1. LEARN ABOUT PLANTS. The University of Florida and Pensacola State College Milton campus will host the annual Spring Festival of Flowers 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 6-8 at 5988 Highway 90, Milton. The festival features plant nurseries, UF student club plant sale, arts and crafts, good and educational booths. The goal of the event is to raise money for scholarships, student field trips and other student needs. Call Robin Vickers at 983-7134 for more information.
2. EXPLORE ARCADIA MILL. Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site will host “Florida’s Flora,” a nature tour of Arcadia Mill starting 10 a.m. April 7 at 5709 Mill Pond Lane, Milton. Join Arcadia Mill staff for a tour teaching and showing how past inhabitants of Northwest Florida used native plants that can be found throughout the site. This event is appropriate for all ages, and kids’ nature scavenger hunt activity sheets will be available after the tour. Trail-appropriate attire, bug spray and sunscreen is recommended. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for kids. Call 626-3084 for more information.
3. ATTEND A BATTLE OF THE BANDS. Vision of Hope will host its first annual Battle of the Bands, "Vision Jam" 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 7 at Santa Rosa Ranch, 4340 County Road 178 in Jay. Tickets are $10 for adults and children ages 3 and up. Revenue will benefit Vision of Hope, a local non-profit organization serving adults with developmental disabilities. The event will include family-friendly activities, vendors, food, inflatables a 50/50 raffle, demonstrations by local dance and martial arts academies, hay rides, playground, children's zip lines, petting zoo, and musical guest Michael O’Brien. Call Vision of Hope at 994-2000 for more information.
4. ATTEND A SPRING FLING. Santa Rosa County Ranch will host its Spring Fling event 10 a.m. until dark April 7-8 at 4340 County Road 178 in Jay. Activities include unlimited hayrides, zip lines, petting zoo, and playgrounds. Tickets are $10 for adults and children ages 3 and up. Call Santa Rosa Ranch at 781-8868 for more information.
5. GET YOUR DOG WASHED. Central High School Diamond Girls will put on a dog wash at Northwest Florida Animal Clinic 8 a.m. to noon April 7 at 6736 Quintette Road in Pace. Donations will support the school's baseball team.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 5 things to do this weekend in Santa Rosa County