Bargains–August

by Adele Woodyard
With Florida kids returning to school before the month is out, there’s not many days of vacation left. So these “freebies” and “cheapies” look at both sides of August for fun.
Florida State Parks http://www.floridastateparks.org offer some interesting events. Friday, August 5, there’ll be a Birthday Bash for Indi at Rainbow Springs, Dunnellon. Indi is an Eastern Indigo Snake and the Bash, that starts at 10 a.m. has treats, games and small prizes. Recommended for ages 6 and up. Admission $2 per person. 352-465-8555.

Sunday, August 7 celebrates the Dog Days of Summer at Barnacle Historic State Park, Coconut Grove, Miami with live working and sporting dogs. From noon-4:30 p.m. you can watch demonstrations, picnic or buy hot dogs, etc. and even bring your own pet, providing it’s well-behaved and on a hand-held, 6 foot leash. Included in park admission $2 per person, ages 6 and up. 305-442-6866.
Saturday, August 13 Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, White Springs presents the 9th Annual Craft Rendezvous in Craft Square. You will see artisans handcrafting jewelry, throwing pottery on a wheel, fashioning stained glass, calligraphy, toy making and more. Included in admission: $5 per vehicle, up to eight people. Might be extra fee if you participate in some workshops. 386-397-1920.

Now through Sept. 5 Nuance Galleries, Tampa displays Miniature Civil War Battlefields that depict the first and second battles at Manassas/Bull Run. Come early for Exhibition and Talks on Saturdays, when Blue and Gray re-enactors are there from 12-2 p.m. One story goes, the Union was so sure of quickly defeating the Rebels, lighthearted townspeople viewed the first major conflict while picnicking on a nearby hill. FREE. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. 804 S. Dale Mabry Hwy. 813-875-0511. http://www.nuancegalleries.com

Back to School events in Tampa Bay include such FREE giveaways as backpacks filled with school supplies, and more: 8 a.m. August 6, North Greenwood Recreation Complex Pool, 727-643-3500; 2 p.m. August 13, Firehouse Christian Center, Apollo Beach, 813-938-5801.

Saturday, August 13 features two Fun events. A 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fair with live entertainment, games, karaoke, and more for $5 at the Glazier Children’s Museum, 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa. 813-949-4400. http://www.backtoschoolfair.com
From 1-4 p.m. it’s a Kiddopalooza Dance Party for the whole family at the Amphitheatre, Ybor City. Wear a costume and dance games to DJ music, snacks, refreshments and more. No “drop-off” adults must accompany their kids at all times. $15 age 7 and older, $10 ages 1-6. 1609 E. 7th Ave. 813-248-4050. http://www.kiddopalooza.com

Bargains–May

Here’s some FREE goodies for the Mother’s Day and Memorial Day weekends.
Fri. May 6: FREE Concert, Pops in the Park, 7:30 p.m. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, downtown Tampa. Donate canned goods for the Tampa Bay Harvest. 800-662-7286.

Sat. May 7: Springfest, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Arts & Crafts booth, live snake demo, hayrides, boot camp challenge course, kids activities are all part of family fun. $6 per vehicle, up to 8 people, some activities may have extra charge. Hobe Sound; 772-546-2771. http://www.floridastateparks.org

Sat.-Sun. May 7-8: Mom gets in FREE from 9:30a.m.-5 p.m.at Lowry Park Zoo with purchase of son or daughter full price ticket (that day only). $18.95 ages 3-11, $23.95 12 and over. http://www.lowryparkzoo.com

Mom gets a FREE ride at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parish, with purchase of one child’s ticket. $10 kids, $14 adult. 941-776-0906; http://www.FRRM.org

Sun. May 8: If Mom is a fan of Ansel Adams take her to the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Tampa; Classic Images exhibition thru July 6, displays 54 b & w photos of his best work from 1921-1968. Noon-5 p.m. on Sunday. A docent tour starts at 2 p.m. $10 adult, $8 student, military. 813-221-2222. http://www.fmopa.org

Sat. May 14: 4th Annual Family Arts Fun Festival, Henderson Beach State Park, Destin. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. has performances by local artists, family fun activities and arts and crafts for FREE. 850-837-7550; abaty@okaloosaarts.org

3rd Annual Family Fun Fest, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, Keystone Heights offers bounce house, giant slide, fire truck, K-9 demos and more 10 a.m.-5 p,m. Included with $5 per vehicle, up to 8 people, entrance fee. 352-473-4701.

Sun. May 22: $5 Day for entry to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo (rides not included). Open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Free parking that day only next to Tampa Greyhound track, with Free shuttle to zoo.

Fri.-Sun. May 27-29: 59th Florida Folk Festival, Stephen Foster Culture Center State Park, White Springs. 3 days filled with music, dance, stories, and crafts with over 300 performances, celebrate Florida’s diverse cultures. Taste typical food such as collard greens and cornbread, chicken pilau and hoppin john, shrimp gumbo, curries, gyros and lime fizzies. Advance fees, adult: $20 day, $40 weekend; $4 ages 6-16 good all 3 days. After May 20, $25 and $50 adult; $5 ages 6-16. Under 6, Free. 877-635-3655. http://www.floridafolkfestival.com

Mon. May 30: Memorial Day is FREE admission to active and retired military at Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa. Must have Dept. of Defense photo ID. May bring up to three direct dependents who can also enter at No Charge. 813-935-8552

Discover Florida State Parks

by Adele Woodyard

July is National Recreation and Parks Month, so here’s a quiz on fun parks in Florida .

Did you know Florida is rated as having some of the best state parks in the country?
2010 is the year they are celebrating their 75th anniversary, and if you’ve been following http://www.vacationfunflorida.com/Bargains you know their special deals. In case you haven’t looked, July 17 offers FREE entry to ALL of the state parks, except the Skyway Fishing Pier, on that day.

Did you know you don’t have to own a tent or RV to stay overnight? That 19 of 60 or more Florida State Parks with campgrounds, have cabins? That they can be as nice as hotels for a lot less money. What better way to beat summer heat than a dip in 72 degree spring of crystal clear water, swim in a lake, or paddle a serene and shady river. If the Gulf oil spill has you shun the coastal beaches, why not try one of the following cabins and enjoy outdoor activity within easy drive of city attractions? For full information on each one, click on http://www.floridastateparks.org

Three parks along or near the Suwannee River have similar accommodations at $100 plus tax, per night. Each park has five fully equipped cabins that sleep up to six, with kitchens, baths, heat and air, gas fireplaces, and screened porches.
The Stephen Foster Culture Center has a museum dedicated to a man who wrote the state song without ever stepping foot in Florida. There’s also a 97-bell carillon, a Craft Square where artisans give demonstrations of their handiwork and various events during the year. White Springs, 386-397-2733.
Suwannee River State Park still has earthworks and relics from the Civil War, and is a great spot for paddlers. The lower Wilderness Canoe Trail begins at the park and ends at the Gulf. Live Oak; 386-362-2746. Both parks are within 50 miles of Jacksonville.
Fanning Springs State Park is a hub along the Canoe Trail. Popular with swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers, the second-magnitude springs allow open water scuba diving with certification. Located within 30 miles of Gainesville to the east, seven miles from Manatee Springs, and near the Gulf. Fanning Springs, 352-463-3420.

Mike Roess Gold Head Branch is on the east side of I-75, within 50 miles of St. Augustine, less to Gainesville. 16 fully equipped cabins overlook Little Lake Jackson. Nine rustic cabins built by the CCC hold up to four, in a combination living room/bedroom, separate bath and kitchen. Ceiling fans, wood burning fireplace, air and heat, and two of them have bathtubs. $65 + tax, per night. Five larger block cabins hold up to six, with separate bedroom, living room, bath and kitchen. Fans, etc. but no fireplace. $75 + tax, per night. Two ADA accessible cabins have two bedrooms, screen porch, and gas fireplace (from Oct.-April) and hold up to six for $100 + tax, per night.
Keystone Heights, 352-473-4701.

Silver River State Park is so modern it even has dishwashers in their ten cabins. Plus two bedrooms, gas fireplace, etc and holds up to six. There’s a museum and pioneer cracker village on site. $110 + tax per night. Near the Silver Springs attraction that grew from rides on glass bottom boats. Ocala; 352-236-7148

Lake Louisa State Park has 20 cabins overlooking Dixie Lake, one of a chain of 13 lakes connected by the Palatlakaha River. Fishing, paddling and swimming activities plus its proximity to Orlando theme parks, make it ideal for families. The fully equipped cabins not only have two bedrooms, but two baths. $120 + tax, per night. Clermont, 352-394-3969.

Myakka River State Park’s historic palm log cabins were built by the CCC, have a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, porch and fireplace. A large common room sleeps six. Known for its wildlife, numerous activities include a Canopy Walkway in the treetops. $70 + tax, per night. Sarasota. 941-361-6511.

Still prefer a hotel room with phone and data port, where someone else does the cooking? Wakulla Springs State Park has a historic Lodge where 27 guest rooms have marble bath, walk-in closet, antique or period furniture for $95 to $150 plus tax, per night. Located 14 miles south of Tallahassee, the Lodge overlooks springs where movies were once made, and a boat tour introduces guests to marine wildlife. Wakulla Springs, 850-926-0700..

NOTE: Most have minimum two night stay over weekends and holidays, one night Monday-Thursday; call individual parks or 800-326-3521 or online, http://www.ReserveAmerica.com Cabins have no phone or TV and pets are not allowed in the buildings..

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.