Weekend three of the 9th Annual Beaches to Woodlands Tour of Santa Rosa is approaching with a very unique flair. In Milton, the weekend will be busy with the 31st Annual St. Rose of Lima International Fall Festival, while to the north people can turn back the hands of time at the Munson Community Heritage Festival at Krul Recreational Area in Munson. These are just two of the major events scheduled in the area along with events like Depot Days at the Historic Milton Railroad; Thinkin Pink at the corner of Stewart St. and Berryhill Road on Saturday, plus various activies throughout the county. “If a family participates in just one of these events I think they will want to come back for more,” Harrell said. “We all lead such busy lives and these events don’t require any kind of electronic devices – just clean-living fun. I think we all miss that in our 21st century world.” Sponsored by the Tourist Development Council, the self-guided Beaches to Woodlands Tour is designed to showcase the many attractions and diversity of the area during a key shoulder season. Most of the events are free or low-cost, tied to an area fundraising effort and family friendly. “We do encourage folks – if they can – to take time out for a weekend vacation and enjoy the opportunity to experience the area’s many treasures without the heat and crowds of summer,” Harrell said. “There is no better time, in my opinion to take a vacation. Once the holiday season hits people are rushed for time.” Santa Rosa County offers a diverse range of lodging options from traditional hotels to luxury beach rentals, wooded cabins, RV parks and primitive camping and best of all – offseason rates are among the lowest of the year. More information can be found at www.thebeachestowoodlandstour.com or call 850-939-8666.
23nd Annual Oktoberfest at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – Oct. 12 – Oct. 13; Fri. 4 to 8p.m. and Sat. 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 4257 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze, Fla. German food, arts and crafts, children’s carnival and entertainment. Silent auction. Details: (850) 932-3263 or gslcgb@bellsouth.net.
Friends of the Milton Library Sale – Oct. 12 – Oct. 13; Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Milton Public Library, 5541 Alabama Street, Milton, Fla. Details: Bill DuBois (850) 626-9853 or www.friendsofmiltonlibrary.org.
6th Annual Monarch Madness Butterfly Festival – Oct. 12 – Oct. 1310 a.m. to 5 p.m., Panhandle Butterfly House, 8581 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, Fla. Educational event highlights the monarch butterfly migration through Northwest Florida. Tagging process part of research process by University of Kansas. Watch as hundreds of Monarch Butterflies are released into the wild for their annual migration to Mexico. The Garden Gate Nursery will have butterfly plants for sale, both nectar and host plants as well as caterpillar rearing “cages” and other butterfly or pollinator oriented garden items; the Santa Rosa 4-H Club will feature a science experiment booth for kids and the Navarre Krewe of Jesters will offer refreshments for sale. Volunteers appreciated. Details: www.panhandlebutterflyhouse.org.
31th Annual St. Rose of Lima International Fall Festival & 5K – . Oct. 12 – Oct. 14; Fri. – 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun. noon to 5 p.m. 6450 Park Avenue, Milton, Fla. International foods, live entertainment, dancing, bingo, petting zoo, children’s activities and raffle. 1950s Coffee Café. Admission: Free. Details: Kate Lewis (850) 983-9936 or (850) 982-4345 or www.stroselima.parishonline.com
Gulf Islands National Seashore Soundside Serenade, Naval Live Oaks Picnic Area. Oct. 13; 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Performance by the Santa Rosa Strings Student Orchestra and WFHEMA Chamber Orchestra. Details: (850) 934-2600 or www.nps.gov/guis.
West Florida Railroad Museum Depot Days Celebration – Oct. 13; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. West Florida Railroad Museum, 5003 Henry St Milton, Fla. Now more than 100 years old, the museum is one of the last remaining L&N depots that has not been converted for commercial use and is still on the location on which is was built. The museum houses many L&N and Frisco railroad artifacts as well as the seven railroad cars. A fun family event. Donations are encouraged. Details: George Wilson, (850) 501-6249 or www.wfrm.org.
Alyssa’s Antique Depot Outdoor Market – Oct. 13; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Extra vendors from across the Southeast will bill on hand for this event with booth proceeds to be donated to the Relay for Life effort. Event features outdoor shopping along with the 100 indoor booths to offer something for everyone including many hand-crafted items. Details: 850-994-9114
SRC Clean and Green “Thinkin Pink – Oct. 13; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Event features a bra decorating contest, a variety of vendor booths for plants, arts and crafts in a new location in Downtown Milton. Event raises awareness for breast cancer. Also, the organization’s “Greenup” Nursery at 6758 Park Ave., in Milton will be open. The non-profit nursery offers hundreds of plants at its two-acre site in the heart of Milton. Details: 850-623-1930 or srclean.org.
4rd Annual Run for the Reef 5K and Kid’s One Mile Fun Run – Oct. 13; 7:30 a.m. Navarre Beach Pier, Navarre Beach, Fla. Features an out-and-back course along scenic Gulf Blvd. Event is a fundraiser to help “Make Navarre Snorkelicious,” a benefit for the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary. Details: Mark Griffith (850) 677-1875 or www.navarrebeachmarinesanctuary.com.
Cambridge Farm’s Fall Fest “Music on the Farm” Oct. 13; 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Cambridge Farm, 3200 DeLoach Lane, Milton, Fla. Families will get a chance to interact with farm critters and learn about a working farm with emphasis on sustainable living. Entertainment and homemade arts and crafts. Details:Tom Earnshaw. Phone (850) 855-6420, cambfarm@gmail.com or www.cambridgefarms.webs.com
Volksmarches Walk – Oct. 13; Krul Lake, 9 a.m. Volksmarching/walking promotes fun, fitness and fellowship and the group meets twice a month. On this walk, participants meet at the restrooms at Bear Lake and the walk will be held at the same time as the Munson Community Heritage Festival at Krul Lake. Walkers will observe the fauna, flora and wildlife along with historical Grist Mill. Details: Annette Baisden 850- 438-3906 or Pat Skaggs 850-474-9012
Wheelock Gallery Father-Son Tiki Carving Oct. 13; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 4th Generation German woodcrafter Jeff Wheelock and his six-year-old son J. T. will be showing off their wares and exhibiting their skills. Wheelock’s work as an “extreme carver” has garnered him attention in many publications and his work can be found in over 35 countries. Details: 850-324-0303 or www.wheelockgallery.com.
9th Annual Munson Community Heritage Festival – Oct. 13 – Oct. 14; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, Blackwater River State Forest. One of the most popular events on the tour held at Krul Lake in the Munson, Fla. Visitors learn about old-time ways through hands-on demonstrations. There is a Civil War re-enactment camp, Native American displays, wood carving’ basket weaving, making corn-shuck dolls, dulcimer making, shoe cobbling; cross-cut sawing, old-time circular sawmill operation, turpentining, displays by local museums and more. Cost: $5 per vehicle. Details: (850) 957-6140 or www.munsonheritagefestival.com
Navarre Fall Arts Festival, Navarre Park beside the Navarre Bridge Oct. 13 – Oct. 14; Saturday – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Artists from across the region will showcase their best work. Event also includes a free children’s painting area and children’s activities. Details: Connie Jones, 850-939-7964 or www.gnbaa.org Unlimited Horizons of the Emerald Coast Psychic Fair Oct. 13 – Oct. 14; 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Cost is $5 per person; children ages 3-11, $2. Spend the day with some of the area’s most talented and gifted psychics and mediums. Visit a few outstanding vendors and have you aura read – all under one roof, for one day only. Details: www.unlimited-horizons.org/OctoberPsychicFair2012.htm
All Month Adventures Unlimited Fall Foliage Zipline Tours, Canoeing, Ropes Course, Camping and Kayaking – Fall is a great time to enjoy the many natural attractions at Adventures Unlimited located just north of Milton, Fla., in the Blackwater River State Forest. October is a great month to absorb the changing colors through a Fall Foliage Zipline Tour. Weekend stays at the resort’s camping sites or wooded cabins are available along with the ropes challenge course, canoeing and kayaking majestic Coldwater Creek. Details: (850) 623-6197 or (800) 239-6864 or www.adventuresunlimited.com.
Arcadia Mill “Secrets of Santa Rosa Archeology & History in Your Own Backyard” Saturdays in October, 11 a.m. Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site, 5709 Mill Pond Lane, Milton, Fla. Arcadia Mill is Florida’s largest antebellum industrial complex. The weekend lecture series events is presented by the University of West Florida, the Florida Public Archeology Network, West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc., and Arcadia Mill. The schedule: Oct. 6, Dr. Brian Rucker, Pensacola State College “Arcadia: Its Significance in West Florida and the Old South”; Oct. 13 – Lindsey Cochran, UWF Archeology Student “High-Tech Archeology at Arcadia Mill’s Simpson Lot”; Oct. 20 – Marisa Foster, UWF Archeology Grad Student “Paradox on the Blackwater: Preliminary Investigations of the Swingbridge Wreck Site” and Oct. 27 – Dr. Richard Lewis, Bagdad Village Preservation Association “Slavery and Women in America.”Details: (850) 626-3084 or www.historicpensacola.org/arcadia.cfm.
Avalon Landing RV Park Free Saltwater Fishing – Sundays in October, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 2444 Avalon Blvd., Milton, Fla. Just south of I-10. The park provides loaner fishing poles and tackle for visitors to explore the inlets and marshes at the resort. Introduces and familiarizes locals and visitors to the unique saltwater fishing and recreational opportunities available on Santa Rosa County’s many saltwater inlets and estuaries, cultivating a love for our local fishing, serene waterways and outdoor experience. Also offers special Beaches to Woodlands RV rates in October. Details: (850) 995-5898 or www.avalonlandingrvpark.com.
Birding Gulf Breeze Zoo – 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze, Fla. Explore the Gulf Breeze Zoo’s Walk-in Aviary and native bird observation area. Enrichment programs and meet-and-greet events scheduled throughout the month. Details: (850) 932-2229 or www.gulfbreezezoo.org.
Dixon Primary Haystackular – S.S. Dixon Primary School P.E. Field, 4560 Hwy. 90, Pace, Fla. Sept.28- Oct. 27. Fridays 4 to 9 p.m, Saturdays noon to 9 p.m. and Sundays the first four weekends in October noon to 6 p.m. Parents and teachers combine to produce one of the largest hay mazes in the region. Activities also include a rope slide, haybale slide, hay ride, corn crawl and more. Refreshments are available. And, just in time for Halloween, the hay maze transitions into the Spooktackular for children and adults over age 13. The cost is $5 per person or $3 for seniors or children under age 3. Caramel apples and candy apples will be sold with proceeds to be donated to the Make a Wish Foundation of Northwest Florida. Details: 850-995-3660 or www.dixonprimarypto.com.
Florida Trails Association Hikes – throughout the month of October. Hikers of all skill levels are invited to join adventures through some of Northwest Florida’s most beautiful terrain. Hikes in October include Oct.7, Bear Lake, Munson, Fla.; Oct.20 – Juana’s Navarre Beach, Fla.’Oct. 21 – Blackwater Heritage Trail, Milton, Fla. And Oct. 21. For information on the Florida Trails Association’s monthly events, (850) 725-4408 or www.meetup.com/ftawesterngate/
Gulf Islands National Seashore, Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center – 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, Fla. Ongoing programs all month-long. Be sure to stop by and pick up a Beaches to Woodlands program and map. Details: (850) 934-2600 or www.nps.gov/guis
Navarre Beach Pier, Kid’s Fish Free All Month! 8579 Gulf Blvd., Navarre Beach, Fla. October is the perfect month to get around to “taking a kid fishing!” All month kids under age 12 fish free. The Navarre Beach Pier is the longest on the Gulf of Mexico at 1545 feet. The fishing pier is one of the most popular locations on Navarre Beach. The pier offers fishing for a daily admission or avid fisherman can purchase an annual pass.You can also grab lunch or dinner Bite at the Beach, which is located on the pier and frequently features live local music. Details: (850) 936-1794 or www.fishnavarre.com.
Santa Rosa County History Museum – 5234 Willing Street, Downtown Milton, Fla. Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Explore Santa Rosa County’s rich history and the ongoing effort by area volunteers to preserve and protect area treasures including the Imogene Theater. Details: (850) 623-9866 or www.santarosahistoricalsociety.com
Holland Farms Tours , Pumpkin Patch and Hay Rides – Homer Holland Rd., Milton, Fla. Open 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday. The region is known for peanuts and Holland Farms is one of the biggest suppliers year-round. The Pumpkin Patch and Hay Rides are $5 each or $8 for both which includes a kiddie hay bale maze, petting zoo, double hill slide, corn box and. Details: BJ Holland, (850) 675-6876 or www.hollandfarmsonline.com.
Sweet Season Farms Corn Maze 2260 Horn Rd., Milton, Fla.. Sat. – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sun. 1 to 5 p.m. and Fridays only in Oct., 6-10 p.m. This agritourism event gives families the opportunity to enjoy a day on a working Santa Rosa County Farm. Visitors can spend time navigating their way through a 5-acre corn maze, playing on the farm themed playground, enjoying hayrides, cow train rides, firing our corn cannon or have a family picnic at designated areas on the farm. Fun special events planned and themed days including Oct.6 “Pink on the Farm Day” sponsored by Cat Country 98.7. Visitors are encouraged to wear pink and bring a canned good for Manna Food Bank and get $1 off admission. Other special promotions include Oct. 13 Cancer Survivor Day (free gift for survivors); Oct. 20 – Scout Day (free patch) and Oct. 27 the 4th Annual Trick or Treat at the Maze and Costume Contest. Details: Trent or Sharon Mathews (850) 675-3573 or www.sweetseasonfarms.com.
Family Fun on the Farm – Whispering Pines Christmas Tree Farms – 1603 Penton, Hwy. 89 North Penton Road, Allentown Community, Milton, Fla. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The event features “Fresh from Florida” products on sale; cow calling contest at 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday; farm animals on display and a playground area with campfire will feature a campfire with volunteer musicians “picking, grinning and singing” with an Wii Outdoor Video Screen. There will also be hay rides and a public educational demonstration of planting baby trees, trimming the trees and how trees are good for the environment. A cartoon cutout for taking Christmas Card photos and a ” Wacky Playhouse.” Haunted hay rides through haunted woods are offered October 19, 20, 21, 27, 28 and 31. Details: 850-449-4316 or www.floridachristmastree.com.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Beaches to Woodlands