Florida State Park Events

I just got the November newsletter listing upcoming events in our state parks and thought some of y'all might be interested in this weekend's offerings. Have a great one! 8-]

• IRONMAN TRIATHLON - St. Andrews State Park
Date: Thursday through Monday, November 1 - 5 from 8:00 a.m. to sunset Description: The Friends of St. Andrews State Park, Inc. will host this annual event at St. Andrews State Park. The running portion of the Ironman Triathlon will be held within the boundaries of the park and the local community.
Fees: Park entrance fee waived for participants
Contact: (850) 233-5164
Directions: From Hwy 98 turn south on to Hwy 3031 (Thomas Drive) and follow it straight to Hwy 392 and turn left to enter into the gates of St. Andrews State Park. The park is located approximately 3 miles east of Hwy 392.

• FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION WORK WEEKEND - Hillsborough River State Park
Date: November 2 - 4 Description: Get hot, wet and dirty with the best! Our Florida Trail Association volunteer trail crews tackle trail maintenance tasks that require teamwork, such as the construction of bridges and boardwalks or the blazing of new hiking trails. Working in conjunction with the USDA Forest Service, the managers of the Florida Trail, F-Troop gets the rough stuff done. Our 2007-2008 trail season promises a diverse schedule of events, with crew opportunities for all abilities at locations throughout Florida. Join the crew...join F-Troop.
Fees: Free for volunteers
Contact: Florida Trail Association: 877-HIKE-FLA
Directions: Hillsborough River State Park is located 9 miles north of Tampa and 6 miles south of Zephyrhills on US Highway 301. From I-75, south bound from Ocala take SR 54. Exit #279 east to Hwy 301, travel South for 6 miles, and the park will be on your right-hand side. From I-75, north bound from Tampa take the Fowler Ave. Exit #265 east to Hwy 301, travel North for 9 miles, and the park will be on your left-hand side. From I-4, West bound take Exit 10 go north on CR 579 to US 301, follow the signs and go north 7 miles the park will be on your left-hand side. From I-4, east bound take Exit 7 (be careful of the merges) and go north on US 301 for 14 miles. The park will be on your left-hand side.

• FALL FESTIVAL - Florida Caverns State Park
Date: Friday & Saturday, November 2 & 3, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Description: Florida Caverns State Park will host its ninth Fall Festival event November 2nd and 3rd. Guests can observe cast iron cooking, cornmeal grinding, soap making and cane syrup preparation. Other exciting activities include live Blue Grass music, live animal exhibits and a civil war encampment display. A traditional country dinner and crafts will be available for purchase.
Fees: Entrance fees waived
Contact: (850) 482-1228.
Directions: Florida Caverns State Park is located 3 miles north of Marianna, off U.S. 90 on S.R. 166. From Tallahassee: take I-10 west to Exit # 142, turn right on Hwy 71 N to Hwy 90, turn left. Follow brown park signs. From Pensacola: take I-10 east to Exit # 136, turn left on Hwy 276 N to Hwy 90, turn right. Follow brown park signs.

• MEMORIAL KIOSK OPENING CEREMONY - Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Date: Saturday, November 3 at 2:00 p.m. Description: As a memorial to Charlie Parkel, the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society, the Friends of Emerald Coast State Parks, the Florida Park Service and the Parkel family have collaborated in establishing an interpretive kiosk at Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville. The kiosk will be presented, rain or shine, in its location just beyond Puddin Head Lake in the park campground area.
Fees: Park entrance fees are waived for participants
Contact: (850) 833-9144
Directions: From the west: take I-10 east to Hwy 85 south until you reach Hwy 20. Go east on Hwy 20. Park will be approximately 5 miles on the left. From the east: take I-10 west to Hwy 331 south until you reach Hwy 20. Go west on Hwy 20 approximately 25 miles until you see signs for park on right.

• CHILDRENS MIRACLE NETWORK EQUESTRIAN RIDE - Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park Date: November 3, starts at 7:00 a.m. Description: The Miracle Trail Ride is a marathon fund raiser on horseback. Participants must bring their own horse and are asked to collect pledges in advance for each mile of the ride they will complete. Prizes and raffle tickets are awarded based on the amount of pledges turned in. Cost of the ride is $50 and includes breakfast by IHOP, event t-shirt and lunch provided by Sonny's Bar-B-Q. For information and registration, visit www.gocmn.org/events.details
Fees: $50.00 per rider
Contact: cathy@gocmn.org or call the park at (407) 884-2008
Directions: The northern entrance into the Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park is located off of S.R. 44 in Pine Lakes. From S.R. 44, turn south onto Oak Avenue and west onto Swift Road. Follow Swift Road to the end of the paved road and turn south into the Preserve (address: 38015 Fechtel Rd, Eustis, FL, 32726). The southern entrance into the Preserve is located nine miles west of Sanford on S.R. 46. From I-4, take Exit 101C and travel west on State Road 46 for approximately nine miles to the park entrance on the right (address: 8300 W SR 46, Sanford, FL, 32711).

• 3RD ANNUAL HIGH SPRINGS CRUISERS CAR SHOW O’Leno State Park
Date: Saturday, November 3. Starts at 10:00 a.m. Description: The High Springs Cruisers will hold their 3rd annual antique car show at O'Leno State Park on November 3 starting at 10:00 a.m. Enjoy a day at the park viewing these beautiful antique cars and join in on the games sponsored by the High Springs Cruisers. Bring canned goods and participate in a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will be given to a local food pantry in preparation of the holidays.
Fees: This event is free with regular park admission.
Contact: For more information, call (386) 454-1853.
Directions: O'Leno State Park is located on U.S. 441, six miles north of High Springs.

• YMCA ADVENTURE RACE Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Date: Sunday, November 4, from 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Description: The Niceville Family YMCA is hosting its first annual Adventure Race. The race consists of a 1.5 mile hike with orienteering challenge, 5 mile mountain bike, 2 mile trail run and a fun special event. Participants may enter as an individual or a two person team. Teams will complete orienteering challenge together, and then continue with one racer completing the bike, one completing the run. In addition to the adult course, a 1.5 mile kids’ Adventure Fun Run will take place, at approximately 10:30 a.m. (upon completion of the main race). Awards will be presented to the top finishers in each category (male, female, co-ed team, male-male team, and female-female team) and finishers’ medals will be presented to all participants, including the kids’ Adventure Fun Run. Food, drinks and door prizes will be available at the post-race party. Participants may register at the Niceville YMCA or at www.active.com
Fees: Park entrance fees waived. Event fees: $30/individual, $60/team if postmarked by October 29, or $40/individual, $70/team if postmarked after October 29.
Contact: (850)833-9144 or Laura Reigle (850) 897-9622
Directions: From the west: take I-10 east to Hwy 85 south until you reach Hwy 20. Go east on Hwy 20. Park will be approximately 5 miles on the left. From the east: take I-10 west to Hwy 331 south until you reach Hwy 20. Go west on Hwy 20 approximately 25 miles until you see signs for park on right.
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