St. George Island Visitor Center : Events on St. George Island

St. George Island Events

JUNE 2009

Tuesdays 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. Summer Bingo at the fire station (324 E. Pine Ave.) at 7:00. 850-927-2654. Everyone welcome.

Wednesdays 3, 10, 17, and 24. Presentation about Sea Turtles - Franklin County's Oldest Visitors at the firehouse (324.E. Pine Ave.) at 2:00 by Sea Turtles at Risk, Inc. and the SGI Volunteer Turtlers.

Thursday @ 6:00 at Sometimes Its Hotter, 37 E. Pine Ave. Circle of Friends. Come party with the locals, business owners, and island guests. Free appetizers. Wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks available. Live entertainment. Young adults, children, and dogs on leashes are welcome.

Saturday the 6th. Annual SGI Mullet Toss sponsored by the Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe. A $10 donation buys a t-shirt and 2 tosses. Men, women, and children's division. Lots of prizes. 10 - 4:00 on the beach in front of the Parrot. 850-927-2987. All proceeds benefit the Apalachicola Bay Charter School.

Saturday the 27th. 5K / 1 Mile Summer Sizzler Fun Run. Registration begins at 5:00 on W. 1st Street. 1 mile run at 7:00; 5k at 7:30. $20 includes signlet / $15 no shirt. Unique awards for age group winners. Post race party & awards presentation at Harry A's afterwards. Proceeds benefit the Franklin county Humane Society. 11th annual. 850-670-8306 or 850-670-8306. A Tallahassee Gulf Winds track club grand prix event sponsored by the Tate's Hell track club. hobson@fairpoint.net

Elvis at Harry A's every Sunday at 6:00 and 7:30 every Sunday.

JULY 2009

Saturday July 4th Parade. Decorate your vehicle and join in! Anyone can enter a float or vehicle, or participate in the parade. Bring your squirt guns and plan to get wet! Line up in front of Fishermans Headquarters after 10.00. Parade begins at 11:00. Includes the Marine Corp Color Guard. Sponsored by the St. George Island Business Association.

Tuesdays 7, 14, 21, 28. Summer Bingo at the fire station (324 E. Pine Ave.) at 7:00. 850-927-2654. Everyone welcome.

Wednesdays 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Presentation about Sea Turtles - Franklin County's Oldest Visitors at the firehouse (324.E. Pine Ave.) at 2:00 by Sea Turtles at Risk, Inc. and the SGI Volunteer Turtlers.

Thursday the 9th. Movies in the Park at Lighthouse Park at 8:30. Sponsored by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office S.A.F.E. Program. Free family movie and free popcorn.

Thursday @ 6:00 at Sometimes Its Hotter, 37 E. Pine Ave. Circle of Friends. Come party with the locals, business owners, and island guests. Free appetizers. Wine, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks available. Live entertainment. Young adults, children, and dogs on leashes are welcome.

Elvis at Harry A's every Sunday at 6:00 and 7:30 every Sunday.

AUGUST 2009

Tuesdays 4. Summer Bingo at the fire station (324 E. Pine Ave.) at 7:00. 850-927-2654. Everyone welcome.

August 7, 2009. National Lighthouse Day will be recognized at the Cape St. George Lighthouse.

OCTOBER 2009

Columbus Day weekend. Oyster Spat Festival. Family fun with a 5K race, parade, treasure hunt, food booths, fishing tournament, children's activities, kayak race, and concerts. www.oysterspat.com

October 24, 2009. Fishing kayak tournament sponsored by Journeys of St. George. Register @ www.sgIslandJourneys.com.

DECEMBER 2009

santa clipart First Friday in December. The annual Island Lighting of the Lights at mid-island. The festivities begin at 3:00 in the St. George LIghthouse Park at the center of the island.

Santa arrives by fire engine and entertains and provides gifts to the children. Refreshments including snacks, coffee, hot chocolate, and hot dogs by the Boy Scouts. View the lighting of the island palms at sundown.

The lighthouse will be open for climbing (at no charge) between 3 and 5:00, but be sure to wear shoes with a back.

Call the Visitor Center, 850-927-7744, for more information. Ho ho ho!

December 31. New Year's Eve Beach Party / Bonfire on the Beach. Sponsored by the St. George Island Civic Club.

JANUARY 2009

January 6, 13, 20, 27 2009. Winter Bingo at the St. George Island Firehouse (324 E. Pine Ave.). Sponsored by the St. George Island Civic Club. Everyone is welcome.

FEBRUARY 2009

February 3, 10, 17, 24 2009. Winter Bingo at the St. George Island Firehouse (324 E. Pine Ave.). Sponsored by the St. George Island Civic Club. Everyone is welcome.

MARCH 2009

March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 2009. Winter Bingo at the St. George Island Firehouse (324 E. Pine Ave.). Sponsored by the St. George Island Civic Club. Everyone is welcome.

March 6-7, 2009. The annual regional Chili Cookoff. More than 60 contestants will compete in the largest regional chili cookoff in the nation. Contestants vie for a spot in the National Chili Cookoff. Begins with an Art Review Friday evening from 5 - 7 at the island's firehouse. For a $5 donation you may preview many of the art items that will available at the next day's auction. Saturday includes the taste contest, auction (11 am - 3 pm), 5K run (8:00 am), and entertainment. Held in the center of the island. Proceeds benefit the St. George Island Volunteer Fire Department and First Responders. 850-927-5039. www.stgeorgeislandchili.com

March 27, 2009. Beach Walk from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the State Park. Meet at the picnic pavillion closest to the restrooms. Learn about the natural history of our coastline and the fascinating creatures that live there. Explore the interesting geology, waves, tides, & currents of the ever-changing beach. Free. Park entrance fee waived. Contact either Alan or Rosalyn (850-653-8063) of the Apalachicola National Estuarilne Research Reserve for directions or more info.

APRIL 2009

April 4, 2009. The official dedication of the Cape St. George Light in St. George Lighthouse Park at mid-island begins at 10 a.m. The ceremony will be followed by free climbing at the lighthouse, and a fundraiser including a chicken barbeque, music and a silent auction. The idea is to "dedicate" in the morning, and "Party" in the afternoon.

April 22 Peak of Migration Bird Walk from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the State Park. Meet Alan Knothe at the youth campground in St. George Island State Park. St. George Island is one of Florida's most spectacular migrant traps. Expect to see colorful warblers, vireos, buntings, tangers and more. Loaner binoculars are available. Free. Park entrance fee waived. Contact Alan of the Apalachicola National Estuarilne Research Reserve for directions or more info. 850-653-89063 or Alan.Knothe@dep.state.fl.us

April 25, 2009. Florida Lighthouse Day. This event has been held in September for the past few years, but the Florida Lighthouse Association asked for the change in order to avoid the hurricane season. Our lighthouse will be open for free climbing.

April 29,2009. Stargazing - the 1000 Yd. Model. Be amazed as the massive size of the solar system hits home when you walk it out to scale. Learn interesting facts and view constellations, stars, planets, and more. Bring a flashlight & be prepared to walk about 1 mi. Meet at the first set of pavillions in St. George Island State Park. Free. Park entrance fee waived. Contact Alan of the Apalachicola National Estuarilne Research Reserve for directions or more info. 850-653-89063 or Alan.Knothe@dep.state.fl.us.

MAY 2009

1st weekend. Scout Regatta at the cut. Sponsored by the scouts and the St. George Island Yacht Club.

May 5, 2009. Cinco de Mayo benefit for the Franklin County Humane Society, beside the Sometimes It's Hotter Seasoning Company at 37 E. Pine St.. Silent art auction, live music, fiesta foods. Margaritas, Sangria, beer & wine. Salsa taste-off contest. 850-927-5039.

May 7, 2009. Sea Turtles & Wlidlife Friendly Lighting Workshop. 2 - 4:00 at the fire hall on E. Pine St. Learn about threatened & endangered sea turtles that nest on St. George Island and other beaches in Franklin County, and the effects of different types of lights on the turtles and what lights work best for sea turtles and people. 850-927-2103 or bDrye@gtcom.net

May 7 - 17, 2009. Plein Air Paint-out. A 10-day open air painting event featuring national artists capturing the Forgotten Coast on canvas. Observe the participants as they paint the Cape St. George Lighthouse between 2 - 4:00 on May 14th. Then at 6:00 (also on the 14th), attend a wine and cheese social at Sea Oats Gallery (850-927-2303 www.ForgottenCoastArt.com) where you can view the artists' recently completed works. For more information, call 800-378-8419, www.PleinAirFl.com, or visit the St. George Island Visitor Center & Lighthouse Museum.

May 9th, 2009. St. George Island "BIG" Fish Tournament. Saturday, at the St. George Island State Park. A a catch & release event with prizes for the 3 biggest fish by overall length. Fun for the whole family. Tournament hours: 9:00 AM until 3:30 PM. Registration fee: $5 for adults, $2 for juniors. Sponsored by the Friends of the St. George Island State Park. 850-927-2111.