11th Annual Corn Maze and Fall Fun Festival
Celebrate 11 years of agritourism fun weekends from September 28 through November 3 at Sweet Season Farms in Milton. Learn about agriculture, navigate your way through a themed 8-acre corn maze and play on more than 20 farm-themed activities such as the corn popper jumping pillow, beeline and the cow train. Enjoy games, goodies and farm-themed foods. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is required for entry. For more information, visit www.sweetseasonfarms.com or call 850-675-3573.
Through October 22, Avon Park
Fall Decorations at Hotel Jacaranda
Embrace the festive fall season at this 1920s historic hotel where Babe Ruth, Clark Gable and Al Capone once stayed. Free to visit; excludes meals and overnight stays.
www.hoteljac.com; 863-453-2211
September 2, Islamorada
Annual Labor Day Service
Matecumbe Historical Trust presents a Labor Day service at 9 a.m. at the hurricane monument at MM 81.8. Each year, tribute is paid to the more than 500 men, women and children who died September 2, 1935. The event begins with an invocation, short service, brief history of the monument’s significance, a presentation of the colors, the national anthem, placing of a wreath, taps and a benediction.
www.matecumbehistoricaltrust.com; 305-393-0940
September 3-October 13, Florida Keys
Kids Free Florida Keys
During a 40-day celebration, kids are treated to free admission to participating museums and attractions throughout the Keys, along with complementary meals and other perks.
www.keywestattractions.org; 305-293-7249
September 5, Pensacola
Free Film Screening
Join WSRE in the Amos Studio at 7 p.m. for a free 45-minute advance screening of Ken Burns’ 16-hour documentary, “Country Music.” A panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session follow. Please preregister.
www.wsre.org/CountryMusic; 850-484-1200
September 5-7, Perdido Key
Seventh annual Bulls on the Beach
The high-energy, rock-and-roll rodeo hosted at 8 p.m. by the Flora-Bama Lounge features professional bull riders from across the Southeast.
www.florabama.com; 850-492-0611
September 6, Pensacola
Emerald Coast Beer Festival
Sample beverages from more than 45 breweries throughout the United States, more than a dozen regional homebrew clubs and major distributors from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Seville Quarter. Food truck vendors are on-site, and live music is featured on several stages. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 the day of the event. Proceeds benefit Seville Rotary and the Alfred-Washburn Center, which serves the homeless.
www.emeraldcoastbeerfest.com; 850-434-6211
September 7, Islamorada
Fourth annual Florida Keys Poker Paddle
Paddle to five different stops along a 4-mile route through the bayside waters of Islamorada and draw a card. The best poker hand wins. Complete the course and receive a completion medal, T-shirt and swag bag. Lunch and an awards party are at Florida Keys Brewing Co. This is a great event for all ages. Proceeds benefit veterans, first responders and their families.
www.paddleguru.com; 305-407-7939
September 7, Gulf Breeze
Birdwalk at Soundside Foundation Preserve
Join the Francis M. Weston Audubon Society at 8:30 a.m. at Soundside Drive (SR 191B) for a two-hour family-friendly walk to learn about area birds. Participation is free.
www.fmwaudubon.org; 315-345-3511 (text)
September 7, Panama City Beach
9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
The September 11, 2001, attack is remembered with a 110-flight climb at Edgewater Beach Resorts. Proceeds benefit the Emerald Coast First Responders Association and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
www.pcbstairclimb.com; 850-819-1156
September 7, Pensacola
Pieces Adrift
The inaugural art show and auction feature trash collected from in and around the waterways of Escambia County. More than 50 local artists have signed up to submit art pieces with one restriction: Each piece must be at least 50% trash or found objects. The show is from 5 to 8 p.m. at First City Art Center, 401 North Reus St., with a silent auction for most of the pieces, interactive activities, music and food trucks. Admission is $10. Kids younger than 12 get in free.
https://bit.ly/2ZWug2E; 850-438-1178
September 12-15, Marathon
60th annual International Bonefish Tournament
Compete in fly and grand slam divisions (for the top spin or fly angler who releases the largest bonefish, permit and tarpon) in one of the few tournaments where anglers can fish without a professional guide.
www.facebook.com/events/403061413646718
September 14, Sebring
Literacy Day and Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
Highlands Hammock State Park hosts a bilingual story hour from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, followed by a nature hike and the junior ranger program.
www.floridastateparks.org; 863-386-6094
September 14, Islamorada
Sixth annual Swim for Alligator Lighthouse
Swimmers participate in an 8-mile roundtrip race from Islamorada to the Alligator Lighthouse and back that helps raise awareness of the need to preserve the treasured, historic offshore lighthouses along the Florida Keys. Proceeds help provide scholarship opportunities to students in need and who wish to pursue competitive swimming.
www.swimalligatorlight.com
September 14, Pensacola
5210 Day of Play
Enjoy activities, games, sports, contests and physical challenges for all ages from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m. at Community Maritime Park.
www.cityofpensacola.com; 850-436-5670
September 18, Islamorada
Immerse Yourself!
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Anne Stewart will speak about “Sacred Cenote” at 7 p.m. at the History of Diving Museum, MM83.
www.divingmuseum.org; 305-664-9737
September 20, Perdido Key
Flicks on the Field
Bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy a free showing of “The Lego Movie” at 7 p.m. at the Pensacola Greyhound Track.
www.visitperdido.com; 850-492-4660
September 20-22, Islamorada
Herman Lucerne Memorial Backcountry Fishing Championship
Named after the man known affectionately as “Mr. Everglades,” the event is headquartered at the Islander Resort, MM 82.1. Anglers are challenged to target seven species of fish in two days during this one-of-a-kind tournament, staged in the boundaries of Everglades National Park.
www.hermanlucernememorial.com
September 21, three Florida state parks
Coastal Cleanup Day
Volunteer to remove litter at one of three Florida state parks: Camp Helen in Panama City Beach, 8 a.m. to noon CDT; Topsail Hill in Santa Rosa Beach, 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. CDT; or Wakulla Springs south of Tallahassee, 9 a.m. to noon EDT.
www.floridastateparks.org
September 21, Sebring
ChampCar Sebring 14
Street cars of just about every make and model—including vans and station wagons—are raced by amateur drivers in a 14-hour endurance event on the famous 3.74-mile Sebring road course.
www.champcar.org; 434-996-6721
September 21, nationwide
Smithsonian Magazine’s Free Museum Day
Visitors to the website who download and present a Museum Day ticket gain free entrance for two at participating venues.
www.smithsonianmag.com
September 27, Bushnell
Eighth annual Intertribal Pow-wow
Enjoy native crafts and food, music, storytelling, singing and dancing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Dade Battlefield State Park.
www.floridastateparks.org; 352-793-2654
September 27-28, Islamorada
Conch Scramble Charity Golf Tournament
Floating greens, golf boats and biodegradable fish food balls highlight the one-of-a-kind “par-tee” on the water that raises money for charity. Up to 50 teams can enter. Teams stop at eight Islamorada waterfront venues and come ashore to tee off. Each player has two shots at the floating holes using biodegradable golf balls that dissolve into fish food after 90 hours in the water.
www.conchscramble.com; 305-509-0315
September 27-28, Pensacola
Vettes at the Beach
The Miracle Strip expects 300 Corvettes from across the country from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Casino Beach parking lot. The event—which features music and vendors—is free for spectators. Competitors pay an entry fee.
www.miraclestripcorvette.com; 850-375-6993
September 27-29, Key Largo
20th annual Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge
Anglers compete for trophies for trout, snook and redfish in catch-and-release fishing around the clock. Proceeds support vocational scholarships for all ages and Take Stock in Children scholarships for financially challenged Upper Keys students. Headquartered at the Tavernier Elks Club, the annual event presented by the Rotary Club of Key Largo features a silent and live auction showcase and Sunday evening dinner open to the public.
www.keylargorotary.org; 305-331-0525
September 27-29, Pensacola
40th annual Seafood Festival
Sample mouth-watering dishes and enjoy entertainment at the free event in Seville Square Park from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to
11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
www.pensacolaseafoodfestival.com; 850-433-6512
September 28, Bradenton
Mixon Farms Craft Fair
The indoor fair is in the back of the processing plant at 2525 27th St. East from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
the fourth Saturday of the month, April to September. Fifteen to 25 craft vendors participate.
www.mixon.com; 941-748-5829 ext. 239
September 28, nationwide
National Public Lands Day
Enjoy free entrance to 124 national parks.
www.nps.gov
September 28, Bradenton
Third annual Chef’s Challenge
Appetizer and dessert chefs compete for your vote, and art is created as you watch at a 6 p.m. fundraiser for the nonprofit ArtCenter Manatee.
www.artcentermanatee.org; 941-746-2862