MILTON — Here's a look at upcoming events in Santa Rosa County and surrounding areas.
History lecture
BAGDAD — Dr. Brian Rucker will hold a history lecture at 9:30 a.m. May 5 at the Bagdad Museum at 4512 Church St. in Bagdad. Call 293-5349 for information.
Stinging and biting insects class
MILTON — Experts from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Santa Rosa County Extension Office will offer a free class on stinging and biting insects at 10 a.m. May 11 at the Santa Rosa County UF/IFAS Extension Office, 6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton.
UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County Agriculture Agent Mike Donahoe will teach students about insects found in the area that can adversely affect us with bites or stings. Students will also learn how to identify some of the more common stinging and biting pests and what to do to avoid or control them.
Pre-registration is not required. Contact the UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Extension Office 623-3868 for more information.
First Presbyterian Church Country Dance
MILTON — The Open Hearts Ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Milton is hosting a Country Dance 6-9 p.m. May 11. This event is open to teens and adults with special needs age 16 and up. There is no charge for this event. However, attendees need to RSVP by May 8. Contact fpcmilton@gmail.com or 623-2510 to do so. FPC is located at 5203 Elmira Street.
Out of the Orient fine arts festival
MILTON —Rhodes Elementary at 5563 Byrom St. presents "Out of the Orient," an fine arts festival from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 24 where 860 students, parents and guests will rotate through six different events connected to the arts and culture of Asia.
There will be demonstrations by the Florida Okinawa Kenjin-Kai Dancers, tea bowl pottery by Larry Manning and Martial Arts of America. Sodexo food service will be preparing a traditional Asian meal followed by a chopstick activity. Outside, each classroom of students will parade with their uniquely decorated dragon and swirl to Chinese music in a ribbon dance. Finally, children will paint a paper umbrella with the art teacher, Toni New. The school cafeteria is preparing an Asian meal also.
Every student will participate in a tea ceremony with their classmates using their personally-created clay tea cup. Carp kites will fly. Cooley hats will be worn and much more is going on in preparation for this day’s event.
Japanese Children's Day Celebration
GULF BREEZE — Children’s Day Celebration will take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 26 at Saint Sylvester Catholic Church, 6464 Gulf Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze. This is free community event. This event provides children a variety of Japanese cultural activities including a yo-yo catching game, origami, face paint, a calligraphy contest, mochi (sticky rice) sampling, Okinawa taiko and Karate performance, etc. There will be food vendors offering various Japanese dishes.
Doing business with the federal government
PENSACOLA — The Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center at the University of West Florida offers a workshop entitled "Government Contracting 101" 9 to 11:30 a.m. June 6 at the Santa Rosa Economic Development Office, 6491 Caroline St, Suite 4, Milton, 32570. This workshop will provide you with the basics on what you need to know to prepare for entering the federal government market. You will learn the procurement process, how to register and the basics on how to sell to federal government agencies. This class is aimed at business owners who are beginning to think about doing business with the federal government. The cost is $20 in cash or check at the door. Pre-registration is recommended. To register, visit www.sbdc.uwf.edu "Training Opportunities" or call 474-2528.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa Community Briefs