Category: Festivals & Events

Sing For the Springs: Hot Tamale presents “Music on the Water”. Thursday, September 17, 2020 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

On Saturday, January 18, 2020, the annual Wakulla County Arbor Day celebration will take place from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Hudson Park in Crawfordville. Learn more about why Arbor Day is so important for the environment, and how you can get the most out of your visit.

Read More about Arbor Day In Wakulla County

Wakulla County may not be a typical winter wonderland, but we still have plenty of ways for you to get in the holiday spirit and celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors.

Kick-off the season by the bay at Christmas in Panacea

It all starts at 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 7 in downtown Panacea, where there will be fantastic live entertainment, real snow for kids to play in, and plenty of other fun ways things to see including a large bounce house and many local vendors. You definitely have to stick around for the annual parade which begins at 6:30 because it’s where you really see the community come together in celebration. A festive variety of floats and boats will make their way down Highway 98, and many of the stores and local businesses will also be decorated to the nines to show off their holiday spirit.

The St. Marks Christmas Jubilee

This event will take place on Saturday, December 7 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, and there will be a variety of jolly activities for you to observe and participate in. The golf cart parade is sure to be a hit, as locals dress their carts in twinkling lights and beautiful tinsel and show them off to the crowd. You can don your favorite ugly sweater and participate in the ugly sweater contest, and take the kids to meet the big guy in the red suit. Throughout the night, enjoy holiday treats such as cookies and hot cider, and delight in classic seasonal music.

Enjoy a day of festive fun at Christmas in Sopchoppy

Starting bright and early at 9:00 AM on Saturday, December 14, you and your loved ones can come to charming downtown Sopchoppy to gather with locals and guests to celebrate the season in style. Treat yourself to some delicious food and drinks from local vendors, and find a special Christmas gift for someone while looking through the holiday merchandise on display form fantastic area artisans and craftspeople. And tell the kids not to worry, because Santa Claus is rumored to be making an appearance as well!

Wrap up the celebrations at Christmas in the Park

Finally, the annual Christmas in the Park festival organized by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office is all about celebrating our children and giving back to the community. It kicks off at 3:00 PM on Saturday, December 14 and runs until 8:00, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the various games, activities, and entertainment. Once again, Santa will be taking some time out of his busy schedule to listen to kids’ wish lists and take some photos.

This Christmas season, why not celebrate the holidays in a place where a tight-knit community comes together again and again? Start planning your Wakulla County holiday season getaway right now, and make plans to join us for all the incredible festivities.

The 2019 edition of the St. Marks Stone Crab Festival is almost here! This year’s edition will be held on Saturday, October 26 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the quaint fishing village of St. Marks. If you’re a seafood fanatic, or if you just love spending a beautiful fall day having fun with your family and friends, then this is a must-see event!

Read More about 2019 Stone Crab Festival

Every autumn when the skies turn orange, we know it’s time for the annual Monarch Butterfly Festival! This is one of the most anticipated events of the year in Wakulla County. This year’s edition will be held at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, October 26 from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Read More about Monarch Butterfly Festival

Every first weekend in May, residents, visitors, family, and friends throughout Wakulla County gather in Panacea for the annual Panacea Blue Crab Festival. The 2019 edition will be held on May 3-4 in historic Woolley Park in Panacea, so get ready to pick some crab!

Be a part of a cherished Wakulla County tradition

This year will be the 45th iteration of the Panacea Blue Crab Festival. The event has evolved into one of the most beloved gatherings of the year, and one that many residents and tourists make sure to mark on their calendars early. The waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the abundant marine life within have been an important part of life for Wakulla County residents going back thousands of years. The blue crab has long been one of the most abundant species in the area, and the Panacea Blue Crab Festival is a way for people to gather together and celebrate this special resource and have some fantastic fun in the spring sun.

Check out all of the crabby fun happening at the festival

There are so many great activities happening at the Blue Crab Festival that you’ll want to take in as much as possible! The opener of the event is on Friday evening at 6:30 PM, where you can join in the festive Free Gospel Sing. The main festivities kick off with a crab-themed parade that travels down U.S. Highway 98 in Panacea starting at 10:00 AM on Saturday. Once the parade is over, you can head to beautiful Woolley Park on the waterfront for all of the action.

The centerpiece of the festival is all of the fresh, sweet crab that you can enjoy as you browse the activities, as well as other local seafood dishes. You can also participate in exciting contests like the mullet toss and the crab picking contest, and delight in the stylings of talented clog dancers. There will be plenty of live music throughout the day, as well as local vendors with their finest arts and crafts for sale.

Dig deeper into adventure and tradition in Wakulla County

In Wakulla County, our traditions like the Panacea Blue Crab Festival are a vital part of our culture. We invite you to come celebrate with us and to explore more of the incredible community-focused events that occur throughout the year in our area. As you travel to Panacea for the Blue Crab Festival, your Wakulla County adventures are just beginning, so start planning your journey today by checking out our variety of accommodations to suit any budget and need, and discover just how much there is to explore in our great outdoors.

The 11th Annual Rock the Dock Fishing Tournament returns to Wakulla County this spring, and it promises to be the most exciting edition yet! Festivities will take place in Panacea at beautiful Woolley Park, with the Captain’s Meeting and registration beginning on Friday, April 26, 2019, followed by the main tournament on April 27-28.

Join some of the most accomplished anglers in the region

Each year, the Rock the Dock Fishing Tournament draws anglers with a wide range of experience, and the fishing action is always highly competitive and fun. The inshore and offshore waterways of Wakulla County in the spring make for the perfect backdrop to a beautiful weekend of championship fishing.

Rock the Dock features a variety of different categories and divisions, so anyone can compete within their angling comfort zone. This includes an inshore and offshore category in the recreation division, a kayak division, a youth division, and an opportunity for lady anglers to weigh in their fish and be entered to win prizes. Prizes are awarded for various categories and divisions and range from gift cards to cash prizes.

You can visit the official Rock the Dock Tournament website to see a full list of the divisions, rules, and prizes, and get a head start on registering for the tournament.

Enter to win a bay boat, enjoy live entertainment, and more

The Rock the Dock Tournament also features some exciting things that are happening on land. You can enter a raffle to win a beautiful 2019 Skeeter SX200 Bay Boat valued at $39,900. You should also make time to arrive early for the Captain’s Meeting on Friday, April 26. Registration for the tournament will begin at 4:00 PM, and dinner and drinks will be served at 6:00 PM. Following the important announcements, Tom and the Cats will take the stage and provide live entertainment for the remainder of the evening.

Dive headfirst into all of the amazing fishing opportunities in Wakulla County

The Rock the Dock Fishing Tournament is the perfect opportunity to discover why fishing is such an important part of life in Wakulla County. Our diverse and abundant waterways are stunning to behold, harbor many different species of freshwater and saltwater fish, and are vital to the natural ecosystems here. Check out our accommodations page to start planning your Wakulla County fishing adventure today, and get ready to hit the waters in an angling paradise.

It’s a safe bet that you’ve never before experienced an event quite like the Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival. This unique occasion is the perfect opportunity to spend a day outdoors in beautiful Sopchoppy, learn about important regional traditions, and have a blast with your family and friends. The 19th-anniversary edition will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at 8:00 AM in downtown Sopchoppy.

The celebrated tradition of worm gruntin’

In a time before bait and tackle shops were prevalent throughout the country, many people lived in rural areas with unreliable transportation; because of these circumstances, worm gruntin’ was an important practice for people who wanted to go fishing. Worm grunters would stick a stake down into the soil and then rub it with an iron rod in order to create distinct vibrations in the earth. These vibrations would coax live earthworms up to the surface, where they could then be collected and used for bait to catch the next big one.

Now, of course, most people just purchase their bait worms from a store, but there are many people who still honor the tradition of worm gruntin’ throughout the country. Every spring in Wakulla County we join in on the fun and welcome expert worm grunters as they visit the festival to share their knowledge and keep the tradition alive.

Enjoy an exciting day filled with activities, contests, entertainment, and more

Once you’ve seen the experts demonstrate their worm gruntin’ prowess, there is still so much to experience at the festival. The day kicks off with a 5K race early in the morning, and you can keep the competitive spirit going all day long with activities such as the horseshoe contest and hula hoop contest. And just when you thought the experts got to have all the fun, there’s also a worm gruntin’ contest for attendees to try their own hand at it. Enjoy food and arts and crafts vendors throughout the day, and stay for the evening to boogie down at the Worm Grunters’ Ball.

Discover what other unique adventures await you in Wakulla County

The Worm Gruntin’ Festival is just one of the many special experiences you can have in Wakulla County. Our area is filled with natural wonders just waiting to be discovered, such as gorgeous hiking trails, serene waterfronts, and historical landmarks. Start planning your Wakulla excursion today, and get ready for the natural adventure of a lifetime.

The weather is cool, and flowers and chocolates line the store aisles, which means it’s almost Valentine’s Day! This time of year Wakulla County is home to spirited events, a celebratory atmosphere, and abundant chances to get outdoors and fall in love with the world around us.

Romance is in the air at the Valentines Day Parade and Festival

Residents and visitors in Wakulla County will be gathered together to celebrate love at the Valentine’s Day Parade and Festival. This exciting event will take place at Hudson Park in Crawfordville on Saturday, February 9, with the parade beginning at 10:00 AM. The festival is organized by the Rotary Club of Wakulla, and proceeds are used to support various charitable groups across the county.

Once the parade floats have made their way through, there will still be plenty of seasonal delights for all, with Valentine-themed arts and crafts, food and beverages for sale, and live entertainment throughout the afternoon. Whether you’re young or old, single or spoken for, come for the love of community and fun; all are welcome!

Rekindle your love of the natural world

Valentine’s Day is a time to reflect on our relationships with our loved ones, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to remind ourselves of why we love the natural world. And there’s no better place to celebrate your love of nature than in Wakulla County. From the expansive wilderness of the Apalachicola National Forest to the stunning flora and fauna of the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and everywhere in between, Wakulla County is the ideal destination for a Valentine’s Day immersed in the beauty of our planet. Whether you want to spend your Valentine’s weekend photographing wildlife in the quiet wetlands, angling for a beautiful saltwater fish that you can cook and enjoy with your family, or simply relaxing with a good book in the natural splendor that surrounds you, Wakulla County is the place to strengthen your connection with nature.

Make a Valentine’s Day date with Wakulla County

Valentine’s Day is a day for romance, but here in Wakulla County, we are overwhelmed with love for our area every day of the year. We want to show you why we are so passionate about the beautiful natural areas and welcoming communities that make up this exceptional place. Whether you want to celebrate the day with someone special, enjoy a weekend with your whole family, or relax in the solitude, make your Valentine’s Day date in Wakulla County this year. Check out our various accommodations from quaint B&Bs to full-service hotels, and start planning your journey today.

You’ve never experienced an event quite like Knapfest, also known as the Annual Stone Age and Primitive Arts Festival, held in Ochlockonee River State Park. Now in its 12th year, this unique celebration of prehistoric human ingenuity gives attendees the chance to learn more about early toolmaking and art and even witness some incredible feats of strength the way they were performed eons ago.

The 12th annual Knapfest is taking place from Friday, February 22 to Sunday, February 24, 2019, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily at Ochlockonee River State Park. Admission is $4.00 per vehicle for up to 8 occupants and $2.00 for each additional occupant.

Discover how early humans lived, worked, and created art

There may not have been any history books documenting when early humans roamed the earth, but archaeologists, anthropologists, and other natural scientists have done an amazing job of piecing together many of their activities and rituals. Knapfest is the perfect opportunity to dive into this unknown world and explore. You’ll learn about flint knapping, which is how early humans first developed sharp edges on rocks that would form the basis of many tools. You can find out how they came to tan animal hides to create vital garments that helped them survive the difficult natural conditions. The prehistoric world may feel very alien to us modern humans, but Knapfest puts you right at the center of the journey of early man and helps you develop a deeper connection to the evolution of humanity.

Engage in live demonstrations and witness exciting prehistoric competitions

Not only do you get to see demonstrations of the activities mentioned above—as well as others such as bone carving—but when you come to Knapfest you also get to participate in them as well. Try your hand at flint knapping and some of these other ancient crafts, and see how well you would have adapted to a prehistoric environment.

Also among the premier events at Knapfest every year are the competitive sports, where seasoned participants try to best each other in exciting contests such as atlatl throwing, primitive archery, and flint knapping. The competitive spirit is always high, so make time during your visit to check them out.

Celebrate humanity’s connection to the natural world

The arts and crafts celebrated at Knapfest are more than just relics; they are important reminders of how we as humans have always had a deep connection to our planet. This connection runs through the fabric of life in Wakulla County, so come for Knapfest 2019, and stay to discover more of the abundant natural wonders and stirring outdoor activities that make this such a special place to live and visit.