As the rest of the nation pulls out sweatshirts and sips on pumpkin spice lattes, Florida’s fall traditions have a different vibe. While the Sunshine State may not boast the ultimate crisp fall air and vibrant leaf modifications that we associate with fall in some parts of the South, it uses its own distinct style of autumnal enjoyable motivated by the season. As a born and raised Floridian, I matured having these customs kick off the build-up to the holiday.
From finding manatees to feasting on stone crabs, here are 7 Florida fall traditions you won’t find anywhere else.
Experience Florida’s Spooky Side
Fall is creepy season and Florida has its fair share of tradition. In Tampa, the Ybor City Ghost Tour offers a chilling deep dive into the city’s historic past, uncovering mafia mischief and paranormal activity. Start your tour at Hotel Haya with sangria, and go back to the Ybor City store hotel after the trip with a stogie.
Meanwhile, in St. Augustine, its historical streets provide equally suspenseful adventures with haunted tours of its old structures. For a more tranquil scare, head to Cassadega, a small town in Central Florida known as “The Psychic Capital of the World,” and where the Hotel Cassadega is reported to be haunted. A Halloween occasion there draws crowds.
Stroll Through an Art Festival
As the weather cools and the afternoon rain storms dwindle, Florida ends up being the perfect location to host outdoor festivals. The Shine Mural Festival in St. Petersburg is understood for turning blank city walls into multi-story art work thanks to going to mural artists from around the world. The architectural art setups have put St. Pete on the map as a vibrant, eclectic city that commemorates art on every corner.
On the other hand, in Central Florida, the annual Winter Park Autumn Arts Festival has actually been running for over 50 years and is the only juried art festival featuring exclusively Florida artists. Nearby in Daytona Beach, the Halifax Art Festival features fine art from across the United States and benefits the Museum of Arts and Sciences.
Commemorate Stone Crab Season
Fall marks the start of Florida’s stone crab season, which is October 15 through May 1. Local festivals celebrate the arrival of this treasured seafood and the history of the coastal communities deeply affected by this special. In Cortez, among the last staying historic fishing towns in Florida, the Cortez Stone Crab and Music Festival promotes the customs of its maritime community.
Everglades City holds the title of “The Stone Crab Capital of the World,” and it’s here where the annual Blessing of the Stone Crab Fleet has actually ended up being a Florida custom. The September event brings together the community for live music, food, drink, and clearly Florida video games (like the mullet toss), as a harbinger to a worthwhile and safe stone crab season.
Attend the Georgia-Florida Football Game
No fall in Florida is total without the Georgia-Florida Football Classic. Held each year considering that 1933 in Jacksonville, this extreme competition brings together fans from the University of Georgia and the University of Florida for a weekend of tailgating, competition, and sport.
See a Sand-Sculpting Competition
While other states are building snowmen, Floridians require to the beach for sand sculpting competitions. Siesta Key’s Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival in November combines master sand sculptors who turn the soft, powdery sand into complex artworks. The celebration includes live music, food suppliers, and family-friendly activities.
In Fort Myers, things are just as severe with the Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship, which includes a vendor town and lots of activities for the whole household, consisting of four-legged ones.
Start Spotting Manatees
As soon as temperatures drop in late fall to early winter, Florida’s mild sea giants migrate towards warmer waters. They usually transfer from the coast to Florida freshwater springs, which stay at a constant temperature year-round.
At Shingle Creek, situated within Kissimmee, a peaceful paddle at the headwaters of the Everglades frequently results in identifying these serene animals sliding through the water. For a more interactive experience, head to Crystal River, among the choose places where you can lawfully swim with manatees. On Tampa Bay’s Coast, you’ll discover the sea cows huddled at the Teco Manatee Viewing Center at the outflow of the Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach, which utilizes the bay waters for cooling and distributes the warm, clean water back into the bay.
Peruse the Ultimate Antique Extravaganza
Every November, prior to Thanksgiving weekend, the sleepy town of Mount Dora changes into a treasure hunter’s dream. Over 800 antique curators and sellers from all over the country set up underneath the old oaks of Mount Dora for the Renningers Antique Extravaganza.
Renningers is also a flea market and antique center open year-round, however it just hosts 3 “extravaganza” weekends annually where extra collectors from across the country set up their camping tents. An all-day affair, be sure to use good walking shoes and bring a little wagon to tote around your discovered treasure.
