By BEVERLY KEISTER Candidate

I have always been interested in politics and I am deeply concerned about the lack of responsiveness of the current Wakulla County government. I do not think the current administration is adequately representing the citizens of Wakulla County. I want to be sure the pristine natural beauty of Wakulla County is preserved and protected. I think there is a need for more access to recreational opportunities for our youth. I think developers should pay their fair share of new development.

I am a Christian Conservative who believes the citizens of Wakulla County should have the right to determine what their priorities are and the ability to pursue those priorities. I will be responsive to the needs of the people of Wakulla County.

My Grandmother was one of the first female delegates to the Democratic National Convention. She packed up their family and they drove across this country from southern Illinois to California to attend the convention in the 1920s. I continue her Christian Conservative values and appreciate this opportunity to represent you in our local Wakulla County government.

I was born in Louisville Kentucky, the 6th child of U.S. Air Force Fighter pilot, Joe Keister, and Leta Keister, and grew up in Thomasville, Georgia, where I graduated with honors from Thomasville High School and was inducted into the National Honor Society my Junior year. I went on to graduate with Honors and received a Masters degree in Accounting and two Bachelors of Science on in Accounting and the other in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. I was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and Beta Alpha Psi. I tutored accounting through Beta Alpa Psi. I was the Graduate Assistant to the Dean of Accounting at Southern Illinois University while I was in Graduate School.

Upon graduation, I went on to work for Peat, Marwick and Mitchell, now known as KPMG in St Louis, MO. I became a Certified Public Accountant while in St Louis. I moved to Atlanta and worked at Dekalb Federal Savings Bank as Assistant Controller and then Arthur Andersen, as a Manager in their Contract Financial Management division. I was hired by Hazlett, Lewis and Bieter when they took over the contract with the Resolution Trust Corporation that I was the manager on. I was the Manager of the Atlanta office for HLB until it closed and I went to work at the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce as the Chief Financial Officer.

I was injured in a car accident and moved to Wakulla County in 1997, into the house my father built. I worked with Watkins Engineers and Constructors in Tallahassee, the Wakulla County Clerk of Court and the Florida Department of Revenue.

I ran for the office of Wakulla County Tax Collector in 2004 while working for the Clerk of Court. I was the Treasurer for Habitat for Humanity of Wakulla County for many years and volunteered at the Panacea Volunteer Fire Department and the Wakulla County Visitors Center in Panacea. I worked at the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab for several years after I retired.

Currently I am the Treasurer for Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and volunteer for the Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Food Pantry.

I have one Daughter, Sara, who graduated from Wakulla High School and two precious grandchildren, Oliver, 7, and Camille, 4.

Please get out and Vote in November for a more responsive Wakulla County Government.

in Accounting and two Bachelors of Science on in Accounting and the other in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

I was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and Beta Alpha Psi. I tutored accounting through Beta Alpa Psi. I was the Graduate Assistant to the Dean of Accounting at Southern Illinois University while I was in Graduate School.

Upon graduation, I went on to work for Peat, Marwick and Mitchell, now known as KPMG in St Louis, MO. I became a Certified Public Accountant while in St Louis. I moved to Atlanta and worked at Dekalb Federal Savings Bank as Assistant Controller and then Arthur Andersen, as a Manager in their Contract Financial Management division. I was hired by Hazlett, Lewis and Bieter when they took over the contract with the Resolution Trust Corporation that I was the manager on. I was the Manager of the Atlanta office for HLB until it closed and I went to work at the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce as the Chief Financial Officer.

I was injured in a car accident and moved to Wakulla County in 1997, into the house my father built. I worked with Watkins Engineers and Constructors in Tallahassee, the Wakulla County Clerk of Court and the Florida Department of Revenue.

I ran for the office of Wakulla County Tax Collector in 2004 while working for the Clerk of Court. I was the Treasurer for Habitat for Humanity of Wakulla County for many years and volunteered at the Panacea Volunteer Fire Department and the Wakulla County Visitors Center in Panacea. I worked at the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab for several years after I retired.

Currently I am the Treasurer for Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Church and volunteer for the Ochlockonee Bay United Methodist Food Pantry.

I have one Daughter, Sara, who graduated from Wakulla High School and two precious grandchildren, Oliver, 7, and Camille, 4.

Please get out and Vote in November for a more responsive Wakulla County government.

Every year, North Florida residents encounter native wildlife in trouble – an orphaned squirrel after a storm, an injured owl along a roadway, a young raccoon separated from its mother, or another wild animal that suddenly needs help.

For more than three decades, the Florida Wild Mammal Association (FWMA) has been there to answer those calls. Based in Wakulla County, FWMA is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Florida’s native wildlife, while also educating the public about the animals with whom we share our communities.
This fall, FWMA is inviting the community to support that mission in a very special way: On Saturday, October 17, the Historic Sopchoppy Gymnasium will be transformed for FWMA’s Feathers & Fur Masquerade Ball – Moonlight in the Wild. The event, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., will combine the elegance of a masquerade ball with the natural beauty of North Florida.
Tickets are $75 per person, with proceeds supporting FWMA’s wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, release and educational efforts.
Businesses, organizations and individuals are supporting Moonlight in the Wild through sponsorships, silent auction donations, in-kind contributions and volunteer service.
FWMA continues to welcome sponsors, silent auction donors and volunteers as preparations for the October event move forward.
The 2026 Feathers & Fur Masquerade Ball – Moonlight in the Wild will be held Saturday, October 17, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Historic Sopchoppy Gymnasium in Sopchoppy. Tickets are $75 per person.
For information about tickets, sponsorship opportunities, volunteering, silent auction donations or the Florida Wild Mammal Association, contact FWMA at (904) 424-5473 or donna.fwma@gmail.com.

Keep Wakulla County Beautiful’s 2026 International Coastal Cleanup brought together approximately 700 volunteers on Saturday, Sept. 19, for a morning of service, education, and community celebration across Wakulla County.

Volunteers worked at sites including Woolley Park, Ochlockonee State Park, Mashes Sands Beach, Shell Point, Bottoms Road, St. Marks, the St. Marks Lighthouse, Wakulla Springs, and Cherokee Sink. Although the morning was very hot, volunteers persevered and made a strong impact throughout the county.

One standout group was NJROTC, whose members collected 136.59 pounds of debris despite the heat. At Cherokee Sink, Gabrielle Gabrielli and her crew from Life Worth Leading brought both divers and land-based volunteers. Gabrielli reported that the group collected more debris from that site than they had seen there in recent years, showing that some locations still need continued attention.

At many other cleanup sites, however, volunteers reported that overall trash levels were not as heavy as in previous years. That was encouraging news for KWCB and a hopeful sign that continued education, cleanup efforts, and community involvement may be helping reduce litter in some areas.

One form of litter that remains a major concern is cigarette waste. Volunteers collected thousands of cigarette butts during the morning as part of KWCB’s annual “Weigh Your Butts” contest. This year’s $100 prize went to Students Working Against Tobacco, whose members collected the greatest amount of cigarette litter.

Following the cleanup, volunteers gathered at Woolley Park to celebrate the morning’s accomplishments. Josh Lawhon, Rolbert Pilington, and Robert Manning grilled approximately 500 hot dogs to feed volunteers after a long, hot morning of cleanup work. During lunch, Chris “Cottonmouth” Perry entertained the crowd with live music.

The KWCB Youth Council also hosted a tent with games and activities for youth and showcased entries in the Trash to Tide Recycled Art Contest. This year’s winners were Breanna Rybak, McKenna Rybak, and Emma Mejia, whose creative projects helped reinforce the message of reusing materials and keeping waste out of waterways.

The Woolley Park celebration also included informational booths from local environmental groups and nonprofits, outdoor games for both kids and adults, and prize draw ings. Volunteers had the opportunity to win cash through KWCB’s new Litter Loot drawings, as well as other prizes donated by community partners. Additional prizes included large cooler bags from Florida DEP Coastal Management and beautiful canvas prints from Nekked Eye Photography.

KWCB extends a heartfelt thank-you to the many volunteers, site captains, board members, community organizations, photographers, food volunteers, registration helpers, entertainers, and others who worked behind the scenes to make the event possible. From distributing shirts and supplies to collecting data, organizing sites, transporting debris, serving food, taking photos, and providing prizes, the event was truly a community effort.

KWCB is also deeply grateful to this year’s sponsors and community partners: Ace Hardware, Air Con, Barton’s Floors & More, Breakfast Station, Capital City Bank, Centennial Bank, Crawfordville Chiropractic Clinic, Crawfordville Lions Club, Darren Murphy, Marc Dickieson, English Financial, Forgotten Coast Exchange, Friends of Wakulla Springs, Gabrielle Consulting, Golden Construction, Amanda Gruebel, Caden Gruebel, Gulf Coast Lumber, Hydra Engineering, Just Fruits & Exotics, Panacea Waterfronts, Rachel Pienta, Rybak Realty, Songbird Nails, SRM, Trident, UPS, Wakulla Title, Waste Pro, and White Squirrel Nursery.

“Nearly 700 people gave their Saturday morning to help protect the places we all enjoy, despite the heat,” said KWCB Executive Director Tammie Nason. “Seeing fewer items at some sites is encouraging, while other areas reminded us that there is still plenty of work to do. We are incredibly grateful to every volunteer, sponsor, partner, and community member who helped make the day possible.”

The International Coastal Cleanup is about more than removing litter for one morning. It is about collecting valuable data, protecting wildlife and waterways, raising awareness, and encouraging people to think about how everyday choices affect the environment.

KWCB also reminds everyone enjoying Wakulla County’s parks, rivers, springs, beaches, and coastal areas to follow one simple rule: if you bring it in, take it out and dispose of it responsibly. Preventing litter at the source is the best way to protect wildlife, waterways, and the natural beauty we all enjoy.

For Keep Wakulla County Beautiful, the ultimate goal remains simple: fewer items to pick up each year because fewer items are being littered in the first place.

Wakulla County and Visit Wakulla are ushering in a new tradition: the Art Walk in the Park, an event that began in Crawfordville in 2025.

The event, which seeks to highlight local artisans and musicians, will be held at Azalea and Hudson parks on Nov. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Last year Wakulla County sponsored the first Art Walk in the Park — organized by Kinsey Miller, the county’s former Public Information Officer — which was a considerably smaller affair than this year’s Art Walk will be.

However, as of this year, the county’s Tourist Development Council has taken over sponsorship for the event.

Since becoming the TDC Coordinator in February, Ashley Rowland-Yost, who also serves in Wakulla’s Planning and Community Development Department, has been brought on to organize the event.

She began planning and organizing the event back in July and hopes to make this year’s Art Walk bigger, potentially establishing it as an annual event.

“This is one of the things that we would like to see ongoing for our community,” Rowland-Yost explained, “and to get visitors to come visit Wakulla.”

Although it had several local vendors, 2025’s Art Walk had no live entertainment, something folks can expect to change in this year’s fair.

“I was just reaching out to some local artists, but I also wanted to get … the whole community involved,” said Rowland-Yost.

Performing music at the Art Walk will be the Riviera Flats, a Crawfordville-based rock and country band; the Wakulla High School guitar class, led by Christopher Mrofchak, who also maintains a teaching studio at Timberlane Arts and Dance Academy; Lauren Wilhelm, a self-described “hairstylist, musician, and mom” who played Betty Rizzo in Wakulla’s 2023 production of “Grease!”; and CJ Beach, a musician from Panacea who founded the Deadman Walking Music Festival supporting local artists — the fifth celebration of which was held on April 4th at Pavaler Tree Theater in Crawfordville.

All of these performances will be held at Hudson Park, where attendees can also find food and refreshments.

Other highlighted participants are WHS’ Culinary Class teacher, Ryan Warner, whose class will be selling food alongside the food trucks; and WHS’ art teacher Emily Strickland.

Rowland-Yost is still seeking vendor applications from local artisans.

“I’m hoping to have all of the … artist applications in by Sept. 25th, but if there’s still spots available, then I would accept them.”

Artist categories range from photography to woodworking; the work must be original and mostly or entirely handmade by the applicant.

Applicants will also be asked to provide their website or social media, if available; photographs of their art and workspace; and represent their work at the Art Walk.

To apply, there is a non-refundable $35 fee. According to Rowland-Yost, if you’re selected, “that also includes your booth space at the park. Which is typically $25.”

To find more information or apply as a vendor, visit the events section of mywakulla.com or contact Ashley Rowland-Yost at ayost@mywakulla.com or (850) 408-9392.

The Wakulla County Commission held the first public hearing on the millage rate at a meeting held Tuesday, Sept. 8.
County commissioners set the tentative millage rate at 7.7 mills and gave preliminary approval to the county budget.
State Attorney Jack Campbell appeared at the meeting to request a fund of $65,000 – a total that includes a one-time $15,000 payment – to cover the increasing costs of improved technology in the courtroom.

The final public hearing for approval of the final millage rate and budget, will be held on Monday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m.
During the public hearing, many voiced their concerns over the future of Wakulla’s animal services in light of the county’s proposed budget cuts, including PAWS volunteers, foster parents, and the shelter’s office manager.
Crystal Thadwick, a volunteer at the animal shelter, spoke on the subject first. “The county cannot sustain these outcomes without community support, and likewise, the community cannot sustain them without the county,” she said about the shelter’s recent 95% live return rate. “When access to surrender and adoption services is reduced, the need does not disappear. It resurfaces as more stray animals, more animal control calls, more abandonment, and more families left without a safe responsible option.”
Later, Tina Rich recounted her family’s own experience with Wakulla Animal Services, wherein they nursed a dog back to health after she’d been left for dead. “She had been shot point blank in her head and her front leg … [Willow] had suffered from unimaginable cruelty, and yet she was still fighting for her life,” Rich said through tears. “Her story is a reminder that the work being done by our shelter and animal control, isn’t simply about animals. It’s about compassion, and doing the right thing.”
Animal Control Director Walter Class, alongside Adam Leath and David Lynch of the Jacksonville Humane Society, spoke of the positive impact their partnership with Wakulla Animal Services has had in the community. According to Leath, the Humane Society has spent $32,940, which has been divided up amongst spay-neuter services, transfer incentives to rescues like the Wakulla Animal Shelter, supplies, and more. They have also reduced the length of stay while raising the adoption rate above the national average, as Leath added: “92% of cats are leaving alive today, and 93% of overall animals are leaving alive from the shelter.”
The partnership is owed to Class’s persistence at many of the Humane Society’s leadership training workshops. They’ve since worked to provide continuous, sustainable resources for Wakulla Animal Services and rescues like it.
Class concluded by presenting the shelter’s official No-Kill plaque.
Veteran Zack Barton expressed frustration with county Veteran Services. He suggested that tax dollars be spent on the needs of veterans, rather than on animal services.

Wakulla High School Theatre invites audiences to step into the wonderfully wacky Kingdoms of Zob Proper and Zob Improper this September for its production of “The Clumsy Custard,” a fast-paced comedy filled with heroes, villains, princesses, monsters and plenty of unexpected laughs.

Written by William Gleason, The Clumsy Custard is a full length playful medieval adventure. When danger threatens the kingdom and its princess, an unforgettable cast of characters is swept into an adventure where things rarely go according to plan.
Audiences can expect bold characters, over-the-top comedy and plenty of theatrical surprises as the students of Wakulla High School Theatre bring the strange and hilarious world of Zob to life. With a story that celebrates courage and friendship the production offers entertainment for the whole family. Performances of The Clumsy Custard will be held September 17–19 at 6:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee September 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
Come cheer for the heroes, boo the villains and discover what happens when a princess, a kingdom and a very unusual collection of characters collide in one delightfully ridiculous adventure.
Wakulla High School Theatre looks forward to welcoming the community for their first production of the year where Imagination Comes to Life!

By WILLIAM SNOWDEN
Editor

The Wakulla War Eagles suffered their first loss of the season, falling to the Pace Patriots 37-29 in a hard-fought battle. The War Eagles are now 3-1 on the year.
Head Coach Derek Allen Jr. said he was obviously disappointed in the result.

See our Football page for Coaces Corner and Players of the Week.

“We played a very good 5A team in that environment” – which he compared to the homefield environment of Taylor County, only more so. “We had three turnovers, which is a recipe for disaster. The defense couldn’t tackle, couldn’t get guys on the ground.”
Still, coach added, “It’s all fixable stuff.”
Ryheem Moore was back from a one-game suspension after his two unsportsmanlike penalties against Taylor County, and he had a big impact with two touchdowns and a blocked punt.
Quarterback Ashton Brooks went 9 for 15 passing for 126 yards and two touchdowns, but threw two interceptions.
Jaylen Jones played wildcat QB and carried the ball 10 times for 41 yards and a touchdown, but had one fumble. He got it back on the other side of the ball, though, causing two fumbles. He also had 7 tackles.
The team had a total of 156 rushing yards,
Linebacker Rayshon St. Hilaire had a scoop-and-score fumble receovery and lead the team with 9 tackles.
Armon Lindsey had an interception. And kicker Colby Carranza went 3 for 4 on extra points.

GAME RECAP

Wakulla took the opening drive and settled into a run-heavy drive that burned 5 minutes off the clock but ended with an interception by Pace around their 20. The Patriots took advantage of the turnover, a pass and run to the Wakulla 20, then an outside run for the score. Extra point puts Pace up 7-0.
Wakulla takes kickoff out to the 20. On 3rd and 1, fumble recovered by Pace at the Wakulla 20. Unsportsmanlike penalty moves the ball half the distance. Couple of plays later, a quarterback run, fumble, ball rolls into the end zone and recovered by a Pace lineman for the score. It’s 14-0.
To start the second quarter, Ryheem Moore makes a great play on a pass from QB Ashton Brooks for touchdown. Wakulla cuts the lead to 14-7.
But Pace strikes back on their next drive with an 85-yard touchdown pass. Extra point missed. Pace leads 20-7.
On the next series, Wakulla drives to the Pace 25. Jaylen Jones in as QB and runs to the 14, then the 3, then the end zone. It’s 20-14.
Pace running back makes a big run from midfield and scores. It’s 27-14.
Wakulla takes over at their 15. Long pass to Demarkus Roberts at 45, then a long run by Bryce Manning to the 10. With 8.3 seconds until halftime, 4th and goal at 3, pass to Moore for his second touchdown of the night. Extra point missed. At halftime, Pace 27-Wakulla 20.
On Pace’s drive to start the second half, Armon Lindsey picked off a pass in the end zone and took it out to the 25. Wakulla’s offense would stall, and when the War Eagles went to punt, the ball sailed out of the end zone for a safety. Pace up 29-20.
Pace then scored on a 3-yard run for a touchdown. Wakulla was called for encroachment on the extra point attempt. With ball at the 2, Pace went for 2 and made it. Pace lead extended to 37-20.
In the fourth quarter, Moore blocked a Pace punt and Jones scrambled to recover it for a touchdown, but it got away from him and rolled through the end zone for a safety. Wakulla trailing 37-22.
On Pace’s next series, Jones caused a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Rayshon St. Hilaire who scooped it up and scored. Wakulla trailing now 37-29.
Kickoff out of bounds gave Pace the ball near midfield. A few plays later, Pace has a 4th down and 12 at the Wakulla 16 with 1 minute in the game. Line up for a field goal – it’s wide right.
Game ends with Wakulla with the ball trying to make passes to sideline but run out of time. Final: Pace 37, Wakulla 29.

UP NEXT:
RICKARDS RAIDERS

After a long three weeks of road games, the War Eagles return home this week to play the Rickards Raiders at J.D. Jones Stadium.
The War Eagles played Rickards in the spring exhibition game, along with Chiles.
Rickards is super athletic, Coach Allen said. “They throw the ball around a lot.” Their quarterback can scramble and make plays with his feet. “I don’t know that he’s been sacked” this season, he said.
“We’re bigger than them, but they’re just as athletic,” Allen said.
For Wakulla, the key is win the turnover battle – and not turn the ball over.
“We have to be more physical,” he said. “We have to play our game.”
“We look forward to being back at home and seeing all the familiar faces in the crowd,” Coach Allen said.

By MADELEINE CARR
Special to The Sun

George Weymouth, an accomplished outdoor artist and a longtime wildlife columnist, died on Sept. 2, 2026 in Gainesville. He was 92.

The natural world in Wakulla County offered birders, fishers, butterfly and plant lovers, and stargazers continuous seasonal wonders to explore. A couple of decades ago, Tallahassee Community College trained people wanting to interpret this world on hikes, on the water, or simply by pointing out the occasional migrating bird or waterfowl. Certificates were issued to Green Guides. Many locals and visitors took advantage of their knowledge.
One Green Guide and artist was George Weymouth. While never really retired, George moved from Crawfordville to Smith Creek a few decades ago, traveled with his fourth wife to many continents, always returning and offering to guide those who wanted to know more about Wakulla and Franklin counties.
George did not simply walk and talk. He was an accomplished wildlife artist. He instructed a few in Wakulla how to carve birds. His own creations are in many homes. And as a flintknapper recreating native stone tools, he used those emblems on T-shirts. From small to very large, his artistry includes murals, one of which depicts Tate’s Hell. It was moved from Carrabelle’s City Hall to the Carrabelle Museum.
For decades, he wrote a weekly wildlife column for the former Wakulla News (now the Wakulla Sun). He taught bow hunting at an archery range off Arran Road. George was the first guide at Sanibel Island’s Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, putting his knowledge about birds he learned at the Junior Audubon Society to use. By 1986, the legendary Roger Tory Peterson called him. He guided Peterson, his boyhood hero, for three days through the Everglades National Park.
Most recently, he was Honorary Trustee of Coastal Plains Institute, where he donated much time, expertise, and financial support to Ryan Means.
George was an Indiana native whose family had moved to South Florida on a doctor’s advice to improve his health. Whatever was part of our natural world, George had an intense curiosity to learn about it, and the artistic ability to convey meaning.

Join us Saturday, September 12th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in beautiful, downtown Sopchoppy for the Annual Sopchoppy Depot Days. We will be celebrating the historic Sopchoppy Depot, one of the original depots along the historic Georgia, Florida & Alabama (GF & A) line.

Sopchoppy’s Depot Days Festival has been designed to highlight our local heritage with a focus on our community and the Train Depot history. Lots to do for the whole family!
HISTORIC TRAIN DEPOT! The Sopchoppy Depot is the only remaining depot still standing in Florida on the GF & A line. It was beautifully restored in 2010 and now serves as a museum with historical exhibits and a collection of old photographs, memorabilia and recovered artifacts.
Make sure to visit and hear some incredible stories from curator Nelson Martin.
NEW THIS YEAR- FOR THE KIDS! We’re hosting a new, very special event for the kids ages 3-8. Bring the kids for the 1st Big Wheels Race! We’ll be partnering with David & Evelyn Sellers of Horsepower Patriots to give the young’uns a race of their own. Parents can sign up their child between 9-9:30 a.m. at the Big Wheels Race Tent on the corner of Municipal & Rose St. Some of our sponsors have purchased the Big Wheels and there will even be a raffle so you may be the lucky one to take a Big Wheel home!
MODEL RAILROAD! Every railroad enthusiast, from young to “seasoned”, will enjoy the Model Railroad display set up by the Big Bend Model Railroad Association (BBMRA). The HO Division will be setting up a modified HOT-TRAK layout in the Towles House that adjoins the Depot.
PARADE! As a crowd favorite, DJ Butch will again be hosting the Rails & Wheels Parade of classic and contemporary vehicles starting at 10:15 a.m. Drivers, led by David Earle, will be showing off their wheels in a parade down Rose Street.
There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes awarded based on the People’s Choice.
As MC for the parade, DJ Butch will be spinning your favorite oldies.
No cost to enter the parade. Interested parties may sign up on our Facebook event page so we can get an idea of the number of registrants. However, it’s not necessary to sign up; just show up Saturday morning and register at 9 a.m. on the corner of Rose & Winthrop in downtown Sopchoppy.
VENDORS! The park will be full of vendors with homemade & handcrafted items. Food trucks on the Depot Green. Be sure to grab a coffee or lemonade with your homemade goodies to start your day! Shop for some unique, hand crafted treasures from our artisan vendors.
ALL THROUGH THE TOWN! The Festival will be located downtown, encompassing the Sopchoppy Depot Park, Train Depot, and the green space by the Sopchoppy Train Depot. The Depot Park has a circular, paved walking path, two covered pavilions, beautiful Native Wildflower gardens, playground and covered stage. The Depot Museum will be open for visitors to learn more about the spirited history of the area. Don’t forget to explore our unique Sopchoppy shops: Sand & Soul Boutique, Vintage & Vain Shop, Sopchoppy Feed Store. Coast & Country Realty, Petal Wings Greenhouse, Sopchoppy Bakehouse and Civic Brewery & Pizza.
Marsh & Main and The Corner Marsh store are the latest additions to downtown and will be hosting their Grand Opening too!
Schedule for the Day:
9-10:00 Rails & Wheels Parade Registration
9-9:30 Registration for Kids’ Big Wheel Race (age 3-8)
9-1 DJ Butch Announcer & MC
9-1 Historic Depot Museum Open
9-1 Model Train Display at Towles House
9-1 Artisan Vendors Open For Business
9-1 Food Vendors Open For Business
9:30-10:15 Kids’ Big Wheel Race on Municipal Avenue
10:15-12 noon Rails & Wheels Parade & Awards on Rose Street