Mardi Gras Festivities, Ragtime Piano, Comedy Performance and A Tour of SGI Homes

Mardi Gras Celebration in Apalach this weekend Join in on the Mardi Gras Fun Friday and Saturday, Feb. 3-4 in Apalachicola to benefit the Franklin County Habitat for Humanity. There will be a pet parade (with bead throws!) authentic cajun cuisine and a concert. On Saturday, don’t miss the Grand Ball!   Friday, Feb 3, 2012 at 5:30 PM Pet & Golf Cart Parade begins downtown and ends up at Riverfront Park where you can enjoy Louisiana Mardi Gras style gumbo, Louisiana bread pudding with whiskey sauce and listen entertainers Brian Bowen and the Beth McKee Band. Saturday, Feb 4, 2012 at 6:30 PM 9th Annual Mardi Gras Ball at the Historic Armory  Dinner & Show, $50 per person Reserved Tables, $300 for 6, 7:30 General admission show only $25  (Entertainers are Brian Bowen and Beth McKee Band)     Upcoming Theatre, Concerts and Music Performances   Bob Milne Ragtime Piano at the Dixie Theatre Feb. 1-5. Apalachicola. Top ragtime/boogie-woogie pianist Bob Milne delights audiences with his piano-playing pyrotechnics and his infectious enthusiasm for the music and the history behind the music. At the Dixie for his 13th year!   Murder at the Howard Johnson Feb 3-5 and Feb. 10-11 Eastpoint Fire Station, Crooked River Grill, St. James.  The Panhandle Players theater group will present Murder at the Howard Johnson, a comedy about the ultimate love triangle.  Performances Feb. 3-5 at the Eastpoint Firehouse and Feb. 10-11 at the St. James Bay Golf Resort’s Crooked River Grill.   Jerry Lee Lewis Tribute Feb. 10 Dixie Theatre, Apalachicola. Piano Man todd Williams is a king of tributes and plays piano with everythign imaginable - sometimes even his fingers!     The Old Folkie at the Dixie Theatre Feb. 11 Dixie Theatre, Apalachicola. Back for his 19th appearance at the Dixie, Ken Sizemore sings all your favorite folk tunes from the 50’s, 60’s - 70’s as well as some finely crafted originals.   Click here to link to all of February's cultural offerings at the Dixie Theatre and elsewhere throughout the county.   Tour of Homes This Weekend on St. George Island St. George Island's first Tour of Homes will be held this weekend, Feb. 3-4, 2012. The event is sponsored by the St. George Lighthouse Association, Inc. Tickets cost $15 in advance and $20 on Feb. 4. Sales will be limited to 200 tickets. An associated reception and discussion on island-style interior decorating and external landscaping will be held Friday, Feb. 3. The actual tour itself will be on Feb. 4.  Surprise your Valentine with a Weekend Getaway During February  Plan now to get away to Franklin County for a special Valentine's treat anytime this month. Several lodging providers are offering sweet deals during February. On St. George Island, you can get a free night's stay and free admission to the Cape St. George Lighthouse and state park from Collins Vacation Rentals.  You can stay the entire month of February at Carrabelle Beach's Sand Castle (sleeps up to 10!) for a reduced rate. The Crooked River Grill at the St. James Bay Golf Resort will host a Valentine's Weekend Panhandle Players Dinner Theatre on Feb. 10-11. While you're there you may want to check out the St. Jame Bay Golf Resort's many play and stay specials or kayak and boating adventures. The Old Carrabelle Hotel is also offering a February special. In Apalachicola, the Gibson Inn and Apalachicola River Inn are each offering February specials.   Click here to link to all of Franklin County's many fine lodging providers.  From there you can visit each accommodation individually to find the perfect getaway special. You can also  click here to see specials that have been sent to us to share with you. Many Franklin County restaurants are also offering Valentine's specials this month. The Fish Camp Restaurant in Carrabelle will feature a romantic Valentine's Day Dinner with entertainment. C lick here to see all the fine restaurants throughout the county and get a jump-start on Cupid!  Coming Soon! SGI Hosts Snowbird Day February 7 Winter visitors to St George Island can look forward to some special treatment next weekend when the Island hosts its second SGI Snowbird Day on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. Events will include a raffle “run” to the local businesses, lighthouse climb, state park entry and hike, island tour, bridge walk, bingo, a visit to the new Estuarine Nature Center, and dinner with a cash bar. Register at any St. George Island vacation rental company or click here to learn more. SGI Lighthouse Hosts Full Moon Climb Feb. 7 The St. George Lighthouse will be open for special climbs during full moon evenings  in February and March. Visitors will be able to enjoy the sunset and moonrise from the top of the lighthouse February 7 from 5-6:30 pm. A lighthouse guide will be onsite as visitors climb the 92 stairs to the top to see breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico, Apalachicola Bay, and St. George Sound. A climbing charge of $15 per person includes snacks (or $10.00 for St. George Lighthouse Association SGLA members). After sunset, additional climbers will be allowed at the top for a view of the Full Moon, as time and space permit.  The Full Moon only climb is $10.00 per person, or $5.00 for SGLA members.  Reservations are recommended. Click here for more information.   Chef Sampler Feb. 12 Join us for the dining experience of the year at the 16th Annual Forgotten Coast Chef’s Sampler Sunday, February, 12th. The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce hosts this annual event that features chefs from all over the Forgotten Coast preparing their most creative dishes at the historic Fort Coombs Armory located on 4th Street and Avenue D in Apalachicola.  Tickets are $50.   African American History Festival Feb. 17-19 The African-American History Festival showcases African American History, Art, and Culture in Apalachicola. Saturday begins with the festival parade at 10 am followed by the official opening ceremonies.There will be live entertainment throughout the two day event. There will be other events and exhibits in February to commemorate Black History Month.   To see all the events planned for February and throughout the spring, click here   Franklin County Tourist Development Council • Post Office Box 819 • Apalachicola, Florida 32329 Toll Free: 866-914-2068 • www.ANaturalEscape.com

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