Take a late Summer Roadtrip and Enjoy Seasonal Getaway Specials
There's no better way to send summer packing than with a late summer getaway road trip.  Along the way, you'll encounter dozens of parks, wildlife areas, museums and recreational opportunities. Many lodging providers are pulling out the stops to offer late summer getaway packages.

APALACHICOLA
The Best Western Apalach Inn in Apalachicola features senior, AAA, AARP and corporate discounts. The Water Street Hotel features Senior Discounts, AAA, Military, Government, group and Florida resident discounts. The iconic Gibson Inn features a 10% military and AARP discount.

ST. GEORGE ISLAND
Resort Vacation Properties is offering repeat visitor discounts this summer and several 20% homeowner-offered discounts during August. Collins Vacation Rentals features specials that include individual guest house discounts, fall savings specials, winter escape specials, Stay 4 Nights and Get 5th Night Free, Educator and Teacher Specials, AARP discounts, Military Specials, and Repeat Renter discounts. The St. George Inn features midweek walk-in specials. Arrive Sunday or Monday, stay 3 nights, the fourth night is FREE. Ficklin & Company features several properties that offer book four nights and get fifth night free. They also offer guest thank you discounts.

CARRABELLE
Many of the Sandy Beach Properties offer a mid-week special available and a 10% discount for guests returning to the same property more than once in any calendar year. Pirates Landing Condos and Sands of Carrabelle Townhomes: Mid-Week Special - Book two nights and get the third night free! (available Monday-Thursday Only, not available on holidays or special events, homes that require a 3-night minimum will receive the 4th night free). Receive a Great Deal when you Stay & Play at the St. James Bay Villas and Condos.  The Stay & Play packages include accommodations at the Residences Condominiums, plus unlimited rounds of golf on our perfectly manicured 18-hole championship course.  The Carrabelle Beach RV Resort is featuring special monthly rates beginning August through March.

Visit all of Franklin County's accommodations here to check out individual lodging providers that often post specials that change weekly.

TDC Director John Solomon Selected to
Serve on VISIT FLORIDA Tourism Board

John Solomon, director of the Franklin County Tourist Development Council (FCTDC) and executive director of the Apalachicola Bay Chamber has been named to the 2022-2023 VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors. Comprised of tourism industry leaders and experts, VISIT FLORIDA’s board provides guidance, input, and insight for the State’s marketing programs. Solomon’s appointment was confirmed by the Department of Economic Opportunity in conjunction with Enterprise Florida on June 30, 2022. Solomon’s appointment to the board became effective July 1, 2022 and will run through June 30, 2024. Read the whole story here.

Area Waterways Are a Favorite for Paddle Enthusiasts
The Apalachicola River and associated tributaries has long been a favorite destination for paddling enthusiasts. Kayaks and canoes are ideal ways to experience the Apalachicola’s 107 miles from the Jim Woodruff Dam to its mouth under the John Gorrie Bridge in Apalachicola. The scenery is beautiful and the river, sloughs, coves, and bluffs are perfect for quiet exploration. Kayaks and canoes are ideal ways to experience the river and the area’s natural habitat, and many of the best places are accessible only by paddling.
Below are a couple of good resources to begin learning about local paddling trails. 

Apalachicola River Paddling Trail System The Apalachicola River Paddling Trail System is actually broken into 11 separate smaller trail sections. Paddlers at all levels of ability will enjoy these 11 canoeing and kayaking  trails - nearly 100 miles through the swamps of the Apalachicola River. Distances range from short, easy trips to multi-day river trips flowing into open bays of the Gulf of Mexico. Click here to learn more. The Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail (The CT) The premiere Mac-daddy thru-paddling trail in Florida is the 1515 mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, or the "CT" for short. There are 26 segments of the CT.  Franklin County's portion of the CT is located in sections 4 and 5, the Forgotten Coast and Crooked River. Click here to learn more. The Florida Paddling Trails Association Identifies several paddling trails within Franklin County. The Apalachicola Bay segment winds along the coast and features several barrier islands and bay. The Ochlockonee segment features eastern Franklin County paddling opportunities including the Carrabelle River, Crooked River and Bald Point State Park. Click here to learn more.
No Kayak? No Problem!
Franklin County features several kayak and boat rentals. Click here to see a list of all kayak, canoe and boat rental businesses in the county.

Amberjack Season Opens August 1
The recreational amberjack, triggerfish and  and permit season opens in Gullf of Mexico state waters August 1. The gag grouper reopens September 1 as does the snook season.  Access the most current fishing season information here.

Kingfish Shootout August 5-7
The 19th Annual Kingfish Shootout will be held on August 5-7, 2022 with the Captain’s Meeting at C-Quarters Marina the night of August 5th. The Shootout will be for kingfish and spanish mackerel.

New Fishing Reef Deployed off Franklin County Coast
The Coastal Conservation Association of Florida (CCA), along with the Organization for Artificial Reefs (OAR), recently deployed 46 reef modules off the coast of Carrabelle. The 46 concrete and limestone reef modules were deployed in 50 feet of water 10 miles southeast of Dog Island to create the Dr. Bart Carey Memorial Reef. The pre-fabricated reef modules were distributed in close proximity to one another and consisted of five ‘Super Reef’ modules that were 15-feet tall and 41, 8-foot tall ‘Florida Special’ modules. TThe project was coordinated with help from the Florida Fish and Wildlife, City of Carrabelle and Reefmaker.  Click here for other nearby OAR reef locations. 

Upcoming Events
August 6 - SGI Summer Sizzler
August 11 - SGI Lighthouse Full Moon Lighthouse Climb
August 11 - Crooked River Lighthouse Full Moon Climb
August 2, 9, 16 - Turtle Talk Tuesdays
August 1-13 - Camp Gordon Johnston Museum Exhibit
August 13, 27 - Apalachicola Farmers' Market
August 6, 20 - Carrabelle Country Farmers' Market
August 20 - FSU Maine Lab Workshop/Tour
September 17 - Coastal Cleanup
October 1 - Tate's Hell 5K
October 22 - Porch Fest Apalach
Getaway for the Guys Continues This Month
Following on the heels of the popular Girl's Getaway earlier this Spring, the Franklin County TDC has put together a great getaway for guys that features lodging and golf at the St. James Bay Golf Resort east of Carrabelle, an offshore fishing charter, lots of great food and libations at local pubs. CLICK HERE for a chance to win a guy's getaway to Florida's Forgotten Coast and spend some time with the pals in one of Florida's best outdoor destinations.
SGI Sizzler 5K August 6
25th Annual Event Raises Money for Local Seniors

The 25th Annual St. George Island Sizzler 5K & One Mile Fun Run will be held Saturday, August 6. The event will begin at the Berkshire-Hathaway Beach Properties office at 1st Street and Pine Avenue on St. George Island. All proceeds will benefit the Elder Care Community Council of Franklin County. The one mile fun run begins at 6:30 pm; the 5K Run/Walk begins at 7pm. Click here for details and registration.
Camp Gordon Johnston Exhibit Through Aug. 13
The Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle continues its special exhibit on the Campaign in North Africa called Operation Torch until August 13. Operation Torch (8 Nov 1942) was the first of several campaigns by the Allies in North Africa, the first large Allied invasion in which the American Military participated. 
The museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. There is no charge for admission, but donations are gladly accepted. Learn more here.
August Farmers Markets
The Apalachicola Farmers' Market will host its August events on Saturday August 13 and August 27 from 9 am to 1pm at the Mill Pond at Scipio Creek.  The Crooked River Lighthouse is hosting a Country Farmer's Market Saturday, August 6 and again on August 20 from 9 am-1 pm at the foot of the lighthouse at 1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle Beach. The Market will feature vendors from the community with locally made goods, fresh roasted coffee, veggies, plants, art, baked goods, photography, craft items, and unique maritime items in the Lighthouse Gift Shop.

FSU Coastal and Marine Lab Hosts Workshops and Tours
Looking for summer fun for the whole family? Check out the Evening at the Edge of the Sea Workshops at the FSU Marine and Coastal Lab. Each workshop at the lab, located east of Carrabelle, includes a walk along the tidal flats with marine lab staff to learn about the fascinating marine creatures. $15 per workshop. Also, starting July 1st, the lab will host free public tours each Friday from 11 am - 4 pm. Learn about current research initiatives, meet the staff and more.
Lighthouse Full Moon Climbs in August
Both historic lighthouses in the county will host full moon climbs on Thursday, August 11.
The Crooked River Lighthouse will be host a Full Moon Lighthouse Climb on Thursday, August 11 from 8-10 pm. The August full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon because sturgeon, large fish common to the Great Lakes and other large bodies of water, are most readily caught in August. Full Moon names are attributable to native American tribes, most notably the Algonquin, who named the moons to mark the changing seasons. The Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island Sunset and Full Moon Climb will also be held on Thursday, August 11 from 8-10 pm. Fifteen-minute time slots will be allotted for each group on a first come, first served basis. No advanced reservations will be taken.  
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