Island Fest

The 29th annual Islamorada Chamber of Commerce fundraiser features a juried art show, live music, a culinary competition, classic cars, a wacky homemade boat race, hula hoop contests, sandcastle building, a life-size dolphin statue and more from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Founders Park, MM 87. For more information, visit www.islamoradachamber.com or call 305-664-4503.

 

Saturdays, Islamorada
Trolley Tour Through Time
The Matecumbe Historical Trust hosts a one-hour historical tour at 10 a.m. See more than 90 photos of the past as you pass by sites as they are today. Call for reservations.
Barbara, 305-393-0940

 

March 2, Panama City Beach
Fragrance Masterclass With Perfume Creation
Drop in at Sun Bear Gallery and Studio and create your own fragrance. Spots are limited for this free event that runs from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
stop-sweaty.com/fragrance-masterclass; 718-935-0032

 

March 3, Marathon
Fishing Artificial Reefs
Captain Chris Johnson of Sea Squared Charters helms this free fishing seminar at the Faro Blanco Resort and Yacht Club from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
seasquared@bellsouth.net; 305-743-5305

 

March 4, Islamorada
Lecture Series
Author Michael Tougias talks about “Above & Beyond: JFK and the Florida Pilots During the Cuban Missile Crisis” at 6 p.m. at the Keys History & Discovery Center. Reservations encouraged.
info@keysdiscovery.com; 305-922-2237

 

March 4-7, Panama City Beach
Emerald Coast Cruizin’ Car Show
Aaron Bessant Park will be filled with classic cars. Music and other events are featured.
emeraldcoastcruizin.com; 662-576-1448

 

March 5-April 4, Marathon
How to Succeed in Business
Without Really Trying
Marathon Community Theater, MM 51, presents the musical comedy Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with a 3 p.m. matinee Sunday, March 22. Tickets are $30 each, before sales tax and ticket fees.
www.marathontheater.org; 305-743-0994

 

March 6, Islamorada
18th annual Buckles & Boots
Support Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys at the Florida Keys Conference Center at Islander Resort, MM 82. Special guest speaker is American singer, songwriter and actor Huey Lewis. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and features auctions, heavy hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, live music and dancing. Tickets are $150 a person or $250 a couple at habitatupperkeys.org or RSVP.
director@habitatupperkeys.org; 305-453-0050

 

March 6-8, Marathon
14th annual Sombrero Beach Run 2020
Fun events surround the Key West Southernmost Runners Club’s event, which includes 5K to 15K runs and walks and a kids’ fun run. Kayaking, a barbecue and games are Sunday.
admin@sombrerobeachrun.org; 305-743-4582

 

March 7, Key West
58th annual Conch Shell Blowing Contest
Entrants are judged on quality, length, loudness and novelty at the event beginning at noon at the Oldest House. Shells are available for purchase. Admission and entry is free.
oldisland@comcast.net; 305-294-9501

 

March 7, Marathon
Annual House and Garden Tour
The Marathon Garden Club event is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Buy tickets at the garden club, MM50, or the Marathon Chamber of Commerce.
www.marathongardenclub.org; 305-743-4971

 

March 7, Panama City Beach
27th annual Scottish Festival
Bagpipes, athletic competitions, food, stepdancing and more highlight festivities at Frank Brown Park, starting at 9 a.m. A parade of tartans is at noon. Activities run until 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $30 for a family four pack.
Pcbeachscotfestival; 850-556-5714

 

March 7, Tavernier
Annual Yard Sale
New, gently used and vintage items and plants are featured at the San Pedro Women’s Guild event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at San Pedro Catholic Church, MM 89.5.
mariamar47@comcast.net

 

March 8, Marathon
63rd annual Key Colony Beach Day
Nearly 100 vendors join the island’s birthday party. There will be live music from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m., rubber duckie races and more.
cheryl@kcbdays.com; 904-708-6965

 

March 13, Panama City
Healthy Start’s World’s Greatest Baby Shower
This free event welcomes anyone who is pregnant or had a baby in the past six months, as well as their families and caregivers, to a morning of games, snacks and prizes. The event is from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at FSU’s Holley Center.
suzy@healthystartbfg.com

 

March 13-22, Chipley
The Glass Menagerie
A Southern mother lives in St. Louis with her son, who works in a shoe factory, and daughter, who lives with a physical handicap in the Tennessee Williams play performed at Spanish Trail Playhouse. Familial relationships are strained as the mother searches for a partner for her daughter. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military, and $12 for students.
spanishtrailplayhouse@gmail.com; 850-638-9113

 

March 14, Nalcrest
50-Year Anniversary Art Show
Sixteen-plus artists display and sell their work from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the auditorium at Nalcrest Town Center, 10 miles east of Lake Wales off Highway 60. Art classes are offered.
Schmeltzlinda@yahoo.com

 

March 14-15, Marathon
Original Marathon Seafood Festival
Delicacies from the Keys highlight this munch-fest at Marathon Community Park, MM 49, with live music, vendor booths, sweets, treats and beverages. An open-air boat show is staged at the entrance to the festival.
marathonseafoodfestival.com; 305-743-5417

 

March 20-21, Sebring
Twelve Hours of Sebring Race
America’s oldest endurance race caps the weekend at Sebring Raceway as drivers see who can go the furthest in 12 hours. The 1000 Miles of Sebring is the night before. Tickets are $125 for both days or $85 for just the Saturday race.
sebringraceway.com; 800-626-RACE

 

March 20-21, Tavernier
Quilt Show
The Florida Keys Quilters invite you to view 100 quilts and vote for your favorite from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at San Pedro Church, MM 89.5. Admission is $8. Husbands get in free. Buy quilts and other handmade items at the country store. A cafe will sell salads, beverages and dessert. Raffle tickets for a queen quilt are $1 or six for $5.
Audrey, 516-425-9054

 

March 20-22, Pensacola
Third annual Smokin’ in the Square
Take it low and slow at this weekend-long barbecue festival at Seville Square, which also showcases a corn-hole tournament and brew battle.
smokininthesquare@gmail.com; 850-516-2622

 

March 20-29, Port St. Joe
15th annual Plein Air Paint-Out
The area’s recovery from Hurricane Michael is featured in portraits of Gulf County sights, with exhibits, a collector’s forum and guest speakers.
info@pleinairfl.com; 800-378-8419

 

 

Pioneer Day and BBQ
DeSoto County Historical Society’s 16th annual event showcases the history and heritage of southwest Florida with demonstrations of old-fashioned skills and crafts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Veterans Memorial Park, State Road 70, west of Arcadia. Enjoy traditional Florida foods, a barbecue, music, a Florida Cracker cow camp, live animals, vintage automobiles, antique engines, Florida authors and artists, a hands-on area with fossil-dig and old-time games. For more information, visit www.historicdesoto.org.

March 21, Marathon
Movie Screening: Marathon After Midnight
This G-rated musical comedy shot entirely in the Middle Keys with local actors focuses on a steampunk family that runs a bed and breakfast and their Halloween night hijinks. The screening is at Marathon Garden Club, MM 50, at 7 p.m. A longer director’s cut follows at 9 p.m.
305-393-6598

 

March 22, Islamorada
3rd annual Islamorada Seafood and Art Festival
The kid- and dog-friendly event starts at 11 a.m. with music, art and seafood dishes from area chefs along the old highway in the Morada Arts and Cultural District down to Islamorada Moose Lodge, MM 81. Participants are asked to donate $5 for Moose Lodge area charities.
islamoradaseafoodfestival.com

 

March 27-28, Port St. Joe
Blues on Reid
Folk and blues music fills the air as barbecue fills your stomach at the Gulf County Chamber of Commerce festival from noon to 7 p.m.
facebook.com/BluesInTheLot; 850-227-1223

 

March 27-April 12, Sebring
The Marvelous Wonderettes
Highlands Lakeside Theater presents the coming-of-age comedy. Four women attend their 1958 prom, then look at their lives 10 years later. Tickets start at $20 for adults and $10 for youth.
highlandslakesidetheatre.org; 863-382-2525

 

March 28, Key Largo
Pops in the Park Springtime Serenade
Enjoy the Keys Community Concert Band with music from paradise and a conch-blowing contest at the Murray Nelson Government and Cultural Center, MM 102.
keyscommunityconcertband.org; 305-451-4530

 

March 28, Pensacola
Humane Society Fur Ball
It’s a black-tie night at the Pensacola Yacht Club as a cocktail reception and dinner benefits the Pensacola Humane Society. Auctions, a puppy parade and music provide entertainment.
facebook.com/CoughItUpForTheAnimals; 850-432-4250

 

March 28, Blakely, Georgia
Peanut Proud Festival
The celebration begins with a 5K and fun run and includes a parade, more than 100 vendors, a kids’ peanut butter obstacle course, free entertainment and a street dance. Sample fried peanuts and grilled PB&J sandwiches.
peanutproudfestival.com

 

March 31-April 1, Pensacola
Blue Angels Practice
Visitors to the National Naval Aviation Museum can look up and hear the roar of the Blue Angels from the museum’s bleacher seating for 1,000. Attendance is free. Practice times vary, so check schedules before arriving.
www.navalaviationmuseum.org; 850-452-3604

 

 

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