Florida's Forgotten Coast

Carrabelle History Museum presents a Special Exhibit on Sponge Diving in Carrabelle and North Florida
2021-10-01 - 2022-03-31 | Carrabelle History Museum, 106 SE Ave B, Carrabelle, FL, 32322, United States
The Carrabelle History Museum is presenting a special exhibit on Sponge Diving in Carrabelle and the North Gulf Coast of Florida. This exhibit will be on display through Thursday, March 31, 2022. There is no charge for admission but donations are gladly accepted. The museum and exhibit are open Wednesdays 12-5 pm, Thursdays thru Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm and Sundays 12 – 5 pm.
After the sponge industry in Greece collapsed in the late 1800s, Greek divers brought their practices to Florida and created an extremely lucrative industry. Apalachicola, Tarpon Springs, and Key West emerged as top sponge trade ports. By 1900, Apalachicola was home to two sponge warehouses and employed around 100 men. Carrabelle developed a large sponge fleet of its own during that time.
Small sailboats embarked on month-long harvesting trips in the northern Gulf. Each vessel carried several small dinghies. A pair of men worked each dingy with one man rowing as the other looked for sponges using a glass viewing box pressed against the surface of the water.
The arrival of diving technology in the early 1900s, the diving suit, brought more efficiency to harvesting. The diving suit enabled the men to walk along the seafloor to more quickly harvest sponges. By around the 1930s, a combination of overharvesting, blight, and the invention of synthetic sponges led to the depletion of the sponge industry which virtually closed in this area at that time. In recent years sponge harvesting has made a bit of a comeback and locally-sourced sponges can once again be found in Franklin County.
A turn-of-the-century Greek sponge diving suit complete with a helmet and weight belt is the focal point of the exhibit. The Sponge Diving exhibit also includes an authentic, brass sponge diving helmet used by a former local diver as well as a diorama of the sponge docks, early images, and historical photos of Carrabelle’s sponge boats and local sponge divers plus a fascinating video of sponge diving.
Carrabelle History Museum is located, one block from Carrabelle Harbor, at 106 SE Avenue B, Carrabelle, FL. Funding in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council. For more information, contact 850-697-2141 or go to Carrabelle History Museum.

Open Mic Nights
2021-09-30 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-09-23 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-09-16 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-09-09 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-09-02 18:00 - 20:00, 2021-08-26 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Eastpoint Beer Company, 374 Highway 98, Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
Come on out and showcase your talent. Do you sing? Play an instrument? Want to share a story, or recite a poem? Feel free to use this as your opportunity! Also Happy House is from 5- Close! Catch an amazing sunset, while having a fresh craft beer, and NY Style Thin crust pizza!

Moses Roper Reception
2021-09-30 17:30 - 19:00 | Apalachicola Center for History, Culture & Arts, 86 Water Street, Apalachicola, FL, 32320, United States
Discover the amazing story of Moses Roper, who was once enslaved on an Apalachicola steamboat, but later escaped slavery in a harrowing 500-mile journey of survival across north Florida and south Georgia in 1834!
The Apalachicola Center for History, Culture and Arts hosts this outdoor/indoor event that allows people to see the exhibition inside, enjoy some food, and have a conversation!

Tuesday Trivia Nights at Eastpoint Beer Company
2021-09-28 17:30 - 19:00, 2021-09-21 17:30 - 19:00, 2021-09-14 17:30 - 19:00, 2021-09-07 17:30 - 19:00, 2021-08-31 17:30 - 19:00, 2021-08-24 17:30 - 19:00 | Eastpoint Beer Company, 374 Highway 98, Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
Join us for Tuesday Night Trivia, hosted by BullFrog, starting at 5:30pm. Happy Hour starts at 5, so get there early to make sure you’re all set and test your knowledge! We’ll see you there!

Bits and Pieces Mixed Media Art Class
2021-09-28, 2021-09-21, 2021-09-14, 2021-09-07, 2021-08-31, 2021-08-24 | Art of Glass, 128 C East Pine Avenue, St. George Island, 32328
Are you looking for something to do on St. George Island? Are you down on vacation? Do you need something for you & the kids to do while Dad is fishing? Or do you just want to visit your artistic side?
Let us help you find your inner artist at Art of Glass, with our 1 hr Bit & Pieces art classes! Just call ahead, we have 3 convenient classes held daily: 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.
You pick your canvas glass and other media and create a work of art with your family and friends in a safe and clean setting. When it’s completed, we coat it in a clear epoxy resin and you can pick up your masterpiece the next day.
Great for parties, family get-togethers, or our BYOB girl’s night out classes. Bring something special home from your vacation that you can enjoy for years. Just call Devorah at Art of Glass to reserve your Bit and Pieces experience at 850-370-1019 or book online at www.SGIArtofGlass.com.
Flyer from Art of Glass, explanation of classes

Apalachicola Farmers Market
2021-09-25 09:00 - 13:00, 2021-09-11 09:00 - 13:00, 2021-08-28 09:00 - 13:00 | Mill Pond, 479 Market St, Apalachicola, 32320, United States
Located at the beautiful Millpond Pavilion at the end of Market Street, the Apalachicola Farmers Market offers local seafood, produce, honey, homemade breads, pies, and other regional specialties every 2nd and 4th Saturday from 9 AM until 1 PM in Apalachicola.

Sunset and Full Moon Climb at Cape St. George Lighthouse
2021-09-20 19:00 - 21:00 | St. George Island Lighthouse, 2B East Gulf Beach Drive, Eastpoint, 32328, United States
The September Sunset and Full Moon Climb at the Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will be held on Monday, September 20, 2021. Visitors can enjoy this opportunity to view St. George Island, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Apalachicola bay under the evening sky.
The Sunset and Full Moon Climb will begin at 7:00 p.m. and run until 9:00 p.m. Fifteen-minute time slots will be allotted for each group on a first-come, first-served basis. No advanced reservations will be taken. You will purchase your tickets in the gift shop and then sign up for your 15-minute time slot with the lighthouse keeper. Up to 12 persons are allowed in each 15-minute time slot. The gift shop will open at 6:30 pm to begin selling tickets.
Cost is $10.00 per climber for the general public and $7.00 for members of the St. George Lighthouse Association. Cash or credit card payments accepted. All climbers must be at least 40 inches tall to climb the tower and children must be age 13 and over to access the outside catwalk. For more information, please contact the Lighthouse Gift Shop at 850-927-7745.
The sun will set at 7:38 p.m. and the “Harvest” moon will rise at 7:51 p.m. on September 20th. The September full moon is called the Harvest moon because Native American tribes began harvesting their staple foods, such as corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and rice at this time. Full Moon names are attributable to native American tribes, most notably the Algonquin, who named the moons to mark the changing seasons.
The Cape St. George Light is located in St. George Lighthouse Park at the center of St. George Island, where Island Drive (the road off the bridge) ends at Gulf Beach Drive. Parking is available in lots at either side of the park.

Crooked River Full Moon Climb
2021-09-19 19:00 - 22:00 | Crooked River Lighthouse, 1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle, FL, 32322, United States
The Crooked River Lighthouse will be hosting a Full Moon Lighthouse Climb on Tuesday, September 19, from 7:00-10:00 pm in Carrabelle, FL. Visitors can enjoy this opportunity to see the gorgeous natural surroundings of the St. George Sound and Carrabelle Beach under the evening sky and a Native American Drum Ceremony.
The climb to the top of the tallest Forgotten Coast lighthouse rewards bold climbers with breathtaking views of the bay. The cost is $8 for adults and $3 for kids. All climbers must be 44 inches tall. Due to the popularity of the Full Moon Climbs, advance reservations are required for those who wish to climb the lighthouse tower during this event. Call 850-697-2732.
A limited number of climbers (max of 7) are allowed at one time, and there will be a time limit for viewing from the top. Guests who would like a more leisurely climbing experience are welcome to enjoy one of the daytime climbs available every Wednesday through Sunday.
The Crooked River Lighthouse is located in Carrabelle, just west of the Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1975 Hwy 98 W. For more information, contact the Museum and Gift Shop at 850-697-2732, carrabellelighthouse@gmail.com or https://www.crookedriverlighthouse.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.
Photo Credit: David Stahler

Carrabelle Country Farmer's Market
2021-09-18 09:00 - 14:00, 2021-09-04 09:00 - 14:00 | Crooked River Lighthouse, 1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle, FL, 32322, United States
This market at the Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle features vendors from the community with perfect gifts and goodies. There is freshly roasted coffee, delicious baked goods including cinnamon rolls and artisan bread, gorgeous art and photography, handcrafted balms and soaps, fresh herbs, vegetable seeds, handmade goods, and craft items, produce, and exotic starter plants.
Guests can also visit the free Museum and browse inside the Lighthouse Gift Shop for unique nautical gifts. Also, shoppers have the unique opportunity to climb to the lighthouse’s top for a breathtaking view of the Bay.
New and returning vendors are always welcome. The cost to be a vendor is $10. For more information, contact 850-697-2732 or carrabellelighthouse@gmail.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

Eastpoint Artisans Market
2021-09-18 09:00 - 14:00, 2021-09-04 09:00 - 14:00 | Eastpoint, Eastpoint, FL, 32328, United States
The Eastpoint Artisans Farmers Market is located on Highway 98 right next to Frost Pottery. This Eastpoint market is open on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month from 9 am – 2 pm. Get out and enjoy a cup of coffee, a freshly baked treat, and some shopping. Our local artisans will be there showing jewelry, fiber arts, photography, glass, furniture, silver, and much more. Stock up on locally grown produce, eggs, honey, jelly, bread, and in-season fruit and veggies.
Vendors are welcome, please call or text to confirm, space is limited (850) 851-7257.

The Forgotten Coast Theatre Co. Presents The 39 Steps
2021-09-10 - 2021-09-12 | Chapman Auditorium, 155 Avenue E, Apalachicola, FL, 32320, United States
Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre! This two-time Tony® and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters (played by a ridiculously talented cast of four), an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers, and some good old-fashioned romance!
