As spring begins, the cold weather recedes and the flowers start to bloom, you may be looking for things to do in Florida for your whole family. If you are planning a vacation in the spring, read on to learn about some of the unique Florida events taking place this year.
March - Enjoy the Early Spring Season with Thrilling Florida Events
Start off your springtime adventures with one of the fun things to do in Florida, the Sarasota Jazz Festival, held from March 2-9, 2008. Run by the Jazz Club of Sarasota, the festival features jazz concerts across the city, as well as lectures about - what else? - jazz! See a well-known artist perform or stop by a smaller venue for something different. Check out www.jazzclubsarasota.com for additional details about this week of Florida events.
In mid-March, take a trip to St. Augustine for more exciting Florida events during the annual Rhythm & Ribs Festival, which is being held from March 14-16, 2008. Listen to great live music all weekend while taking part in a wide range of things to do in Florida for children, and shop the arts and crafts vendors' wares. And don't forget the delicious barbecue on offer from multiple vendors - sample them all or just pick one favorite. Visit www.rhythmandribs.net for more information.
For the sport-fishing lover in your family, March brings plenty of things to do in Florida. Check out the Islamorada All-Tackle Spring Bonefish Tournament. Starting on March 26, 2008, this three-day tournament sees anglers competing in an all-release tournament for a variety of trophies and prizes. Participate or just watch these skilled anglers work! Learn more about the tournament and the Florida events in this area at www.islamoradasportfishing.com.
As the month draws to a close, boat lovers looking for Florida events will not want to miss the Antique Boat Symposium in Mount Dora, Florida, held from March 30 through April 1. Your festive weekend of things to do in Florida begins begin with a cocktail reception and continues throughout the weekend with sessions covering antique boats and restoration. If you have a classic boat of your own, you may want to bring it along! For more information, check out www.acbs-sunnyland.com.
April - Forget about April Showers - It's Time to Get Out and Have Fun with These Florida Events
As the weather warms up, people of all ages will find a wide range of things to do in Florida. Jacksonville plays host to the "Springing the Blues" festival from April 4-6, 2008. If you love the Blues, you won't want to miss this range of Florida events. Performers from around the globe come together to put on a great show every night, while activities for the whole family take place throughout the weekend. Learn more about why you'll want to make this festival a part of your next Florida vacation at www.springingtheblues.com.
Are you a fashion lover seeking Florida events just for you? Take a trip to Miami from April 9-13, 2008, for the 10th anniversary of Fashion Week. Enjoy five days full of things to do in Florida, including fashion shows, discussions, and fabulous parties. Who knows, you may even catch a celebrity or two viewing the runway. You can find out additional details about this event at www.miamifashionweek.com.
For more unusual things to do in Florida, mid-month brings the Conch Republic Independence Celebration. Held this year from April 18-27 in Key West, this extensive event celebrates the "Conch Republic" and its secession from the United States in 1982 with parties, drag races, dances, car shows, parades, and lots more. Take some time perusing the large list of activities at www.conchrepublic.com and then mark this on your calendar as one of the can't-miss Florida events.
End your April in Florida with the Taste of Pinellas festival at Vinoy Park. As one of the top free things to do in Florida, this festival will let you enjoy food from over 40 area restaurants, as well as entertainment and activities for the whole family, including a beautiful fireworks display. Plus, you'll be spending your Florida vacation raising money for All Children's Hospital. All of the details can be found at www.tasteofpinellas.com.
May - As Spring Turns to Summer, There are Lots of Florida Events In Which to Participate
The first weekend in May brings many choices of things to do in Florida. First, the Isle of Eight Flags Seafood Festival takes place in the city of Fernandina Beach. 2008 is the 45th anniversary of this festival, which includes food, fun, and pirates! Take a stroll through the arts and crafts exhibitors or shop for antiques. Make sure to stop by the "Fun Zone" for activities for the kids. You can learn more about this annual event by checking out www.shrimpfestival.com.
The same weekend, music lovers looking for things to do in Florida can visit West Palm Beach to take in the SunFest. Mingle with over 275,000 of your closest friends as you listen to music from bands of all types. This annual event is a great way to celebrate the warm weather with your family and includes activities for the kids, arts and crafts, and delicious food. Discover what's in store for 2008 at www.sunfest.org.
Finally, theater lovers will find no shortage of Florida events in the spring to enjoy. Don't miss the Orlando Fringe Festival, held from May 15-26, 2008, at Loch Haven Park. As the festival itself says, you'll be able to watch shows ranging from mild to wild. This is the oldest non-juried Fringe Festival in the United States and it promises to be a wild ride this year. While many shows are just for the grown ups, there are also plenty of shows for the kids to enjoy as well, so take the whole family as a part of your next Florida vacation! Check out www.orlandofringe.org for more details.
Conclusion
Springtime is one of the most exciting times to take a Florida vacation. These Florida events are merely suggestions - there are hundreds of other fun things to do in Florida during the spring months from which you can choose. Start planning your next vacation to Florida now and make sure to include one of these events as a unique way to spend time with your family.
Fraser Hannah spent eight years working as a freelance television production manager and researcher before leaving to join his family's business working with the elderly. He founded Traveling2Florida.com in 2003 after purchasing his own vacation home in Florida and being frustrated by the lack of vision shown by many of the existing vacation rental sites.
