| Fall Brings Birding and Butterfly Migrations Through Franklin County
Franklin County offers outstanding birding opportunities year round but many birders and butterfly enthusiasts prefer the cool crisp afternoons of fall to enjoy this outdoor hobby. The fall brings the migration from the north as the cool weather pushes masses of birds to the south followed by a world-renown gathering of raptors preying on them. The annual fall migration usually peaks after the first cold front of September and will continue until mid November. Some of the butterfly families you can expect to see in Franklin County each fall include the swallowtails, the whites and sulphurs, Gossamer-winged butterflies, Metalmarks, Brush-footed Butterflies and Skippers. The eagerly awaited Monarch butterflies belong to the Brush-footed family. Some of the migrating bird species you might encounter include warblers, Peregrin Falcons, hawks and Bald Eagles. Whenever you're in Franklin County it's a good time to break out your binoculars and spotting scopes and enjoy the wonderful outdoor world of birds and butterflies. Here are some top ten spots to enjoy.
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| Geocaching – Take your Inner Geek Outdoors
Planning to visit one of Franklin County’s state parks this fall? Make sure you bring your hiking shoes, your smart phone and a sense of adventure. The Bald Point State Park on Alligator Point and St. George Island State Park are participants in Operation Recreation GeoTour - a high-tech treasure hunt that requires players to use a smartphone or GPS device to find hidden treasures. The State Park GeoTour stretches from Pensacola to Key West and currently includes 64 state parks and state trails. Cachers can visit the GeoTours webpage to view each one of the 69 caches hidden within the parks and download the Official Tracking Sheet to begin the geocaching adventure. In addition to the two state parks, other areas in Franklin County feature geocaching opportunities There are an estimated more 200+ geocache sites dotting the coast between Alligator Point and the western edge of Franklin County. Click here to learn more.
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| Celebrate the Bay September 23
It's all about the Bay on September 23 as the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) celebrates National Estuaries Day at its Nature/Visitor Center in Eastpoint. The festivities will run from 1:30-6 p.m. and will feature family-friendly activities, touch tanks, fun and educational games. ANERR recently expanded its extensive series of trails at the Reserve. Visitors can now enjoy 1,600 feet or nearly 1/3 of a mile of newly built raised wooden boardwalks that traverse the Reserve’s 28 acres plus another 400 feet of trails.
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| Salty Fishing is Free Saturday, September 3
Residents and visitors will enjoy one of the State's saltwater license-free fishing day Saturday, September 3. On this day, Florida residents and visitors can experience Florida’s unique saltwater fishing opportunities first hand without being required to have a recreational saltwater fishing license. Coincidentally, the Gulf Red Snapper State Season is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October and on Monday, September 5 (Labor Day). Additionally, the recreational Snook season opens September 1 through November 30. Lionfish Challenge. Looking to add a higher purpose to your piscatorial pursuits? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) is hosting a Lionfish Challenge contest through the end of September to rid the Gulf waters of the Lionfish, an invasive fish species. Anglers that harvest and document the most Lionfish are eligible to win prizes, fishing licenses, fuel cards and statewide recognition as the Lionfish King or Queen. Franklin County is one of seven counties in the state that is also part of a pilot program to remove Lionfish. For every 100 lionfish harvested from Franklin county waters until May 2017, harvesters will be eligible to receive special fish harvesting privileges. Learn more here.
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| Paddling Trip September 24
Join the Apalachicola Riverkeepers on their monthly paddling trip on Saturday, September 24 in and around the Apalachicola River and Bay. The trips are free to members and $30 for non-members. In addition to their monthly paddling trips, the Apalachicola Riverkeepers are also hosting longer paddling excursions (10+) miles which are best suited for paddlers with experience. Click here to learn more.
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Whatever Floats Your Boat Regatta
September 24
It’s time once again to challenge your friends and colleagues to enter those homemade boats in the Whatever Floats Your Boat Regatta at the Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory. Boats can be as artistic or as whacky as you want to make them.
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| Tate's Hell Movie Shown Through September
Enjoy learning about the legend and folklore of the Forgotten Coast as documented in a short film that is running at the Carrabelle History Museum this summer. The Museum is hosting free viewings through September of this classic film on Saturdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Details here.
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| St. George Light Full Moon Climb Sept. 16
Watch the sun set and full moon rise from the top of the Cape St. George Lighthouse on Tuesday, September 16 from 7:30-9pm. Tickets are $15.00 per person, or $10.00 for St. George Lighthouse Association members, and include light hors d'oeuvres and a sparkling cider toast to the Full Moon. Click here for more information.
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| Art & Wine Splash
October 8 on SGI
The St. George Island Business Owners Association will host its inaugural Art & Wine Splash on Saturday, October 8. The event will feature an art show and wine tasting.
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| Rib Cookoff Sept. 5
Franklin Needs will host its 3rd annual Rib Cookoff on Monday, September 5 at the Regatta Park on St. George Island. Proceeds from the cookoff will benefit the group's 2016 Pink Out - an annual fundraiser to raise awareness and money for local womens' cancer screenings.
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| Art Workshops
The Apalachicola School of Art continues its series of art exhibits and workshops this fall at the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture and Art located at 86 Water Street, Apalachicola.
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| Lighthouse Lantern Fest October 22
The Crooked River Lighthouse will host the 2016 Lantern Fest on Oct. 22 in Carrabelle Beach. The two-day event will feature a lantern making workshop and evening lantern display, music, dance presentations, storytelling and craft exhibits.
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| Apalachicola
Autos & Oysters
October 29
The Autos and Oysters Car Show, on Saturday, October 29 will showcase the cars of local collectors and will also attract enthusiasts from throughout the region. The show will be followed by a sock hop on the City Docks on Saturday night featuring local refreshments, music, and oysters.
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| Historic Ghostwalk October 29
Hauntings will abound at Apalachicola's Chestnut Street Cemetery on Saturday, October 29 when local history enthusiasts don the garb and take on the persona of the cemetery's more notable inhabitants to tell their tale of life in Apalachicola more than 100 years ago. The Ghostwalk will be held 6:30-8:30 pm. at the Chestnut Street Cemetery on Hwy 98 in Apalachicola. Details here.
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