Things to See and Do

Festival Roundup

October 23, 2019

Peace River Folk Festival

Fort Meade Outdoor Recreation Area, US 98 E, welcomes bluegrass and country headliners Hwy 41 S, 7# of Bacon, We Three Strings, Flatland Band and Southerndipity Band from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, November 16. Admission is $10 a car. Bring lawn chairs. For more information, visit https://fortmeadeflmuseum.com or call 863-285-7474.

November 1-2, Apalachicola

56th annual Florida Seafood Festival
Held at Battery Park overlooking the mouth of the Apalachicola River, this event draws thousands and features fresh Apalachicola Bay seafood, arts and crafts exhibits, and an oyster eating and shucking contest.

November 2, Sebring

Art, Wine and Jazz Festival
Kick off the holiday shopping season in historic downtown with 80-plus original artists and work from 10 mediums competing for thousands in scholarships. Live jazz, a wine garden, performances and strolling street theater provide nonstop entertainment. Local restaurants and mobile food vendors provide culinary.

November 6, Islamorada

Lecture Series
Everglades Foundation Scientist Steve Davis speaks about “Everglades Restoration: Protecting Habitats, Conserving Water and Strengthening Our Economy” at 6 p.m. at Keys History & Discovery Center, MM82. Admission is $10 for nonmembers. Reservations are recommended.

November 6, Palmetto

Chamber Expo 2019
More than 150 businesses showcase their products and services from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Area restaurants offer free bites, a DJ spins tunes, and photo booths and cash bars are available. Admission is $5. Parking is free.

November 6-9, Panama City Beach

Emerald Coast Cruizin’ Car Show
Thousands of classic cars, hot rods, custom cars and trucks make way to Aaron Bessant Park next to Pier Park for a show and shine and a variety of entertainment.

November 6-9, Fort Meade

24th annual Fall Fuel Up
Antique engines and tractors of every color—including a 1914 400-horsepower snow engine—are on display from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club, 7000 Avon Park Cut Off Road. Parades are at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and a Model T put-together is at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sawmill demonstrations, tractor pulls, a huge flea market and an old-time village also are featured.

November 9, Sebring

34th annual Civilian Conservation Corps Festival
Learn about the amazing things the CCC did for the park service when blacksmithing, beekeeping, hide tanning and antler carving were a way of life—and see those skills demonstrated. The event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Highlands Hammock State Park includes live bluegrass and folk bands, heritage crafts, arts and crafts vendors, CCC worker reenactments, a model railroad display, antique cars, tram rides, food vendors, pony rides, storytelling and children’s activities.
www.visitsebring.com; 863-386-6094

November 9, Indian Lake Estates

United Methodist Church Sale
Shop for handmade crafts, gently used items, baked goods and lunch from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Table rental is $10 inside or $5 outside.
608-513-0417

November 9, Bradenton

A Taste of Mixons
Get your passport stamped as you sample food products at stations around the Mixon Farms store from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event also features entertainment.
www.mixon.com; 941-748-5829 ext. 239

November 9, Sebring

Crazy Chili Pepper Cookoff
Teams from central Florida compete for best chili from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in historic downtown. All chili is cooked on site, with samples available. The event also features a chili dog-eating contest and a car show. Proceeds benefit Honor Flight, South Florida State College Scholarship Foundation, Born to Read, Today’s Veteran Organization, Vets First and other local charities.

November 9, Key Largo

Bridge Run Half Marathon & 4-Mile Run/Walk
Run over the Jewfish Creek Bridge overlooking Key Largo Bay and finish at Rowell’s Waterfront Park at the 10th annual event.

November 9, Panama City Beach

Baconfest and Art Show The Islamorada Moose Lodge, MM 81, hosts the annual event Sunday, November 10, beginning at 11 a.m. along the old highway down the art district to Morada Way. Taste bacon in everything from appetizers to entrées and desserts to cocktails. Contests include Dress Your Pet as a Pig, Bacon Eating, Bartenders Bacon Cocktail and hog calling. Vendors display arts and crafts, and there is live music. A 50/50 drawing is at the end of the day. Chefs, vendors, sponsors or volunteers should contact the lodge. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/BaconFest&ArtShow, email moosecall2151@gmail.com or call 305-664-8120.
Pier Park Seafood Festival
Sample shrimp and oyster dishes while enjoying live music. Wristbands for entry are $20 in advance or $30 the day of the event.

November 12-14

Highlands County Ag-Venture
Fourteen stations—from alligators and beef to bees and citrus and dairy to forestry—provide hands-on learning for third graders. Local commodity group experts and farmers staff each station at the Highlands County Fairgrounds. On Tuesday, November 12, the entire family is invited from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for guided tours of the stations, entertainment and a steak dinner. Volunteers are needed.

November 12, 14-17, Key Largo

Sin, Sex and the CIA
The Key Players present a comedy farce by Michael Parker at Key Largo Lions Club, MM99. Shows are at 7:30 p.m., but 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 in advance at outlets or $18 at the door or online.

November 16, Chipley

Swamp OffRoad Free Concert
Pay regular gate admission to The Swamp OffRoad Park, 3690 Mobile Swamp Road, and jam to live music at no extra cost. Ride trails, climb hills, play in mud and conquer obstacles. Wash stations, hot showers, clean toilets and food are offered. The cost is $10 for adults and $10 per off-road toy. Those younger than 12 are admitted free.

November 16, Sebring

Craft Beer Festival
Sample 50-plus unique flavors of beers, appetizer bites from local restaurants and live music from
6 to 9 p.m. at the downtown circle. The annual fundraiser benefits the Children’s Museum of the Highlands.

November 16, Callahan

Hobos, Hot Rods and Heroes Festival and Car Show
The West Nassau Historical Society’s third autumn celebration opens at 9 a.m. and runs all day around the Callahan Train Depot and adjoining Florida Railroad bed. The event features arts/crafts and food vendors, a judged car show, a kids’ play area and activities, live entertainment, and tours of the history museum, train depot, turpentine artifact exhibit and 1940s-era caboose. Veterans will are honored at 11 a.m. Vendors, car show participants, volunteers and sponsors are needed.
www.wnhsfl.org; 904-879-3406

November 20, Islamorada

Immerse Yourself!
Gary Rose of Florida Atlantic University speaks about shark ID and biology at 7 p.m. at the History of Diving Museum, MM83.
www.divingmuseum.org; 305-664-9737

November 20, Islamorada

Lecture Series
Author Willie Drye speaks about “Storm of the Century: The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935” at 6 p.m. at Keys History & Discovery Center, MM82. Admission is $10 for nonmembers. Reservations are recommended.

November 22-23, Marathon

32nd annual Women’s Club Christmas Bazaar
Shop for crafts, vintage items, baked goods and stocking stuffers at San Pablo Church, MM53.5, from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Fishing charters, hotel stays, restaurant gift certificates, stone crab claws and signature art work are among the items available during a silent auction.

November 23, Bradenton

Harvest Craft Fair
Visit more than 60 craft vendors, participate in a scavenger hunt to win prizes and enjoy entertainment at the free event from 9 a.m. to
5 p.m. at Mixon Farms.
www.mixon.com; 941-748-5829 ext. 239

November 24, Lakewood Ranch

28th annual Ponies Under the Palms Mustang and Ford Show
Car enthusiasts compete for awards at the Mustang Club of West Central Florida’s show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch off I-75 at exit 213. The cost to register a car is $25 before November 18 or $30 the day of the show. The public is invited free of charge. A weekend in Sarasota will be raffled. Tickets are $5. Proceeds benefit Southeastern Guide Dogs and Take Stock in Children.

November 28, Sebring

27th annual Turkey Trot
The traditional Thanksgiving 5K walk/run is at 8 a.m. at Highlands Hammock State Park.
www.visitsebring.com; 863-386-6094

November 29-30, Panama City Beach

Beach Home for the Holidays
Wave goodbye to fall and welcome Santa Claus to town with s’mores, carol-themed concerts and activities for the kids at Aaron Bessant Park. The event is headlined by Scotty McCreery on Friday and the Panama City POPS Orchestra on Saturday. Fireworks conclude each night behind the 36-foot Christmas tree.

November 30, Key Largo

Holiday Craft Market
The Garden Club of the Upper Keys hosts vendors featuring arts, crafts, decorations, plants and holiday baked goods from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Francis Tracy Garden Center, MM94.

November 30, Marathon

Holiday Bazaar and Christmas Rummage Sale
Marathon Garden Club, MM 50, features gently used Christmas decorations and holiday items from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event includes a bake sale, raffle items, grab bags, gourmet goodies, plant sale, orchids and unique holiday gifts.

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