s commercial fishermen!   
• Low Impact Aerobics & Stregth Training Classes -  Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday starting November 12 in the Barrier Dunes Clubhouse!  Free!  For more information, call Cheryl Bullerdick at 850-229-2515
• 3rd Annual Apalachicola Jazz, Blues and Folk Festival.  Dixie Theatre, Apalachicola.  850-653-3891.
• Panama City Garden Club Annual Bazaar.  Panama City, FL.
• Winter Woods & Wildlife Walk at Wakulla Springs.  850-224-5950.
• Annual Boaters Flea Market in Port St. Joe.  800-482-GULF.
• National Wildlife Refuge Week Festivities at St. Marks.  850-925-6121
• Historic Apalachicola Christmas Celebration. Light-Up Night.   850-653-9419.
  The historic Apalchicola Christmas Celbration will light up Apalachicola from 4:30-8 pm .  The streets of downtown Apalachicola will be lines with luminaries & with holiday spirit.  Merchants will be open late and the sounds of carolers will echo through the streets.  The highlight, of course, will be, of course, Santa, arriving on a shrimp boat at 6 pm at the City Dock on Water Street across from city hall.
• Port St. Joe Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting and Concert.  800-482-GULF.

DECEMBER

• Island Lights and Santa's Arrival.  850-297-2604.
  Annual St. George Island Lighting of the Lights & the arrival of Santa Claus.  For more info email ewood@ccbflorida.com.
• Christmas on the Coast.   Port St. Joe, FL.  227-1223.  Tree lighting and Christmas Hymns, Festival of Lights Boat Parade.
• Holiday Fresh Market.  850-927-2095
• Mexico Beach Celebration of Lights.  888-723-2546 or mbcdc@mexicobeach.com
• Home for the Holidays.  Every Friday,  Panama City Beach, FL on Harrison Avenue.  Features Horse drawn carriage rides through historic downtown, Christmas carolers, Live window displays, nativity scenes, visits with Santa, Hot Cocoa and cider and much more!
• Wakulla County Chivaree "A Walk Back in Time.".  First Sat. in Dec.  850-421-3125.
  Enjoy a big country breakfast to kick off the festivities.  Demonstrations throughout the day include can syrup and apple butter making; activities for children, arts and crafts, local entertainment & local food venders.
• Mexico Beach Annual Celebration of Lights.  888-723-2546.
  Caroling, refreshments and visit by St. Nick.  Free.
• Port St. Joe Christmas on the Coast Community Tree Lighting and Christmas Hymns. Kick off the Christmas season with a parade, tree lighting, 5K run and more! 850-227-1223
• Carrabelle Timber Island Yacht Club Parade of Lights.   850-639-2702.
  Lighted Boat Parade on Carrabelle River.
• Candy Cane Lane.   Junior Museum in Panama City.  Walk down the beautiful lighted Candy Cane Lane & see the 8 foot tall candy canes, gingerbread man, train and more.  Free coffee & hot chocolate.   
• Annual Mexico Beach Celebration of Lights.  850-648-8196.
• Mexico Beach’s New Years Celebration.  850-648-8196.
• Annual Christmas Concert at Trinity Episcopal Church.  850-653-9419.
• New Years Celebration.  Dec.31-Jan 1.  7pm - 2 am.  888-723-2546.
  "Celebrate Safe - Celebrate Twice" is the theme of this event. Because Mexico Beach & St. Joe Beach are in 2 different time zones revelers can celebrate New Year's twice. The Trolley carries revelers between eastern & central time zones. FREE TRANSPORTATION for on New Year's Eve from Mexico Beach to St. Joe beach for those that want to celebrate twice!
• New Year's Eve Gala.  850-224-5980.  Wakulla Springs Lodge.  Dinner buffet and live music.  Semiformal attire.  Reservations Required.
  
  JANUARY
• Low Impact Aerobics & Stregth Training Classes -  Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday through March in the Barrier Dunes Clubhouse!  Free!  For more information, call Cheryl Bullerdick at 850-229-2515
• Living History Days.    
• Wild Duck Viewing.  Throughout January.  St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge.  850-925-6121.
• Camp Gordon Johnson Spaghatti Dinner / Dance.  January 27, 2007.  850-697-8575
  Featuring music that "Swings" as well as favorites from the 40's, 50's and 60's.  Franklin County Senior Center in Carrabelle - Reserved tickets available.