Beaches to Woodlands: What to expect

Santa Rosa County won’t let you forget about fall.

While tourists and locals often recognize Northwest Florida for the endless summer possibilities at the beach, they might consider spending autumn at Beaches to Woodlands. The fall series involves a list of activities and events that the Santa Rosa County Tourist Development Office compiles.

Nicole Dees, the tourist information specialist, said there is something for everyone.

“What makes it so special is the scope of Santa Rosa County,” Dees said. “From the fishing rodeo on Navarre Beach all the way up to the autumnlike environment of Blackwater River State Forest and the Munson Heritage Festival.”

The 14th annual Beaches to Woodlands features several new events such as the Dog Days of Summer’s End Fest in Milton, Santa Rosa Ranch Fall Festival First Annual Fish Off and the Milton Food, Wine & Brew Festival.

Here is a list of Beaches to Woodlands events divided into categories such as families, couples and adventure seekers.

For a complete list, visit beachestowoodlands.com.

FAMILY TIME

Take a Kid Fishing

When: 6 a.m.-noon Oct. 7

Where: Navarre Beach Pier, 8579 Gulf Boulevard, Navarre

Cost: Free

Information: Call 850-939-3267 or visit navarrechamberfoundation.org.

This fishing clinic will teach children about bait, fish, conservation and how to fish. At the end, children will receive a free rod and reel.

Holland Farms Pumpkin Patch & Maze

When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Sunday through Nov. 4

Where: 2055 Homer Holland Road, Milton

Information: hollandfarmsonline.com

Enjoy a hayride that guides you to a pumpkin patch along with other activities such as zip lines, hill slides and mazes.

Sonshine Family Farms Corn Mazes and Mini Golf

When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 5

Where: 6270 Oglesby Road, Milton

Information: sonshinefamilyfarms.com

Cost: $8 ages 3 and older, free for ages 2 and younger

Price of admission includes both mazes and everything at the farm except pony rides, fishing and pumpkins.

Sweet Season Farms Corn Maze and Fall Fun Festival

When: 6-10 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays in October

Where: 2260 Horn Road, Milton

Information: sweetseasonfarms.com

Cost: $10.50 “whole cob” admission, $5 fee for pony rides, pumpkins priced per size, $10.50 flashlight maze Friday nights

Explore an eight-acre corn maze, hayrides, cow train rides, farm animals and more.

Jay Peanut Festival

When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 7-8

Where: Gabbert Farm, 3604 Pine Level Church Road, Jay

Cost: Free admission

This festival celebrates one of Santa Rosa’s staple crops — the peanut. It allows people to experience country life and showcases farming life past and present. It will offer vendors, a 1930s Farm Museum and 1940s John Deere dealership, food booths and games.

Sea Turtle Extravaganza

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 7

Where: 8740 Gulf Boulevard, Navarre

Information: navarrebeachseaturtles.org

Learn about sea turtles through games, crafts, photos and tour the center.

Monarch Madness Butterfly Festival

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 20-21

Where: Panhandle Butterfly House, 8581 Navarre Parkway, Navarre

Information: Watch as hundreds of Monarch butterflies begin their annual migration to Mexico.

Science Spooktacular by the Sea

When: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 27-28

Where: 8638 Blue Heron Court, Navarre

Cost: $5

Information: navarresciencestation.org

Science is spooky at this event featuring an endangered species cemetery, science that glows in the dark and more. This family-friendly event features science stations led by Santa Rosa County teachers.

Music to your ears

Bands on the Blackwater

When: 7 p.m. Sept. 29, Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Oct. 27

Where: South Willing Street, Milton

Cost: Free

Information: facebook.com/BandsOnTheBlackwater

Pull up your boat or bring a lawn chair to enjoy a free outdoor concert series Friday nights in downtown Milton.

Dog Days of Summer’s End Fest

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 30

Where: 4636 Forsyth St., Milton

Information: facebook.com/events/179045502636836/

This event will feature food vendors, live music and a fun run in a one-mile or half-mile distance.

HISTORY BUFFS

Munson Community Heritage Festival

When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 14-15

Where: Krul Lake Recreation Area, 11098 Krul Lake Road, Milton

Information: munsonheritagefestival.com

Secrets of Santa Rosa: Archaeology and History in Your Backyard

When: 11 a.m. Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28

Where: 5709 Mill Pond Lane, Milton

Cost: Free

Information: historicpensacola.org/explore-arcadia-mill

Listen to lectures and explore the Arcadia Mill archeological site.

Ghosts of Milton Walking Tour

When: tours start at 6 p.m. Oct. 27-28

Where: Imogene Theatre, 6866 Caroline St., Milton

Cost: $10 adults, $5 children

Information: santarosahistoricalsociety.com

Meet the ghosts of Milton in the 17th annual walking tour.

MADE FOR TWO

Coldwater Gardens Tours

When: Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24

Where: 7009 Creek Stone Road, Milton

Cost: Free

Information: coldwatergardens.com

Take a tour of Coldwater Gardens to see shiitake mushrooms, aquaponics, hydroponics, raised-bed gardening, vermiculture, chickens and honey bees. The property also offers cottage rentals, glamping and primitive camping.

Arcadia After Dark Tour

When: Oct. 14 with time slots

Where: Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site, 5709 Pond Lane, Milton

Cost: $8 adults, $6 children. Tickets are pre-sale only at Arcadia Mill or at historicpensacola.org/explore-arcadia-mill.

Take a family-friendly, spooky walk through the woods at the Arcadia After Dark Lantern Tour. Arcadia Mill is Florida’s largest antebellum industrial complex. The tours last 40 minutes.

Adventure seekers

Adventures Unlimited Fall Foliage Zipline Tours

Where: 8974 Tomahawk Landing Road, Milton

Information: Prices available at adventuresunlimited.com.

Take in the fall foliage with a zip line tour. Adventures Unlimited offers zip line adventures, river adventures and a resort with cabins for camping.

Annual Fenner Ride

When: 7:30 a.m. for 100-mile ride, 8 a.m. for others Oct. 21

Where: Milton Community Center, 5629 Bryom St., Milton

Cost: $45

Information: bbbsnwfl.org

Take a scenic bicycle ride through Blackwater State Forest. The cycling event includes distance rides of 18, 40, 62 and 100 miles. Proceeds will benefit the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northwest Florida.

Panhandle Trace Annual Hikes

When: Oct. 28–Nov. 5

Where: Florida National Scenic Trail

Information: westerngate-fta.org

The Panhandle Trace Hike is a daily hiking event covering 90 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail and its side trail from Fort Pickens in the Gulf Islands National Seashore to the Florida-Alabama state line. Daily hikes range from 6 to 14 miles, and participants may join for any or all days.

LADIES DAY OUT

Navarre Women’s Expo

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 30

Where: 8700 Navarre Parkway, Navarre

Information: navarrechamber.com

Milton Food, Wine & Brew Festival

When: noon-5 p.m. Oct. 7

Where: downtown Milton, Willing Street

Cost: $20 all-inclusive passport to sample

Indulge in a day with Florida wineries, local craft breweries, food trucks and artists along with live music on the Blackwater stage. Guests must be 21 or older.

TASTE-TESTERS

Juana’s Oktoberfest Beer Tasting

When: noon-4 p.m. Oct. 7

Where: 1451 Navarre Beach Causeway, Navarre Beach

Cost: $25 to taste

Information: juanaspagodas.com

Taste beers from around the world and check out marine life and interactive exhibits.

St. Rose of Lima International Fall Festival

When: 5-10 p.m. Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 14, noon-5 p.m. Oct. 15

Where: 6451 Park Ave., Milton

Information: srolparish.org

Try international foods such as Filipino, Polish and Italian; listen to live music and enjoy indoor bingo, vendors and a farmer’s market. Saturday will feature a 5K run.

CAR ENTHUSIASTS

Navarre Car, Truck, Bike Show and Craft Fair

When: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 14

Where: Navarre High School, 8600 High School Boulevard, Navarre

Cost: Free admission

Information: navarrecarandbikeshow.com

Peruse more than 100 historical cars from all decades along with music, food vendors and a craft fair.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Beaches to Woodlands: What to expect