ART IN THE PARK
Enjoy a day dedicated to the arts around Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River at the 14th annual Art in the Park Saturday, January 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tom Perry Memorial Park and Glades County Public Library on Riverside Drive in Moore Haven. The free event is hosted by the Glades County Public Advisory Board and Friends of the Library. Enjoy interactive art projects, crafts, an antique car show, an assortment of foods and music by the band Buckshot. Admission and parking are free, with raffle drawings every hour. Student art depicting Florida nature is featured inside the library. For more information, call 863-946-0744 or visit www.facebook.com/art-in-the-park-moore-haven.
January 1, Perdido Key
Polar Bear Dip
Splash in the Gulf of Mexico at noon by the Flora-Bama Lounge. Afterwards, join in the Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas.
www.florabama.com
January 1, Key West
Polar Paddle Plunge
Get a refreshing start to 2020 by paddling the Gulf of Mexico with Blue Moon Kayak. The trip departs from Sunset Marina, 5555 College Road. The cost is $50 a person.
bluemoonkayakkeywest.com; 305-209-8303
January 3-4, Islamorada
Fish for Holly
Raise money for Keys scholarships and domestic violence initiatives during the memorial sailfish tournament that honors the late Holly Given, an avid angler. Participants gather at Whale Harbor Marina to compete for top male, female and junior angler awards as well as top offshore, bay boat and fun fish.
www.fishforholly.com
January 3-5, Marathon
Music Video Festival
Produced by Conch Records, the free event features live performances by more than 100 Florida Keys-based musicians alongside music videos at Marathon Community Park, MM 49. Multiple stages feature different genres. T-shirt sales help Keys nonprofits.
conchrecords.com; 305-587-9830
January 3-5, Bradenton
Bradenton Boat Show
See a huge selection of new boats, tons of fishing gear and sit in on a hands-on learning experience with experts beginning at 10 a.m. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Admission is $5 for adults. Kids 12 and younger are admitted free.
www.bradentonboatshow.com; 727-894-3644
January 4, Pensacola
Mardi Gras Kick Off
Krewes will parade down Palafox and Government streets at 4 p.m. in the free citywide event, which is followed by a jazz band street performance and dance.
pensacolamardigras.com; 850-436-7638
January 6, Pensacola
Jazz Jam Fun
Trumpeter Roger Villines leads the HouseBand at The Vineyard, 1010 N. 12th Ave., at 5:30 p.m. Students are invited to join other musicians as participants, and are admitted free if playing at the Jazz Pensacola event.
www.jazzpensacola.com; 850-433-8382
January 8, Islamorada
Lecture Series
Sarah Fangman, superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, will lecture on “Saving our Reefs: Ambitious Efforts to Flip the Script,” at 6 p.m. at the Keys History & Discovery Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with a cash bar and snacks. Reservations should be made at info@keysdiscovery.com.
www.keysdiscovery.com; 305-922-2237
January 9-19, Upper Keys
Uncorked: Food and Wine Festival
The event in Islamorado and Key Largo showcases dozens of savory events to please virtually every palate and budget, with fresh, locally sourced seafood and international-style dishes.
www.floridakeysuncorked.com; 305-522-1300
FLORIDA KEYS CELTIC FESTIVAL
The 7th annual event is Saturday, January 11, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, January 12, from 11 a.m. to
5 p.m., at Marathon Community Park, 200 36th St. Features include live music, Celtic vendors, crafts, Irish dancing, Highlands athletic competition, a sheepdog demonstration, and a children’s glen with a bounce area, arts, crafts and a petting zoo. Tickets are $10 each day. Proceeds support Hammock House—a free afterschool and camp program that provides all children in the Middle Keys with education, nutrition and fun. Volunteers are needed to help set up tents, run errands and sell raffle tickets. To volunteer, call 305-743-6412 or email floridakeyscelticfestival@gmail.com. For information about the festival, visit www.FLKeysCelticFestival.com.
January 12, Milton
Prom Fashion Show
Help raise money for Milton High School’s Project Graduation 2020 at a 3 p.m. show at the high school featuring prom dresses, tuxedos and little girl pageant dresses. Admission is $7, $5 for students with IDs and free for children 5 and younger.
808-227-0007
January 15, Islamorada
Immerse Yourself!
Geno Gargiulo of Commercial Dive Services speaks about recycling reef tires at 7 p.m. at the History of Diving Museum, MM 83.
www.divingmuseum.org; 305-664-9737
January 15, Key Largo
Nature Lecture Series
Jordan Budnik, executive director of the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, introduces the variety of owl species that live in the Keys, offering tips to identify them by sight, sound and behavior, and sharing how we can protect them. The lecture is at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park visitor center and aquarium, MM 102.5, at 7:30 p.m. Park gates open at 7 p.m. There is no charge to enter the park to attend lectures.
www.floridastateparks.org
January 15-18, Fort Meade
33rd annual Antique Engine
and Tractor Swap Meet
Buy, sell and swap equipment and parts at the Florida Flywheelers event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7000 Avon Park Cutoff Road. See a 1914 400-horsepower snow engine, a functioning sawmill, antique construction equipment, a Model T put-together, kids’ pedal and antique tractor pulls, a parade of antique cars and tractors, and a flea market in the antique village.
www.floridaflywheelers.org; 863-285-9121
January 15-March 18, Islamorada
Dive into Recycled Art Show
The Art Guild of the Purple Isles hosts the show daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the History of Diving Museum, MM 82.9.
agpi.us
January 17-19, Miami
18th annual Tamiami
International Orchid Festival
Gather from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Dade County Fairgrounds Expo Center to see and buy orchids from growers from around the world and attend free growing classes. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Kids younger than 12 are admitted free.
www.orchidfestival.com
January 17-19, Islamorada
Eighth annual Baygrass
Bluegrass & Craft Beer Festival
Enjoy traditional bluegrass, old-time soulgrass and Americana singing bands at Founders Park, MM 87. The weekend’s main event is as much a craft beer as a music festival, with several breweries on tap.
baygrassbluegrass.com
January 18, Lakeport
27th annual Sour Orange Festival
Enjoy a taste of native Florida with a slice of sour orange pie from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lakeport Community Association on Red Barn Road. Features include a quilt show, vendors, music, swamp cabbage, pulled pork and chicken dinners. Admission is free. Parking is $2.
Jo Randolph, 863-946-1222
January 18, Plantation Key
37th annual Art Under the Oaks
San Pedro Catholic Church, MM 89.5, hosts the festival of fine art and original crafts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy live entertainment, local specialties, international food booths, raffles and a bake sale. Admission and parking at Coral Shores High School are free. Onsite parking is $5.
www.artundertheoaks.com; 281-814-9915
January 18, Islamorada
Pops in the Park
Music from around the world—Broadway and movie favorites, the Beatles, light jazz and classic rock—is the theme of the free outdoor band concert at 4 p.m. at Founders Park, MM 87. Play-along instruments are provided. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are recommended.
www.keyscommunityconcertband.org; 305-451-4530
January 22, Islamorada
Lecture Series
Dr. Ross Boucek of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust lectures on “Restoring the Keys Flats Fishery” at 6 p.m. at the Keys History & Discovery Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with a cash bar and snacks. Reservations should be made at info@keysdiscovery.com.
www.keysdiscovery.com; 305-922-2237
January 24, Juno Beach
Inaugural Hike2O
Grab your pack and gather your camping essentials for Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s backcountry benefit to support marine conservation and education outreach to noncoastal schools across South Florida, and promote environmental stewardship of Florida’s fresh and saltwater systems. Supporters not ready to commit to 33 miles can register as a virtual hiker and complete a hike of five or more miles to help raise awareness of Florida’s important waterways. Previous hiking and camping experience are strongly suggested for the 60 full-event slots, since no trail provision is offered. Registration is $125 for full-event hikers and $65 for virtual day hikers. Participants must be 18 years or older for the full event. All ages are welcome as virtual hikers.
www.marinelife.org; 561-627-8280, x124
January 24-26, Duck Key
2020 Island Boat Show
See more than 80 boats of all types, attend fishing seminars and bid in a silent auction to benefit college scholarships and Island Community Church missions. Hosted at Hawks Cay Resort, hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults.
www.islandboatshow.com; 949-466-1481
January 25, Avon Park
Florida Art and Heritage Festival
Visit Museum Avenue at Main Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and enjoy a Florida Cracker whip-cracking contest, live music, sidewalk chalk painting, rock painting, wood turning, rustic furniture and carvings made from ancient Florida Cypress logs, storytelling, dance and a juried fine art exhibit of Florida artists. Shop for jewelry, native plants, handmade arts and crafts, Depot Dining Car cobbler, barbecue and food truck fare. Admission is free.
info@heartlandculturalalliance.org; 863-414-1578
January 25, Port St. Joe
10th annual Chili Cookoff
The Junior Service League hosts the chili competition, car show and family bazaar, with vendors, music, kid’s activities, bake sale, cake walk and 50/50 raffle. The event starts at noon at 117 Sailors Cove Drive.
www.visitgulf.com
January 25, Marathon
Jamboree and Rummage Sale
Shop for plants and orchids geared to the Keys climate and soil, jewelry and pottery at the Marathon Garden Club, MM50, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit with local plant experts and enjoy hot dogs.
www.marathongardenclub.org; 305-743-4971
January 25, Marathon
Fourth annual Coconut Crawl
Help raise money for the Marathon campus of the Florida Keys SPCA by participating in a poker run. Signup is 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Waterfront Park. Participants will be given a list of restaurants to visit (drinks are optional) and receive a card at each place. After the walk, meet at Cabana Club for dinner. Those with the best hand, best costume and team spirit win a prizes.
www.kcbca.org; 305-394-2480
January 26, Key Largo
12th annual Ralphie Walk
Decorate your bra and join a fun walk to benefit the Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys and the Humane Society. Pick up a poker sheet at Sharkey’s and draw a playing card at each of the pub stops, ending with food, a silent auction, raffles, a 50/50 drawing and live music. The $25 entry fee includes six poker sheets.
305-240-0476