Veterans Memorial Dedication

Set for July 12 in Apalachicola

The dedication ceremony for a regional Veterans memorial park in Apalachicola will be held July 12, 2008. The culmination of a seven year million dollar effort will feature a bronze partial replica sculpture of the Three Servicemen Statue - the original of which stands on the National Mall in Washington's Constitution Gardens. When officially

complete, the park will be managed by the Florida State Park system and is expected to draw thousands of visitors annually from across the region.

The July 12 dedication ceremony will be held at Apalachicola's newly completed Veterans Memorial Plaza, a City-owned park complete with memorial brick pavers dedicated to veterans of all walks of the military. The dedication event is scheduled for 10:30  a.m. and will feature Vietnam Veteran Memorial founder Jan Scruggs, and an exhibition of Vietnam-era "Huey" helicopters from Dothan, Alabama. more

Gas Incentives Offered to Coast Visitors

Rising gas prices have triggered some innovative travel incentives among several Franklin County lodging facilities. The Water Street Hotel in Apalachicola is offering "gas rebates" to visitors. On St. George Island and elsewhere throughout the county, several of the vacation rental companies are offering deep travel discounts to help offset the pinch at the pumps. For a complete list of Franklin County accommodations and their specials, click here.

Franklin County Lighthouses are

Beacons to Mariners and History Buffs

Franklin County boasts two restored lighthouses. The first is located on St. George Island. The second, the Crooked River Lighthouse, is located at Carrabelle Beach. Each tells a tale of coastal living in Franklin County more than 100 years ago and each is a site worth visiting.

St. George Island. Today, the lighthouse of St. George Island is a welcome landmark to arriving visitors In the 1800s, it stood in a different location near the east end of Cape St. George. Built in 1852, the Light withstood more than a century and a half of nature's surprises, but finally could take no more and was felled by a storm in 2005.  Within days, a determined group of lighthouse enthusiasts had begun collecting pieces and moving them to safer location. Over the next three years, this group of residents lovingly cleaned bricks and piece by piece put the coastal landmark back together in a more stable location visible to thousands annually. To learn more about the St. George Island Lighthouse and Museum, visit www.seestgeorgeisland.com

Carrabelle Beach. The Crooked River Lighthouse overlooks St. George Sound where it has stood for more than 100 years. The Crooked River Lighthouse was constructed in 1895 to replace the lighthouse on Dog Island that was destroyed by hurricane in 1873.  The 103 foot tall iron and steel structure was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1995.  In 1999, the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association (CLA) was formed and the lighthouse was restored, a park built and today stands as a pleasant coastal park. To learn more about the Crooked River Lighthouse, please visit www.crookedriverlighthouse.org 

Calendar of Events

St. George Island Sizzler 5K Race

June 28, 2008. St. George Island. Annual Fun Run benefits Franklin County Humane Society. 

July 4 Festivities

From Alligator Point to Apalachicola, almost every community has a July 4 festivity planned. In Apalachicola, an old fashioned street parade and ice cream social will cool you off. On St. George Island, the  local yacht club hosts an annual island parade.  Anyone can enter a float or vehicle or participate in the parade.  Starts mid-morning at mid-island. In Carrabelle, the riverfront lights up with fireworks and festivities.

Turtle Workshops

July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.

St. George Island Volunteer Fire Department. Local non-profit turtle group hosts sea turtle information workshops to help visitors and locals learn and appreciate our annual beach visitors.

Veterans Memorial

July 12,  Apalachicola 

Official dedication of the Three Servicemen Statue South Veterans Memorial. Military exhibitions, dignitaries and entertainment.

Take a Video Tour of Area and  Festivals

The Franklin County TDC has produced a thirty minute television program that features the three visitor centers (Apalachicola, St. George Island and Carrabelle), as well as some of the annual events in the area.  The program runs twice daily on Forgotten Coast TV which is Channel 3 on Mediacom and Channel 9 on St. George Cable. To see the schedule visit www.forgottencoasttv.com. The video is also available to view online at www.anaturalescape.com.

Please visit the website www.anaturalescape.com to learn more about Florida's Forgotten Coast and the unique communities of the area. 

Click here to learn more about the area

History

Fishing and Outdoors

Arts and Heritage

Birding

Eco Tours

Museums

Marinas and BoatingOutdoor Exploration

Parks

Shopping

Carrabelle a Recreation Paradise

Carrabelle is known for its vast variety of recreation.  Bordering Tate's Hell State Forest, Carrabelle has some of the best hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping locations around.  For more information on obtaining hunting and fishing license's contact the Florida Wildlife Commission at www.floridaconservation.org.

For the canoe and kayak enthusiasts, Carrabelle is on the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail which has received the National Recreation Trail designation.
Segment Five  -  Crooked River / Ochlockonee Bay www.dep.state.fl.us

If you would rather drive, Carrabelle is a member community of the Coastal Trail of the Big Bend Scenic Byway.
www.dot.state.fl.us/emo/scenichwy