Springdale Park

April 26, 2012 By 1 Comment

What: Springdale Park; Where: 600 East Brent Lane; Cost: FREE

We are back to working our way through our parks list to bring you all you need to know about our local parks. We are so lucky to have so many parks and play spaces in Pensacola and we are still trying to visit all of them on the list!

We were on our way to the store on Sunday afternoon when we realized that the store wasn’t going to open for another twenty minutes. We just happened to be driving down Brent Lane past Springdale Park so we decided to stop and play for a few minutes instead of sit in the parking lot. The park is located off of Brent Lane and you can see it from the street. It is right down the road from the Rave Motion Pictures theater.

There is a large play structure with slides. There are several swings and my kids loved the rock climbing wall.

The park has an expansive open area that has a sand volleyball court and two baseball/softball diamonds. There is a small picnic shelter as well as benches scattered around the park. There is a drinking fountain but it was not working. There are no bathrooms at this park.

Springdale Park is located at 600 East Brent Lane.

Filed Under: Parks and Playplaces, Things to do Under $5

Strawberry Picking in Pensacola

April 15, 2012 By 2 Comments

A few weeks ago, I posted on our Pensacola with Kids Facebook page that strawberry season was just about to open around Pensacola. We finally got to a Upick field this weekend and had a wonderful day spending it together as a family, getting some sun, and of course bringing home pounds and pounds of strawberries (35 pounds to be exact!).

We have been going to Andrew’s Sod ever since 2010. Even though we still have strawberries in our freezer from last year, we wanted to pick some fresh strawberries to eat by the handful and also to use in baking. The frozen strawberries really only work in smoothies now…which is just fine with us…we drink a lot of smoothies around here.

Andrew’s Sod has strawberries available for $1.50 (Upick) or $2.00 (they pick) a pound. We were told today that they will probably only be open for Upick for another week or so (today is 4/14/2012). The weather is supposed to heat up and apparently strawberries aren’t a big fan of the hot, humid weather.

Andrew’s Sod is located at 3900 Tungoil Road in Walnut Hill, Florida. Their hours for Upick are Monday through Saturday from 7am to 7pm and Sunday from 1pm-7pm. While we were there, we saw plenty of strawberries that were still ripening.

Another popular Upick field is Akers of Strawberries in Baker, Florida. According to their Facebook page, they also have strawberries still available for Upick. Akers of Strawberries is located at 1074 Melton Road in Baker, Florida. They are open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 12noon to 5pm. Their berries are also listed as 1.50 for Upick. They sell already picked berries, too.

Things to Know Before You Go:

  • Wear sunscreen. It gets hot and there is no shade on a strawberry field. Both of my kids were glad to have their baseball caps, too.
  • Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. You are walking through a field. If it rained recently, it will be very muddy. If not, it will be dry and dusty. The fields are also often uneven. My daughter fell several times while walking up and down the rows and not paying attention.
  • Be prepared to see bugs. Lots of them! I also wish I had sprayed my kids with bug spray. I didn’t come home with any bug bites, but both of them did.
  • Pack a cooler with some cold drinks and snacks. After the work of picking strawberries, you will probably be glad you have a cold drink. Both strawberry places sell drinks, but we always like to pack our own.
  • Bring cash or check. Some Upick places take credit/debit cards, but most don’t. It is better to be safe than sorry. Typically, the farms aren’t very close to an ATM!

When we got home, we washed all our strawberries and they are now drying. Now, we just have to decide what to do with all 35 pounds of strawberries!

Strawberry Shortcake anyone?

 

Filed Under: Seasonal Activities, Things to Do, Things to do Under $5 Tagged With: ,

Arcadia Mill Open House

March 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

What: Arcadia Mill Open House 2012; Where: Arcadia Mill; When: March 10th from 10am to 2pm; Cost: FREE

Arcadia Mill is one of our favorite nature walks.  It is the remains of a large industrial complex.    There is an elevated boardwalk with signs that describe what you are seeing as you wander.  There is also a small swinging bridge the kids will love to cross.  Use with caution.  When we visited, it had rained a lot and the water level was above the bridge.

On March 10th, head over to Arcadia Mill in Milton for their annual open house from 10am to 2pm.  There will be Living History re-enactors, a book signing with Brian Rucker, crafters and children’s activities.  The event is free.

Filed Under: Things to Do, Things to do Under $5

2012 Pensacola Mardi Gras Marching Madness Parade

January 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

What: Marching Band Parade; Where: Downtown Pensacola; When: January 21 at 2pm; Cost: FREE

You and your family can be a part of the Guiness Book of World Records!  On January 21, Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc. will hold the first annual Pensacola Mardi Gras Marching Madness Parade.  There will be high school marching bands competing  for a grand prize and Mardi Gras Krewes in parade as well.

During the parade, everyone will participate in the Cupid Shuffle to attempt to break the world record for line dancing.  For more information, visit the Pensacola Mardi Gras Marching Madness Parade FB page.

Filed Under: Things to Do, Things to do Under $5

Free Entrance to National Parks – January 14 – 16th

January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

What: Free admission to national parks: When: January 14th to the 16th; Where: all national parks (including Gulf Islands National Seashore); Cost: FREE

Several days a year, the National Park Service offers free entrance to all 397 national parks around the United States.  We are so lucky to live near the Gulf Islands Seashore, one of only ten national seashores.  Gulf Islands Seashore is not only home to beautful beaches but also to Ft. Picken’s where your family can explore the fort and all of its nooks and crannies.  This weekend, entrance admission will be waived for January 14th, 15th, and 16th.

Filed Under: Things to Do, Things to do Under $5 Tagged With: ,

Holiday Light Displays in and around Pensacola 2011

December 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

One of my favorite parts of the holidays is bundling my kids up in their pajamas, grabbing our favorite blankets and driving around the neighborhood to look at the bright holiday lights.  After checking in with our Pensacola with Kids Facebook group and doing some research, I present to you a list of holiday light displays in and around Pensacola for 2011!  If we missed a great stop and we should add it to our list, please leave us a comment or send me an email!  There were a few neighborhood homes mentioned but I want to get confirmation before we post them.  If you have been by to visit a neighborhood home that is spectacular, then please leave us a comment.

As always, we recommend that you call ahead to confirm dates, time and cost especially since some of the events are a little drive.

Bellingrath Gardens (Theodore, Alabama) presents Magic Christmas in Lights.  There are over 950 displays and 3 million sparkling lights.  There are nightly choral performances and Santa photographs.

  • Location: 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road, Theodore, Alabama
  • Dates: Now until December 31 (closed December 25th)
  • Cost for lights only: Adults (13 and older) $12; Children (ages 5-12) $6.50; Children under 5 Free

Pensacola Lights - After many successful years in their original location, Pensacola Lights has  moved to Brown Thornton Pacenta & Company in Downtown Pensacola.  There are over 75,000 lights synchronized to music.  You can enjoy the show from your car.  Tune in to 103.3 for the display music.

  • Location:  56 East Chase Street ( Corner of E. Chase and N. Tarragona)
  • Dates: Now until New Years Day from 4:30pm to 11pm every night
  • Cost: Free

Christmas tree at Sacred Heart – Whenever I drive past the tree at Sacred Heart, it makes me smile!  See the tree lit up throughout the season.  See raw footage of the 2011 tree lighting from Sacred Heart.

  • Location: Corner of 9th Avenue and Bayou Boulevard at Sacred Heart Hospital
  • Cost: Free

Sowell’s North Pole Christmas Light Display – See over 500,000 lights beautifully displayed.

  • Location: 7650 Sowell Road
  • Dates: Now until January 1, 2012 from dusk to 10pm
  • Cost: Free

Winterfest – See the decorations lit up in Downtown Pensacola.  While you are there, take one of the Winterfest tours, see Santa, or listen to some music.

  • Location: Downtown Pensacola
  • Dates: Winterfest dates vary (Does anyone know if the decorations are lit up nightly?  I assume that they are but I haven’t confirmed!)
  • Cost: Winterfest tours vary; wandering downtown is free

Wales West Light Railway (Silverhill, Alabama) – See over 1,00,00l lights, ride a train to the North Pole, and visit Santa.

  • Location: 13670 Smiley Street, Silverhill, Alabama
  • Dates: Now through December 24th – Fridays 4 until 9pm and Saturday & Sundarys 1 until 9pm; From December 14-24th open daily from 4 until 9pm
  • Cost: $12 +tax per person

Zoo Lights – Visit the zoo after the sun goes on to see the lights and ride the zoo train.

  • Location: Gulf Breeze Zoo; 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
  • Dates: December 9-11, 16-18, 19-24 and 26
  • Cost: $8.00 General Admission; $5.00 Members; $3.00 Train Rides

 

Filed Under: Things to Do, Things to do Under $5

Creek Indian Tribe Annual Pow Wow Celebration

November 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

What: Annual Pow Wow Celebration; Where: Florida Town Park in Pace; When: November 19 and 20; Cost: FREE

This weekend, head out to Florida Town Park in Pace for the Creek Indian Tribe Annual Pow Wow Celebration.  See displays of the Creek Indian culture and history and Native American Dancers dressed in their Native regalia performing cultural dances.  There will be vendors selling and displaying Native American art, jewelry, clothing, and more.  There will be concession stands selling Indian fry bread, roasted corn and more.  The event is free!

See the schedule of events for both Saturday and Sunday.

 

Filed Under: Things to Do, Things to do Under $5

MOMS Club Pensacola-NE Open House

October 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The MOMS Club Pensacola-NE chapter is holding an open house event on Wednesday October 12th at Bayview Park from 10am to noon.  Let the kids play at the playground and learn more about the club and what it has to offer.  Click on the image below to enlarge it (you will have to click on it again in the next screen).

Is your group having a family friendly event that is open to the public?  Send us an email with the details!

Filed Under: Things to Do, Things to do Under $5

Jay Peanut Festival

September 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

What: peanut festival; Where: 3604 Pine Level Church Rd., Jay; When: October 1 and 2 from 9am to 6pm; Cost: Parking and admission are FREE

For the past 20 years, the Jay Peanut Festival has grown to be a favorite fall festival among families!  Activities include the 1930s Farm Museum, food booths, dozens of arts and crafts vendors, games and fun.  There will be pony rides, horse rides, hay rides, wagon rides, inflatable rides, bungie jump, aqua bubbles, rock-climbing wal, mechanical bull riding, train ride, and more for the kids.  Also, kids ages 4 to 12 can participate in the pig chase at 2 p.m. on Saturday.  They might do it again 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. On Sunday there will also be a Pet Dress-up Parade and Contest at 2 p.m. All will have cash prizes.

There will be live music throughout the festival.  On Sunday, there will be a church service.  They recommend that you bring your own lawn chairs or a blanket if you would like to have a seat to listen!

Of course, while you are there don’t forget to try the peanuts!  You can try them green, boiled, roasted, fried, candied, and in baked goods!  I am hoping to locate a piece of peanut brittle!

The festival will be on October 1 and 2 from 9am to 6pm.  Admission and parking is free.

Have you been to the peanut festival?  What did you think?

**We have a couple of great giveaways going on right now!  If you haven’t already, be sure to enter to win tickets to Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales and the Sweet Seasons Corn Maze tickets!

Photo Courtesy of Little Blue Hen via Flickr.

Filed Under: Seasonal Activities, Things to Do, Things to do Under $5 Tagged With: , ,

Join UWF’s Argie’s Kids Club!

September 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It is no secret in our house that we are huge fans of the University of West Florida.  Both my husband and I are alumni of the university, we love to wander the grounds with our children and we attend the Festival on the Green every single year.  When we were students, we diligently attended sporting events but for some reason it never dawned on me to throw the kids in the car and head out to a basketball or soccer game until this past year.  UWF has always done a  good job making families feel welcome and the Argie’s Kids Club is perfect for the family who loves sports.

What is the UWF Argie’s Kids Club and why should you join?

The UWF Argie’s Kids Club is a club that you can enroll your children in at no cost.  Members of the UWF Argie’s Kids Club will receive a Welcome Pack filled with gifts from sponsors and UWF Athletics, a free Kid’s Club T-Shirt, and free admission to every UWF Athletic Event (except postseason play).  They can also win a free prize with an A on their report card.  Kids will receive a birthday card from Argie, the mascot.  There is a seasonal newsletter with games, a schedule card and feature stories about UWF student athletes.

Kids Can Participate in Season Sports Clinics

Argie’s Kids Club members are also invited to participate in the Season Sports Clinics held once in the fall, winter, and spring at UWF.  Registration for the current Fall Kids Club Clinic is now going on.

Additional Reasons to Join the Club

There is also a chance that your child will get picked to be the random Club Member of the Month.  If your child is picked, they will get to be Bat or Ball Boy/Girl at a UWF Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, or Soccer game and they will receive a free gift for being selected Argie’s Kids Club Member of the Month.  Once a month, they will also select one member’s school and host an Argie’s R&R event in their classroom!

How do you join Argie’s Kids Club?

The best part of the UWF Argie’s Kids Club is that joining is FREE!  All you have to do is fill out the registration form!

We will see you at the fields, courts and tracks!

Filed Under: Just for Fun, Things to Do, Things to do Under $5 Tagged With:
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