Florida Festivals In July
By Elaine Allen
Well, the Fourth is past, but if a trip to Florida is still on your calendar, Florida festivals are everywhere for your enjoyment!
In St. Petersburg, you’ll find the 27th Cool Art Show, held in the St. Petersburg Coliseum on July 18-19. You’ll see jewelry, sculpture, paintings, ceramics – and there’ll be food and drinks including beer and wine! What a great way to spend a hot afternoon!
That same weekend, on July 18, there’s Snooty’s 67th Birthday Bash & Wildlife Festival at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton. Snooty is Florida’s most famous manatee, the oldest living in captivity, and kids should bring their handmade birthday cards for the card contest.
by Dawsey Sarah via wikimedia commons
If the Panhandle is your destination, be sure to check out Turtle Talks at the Apalachicola National Estuaries Research Reserve in Apalachicola on July 15, 22, and 29. You’ll learn about the loggerhead sea turtle nesting habits and how you can help with the protection of these nests.
At the Pensacola Museum of Art, through August 9 you’ll be able to see The Lure of the Ocean: Original Works by Guy Harvey. You may be familiar with Guy Harvey T-shirts sold at your local sporting goods stores. This exhibit features original paintings, watercolors and pen-and-ink drawings as well as an interactive area and a photo booth.
In Gainesville at the Matheson History Museum, you can discover Florida’s Global Kitchen – exhibits featuring recipes, artifacts and stories highlighting the rich heritage of Spanish, African, Native American, British, Cuban and Caribbean cultures which make up Florida’s history. This festival is held through July 30.
If you’re in the Santa Rosa Beach area, you’ll have an opportunity to see and hear Americana Under the Stars, a concert series featuring folk, jazz and blues. It’s held on the 16th, 23rd and 30th at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.
July 13 – 18 at the Jim King Park & Boat Ramp at Sister Creek in Jacksonville, you’ll see hundreds of boats and thousands of spectators enjoying the 35th Annual Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament. There’s also a Food Festival and live entertainment.
by William Folsom via wikimedia commons
July 16 in Tallahassee at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum, you can take part in Trivia Night at the Museum. You must register your team, but individual entrants and spectators are allowed. Another great way to beat the heat!
If your destination is further south, be sure to check out Pine Island MangoMania at the German American Club in Cape Coral July 18 – 19. There’ll be food demonstrations, yummy tastings, music and children’s activities.
Through July 26 at various locations throughout Miami and Key Biscayne, don’t miss the International Hispanic Theatre Festival of Miami. Celebrating their 30th year, you’ll enjoy some of the best theatre companies from Latin America, Europe and the US. This year, Brazil is featured.
EH 8124P Ernest Hemingway fishing, Key West, 1928.
Ernest Hemingway Photograph Collection, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston. via wikimedia commons
Bugfest-by-the-Sea is held July 25 – 31 at Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. It’s all about Florida lobsters, with seminars, photo contests, a cook-off and lots more.
If fashion is your preference, be sure to catch Funkshion Swim Week, a 4-day-long celebration of new designers showcasing their newest swimsuit creations. It’s held at various locations throughout the Miami Beach area. And for true aficionados, there are dinner parties and after-show parties. It’s July 15 – 20.
And if Key West is your destination, be sure to schedule your visit for July 21 – 26 when the little island is over-run with Hemingway Days, celebrating their 35th year. Special celebrations and events are scheduled all over the island, including a Running of the Bulls, a 3-day marlin tournament, a short story competition, and of course, the famous Look-Alike contest.
So if Florida is your July destination, whether you go to the beach or not, there’s still plenty of activity to hold your interest. Florida festivals offer culture, fun, food, and some even offer air conditioning! Enjoy!
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