Learn all about sharks at Topsail Feb. 4

Fri. Feb. 4 at 1:30 p.m.

The Department of Environmental Protection’s Topsail Hill Preserve State Park will be having a presentation on sharks. Sharks are fascinating creatures that can range in size from 6 in. small to an enormous 39 ft. long. Come out and join Topsail for a presentation to learn more about the sharks that roam the coastal waters of Florida. Meet at the Day-Use parking area on Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.

Fees: Program included in the park admission fee of $6.00 per vehicle. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. For more information, call (850) 267-8330 ::MAP::

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E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center open every Saturday

Open: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Upcoming presentations:

Feb 4: Turtle Bob, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Turtle Bob will be presenting snakes and turtles.  Come and learn about the  importance of gopher tortoises in the Long Leaf Pine Forest. Be aware — wherever Bob is, snakes are sure to be close. Bob’s love of nature is apparent and contagious!

Feb. 11 – 11 a.m. – Mike Kay is a saltwater fish expert and has owned OceanViews (aquarium maintenance, design, and installation) for 10 years. Mike will present on the importance of aquaculture and its influence on the conservation of coral reefs.
This is a MUST SEE if you have an aquarium or want to learn more about certain aquatic species.
No matter what age, you’ll enjoy getting up close and personal with the marine life he brings!

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center offers education on a better understanding of our environment; with its focus on the importance of biodiversity, ecosystems, conservation, preservation and restoration of our natural resources.

Each Saturday, the Center is open to the public 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and will focus on a different theme, featuring specialized programs such as birds of prey, remnants of a forest, gopher tortoises and nature based movies.
 Admission is $5 per person.
 Children ages 6 to 12 are $2.
 Children 5 and under are free.
 Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is located at 4956 State Hwy. 20 East, Freeport, FL. 32439. To learn more, go to www.eowilsoncenter.org

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Farmer’s market every Saturday morning in Seaside

Seaside Farmers Market:
Seaside Amphitheater
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Come and reap the benefits of purchasing locally grown food as local farmers and vendors offer their wares. Fresh eggs, vegetables and fruit, honey, breads, cookies, cheeses, milk, organic chickens and broth, handmade jewelry, soaps and more. Buying locally grown food benefits you and our community. ::MAP::

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Breakfast with a Ranger  at Topsail Feb. 11

Time: 9 a.m.
Come and join the Rangers of Topsail Hill and ask them all the questions you can think of about park life.  To cover the cost of food please bring $4, which goes to the Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park, or bring your own breakfast.
Park at the Day-Use area and take a short hike to the clubhouse.  For more information call (850) 267-8330. ::MAP::

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Ice skating rink open at Baytowne Wharf from through Feb. 5

The outdoor ice skating rink is making The Village of Baytowne Wharf a cool place to be this season. For those visitors who miss the cold and ice, the ice skating rink is the perfect opportunity to get into the winter spirit. The seasonal ice skating rink has become a local holiday favorite. The ice rink will be open Nov. 4 – Feb. 5 in the events plaza. For $10 guests can skate for an hour and a half. The first hour of each day is reserved for “kids skate” for youths 12 and under.

Open seven days a week:
2012 Ice Rink hours of operation

The Ice Rink is available for private functions. For more information, call (850) 428-2736 or (850) 267-8118.  ::MAP::

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Seaside Community Yard Sale Feb. 11

Time: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Merchants of Seaside host the semi-annual Community Yard Sale, held in the Seaside Amphitheater, along Scenic Highway 30A. This event features nearly 100 vendors from across the country with a variety of unique offerings. Entertainment will be provided by 30A Radio, your community radio station. Make sure to arrive early to pick up the best deals!

Seaside Yard Sale application

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Choctawhatchee Audubon birding field trip to E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center trail Feb. 18

Join noted local nature photographer, Walt Spence, for a birding and photography walk on the nature trails of the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center at Nokuse Plantation near Freeport.

Meet at the Freeport City Hall at 7:30 a.m., or at the Biophilia Center at 8 a.m. For more information, call Walt at 850-678-3965.

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Learn about native snakes at Topsail Feb. 18

Time: 1:30 p.m.
Come and join us for a presentation on native snakes.  Learn the differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes and how they help the environment.
Park at the Day-Use area and take a short hike to the clubhouse. A $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. For more information call (850) 267-8330. ::MAP::

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Mardi Gras dog parade and festival at Hammock Bay Feb. 18

Time: 4 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2012

Location: Hammock Bay, Freeport

Come make history at the 1st Annual Mardi Gras Dog Parade at Hammock Bay. The theme this year is Beach Bound Hounds!

Hammock Bay Trail will be filled with dogs dressed in beachy Mardi Gras attire, decorated small floats and themed golf carts, wagons or anything with wheels.  Hammock Bay’s Town square will be jiving with Mardi Gras jazz rhythm and hound dog bluz.

Parade will start at Canine Commons Bark Park in Hammock Bay at 4 p.m. and end in the town square at Hammock Bay where the street party begins. King Chewbacchus will be crowned as the best dressed hound around.  Ceremony to follow along with lots of food and fun.  Bring your chairs and cooler and stay for a movie in the park featuring Disney’s animated comedy Princess and the Frog set in the festive city of New Orleans.

$5 entry fee. Proceeds from this event will benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge.

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Sandestin Gumbo Festival Feb. 18

Time: Noon – 4 p.m.
Location: Village of Baytowne Wharf
The Annual Sandestin Gumbo Cook-off is back at The Village of Baytowne Wharf! Spend the day sampling different varieties of Gumbo and vote for your favorite as People’s Choice. Celebrity judges hold blind judging contests for the “Area’s Best” Gumbo. Best Display Award, will go to the business or restaurant with the most innovative booth. Enjoy family entertainment and live music by Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe. Tickets: $15 in advance or $25 the day of. For details and to purchase tickets, visit www.sandestingumbofestival.com.

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Neigh and Bray Fun Show at Pleasant Ridge Arena Feb. 18

Time: 12 Noon – 3 p.m.
Pleasant Ridge Arena in DeFuniak Springs is hosting a Neigh and Bray Fun Show. Sponsored by owners Diana and Red Brannon, young children will enjoy stick races, along with horse back and carriage rides. The more seasoned riders will compete in pole bending and barrel racing.
Pleasant Ridge Arena is located at 1917 Pleasant Ridge Road in DeFuniak Springs. The facility hosts a variety of events throughout the year and hosts the neigh and bray the third Saturday of every month. To find out more, go to their website at http://www.pleasantridgearena.com. Phone: (850) 892-5398

Location: 1917 Pleasant Ridge Road
DeFuniak Springs Florida 32435

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Mardi Paws Parade Feb. 19

Time: 2 – 6 p.m.
Location: Village of Baytowne Wharf
Dress up your pup and head over to the 9th annual Mardi Gras dog parade! This year’s theme is Cruisin’ Canines: Fetch a Wave!
The streets will be filled with costumed dogs, with their sunglasses and swimsuits, and their humans throwing a myriad of throws, beads, and parade favors. Themed convertibles, small floats (especially pulled by masters), golf carts, bicycles, and decorated wagons will be everywhere and Mardi Gras music will fill the air!
The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Mardi Gras dog parade is one of the premier canine events on the Emerald Coast with members of the four-pawed community coming far and wide to participate.
Proceeds from this event will benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge.
2012 Dog Parade Application

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Dread Clampitt concert at Seaside Amphitheater Feb. 19

Time: 4 – 6 p.m.
Seaside is pleased to welcome back one of our favorite artists, DREAD CLAMPITT! Dread will be performing in the Seaside Amphitheater on Sunday during President’s Day Weekend, so bring your blankets and lawn chairs for an amazing show under the February sky!

Blue-eyed soul grass. Hipbilly. Funky bluegrass fusion. These words have been used to describe Dread Clampitt. With clever and heartfelt lyrics, Dread combines humor and a realistic outlook of the world with the sounds of bluegrass, rock & roll, blues, jazz and some Louisiana Bayou funk!

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10th Annual Baytowne Bash Fat Tuesday Parade Feb. 21

Time: 5 – 8 p.m.
Location: Village of Baytowne Wharf
Prepare to let your hair down on what many call the most festive day of the year, Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.
“Laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll) with the 10th annual Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade rolling through Sandestin. Yell “throw me something mister” as unique and colorful floats, golf carts, and pick-up trucks roll down the streets and marchers dressed up in all their Mardi Gras best shower parade-goers with a barrage of beads, moon pies, and other trinkets.
The post-parade celebration continues into the night with street performers, “throws” tossed from balconies on Main St, and parties at various Baytowne establishments. 2012

2012 Mardi Gras Parade Application

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Learn about prescribed fires at Topsail Feb. 24

Time: 1:30 p.m.
Fire is a natural process that has shaped Florida’s ecosystems over the years.  Prescribed fires play a vital role in restoring “fire-dependant” natural communities.  Come out and join us for a presentation and learn the answers to all of your burning questions. Park at the Day-Use area and take a short hike to the clubhouse.
Park at the Day-Use area and take a short hike to the clubhouse. A $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. For more information call (850) 267-8330. ::MAP::

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Camellia Fest and Heritage Day at Eden Gardens State Park Feb. 25

Location: Eden Gardens State Park
Sat. Feb. 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Eden Gardens State Park and the Friends of Eden State Gardens, Inc. would like to invite everyone to the annual Camellia Fest. Festivities begin with talks being given on Camellia identification, air layering (propagation) and the general maintenance and pest control of Camellias. There will also be floral and waxing blossoms demonstrations. Living history presenters will be exhibiting the skills of past generations; including historical talks, period cooking, candle making, old time games and toys as well. Donations to the Friends of Eden will be accepted. There will be no additional fees for the event.

Fees: Admission to the park is free the day of the event.
Contact: (850) 267-8320
Directions: Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395. ::MAP::

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Florida Sportsman Expo comes to Okaloosa Fairgrounds Feb. 25-26

Everything fishing, hunting and boating

Florida Sportsman magazine will be hosting the popular Florida Sportsman Expo at the Okaloosa County Fairgrounds in Fort Walton Beach the weekend of Feb. 25-26, 2012.

The expo is like a three-ring circus for anglers, boaters and hunters, featuring continuous seminar stages, casting ponds, kids’ events, a hands-on rigging table, free fly and net-casting lessons, the newest line-up of boats in all sizes, and exhibits by Florida’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Rows and rows of booths will fill the 50,000-square-foot fairgrounds and offer show specials on tackle, gear, electronics and gadgets for outdoors enthusiasts of every age.

Tickets at the fairground box office are $8 for adults and kids 12 and under with parents are free. Show hours run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26. For more details, visit www.FloridaSportsman.com/Expo.

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:: Ongoing ::

Upcoming canoe/kayak paddles in Northwest Florida

The West Florida Canoe and Kayak Club and the Florida Panhandle Canoe & Kayak Connection offer a variety of paddles in the Northwest Florida Panhandle.

Guests are welcome on trips as long as they have the skills to safely navigate the waters being paddled.  Guests must sign a waiver form and have an Eglin Recreational Pass if the trip is on the Air Force Base.  Paddlers must supply their own boat.

Take a hike or a paddle with the Florida Trail Association

Florida Trail Association – Choctawhatchee and Western Gate Chapters

Northwest Florida has two Florida Trail Groups. Click the links below for upcoming events:

The Choctawhatchee Chapter: www.meetup.com/Florida-Trail-Panhandle-Backpackers-Hikers-Paddling-Camping

The Panhandle Chapter: http://www.meetup.com/hiking-central-panhandle/