TDC Launches Fall Pet Friendly Getaway! 
Looking for a fall getaway with your furry friend? Enter to win a two night pet-friendly vacation in historic Apalachicola. The vacation package features a two night stay at the pet-friendly accommodations in Apalachicola, two evening meals at pet-friendly restaurants, gift certificate to a pet friendly shop and a pet photo session. Click here to learn Enter!
Top 10 Pet Friendly Activities in Franklin County
Looking for great pet-friendly destinations for your next getaway? Your furry friends don’t have to be left out when you vacation in Franklin County. There are many pet-friendly attractions and activities that make bringing your pet that much more fun. 
Beaches: Franklin County offers some of the best beaches to bring your dog. St. George Island and Alligator Point features many pet friendly accommodations.
Tate's Hell State Forest Tate's Hell offers a variety of pet-friendly recreation activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Leashed pets are welcome on most state forests in designated areas. Learn more here.
Apalachicola National Forest The Apalachicola National Forest is the largest forest in Florida, with an abundance of fresh water streams, rivers, lakes, and natural springs.  The Apalachicola offers a variety of hiking opportunities from short, interpretive trails to long-distance hikes. Pets are allowed in all U.S. National Forests, but must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times while in developed recreation areas and on interpretive trails. Most other areas within the National Forests do not require dogs to be on a leash, but they should be under control at all times. Pets are not permitted in swimming areas. Learn more here.
Apalachicola Dog  Park: Hours: Dawn til Dusk Cost: Free. Avenue L and 17 Street, Apalachicola. Apalachicola Dog Park is a free, 2 acre fenced site where dogs can play off-leash. The park includes large dog and small dog sections, plus a additional area for use by dogs or people with special needs. Water and seating in each section, shade structures, and safety gates.
Restaurants: There are a variety of restaurants throughout the county that welcome well behaved pets. 
Take a Tour: Pet enthusiasts can hire a guide to take them on a tour. Click here for a link to all tour and guide opportunities.
Get Pampered: There are pet-enthusiast businesses in Franklin County that cater to pampering your pet. 
Camping: In addition to State forest and national forest primitive camping, there are a number of RV campgrounds in the county that welcome pets. Click here for a list.
Water Sports: Several local outfitters offer boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals that you can try with your furry friend. All of them would be happy to recommend calm water locations to enjoy with your pet. Click here for a list.
Pet Events: There are a growing number of annual pet events in Franklin County including the Mardi-Gras Pet Parade and Holiday celebration featuring pet pictures with Santa. Click here for a complete event list.
Throughout  Franklin County, we’ve got plenty of pet-friendly lodgings–whether you’re looking for a hotel, motel, inn, cottage, or bed and breakfast–from Alligator Point to Apalachicola. Click here for a list.
Summer Art Exhibits and Workshops
The Apalachicola School of Art continues its series of art exhibits and workshops this summer at The Apalachicola Center for History, Culture and Art located at 86 Water Street, Apalachicola.
Field Studies to Studio Painting with Hodges Soileau
September 28-30, 2015 9-4PM (ET) This workshop will allow the participants to spend time in the field to create studies which will be used to do a larger studio painting.  Instructor will demonstrate, and provide personal attention  to each student in the field, and in the studio

A school of Atlantic spadefish swims past the wheelhouse of the "Moonlighter" a 108 ft long tugboat placed as part of the Bryson Reef off Carrabelle. This reef, along with another tugboat the "Atlas", was deployed here with the assistance of an FWC grant in 75 feet of water in 1997.
Area Features Dozens of Artificial Reefs
The Organization for Artificial Reefs reports there are 46 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. Click here to see the Franklin County list. Just to the west, the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Organization (MBARA) also lists a multitude of reef locations within fishing distance. You can see the list of reef locations by clicking here.
Charter captains are booking trips now! For a complete overview of Franklin County's fishing scene, click here.
Fishing Tourneys
Here are a few of the upcoming fishing tournaments scheduled throughout the county.
July 18 - 10th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament. Open to all kids 16 and younger. Registration is required on-site. Sponsored by Jimmie Crowder of C-Quarters Marina, FishFloridaTag.org and local businesses.

August 1-2 - Kingfish Tournament. This weekend event gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy themselves while advocating a wonderful cause that helps so many. All proceeds go to the Leukemia Research Foundation.         For a complete list of tournaments planned for later this summer as well as other events in the county, visit Saltyflorida.com

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.

Be Kind to the Turtles
The beaches of Franklin County are home to  endangered loggerhead sea turtles which arrive annually at this time of year to nest on the beach. Visitors are reminded please to remove chairs, tents and beach toys at the end of the day so the turtles can move about the shoreline freely as they come ashore at night to lay their eggs.

Visitors interested in learning about sea turtle nesting can attend 2 pm turtle orientation meetings on Wednesdays during July (July 8, 15, 22, 29) at the Apalachicola National Estaurine Research Reserve Visitor Center in Eastpoint. The presentations are hosted by the SGI Volunteer Turtlers and ANERR. Common sense turtle tips include removing all beach chairs and umbrellas at the end of the day and use red filtered flashlights when walking on the beach at night to avoid disorienting hatchlings. Click here to learn more.
 
Independence Day Festivities Planned
From Alligator Point to Apalachicola, almost every community is planning Independence Day festivities.

Apalachicola
In
Apalachicola,the Historic Apalachicola Main Street group presents Apalachicola Independence Eve Celebration on Friday, July 3 featuring seafood in the park, parade, ice cream social, music and fireworks at 9 p.m. Activities include entertainment by Johnny Barbato & the Lucky Doggs. The Red, White, & Blue Parade starts at Lafayette Park at 6:30 p.m. and makes its way to Riverfront Park where there will be an old fashioned ice cream social at 7 p.m. The Veterans Tribute will take place at 8 p.m., and after dark, the grand finale: fireworks over the river!
St. George Island
On St. George Island, everyone is welcome to join in the annual July 4th celebration. Stick around all day and enjoy fireworks and festivities on the beach about dark-thirty. 
This year there will be two parades to accommodate our visitors - the first will be on Friday, July 3rd and the second will be on Monday, July 6th. Decorate your vehicle and join in the fun! Anyone in costume or on a float or in a decorated vehicle, golf cart or bicycle can participate. Bring your squirt guns and plan to get wet! No water balloons please, they are harmful to the local wildlife. Line up at the intersection of 1st Street West and West Pine Street at 11:00am. Parade begins at noon. 
Carrabelle
In Carrabelle, the town will gather for July 4th festivities, including fireworks over the river.
Apalachicola Farmers Market Opens July 11
Local seafood, produce, herbs, and honey, homemade breads and pies, along with other regional specialties will be fare offered at the Apalachicola Farmers Market which opens July 11 from 9 am to 1 pm at the Mill Pond Pavilion, located at the north end of Market Street in Historic Apalachicola.
The Farmers Market will be open the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at the Pavillion, which overlooks the historic Scipio Creek boat basin. Browse the market for goodies such as tomato pie, local eggs, homemade jams, jellies, salsa and barbeque sauce, locally-produced soaps, handmade turquoise jewelry, and perennials. Enjoy music with your friends and neighbors in a beautiful setting by the water. 

SGI Full Moon Climb

July 1 and 31
The July Full Moon Climb at the Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will be held on Tuesday, July 1 and July 31, 2015.  The Sunset/Full Moon Climb will take place from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will include light hors d'oeuvres and a sparkling cider toast to the full moon.  Cost is $15.00 for the general public and $10.00 for members of the St. George Lighthouse Association. After sunset, people are invited to climb to the top of the lighthouse for a breathtaking view of the full moon, as space and time permit.  Cost is $10.00 for the general public and $5.00 for SGLA members. 

St. George Island Sizzler 5K Race 
& Fun Run
The 18th annual St. George Island Sizzler 5K Race & One Mile Fun Run, scheduled for Saturday, August 8, is an annual event sponsored by the Tate's Hell Track Club. All proceeds benefit the Franklin County Humane Society. After the race, enjoy a Post Race Party with fresh seafood & beverages at St. George Lighthouse Park with live music by Debi Jordan. On-site registration & packet pickup begins at 4:00pm at St. George Lighthouse Park. 
Events At A Glance
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