| Plein Air Paint-out
May 1-11
More than 30 nationally acclaimed artists along with more than 1500 art enthusiasts will gather on Florida's Forgotten Coast soon to participate in the 10th annual Forgotten Coast en Plein Air Invitational, America's Great Paint-Out, May 1-11, 2015. The event will includes five exhibit venues stretching from Carrabelle more than 100 miles west along the coast to Mexico Beach. The 10 days event features daily artist demonstrations, workshops, art sales and a series of public receptions. See a video preview of the event here. Art enthusiasts can visit the exhibits and attend the many free special events that occur throughout the 10 day event. The Franklin County TDC will host the event's opening reception on Friday, May 1 at the Eastpoint Visitor Center. Come out and meet the artists and learn more about this growing annual event.
Celebrating 10 years of documenting the landscape and culture of this last vestige of authentic "Old Florida"', Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, America's Great Paint-out is among the world's most prestigious plein air events. Focusing on artistic excellence and the production of investment quality art is the trademark of the 10-day event. The invitational features internationally acclaimed artists, two Plein Air Portrait experts and the Plein Air Academy's Master Artist Faculty. Expanded exhibits, a Collectors' Forum, distinguished guest speakers, and surprises that will be fresh and new to the plein air community.
| |
| Upcoming Art Events & Activities
Apalachicola School of Art - Watercolor on the Apalachicola River with Michael Harrell – June 18-21 - Informal lectures and discussions with question-and-answers on the different aspects of watercolor painting; from design and composition to technique. The students will do step-by-step painting with one-on-one instruction and critiques. Classes held at the Apalachicola School of Art in downtown Apalachicola. Carrabelle Artist Association Canvas & Cocktails Series on May 7 at the Franklin County Senior Center in Carrabelle. The event, each Thursday evening, is a fun informal way to unleash your creative side. Bring your favorite beverage, possibly a snack, and relax. Our talented team of instructors will guide you step by step throught the featured painting. Our classes are $ 25 for a 2 hour painting. Click here for details.
| |
| Camp Gordon Johnston Days May 8th
The 20th annual Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion days, created to celebrate the historic wartime Carrabelle museum together with the service of veterans from WWII and beyond, will be held Friday, May 8 through Saturday, May 9. Attendees will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with tours of WWII Army vehicles that have seen combat. Audiences will also get the privilege of touring the “New Orleans” Landing Craft ( LCU 2034) and the United States Coast Guard Cutter, “Seahawk” if these vessels are in port. Tours of each craft will be conducted by vessel crew members. Click here for more information.
| |
| Take a Nature Class
You can learn more about our area's resources by taking a class this month at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) Visitor Center in Eastpoint. ANERR's environmental education and training center will host a new monthly natural history lecture series, “Reserve Wednesdays,” that explores the ecology, geology and natural history of the Florida Panhandle. Free lectures will be held the third Wednesday of each month from 2-3 p.m. at the Apalachicola Research Reserve Nature Center in Eastpoint.The ANERR's Visitor Center is open Tuesday-Saturday 9:00-4:30 and admission is free. For more info call ANERR at 670-7700. Click here for details.
| |
|
|
Carrabelle Adventure Getaway Winner Announced!
Chrissy Petty from Jackson, Tennessee is the winner of the Carrabelle Adventure Getaway Vacation Contest sponsored in March by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council (TDC). Ms. Petty was randomly selected from among nearly 2,000 entrants to win a two night vacation stay in Carrabelle, along with meals, a half-day fishing trip and tickets to climb the Historic Crooked River Lighthouse. The Carrabelle Adventure Getaway is the latest in a series of successful contest promotions that the TDC has launched to increase visitor interest in Franklin County’s many varied lodging and amenity options. Stay tuned to learn about the next getaway to be announced soon!
| |
| PaddleJam Kayak/SUP Event May 15-17
Grab your kayak and head to the coast May 15-17 and join in what organizers hope will be another world-record attempt to gather the largest number of kayaks together in one floating mass to break the current Guiness world record. The three-day Forgotten Coast PaddleJam event is sponsored by the Forgotten Coast Paddle Club. The Guiness World record attempt is just one activity planned as part of the area-wide fund-raising event featuring paddle sports, music and food. Other activities planned include kayak and SUP races and live music throughout the county. Watch a video preview of the event here. Click here for details.
| |
| Fishing Tourneys
Here are a few of the upcoming fishing tournaments scheduled throughout the county.
May 23-24 - C Quarters Red Snapper Tournament. Fish the tournament on the first two days of opening season for red snapper. $5,000 Guaranteed Payout.
June 6 - Fisherman's Choice Youth Fishing Tournament. Charles and Rex Pennycuff will host their 15th annual Fisherman's Choice Youth Fishing Tournament on June 6th. Kids 16 and under will fish for fresh and saltwater species. Each entry receives a t-shirt, and after the tournament, entrees are invited to attend a cookout at Fisherman's Choice in Eastpoint. Entry is free and generally about 200 kids sign up.
June 19-21 Annual Big Bend Saltwater Classic
The Moorings of Carrabelle will host the 24rd Annual Big Bend Classic on Father's Day Weekend, June 19th through the 21st, 2015 All of the proceeds from the Big Bend Saltwater Classic are used to develop artificial reefs in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico.
For a complete list of tournaments planned for later this summer as well as other events in the county, click here. For area marina, charter and general fishing information, click here.
| |
|
Area Features Dozens of Artificial Reefs
Did you know there are more than 50 artificial reefs located offshore from the Franklin County shoreline? These fish hotels stretch from Alligator Point to Apalachicola and are responsible for providing valuable habitat for hundreds of fish species that migrate through the region. You can see the list of reef locations by clicking here. Need a guided tour? Charter captains are booking trips now! For a complete overview of Franklin County's fishing scene, click here.
| |
|
| Historic Apalachicola Home & Garden Tour May 1-2
Apalachicola's annual home and garden tour is scheduled for May 2 and will feature a variety of homes ranging from century-old houses to charming bungalows and contemporary homes. Watch a video preview here. An Evensong service at Trinity Episcopal Church will be held on Friday, May 1 at 5:30 p.m. This service provides the traditional opening for the home tour. It will be followed by a reception to which all are invited. Homes will be open only on Saturday, May 2, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
For more information, click here.
| |
|
Ilse Newell Concert in the Park May 17
The Ilse Newell Concert series wraps up its 2015 season of concerts with its annual favorite concert in the park. The event will feature the Franklin County School Band and will begin at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 17 at the Lafayette Park in Apalachicola. Click here for details.
| |
|
FSU Coastal Marine Lab Hosts Lectures
Coming To Pass - Florida's Coastal Islands - May 15, 7pm. Author Susan Cerulean will share stories and images from her new book, Coming to Pass. The Coming to Pass: Florida’s Coastal Islands in a Gulf of Change.
Both presentations will take place at the Florida State University Coastal Marine Lab Auditorium located at Turkey Point.
| |
| Rock By The Sea Concert May 14-17 on St. George Island
Make plans to be on St. George Island for Rock By The Sea Music Event May 14-17, 2015. Get Weekend Music Passes or Register for Golf Tournament. Rock By The Sea is dedicated to organizing music festivals and events where we raise money to assist deserving charities who provide direct services to those in need. For more information, click here.
| |
|
Turtle Season Begins
May 1 marks the beginning of loggerhead sea turtle nesting season on St. George Island. It is the season when local volunteer turtlers begin walking the beach in order to find, mark and protect turtle nests and when homeowners and visitors are educated about turtle friendly house lighting. Visitors interested in learning about sea turtle nesting can visit the St. George Island Visitor's Center (at the St. George Island Lighthouse Park) to see a turtle display and pick up turtle information. Please note that Franklin County recently adopted a Leave No Trace Ordinance that requires chairs, umbrellas and equipment to removed nightly from the public beaches in order to help mama turtles more easily navigate the beaches to nest and allow hatchlings a clear path back to the water from their nests in the dunes.
| |
|
