Spring into Fun Forgotten Coast Events

Spring has sprung! The flowers are in bloom, temps are on the rise and the sun is shining. ’Tis the season for tons of fun warm-weather events on Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

In Franklin County, April and May are packed full of awesome activities, from beer festivals and music events to home tours, paint-outs and more! If you’re looking for a vacation spot with plenty of exciting things to do and see this season, the Forgotten Coast is the perfect springtime destination.

Here are just a few of the upcoming events on our local spring schedule:

Apalachicola Classic Boat & Car Show
April 20 @ 10 am – 4 pm

Start your engines and gear up for the 20^th Annual Apalachicola Classic Boat & Car Show! Motor down to Apalachicola’s Riverfront Park to check out antique and classic vessels, workboats and runabouts. The show will feature all types and varieties of boats made from fiberglass, wood and aluminum as well as motor displays and boat building demonstrations.

If you’re a car buff, swing by to admire a range of antique, classic and late model vehicles, from Studebakers and Model Ts to Mustangs and Classic Chevys and more. The show also will feature a handful of talented arts and crafts vendors offering up nautical pieces and keepsakes.

SGI Brewfest
April 27 @ 1 pm – 4 pm

If you’re a beer lover, mark your calendar for our fourth annual St. George Island Brewfest! This one-day craft beer tasting festival will be held at Paddy’s Raw Bar and Journeys of St. George Island. Plus, this year’s Brewfest is a fundraiser for the Franklin County Humane Society—which means all proceeds from this “pawesome” event will benefit the homeless dogs and cats of Franklin County!

This year’s festival features an even larger selection of tasty craft beers plus live entertainment from the talented musical duo Flying Fish. Spots are limited, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance via the Brewfest website. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Forgotten Coast Plein Air Paint-Out
May 3 – May 12

Now in its 14^th year, the Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, America’s Great Paint-Out, is a 10-day event during which artists document the landscape of culture of Franklin County. Plein air is a 19^th Century style of painting outdoors in the open air, which strongly influenced French impressionism.

The Forgotten Coast paint-out is one of the most prestigious plein air events worldwide, showcasing artistic excellence and the production of investment-quality art. This year’s event will focus on the natural environment as the area recovers from the impact of Hurricane Michael, featuring a superb mix of subject matter and painting styles. The invitational features 20 internationally acclaimed artists and four “Florida’s Finest en Plein Air” artists honored as Plein Air Ambassadors. Stop by to check out expanded exhibits, a Collectors’ Forum, distinguished guest speakers and other surprises! Book your reservations early for the best rates.

Historic Apalachicola Home and Garden Tour
Saturday, May 4

Don’t miss this year’s eye-opening Historic Apalachicola Home and Garden Tour, highlighting a Greek Revival house built before the Civil War. This fascinating home is an important part of the Apalachicola Historic District that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church, the tour will feature eight homes and two gardens. The event kicks off with an Evensong service at Trinity, the traditional opening for the tour, at 6 pm on Friday, May 3, followed by a reception in Gorrie Square. The May 4^th tour includes an auction on the church grounds and a luncheon in Benedict Hall.

Purchase advance tickets at the Trinity Church office and the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. You can also purchase tickets the day of the tour on the church grounds, starting at 9 am. Proceeds from this exciting annual event benefit the preservation and maintenance of Trinity’s historic structures.

Rock by the Sea
Wednesday, May 8 – Sunday, May 12

Are you ready to rock? Don’t miss Rock by the Sea, an award-winning charity music festival on St. George Island. This year’s festival kicks off with a pre-party on Wednesday at 6:30 pm and features awesome music every day through Sunday brunch. The event will showcase 20 or more musical acts, including up-and-coming, nationally and regionally touring bands and singer/songwriters.

Coastal Living recently included St. George Island’s Rock by the Sea in its list of The Best Music Festivals on the Beach in Florida. Reporter Kara Franker writes, “In an area known as Florida’s Forgotten Coast (because of its unspoiled beaches), St. George Island is a hidden gem tucked inside the Apalachicola Bay. It’s the perfect place to listen to live music by the beach. Every spring, the island hosts a multi-day Rock by The Sea music festival featuring dozens of up-and-coming songwriters, as well as more well-known headliners like former American Idol winners. Ticket sales benefit the University of Florida’s cancer program as well as other local charities.”

As you can see, there are countless events to choose from on the Forgotten Coast this spring. So, come on down and check out what’s shaking in Franklin County! For a full list of events, visit our Calendar of Events page or your trip today at Places to Stay!