The Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce will host the 16th Annual Forgotten Coast Chefs Sampler on Sunday, February 12, 2012, from 6:00-9:00 pm.  Chefs from all over the Forgotten Coast will prepare their most creative dishes at the historic Fort Coombs Armory located on 4th Street and Avenue D in Apalachicola.  Sample an array from our area restaurants. Our talented shopkeepers and local designers give the event an extraordinary touch and add creative flair by decorating each table individually.  The tables range from elegant to artistic and funky. Tickets are $50. For more information, call the Apalachicola Bay Chamber at (850) 653-9419 or email us at info@apalachicolabay.org.

Summerwind - an intimate evening with Frank Sinatra, starring Gabriel Russo
It will run February 17, 18, 19 - Friday & Saturday 8 PM, Sunday 3 PM

Summerwind - an intimate evening with Frank Sinatra, starring Gabriel Russo
"This guy has Frank's style and snap, nobody else has it." - Bob Reneke, Mr. Sinatra's long-time personal assistant

...spot-on performance and vocal renderings”

Pigfest 2012!  BBQ Cook-off, Music and Arts Festival.

Join the fun and reserve your vendor space today, call (850) 222-2043 or register online at www.cacaainc.org

The two-day outdoor free festival will highlight both local and national African-
American history, food, art and culture with a parade, live entertainment, exhibits, food,
arts and crafts, inspirational speakers, music, dance, poetry and drama. The festival
is held at Franklin Square, located in the North Historic District, “The Hill” off 6th Street
and Avenue L

Feb. 24, 3-7 pm: Everyone is invited to join us for family fun at the ABC School Carnival. We have games and food for all ages and the proceeds support our local students and teachers in the classroom.

We'll have a mechanical bull and dunking booth this year along with a giant obstacle course, a maze, bouncehouses, cake walk and face and hair painting, among other fun things. Tickets for children are $8 and include a free Carnival T-shirt while supplies last. Adults and kids 3 & under are free. Tickets on sale at ABC School and at the gate.

For more info, call 670-1151 or 653-1222.

Sanctioned by the International Chili Society, over sixty contestants square off at the Gulf Coast Regional Chili Cook-off on St. George Island.  The winner of what is the largest regional chili cook-off in the nation advances to the world championship and all proceeds benefit the Island Volunteer Fire Department and First Responder Unit.  Activities include a golf tournament, 5K Red Pepper Run, Chili Cook-off, Auction and the naming of Miss Chili Pepper and Mr. Hot Sauce.  An estimated crowd of 5,000 people attended last year, we invite you to be a part of this great event this year.

Call (850) 927-2753 for more information.

The 17th  annual Camp Gordon Johnston Reunion days, created to celebrate the historic wartime Carrabelle museum together with the service of veterans from WWII and beyond, has announced their schedule for 2012.  Veterans and their families are invited to Carrabelle from Thursday, March 8, 2012 through Saturday, March 10, 2012.

Attendees will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with tours of WWII Army vehicles that have seen combat. Audiences will also get the privilege of touring the “New Orleans” Landing Craft ( LCU 2034) and the United States Coast Guard Cutter, “Seahawk” if these vessels are in port. Tours of each craft will be conducted by vessel crew members. The Camp Gordon johnston Association, The Camp Gordon johnston WWII Museum and the citizens of Franklin County, Florida are proud to show our gratitude and support for the service and sacrifice of all veterans. It is in our unity as Americans that we can stand strong now and forever. Thank you in advance for your consideration and we hope to see you at the Camp Gordon Johnston Days Reunion in Carrabelle March 9 - 11, 2012.

Fine art in all forms will be woven in and around picturesque downtown Apalachicola where artists will be showing, selling and demonstrating their talents from 11:00-6:00 pm. Festivities continue into the afternoon with a progressive wine tasting and hors d’ oeuvre from 3:00-5:00 pm.  Later in the evening local chefs will prepare special dishes at their restaurants highlighting our fresh local ingredients.  At 8:00 pm the Dixie Theatre presents The Dixie Does Nashville Apalachicola annual singer songwriter festival produced by Universal Music Publishing. For more information call (850) 653-9419

The Supporters of St Vincent (a 501 C 3) sponsor this annual open house to provide a day of easy access to Franklin County’s St Vincent Island for people to enjoy a free full day of nature-related activities. Free transport to/from the island will be provided hourly. Guided tours and exhibits will allow people to learn about the island’s protected wildlife, diverse ecosystems, and history as well as enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this unique pristine uninhabited refuge. These services including educational talks/discussions will be provided by numerous volunteers from the Supporters and various community organizations. The guided tours will be both walking and vehicular. Light snacks and bottled water will be available.

Apalachicola will host the 14th Annual Apalachicola Antique & Classic Boat Show Friday and Saturday, April 20-21, 2012.  Friday, there will be a special boat building demonstration and the 1877 Governor Stone gaff rigged schnoor will arrive.  Saturday, antique boats, examples of classic and traditional vessels, workboats, and fiberglass and aluminum classics will all be on display throughout the day.  This festival emphasizes the maritime history of our picturesque coastal town.  Special highlights include authentic oyster boats, workboats, and home-built boats by skilled craftsmen, antique outboard engines, plus antique automobiles and art booths.  The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve will have displays on the Apalachicola River and its flora and fauna, plus demonstrations on oyster tonging. The 50 foot long Apalachicola Traders’ Canoe will be on display at the Cotton Warehouse on Water Street.

The restored 1877 gaff-rigged schooner the Governor Stone will also be on display at the city dock in the center of town and the Apalachicola Riverkeepers will be giving guided tours of the river. Also, at the Cotton Warehouse there be an exhibit of model boats built by some of the finest model boat builders in the country, plus a marine art exhibit.

At 6:00 pm there will be a dinner and lecture. Reservations required for dinner and evening lecture. For information please call (850) 653-9419 or email us at info@apalachicolabay.org.

Hauntings will abound  Apalachicola on Saturday, October 29th at the Historic Chestnut Street Cemetery. From 7-9 pm local history enthusiasts from the Apalachicola Area Historical Society will don the garb and take on the personna of several of the cemetery's more notable inhabitants to tell their tale of life in APalachicola more than 100 years ago.