This year marks the 17th Annual Beaches to Woodlands Tour, a series of family-friendly fall festivities from September through the beginning of November. Enjoy the crisp air as you pick your own pumpkin, fish the many waters in Santa Rosa County and discover new cultural attractions.
- The 30th Annual Juana Good Times Regatta, Sept. 11-13, is designed for both experienced and novice racers, with the main emphasis being a “Good Time”. It is open to all sizes of multi-hull sailboats, from beach cats and trimarans to cruisers.
- The Holland Farms Pumpkin Patch and Maze and Sweet Season Farms Corn Maze and U-Pick Pumpkins/Sunflowers are open throughout the season.
- The Highway 87 Outdoor Market at Pik-itz, Sept. 19, Oct. 3 and 17 and Nov. 7, features farm to table vendors, arts and crafts, and shopping inside Pik-itz.
- Fish from the shore, a boat, a kayak or the pier during the Navarre Fishing Rodeo, Oct. 3-4. Proceeds benefit the Navarre Beach Marine Park.
- For the month of October, join NBSTCC’s Spooky Shark School to learn about sharks of the deep like Goblin Shark and a shark that glows in the dark! Pre-registered guests can join Trick or Teeth from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Enjoy Bluegrass in the Woods Oct. 9 with s’mores around the fire pit and plenty of to tapping.
- On Navarre Beach, the 12th Annual Run for the Reef 10K and 5K, and Kid’s One-Mile Fun Run take place Oct. 10. This event is a fundraiser to help “Make Navarre Snorkelicious,” a benefit for the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary and artificial reefs.
- Learn all about sea turtles at the Sea Turtle Extravaganza Oct. 10.
- TheScience Spooktacular by the Sea presented by the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station on Oct. 24 highlights creeps from the deep, endangered ocean species and science that glows in the dark. For a less haunting experience, visit Boo at the Zoo – Trick or Treat Trail at Gulf Breeze Zoo in October or Hatching Halloween at the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center Oct. 31.
- Take the scenic route on the Chain of Lakes Trail Self-guided Interpretive Tour Oct. 15 – Nov. 30. Approximately 1.5 mi in distance, this trail will traverse through many types of natural habitats supported by the park.
- Enjoy the ride at the Annual Fenner McConnell/Mark Wantz Blackwater Heritage Century Ride Oct. 31. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida along with the West Florida Wheelmen Bicycle Club present the annual Fenner Ride. The winding course gives a unique chance to experience Northwest Florida’s native wildlife, natural environments, and beautiful scenery. A ride for all cycling levels, choose 18, 42, 62, or 100 miles.
- Enjoy the changing colors and the rush of excitement through the Adventures Unlimited Fall Foilage Zipline Tours throughout September, October and November. Weekend stays at the resort’s camping sites or wooded cabins are available along with the ropes challenge course, canoeing and kayaking majestic Coldwater Creek.
- Check out Holley Hill Pottery and Art Studio Kiln Openings every Tuesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in September – November. Holley Hill Pottery has been making pottery in Santa Rosa County for over 40 years capturing the lifestyle, scenery and sea life of the Gulf Coast using local clays and their own glaze formulas. Then take time to tour the kilns with the Gulf Coast Kiln Walk Society every Saturday. Kiln Walk has the largest historical 32-foot wood fueled “Anagama” cave style kiln and the only reconstructed wood fueled Southern Altered Groundhog kiln from the 1940s in the State of Florida.
The Beaches to Woodlands Tour is coordinated by the Santa Rosa County Tourism Development Office. For more information and a full list of events, visit www.beachestowoodlands.com or call 850-981-8900.
