Fun Fests In July

by Adele Woodyard
There’s all kinds of festivals going on around the state this month besides 4th of July fireworks Here’s some of what’s happening:
June 27-July 8: Daytona Starry Nights Fine Arts Stroll, Daytona Beach offers a variety of live shows, artists, wine walk, and food kiosks in Riverfront parks along the Halifax River and Beach Street from 2 -11 p.m. daily. The Stroll is divided into three four-day acts: 6/27-30; 7/1-7/4; 7/5-7/8. There’s a Sand Sculpting competition, Taste of Daytona , Wine Affair and Music. $10 per person, Free for kids ages 3 and under, include all festivities.
Wednesday, July 4: Independence Day Craft and Fireworks Show , Pine Island Park, Davie. FREE activities from 6-10 p.m. Live country music, Bounce House, Hayrides, Climbing Wall, Art and Craft displays.
Safety Harbor Marina has FREE kids activities and live entertainment from 5-9 p.m. Watch the fireworks from the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa’s back lawn.
Stroll the Art Walk at Jacksonville downtown 5-9 p.m., then watch the fireworks set to music displayed from barges between the St. John’s River Acosta and Main Street bridges. FREE. 904-630-3690.
July 7-9: Buckler’s Craft Fair, Lakeland, presents Folk art, wood items, toys, clothing, homemade fudge and more for $6 admission, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
July 14: Tap your feet to the 2nd Rock Blues Festival, Memorial Park , Stuart. 3-9 p.m. FREE. Extra bonus: “Traveling Memorial Wall, Reflections on Vietnam” will be on display.
July 21-22: Fort Lauderdale Antiques & Collectors Faire, Holiday Park. 50 dealers display collectibles, antique and estate jewelry, and more . $6 admission: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5p.m. Sunday.
July 27-29: Fisherman’s Village Pirate Fest, Punta Gorda presents a pirate boat parade with gunfire, and encampment See Blackbeard’s Ship and meet a live mermaid. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.
For more information: http://www.floridafairsandfestivals.com .
Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa offers an American Zoo Day with scavenger hunt for prizes, Sun. July 1, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; and extended hours for a Teddy Bear Program on Sat. July 7, 5-8 p.m.; either with regular admission:$23.95 adult, $21.95 (60+) and $18.75 (ages 3-11)
Sun. July 22: $5 day, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Inexpensive fun for the whole family on National Parents Day. http://www.lowryparkzoo.com

Labor Day Weekend Specials 2

by Adele Woodyard

Last week featured Amelia Island, one after this will spotlight Naples. Here’s to a blog with some of what’s doing around the state. Specials can be for Florida residents only, so be sure and check first if not so noted below

Panama City Beach
Oaseas Resorts Shores of Panama celebrates the holiday with food, fireworks and family fun during their Lights and Luau. Various activities around the pool from 11 a.m. on, Fri-Mon. Sunday, Sept. 5 will be cocktails and Luau buffet at 5:30 p.m. followed by noisy lights in the sky at 8:30.2-room family suite specials for overnights. 850-249-0109. http://www.oaseasresorts.com

Orlando
Sept. 7 is last day for a special on rooms that start at $83/night plus taxes at Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate. There’s a Camp Omni for kids, 36 holes of golf for Dad, a spa for Mom and a river to float down on for the whole family. Add a summer splash pool party activities and a complementary shuttle to Walt Disney World theme parks and you end the summer with a great weekend. 407-390-6664. http://omnihotels.com/findahotel/orlandochampionsgate

Fort Myers
10% off the price at GAEA Guides Guided Kayak Nature Tours. From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily you can choose between a dozen tours of southwest rivers, back bays, aquatic preserves, bayous, etc. to paddle your way to view marine and wildlife. Advance registration required. 239-694-5513. http://www.gaeaguides.com

Melbourne
Crown Plaza Melbourne Beach Oceanfront Resort special of two nights at regular rate, gives 50% off third night, expires Sept. 30. Includes breakfast for two each morning 321-777-4100, Promo code: IJSUM. http://www.cpmelbourne.com

Tuckaway Shores Resort is a Melbourne all-suite accommodations where assorted two rooms with separate living-bedrooms have fully equipped kitchenettes. 20% off on rooms that begin at $95.20 + tax per night expires Sept. 30. 877-747-8713. http://www.tuckawayshores.com

More deals can be found at http://www.space-coast.com

South Florida
Sept. 30 is also the cutoff date for some 2-for-1deals on http://www.sunny.org/241
Here’s a few offering fun for a day for little money.

Fort Lauderdale History Center gives a two for one admissions to the New River Inn Museum of History and King-Cromartie House Museum, Tues-Sun., from 12-4 p.m. Docent tours 1, 2, and 3 p.m. $10 adult, $5 student, age 6 and under FREE. 954-463-4431. http://www.fortlauderdalehistorycenter.org

At Flamingo Gardens one $17 adult ticket will let 2nd adult in FREE. Kids ages 4-11 pay $8.50. and the narrated tram tour is extra. Wander through exotic plants, view gators, flamingoes and otters on Tues-Sun, from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 954-473-2955.
http://www.flamingogardens.org

It’s two tickets for the price of one ($20) that includes FREE drink on a Riverfront Cruise. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 954-463-3220. http://www.anticipation.com
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More Bargains on http://www.vacationfunflorida.com