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JUNIOR LEAGUE OF TALLAHASSEE 5K & FUN RUN
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Date: Saturday, Nov 21st from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park invites the public to show support for the Junior League of Tallahassee. The Junior League of Tallahassee performs many service projects in the Tallahassee community that benefit children and families. Proceeds from the 5k and 1 mile Fun Run goes to support their numerous community projects. The 5k and Fun Run will start at the Recreation area at Lake Hall. Race day registration will be held near the pavilion in the same area.
Fees: Park entrance fees will be waived to participants.
Contact: (850) 487-4115

Participation Requirements

Directions: Maclay State Gardens is located one half mile north of I-10 on U.S. 319.
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TWILIGHT CRUISE AND DINNER
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Date: Saturday, Nov 21st at 5:00 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Wakulla Springs Lodge & State Park to come and enjoy the colors of the foliage along the Wakulla River at their peak basked in the warm glow of twilight. Relax with a soothing cruise followed by a delicious dinner in the historic Wakulla Springs Lodge. For more information, visit www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings.
Fees: $32 Adults, $20 Children 12 and under. Res Suggest
Contact: (850) 926-0700

Directions: Traveling East on I-10 to new Exit 196 (old Exit 28). Take SR-263 (Capitol Circle) South 12 miles. Turn right (South) onto US-319/SR-61 (Crawfordville Hwy) for 2 miles. Bear left onto SR-61(Wakulla Springs Rd) for 6 miles. Turn left onto SR-267 at flashing stop light. Turn Right into Park entrance. From West I-10 use new Exit 203(old Exit 30). Take SR-61 (Thomasville Rd) South. Continue on SR-61 thru Tallahassee for 10 miles. Take US-319/SR-61 (Crawfordville Hwy) South for 2 miles. Bear left onto SR-61(Wakulla Springs Rd) for 6 miles. Turn left onto SR-267 at flashing stop light. Turn Right into Park entrance.
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CHRISTMAS AT THE ORMAN HOUSE
Orman House State Park
Date: Friday, Nov 27th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Orman House Historic State Park will be open to the public the evening of Friday, November 27, 2009 celebrating the holiday season. The house will be decorated to represent Christmas during the time the Orman family occupied the residence, 1838 to 1952.
Fees: Entrance fees will be waived to participants. A $5.00 donation to the Friends of Franklin County State Parks is requested.
Contact: (850) 653-1209

Participation Requirements

Directions: The Historical Orman House is located in Apalachicola, off U.S. 98 in the downtown historical section. From Panama City, take U.S. 98 East to Apalachicola. At the stop light in Apalachicola, turn left and follow signs to the Orman House.
CAMELLIA CHRISTMAS 2009
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Date: Friday, Dec 4th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park invites the community to celebrate the Christmas Season at the 21st Annual Camellia Christmas. A candle-lit stroll through the gardens accompanied by holiday music performed by local artists is the perfect way to share the holiday spirit with friends and loved ones. Bid on holiday finery for your home or for a gift at the silent auction, which will include items donated by local merchants, artists and florists. Hot apple cider and holiday cookies will be served.
Fees: Park Entrance Fee is waived for participants
Contact: (850) 487-4115

Directions: Maclay State Gardens is located one half mile north of I-10 on U.S. 319.
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A TEA WITH MRS. CLAUS
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Date: Sunday, Dec 6th from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park and The Friends of Maclay Gardens, Inc. would like to invite children ages 5-9 years old to attend an afternoon tea with Mrs. Claus. Dress up clothes is encouraged for attendees and there will be some items on hand for early arrivals to try on in addition to what they find in Mom and Dad’s closet for the day’s event. The tea party charge is $20.00 per child and requires advance reservations as a personalized invitation will be mailed to children from Mrs. Claus. The tea time will include crafts, story time, tea and cookies of course, a photograph with Mrs. Claus and a gift for each child to take home. To make reservations please call (850) 487-4556. --In The Historic Maclay Gardener’s Cottage--
Fees: Park entrance fees will be waived to participants.
Contact: (850) 487-4115

Participation Requirements

Directions: Maclay State Gardens is located one half mile north of I-10 on U.S. 319.
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THREE RIVERS STATE PARK CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW
Three Rivers State Park
Date: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Dec 11, 12, 13 and 18, 19, 20 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Three Rivers State Park invites you to join us for a scenic drive through the park to enjoy all the beautiful light displays.
Fees: Park entrance fees are being waived for participants.
Contact: (850) 482-9006

Participation Requirements

Directions: Three Rivers State Park is located at
7908 Three Rivers Park Road
Sneads, FL 32460Three River SP is easily reached via I-10. Take Exit 158 and travel north into the town of Sneads. At Sneads, turn left (west) onto Hwy 90. Turn right (north) onto River Road at the flashing yellow light. Park is located two miles north of Sneads.

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CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK
Big Lagoon State Park
Date: Friday & Saturday, December 11-12 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Big Lagoon State Park and the Friends of Pensacola State Park, Inc. will host the 'Christmas in the Park' event as a way of saying thank you to the public for their support through the year. Come and join us for a walk through the park to enjoy beautiful Christmas lights and decorations displays. Santa Claus will arrive at 6:00 p.m. There will be crafts for all plus other entertainment and food available. This event is for children of all ages.
Fees: Park admission will be waived for participants of this event.
Contact: (850) 492-1595

Participation Requirements

Directions: Big Lagoon State Park is located at 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, approximately ten miles Southwest of Pensacola Interstate 10 Exit 7 (Pensacola), South on Pine Forest Road (297), Right on Blue Angel Parkway (SR173), Right on Sorrento Road (SR292), Left on Bauer Road (CR293).
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BREAKFAST WITH A RANGER
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Date: Saturday, Dec 12th, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Topsail Hill Preserve State Park will be having a Breakfast with a Ranger event. Join the Rangers of Topsail Hill and ask them all the questions you can think of about park wildlife. This program is family oriented and ideal for the whole family to enjoy. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.
Fees: Park entry fee for this event is waived. To cover the cost of food, please bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park or bring your own breakfast.
Contact: (850) 267-8330

Participation Requirements

Directions: Located in Santa Rosa Beach 10 miles east of Destin, FL. Take Interstate 10 to Exit 85 (Defuniak Springs) and follow U.S. Highway 331 south. Travel 27 miles to U.S. Highway 98. Turn right and travel approximately 5 miles west to scenic Highway 30A. Turn left and go ¼ mile to the entrance on the right.
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HOLIDAY CRUISE AND DINNER
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Date: Saturday, Dec 19th at 5:00 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Wakulla Springs Lodge & State Park invites you and your family to take an evening out for a cruise on the Wakulla River followed by dinner in the historic lodge and an old-fashioned sing-a-long in the lobby by the Christmas tree. For more information, visit www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings.
Fees: $32 Adults, $20 Children 12 and under. Res Suggest
Contact: (850) 926-0700

Directions: Traveling East on I-10 to new Exit 196 (old Exit 28). Take SR-263 (Capitol Circle) South 12 miles. Turn right (South) onto US-319/SR-61 (Crawfordville Hwy) for 2 miles. Bear left onto SR-61(Wakulla Springs Rd) for 6 miles. Turn left onto SR-267 at flashing stop light. Turn Right into Park entrance. From West I-10 use new Exit 203(old Exit 30). Take SR-61 (Thomasville Rd) South. Continue on SR-61 thru Tallahassee for 10 miles. Take US-319/SR-61 (Crawfordville Hwy) South for 2 miles. Bear left onto SR-61(Wakulla Springs Rd) for 6 miles. Turn left onto SR-267 at flashing stop light. Turn Right into Park entrance.
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CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF THE WESLEY HOUSE
Eden Gardens State Park
Date: Saturday, December 19th from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Eden Gardens State Park and the Friends of Eden invite you to join us for a holiday tour. Enjoy the traditional walk through the luminaries to the Historic Wesley House to enjoy it's beautifully seasonally decorated rooms and be greeted by Civil War reenactors in period garb. After the tour is completed, the Friends of Eden will be providing refreshments in the pavilion and the reenactors will welcome you to the small encampment on the North lawn of the house beyond the Reflecting Pool. It's an evening meant to be enjoyed by all who attend. Donations to the Friends of Eden Gardens are welcome and appreciated. To volunteer or for additional information call the park office.
Fees: Admission fees to the park and the event are waived.
Contact: (850) 267-8322

Participation Requirements

Directions: Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395.
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SCHOOL OF THE SOLDIER
Eden Gardens State Park
Date: Saturday Jan 23rd from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. & Sunday, Jan 24th from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Eden Gardens State Park will host the 17th Annual School of the Soldier event led by 7th Vermont Company D (Walton Guard). This will be the 146th anniversary of the actual event that took place in the Point Washington area during the Civil War in 1864 between the 7th Vermont Volunteers and a Confederate unit. Visitors can expect to observe Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics as well as Artillery Demonstrations, Drills and Skirmishes. There will also be Medical Demonstrations, a Ladies Tea and examples of Period Camp Life as well as a period Cook Tent and a Blacksmith. For an event schedule please call the park office.
Fees: Event is free with paid park entrance fees.
Contact: (850) 267-8322

Participation Requirements

Directions: Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395.
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STONE AGE AND PRIMITIVE ARTS FESTIVAL
Ochlockonee River State Park
Date: Friday through Sunday, Feb 12-14, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Ochlockonee River State Park is hosting the Third Annual Stone Age and Primitive Arts Festival. Visitors will experience “hands-on” learning as experts demonstrate techniques used thousands of years ago in day to day life. Visitors will also see projectile point fashioning, also known as flint-knapping, which is the art of chipping stone into tools, bow and arrow construction, basket weaving and early pottery methods. According to archeological research, Ochlockonee River’s rich history of humans interacting with nature goes back 12,000 years.
Fees: Park entrance fee includes access to all events.
Contact: (850) 962-2771

Directions: Ochlockonee River State Park is located four miles south of Sopchoppy on U.S. 319.
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CAMELLIA FEST AT EDEN GARDENS
Eden Gardens State Park
Date: Saturday, February 20th from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Eden Gardens State Park and the Friends of Eden Gardens would like to invite everyone to their annual Camellia Fest. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch. Festivities will include talks on Camellia identification, air layering (propagation), general maintenance and pest control of Camellias and floral and waxing blossoms demonstrations. There will also be living history demonstrators in the park teaching about the skills of past generations including turpentine, soap and candle making as well as historical talks. We will have archaeologists talking about the local area history with archaeological objects. Parking inside the park is some what limited. To volunteer or for additional information call the park office.
Fees: Event is free with paid park entrance fees.
Contact: (850) 267-8322

Participation Requirements

Directions: Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395.
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WAKULLA WILDLIFE FESTIVAL
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Date: Friday-Saturday, Mar 19-20 Times vary depending upon Festival activities
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Wakulla Springs State Park will be the hub of activities designed to educate, inspire and empower positive change by connecting individuals with their environment and heritage. Fine art, music, living history demonstrations, informative presenters and exhibitors, dynamic educational shows and guided tours will seek to connect participants with the natural and cultural heritage of the region. Guided tours are available at a cost; advance registration is highly recommended since tours often fill to capacity well in advance of Festival dates. The 2010 Festival will highlight the 75th anniversary of the Florida Park Service.
Fees: Park entrance fees will be waived for participants. A $6.00 donation to the Friends of Wakulla Springs to help with the event's expenses will be extremely appreciated.
Contact: (850) 561-7286

Participation Requirements

Directions: Traveling East on I-10 to new Exit 196 (old Exit 28). Take SR-263 (Capitol Circle) South 12 miles. Turn right (South) onto US-319/SR-61 (Crawfordville Hwy) for 2 miles. Bear left onto SR-61(Wakulla Springs Rd) for 6 miles. Turn left onto SR-267 at flashing stop light. Turn Right into Park entrance. From West I-10 use new Exit 203(old Exit 30). Take SR-61 (Thomasville Rd) South. Continue on SR-61 thru Tallahassee for 10 miles. Take US-319/SR-61 (Crawfordville Hwy) South for 2 miles. Bear left onto SR-61(Wakulla Springs Rd) for 6 miles. Turn left onto SR-267 at flashing stop light. Turn Right into Park entrance.
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EASTER AT EDEN GARDENS
Eden Gardens State Park
Date: Sunday, April 4th from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Eden Gardens State Park and the Friends of Eden Gardens would like to invite everyone to Easter at Eden. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch. The Easter Bunny will be arriving at 1:00 p.m. and Egg Hunts will be open to children at 1:30 p.m. Volunteers to help with the egg hunt are always appreciated. The Friends of Eden will be helping to hide the eggs for the children as well as selling refreshments. Parking inside the park is some what limited. Donations to the Friends of Eden Gardens are welcome and appreciated. To volunteer or for additional information call the park office.
Fees: Park entrance fees will be waived to participants.
Contact: (850) 267-8322

Participation Requirements

Directions: Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395.
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