Peanuts Anyone?
When Florida’s temperatures start to cool off a bit with the arrival of Autumn – the state erupts in an array of colourful fiestas, celebrating everything, from scrumptious seafood to the humble peanut! With a carnival atmosphere in the air, Floridians and tourists alike make the most of the cooler temperatures and countless events on offer across the state. You can snap up a bargain if you search for international flights – so here are some of the most weird and wonderful Florida Fall Festivals – just to give you some ideas for later in the year!
Central Florida Peanut Festival, Williston
With not a nut warning in sight, you can enjoy the Central Florida Peanut Festival’s many nutty delights for just one day in October. Apart from copious quantities of peanuts of the roasted, boiled, fried and baked varieties, the festival also has fairground rides, craft stalls, live music, trips in a horse drawn carriage, and the all-important crowning of the Little Peanut King, Queen and Baby Peanut!
Greek Festival, St. Augustine
Be transported to another part of the world for a day at this celebration of all things Greek, including the live traditional music, elaborately costumed dancers, and the nation’s finest cuisine (don’t miss the delicious honey-soaked baklava) – all taking place in what is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the United States. While you’re visiting the town, you can visit the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, created in 1908, which is one of the oldest commercial tourist attractions in Florida.
Fantasy Fest – Key West
This dazzling ten-day event celebrates all things fantasy, weird and whacky. From a Caribbean themed family-friendly street party to a more adult street party, this is a diverse, flamboyant festival with a Mardi Gras atmosphere. You can watch or enter a headdress contest or a ‘Think You Can Dance?’ competition, attend a party where everyone is wearing plaid, or have fun at the pet masquerade and parade. With sideshows and circus acts galore, it’s a feast for all the senses.
Florida Seafood Festival, Apalachicola
This two day November event attracts thousands of visitors every year to the historic riverside town of Apalachicola in beautiful Franklin County. Squeezing in a whole host of events, highlights include the highly competitive oyster eating and oyster ‘shucking’ (opening) contests – sit in the front row at your own risk! Then there’s the 3.1 mile Redfish Run road race, a festival parade of floats and marching bands, and the colourful Blessing of the Fleet at the marina, attended by a bizarre combination of the glamorous ‘Miss Florida Seafood’ and local clergymen. Alongside the events there are also, of course, plenty of opportunities to sample local seafood! Florida can be so much more than seeing a few theme parks – sit back on a flight to the land of fun and fancy.
