Big Weekend In Store

by Adele Woodyard

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the Civil War, Poker and Outdoor doings are all in the mix for a fun-filled weekend:

Saturday, Jan. 15: 18th Annual Party in the Park offers live music and local storytellers from 10 a.m-3.pm. You will meet members of several community organizations and view displays from the St. Lucie County Historical Society, Navy Seal Museum and Florida Division of Forestry FREE admission to Fort Pierce Inlet State Park 905 Shorewinds Dr..772-468-3985..

It’s a Hike-Ride-Paddle-Poker event at Little Manatee River State Park Ideal for canoeists, hikers and horseback riders where the Poker offers a $100 prize ($15 donation for food and prizes). 215 Lightfoot Rd., Wimauma. Call 813-671-5005. for details.
For more events, click on http://www.floridastateparks.org/events

27th Annual MLK Holiday Parade and Festival, FREE. 10 a.m. Orange Ave. downtown. Lake Eola Park, Orlando 407-248-2827; 407-246-2121.

Jan. 15-16: Annual Black Heritage Festival, 10 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 Ashley Dr. Tampa. 813-205-2466. FREE. $4 parking. http://www.tampablackheritage.org
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Blue & Gray in Tampa Bay exhibit actually opened Monday, January 10, at the Tampa Bay History Center. Learn little-known history about Confederate blockade runners, the “cow cavalry” and more during Civil War action in Tampa. 3rd floor gallery, 10 a.m-5 pm. $12 adult, $10 ages 65+, 13-17, $7 ages 4-12. 801 Old Water St. 813-228-0097. http://www.tampabayhistorycenter.org

Jan. 15-16: If you prefer Civil War history live action, see the Brooksville Raid Re-enactment where the boom of artillery and crack of rifles fill both Saturday and Sunday afternoon with noise and smoke Music by the 97th Regimental String Band and Ladies in period dress having tea add a more soothing note to the bloody 1860s war-time days.$6 adult, $3 ages 6-12. FREE for kids 5 and under, and Scouts in uniform. 9 a.m-5:30 p.m. Saturday, 9 am.-4:30 p.m. Sunday.. Sand Hill Scout Reservation; 11210 Cortez Blvd 352-799-0129. http://www.brooksvilleraidreenactment.com

Jan.15-17: MLK Craft Show on the Sponge Docks, FREE. 10 a.m-5 p.m Tarpon Springs

Jan. 17: MLK Breakfast, 8-10 a.m. Delray Beach Golf Club. $20 adult, $10 youth. 561-279-8883. http://www.spadymuseum.org

Memorial Day’s Weekend Events

by Adele Woodyard

The long weekend that welcomes the start of summer begins with festivals. It ends with the day to remember the men and women who continue to give their lives for our country. Here is some of what’s happening around the state.

May 28-30 celebrates our state’s cultural heritage at the 58th Annual Florida Folk Festival with a wonderful mix of music, dance, food, crafts, and storytelling. Over 300 performances include such well known country music stars as Mel Willis and Billy Dean. Days are filled with jam sessions, demos and workshops where you can participate in, or just watch, how to make a rope, throw a trot line, create a grass basket and more. Listen to bluegrass, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, Latin, Caribbean, and Zydeco. There’s a Seminole Indian camp, country and ethnic food, and crafts to die for. Motels, hotels and campgrounds are available nearby. Advance tickets: $20/day, $40 weekend; $4 weekend ages 6-16; $25/day and $5 weekend, at gate. Advance tickets , must be purchased by 5/21; call 877-635-3655, M-F, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, U.S. 41 N. White Springs, 386-397-2733. http://www.FloridaFolkFestival.com

May 29 you can take a self-guided sensory walk and scavenger hunt at Fort Mose Historical State Park during the day, or hop on the Old Town Trolley for an 11 a.m-1 p.m stop.. Other historic stops on their Oldest Ports Tour are Castilla de San Marcos, Fountain of Youth and St Augustine Lighthouse and Museum. Call 904-829-3800 for price. Weather permitting, the St. Augustine Spanish Garrison will be at Fort Mose from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Contact terri.newman@dep.state.fl.us Fort Mose open 9 a.m-5 p.m.
$4 per car up to 8 people; $2 if trolley passenger. Saratoga Blvd. 904-461-2033. http://www.floridastateparks.org

May 29, 30 Fort Clinch State Park honors WWII with military displays including vehicles and assorted memorabilia. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.
$6 car 2-8 people + $2 to enter fort. 2001 Atlantic Ave. Fernandina Beach; 904-277-7274. http://www.floridastateparks.org

May 28-31: Palatka’s 22nd Annual Blue Crab Festival begins with music at the Entertainment Tent along the banks of the St. John’s River, Friday, 4 -11 p.m Saturday opens with a Seafood Cookoff, more music, food, arts and crafts, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday 12-10:30 p.m. A $10 helicopter ride adds to the fun.. On Monday there’s a Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. followed by a Ceremony at the downtown Amphitheatre. For more information: 386-325-4406; http://www.bluecrabfestival.com

May 28-31: Live music on the Events Plaza stage from 7-9 p.m. Friday kicks off a nightly performance during a holiday open to the public, at the Village of Baytowne Wharf. A Roaring River water slide, kids activities, and fireworks are scheduled at various times over Saturday and Sunday. The Memorial Day program presented by Sandestin Vets just before sunset, includes a performance by the brass band section of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra. Sandestin Beach & Golf Resort, 866-931-3678. http://www.sandestin.com

May 31: National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum will hold their first Memorial Day Service at 10 a.m. before the new SEAL soulplate created by Vermont artist Roy Shifrin. Speaker will be Jack Oulette, father of SEAL Brian Oulette, killed in action, Afghanistan.
3300 Hwy A1A, Fort Pierce; 772-595-5845. http://www.navysealmuseum.com

May 31: Sanford’s Memorial Day Parade begins at 10 a.m and marches through the downtown historic district. The “Sanford Remembers” tribute with honorary guests, a 21-gun salute, and Sheriff’s Office fly-over follows at Veteran’s Memorial Park on the waterfront. 407-330-5657.