Category Archives: Local Attractions

information on local area places of interest

The 60th Annual Martin County Fair

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The Martin County Fair is the single largest event, drawing upwards of 70,000 people of all ages who come to be delighted with the food, entertainment, music, livestock, and history of this annual event. This year, the Fair celebrates it’s 60th year, so plan to be there!

The fair runs from Friday, February 8 to Saturday, February 16 at the Martin County Fairgrounds, 2616 SE Dixie Highway in Stuart. Here’s just a handful of events in store for young and old alike…

Friday. Opening day and Miss Martin County Fair Pageant
Saturday: Robot Battles and Poultry Show
Sunday: Mini Miss Pageant, Robot Battles, Rabbits and Guinea Pigs, and Music Concert
Monday: Market Swine Show
Tuesday: $.25 Admission Day. Beef & Dairy Show, Music Concert, and 60th Anniversary Party.
Wednesday: 2 Music venues and Swine Showmanship.
Thursday: Lambs & Goats, Dairy, and free Concert
Friday: 3 Music venues and Beef Showmanship.
Saturday: 3 Music venues and Steer & Swine Auction.

Everyday, there are carnival rides galore, from bumper cars to a looping roller coaster. Complete Fair Calendar.

The 60th Martin County Fair is all about good, wholesome family fun, great entertainment, friendly competitions, community pride, and educational experiences for the whole family! Take photos and post them on Floridays’ Facebook page!

Have a great time at the Fair.

What To Do in November 2018

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November offers a whirlwind of events in Martin County, Fla., home of Floridays RV Park. Let’s take a look at what our guests can look forward to in Hobe Sound and the Treasure Coast.

Hobe Sound Christmas Parade

Music Lovers

Now and through December 11th, enjoy live Blues, Rock, and R&B at the Notes Music Room & Wine Bar offers special deals on beer and wine on Tuesday with hot sandwiches, cheese plates and snacks from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.; 872 S. Colorado in Stuart. More information »

Happy Shoppers

On November 18, visit the Stuart Green Market where you’ll find fresh ideas for Christmas giving, and some tasty treats along the way. After the market, head over to the Rock’n Riverwalk free concert from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., then later in the evening, take a stroll through historic downtown Stuart and visit the great shops and restaurants that make up this quaint downtown. Spoiler Alert: Visit Kilwins for ice cream! Visit Stuart Main Street to learn more »

Foodies

Another 3rd Saturday Gourmet is November 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Hobe Sound. This fun, family, pet-friendly event features about 15 different vendors including unique food trucks from all over south Florida and local crafters. 3rd Saturdays continue in Hobe Sound monthly through May. Event is sponsored by the Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce.

Christmas Elves

If you like getting into the holiday mood early, Christmas on Main Street has music by the Celebration Singers, a performance by the Martin County Tigerettes, and tree lighting festivities in downtown Stuart on November 23 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall Annex and Riverwalk Stage, 300 SW St. Lucie Ave. Event information »

Parade Watchers

Mark your calendar (Saturday, December 1, 1:00 p.m.) for this must-see annual event—the Hobe Sound Christmas Parade! For 33 years, our hometown has paraded out floats, vintage cars, bands, marchers, trucks, and especially Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. The music and magic of our small town is on display as hundred of townies and visitors line the streets and local shops and restaurants will be open. Parade information »

If you’re a current guest of Floridays’ we wish you a safe, joyful and happy Thanksgiving and Christmas season. If you are thinking of a place to spend the winter in our little piece of Paradise, there’s no better place to spend a good old-fashioned holiday season than south Florida.

Florida’s Amazing State Parks

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RV parks and campgrounds in the Florida Keys can be expensive in season. But from April through November, the water activities, sightseeing, shopping, dining, and relaxing under the swaying palms of this U.S. version of the Caribbean is balm to the soul.

Rain is usually on the menu during July and August, but the weather in early spring and autumn can be ideal. There are four RV-friendly Florida State Parks in the Keys, some with water views and sea breezes. Bahia Honda, Curry Hammock, Long Key and John Pennekamp each offer sites for around $40 per night. Not a bad deal considering that these parks offer beach access. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect:

bahia Honda

Bahia Honda

Located on Big Pine Key, this park has 86 sites offering beautiful sunsets and sunrises over the water, and private sites hidden by lush green foliage. There are beaches on both ends of the park for toe-dipping, fishing, snorkeling, and swimming. Inland there’s a butterfly trail, and a nice trail hike to a remnant of an original Overseas Highway bridge—the highway being near the southern end of U.S. 1 and the bridge now almost a century old.

Curry Hammock

Located near Marathon, this park’s 28 large sites with tenting areas are generally coveted by RVers because there are no bad sites here—all ocean front and breezy. Hurricane Irma hit Marathon hard, so there’s less vegetation than before, but the lack of trees does make for great satellite reception and good cell service. Hiking trails, lots of iguanas, nearby kayaks rentals and shopping, restaurants, and ice cream shops are a short drive away.

John Pennekamp

Located in Key Largo, this park offers 47 sites which makes for cramped conditions during season, but off-season is not a problem. The seafood dining options are the best! Key Largo Fisheries offers fresh seafood to go or to eat on picnic tables overlooking the marina. The Conch House and The Fish House are within walking distance. There’s plenty to do in Key Largo, so boredom is not problem. Five stars for convenience and activities!

Long Key

Located in Long Key, this park offers 60 sites all overlooking the ocean. Each site has a picnic table and ground grill, plus all the regular electric and water hookups (bring an extension cord to this park). Here, the ocean is shallow and sea grass feels soft on wading feet. The park is a natural ecosystem, and you can wade out into the ocean for a long ways. There was damage from Irma, so call to be sure all the facilities are open.

All of the oceanfront Florida Keys State parks were damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Be sure to check before making reservations online to be sure that the park you like will meet your expectations.

The Florida Manatee

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During South Florida’s mild winter months a grayish brown lump with thick wrinkled algae-stained skin gets a ton of attention. The Florida manatees return from their summer homes along the rivers of the Carolinas, Louisiana, and sometimes even from as far north as Massachusetts. Some with calf in tow, others on their own, gather in shallow warm waters to graze on seagrass.

manateeIt’s estimated that about 6,000 manatees live in the shallow rivers, bays, estuaries and coastal waters in the U.S.—and they all come to Florida for the winter. They are gentle beasts, slow-moving, and often playful. When stressed or excited, they squeak at one another. But usually, they simply eat and rest.

Places to see manatees in and around Martin County include the Manatee Lagoon. Owned by Florida Power & Light, the wild manatees gather, sometimes by the hundreds, near the warm-water outflows of FPL’s Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center.

Manatees can be spotted along the Treasure Coast in most of Martin County’s inland waterways, near docs, waterside restaurants, bridges, and rivers during the winter. A short drive to north to Ft. Pierce is a great way to learn about these fascinating winter visitors. The Manatee Observation and Education Center in Fort Pierce is a waterfront environmental education and wildlife viewing center. Closer to Floridays, the Hobe Sound Nature Center leads walks along the intracoastal waterway to look for manatees gathering between the Center and Jupiter Island, and Jonathan Dickinson State Park (JDSP) [https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Jonathan-Dickinson ] offers canoes, kayaks, and guided tours in comfortable, dry pontoon boats—all great ways to spot manatees in their natural environment.manatee

Beyond the Treasure Coast, in central Florida, the manatees gather in shallow clear waters in Crystal River. Thousands visit Crystal River in January to celebrate the manatees’s return. By now, the crowds have thinned and vendors shuttered and gone…the perfect time to rent a kayak or go on a snorkel tour at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Whether you do it up fancy at the Plantation at Crystal River, or go local at JDSP, the manatees are waiting.

Martin County Fun

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Hobe Sound Xmas ParadeIt’s that time of year when our hearts and minds turn to the high holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and what we call around these parts, “High Season”! If your RV lifestyle is happening now at Floridays or anywhere in Martin County, or if your’e “on the road” planning to pass through Martin County, we thought you’d like to make a note of a few upcoming events in Hobe Sound and nearby.

November 22—Thanksgiving Eve Toga Party

Dance off a couple of pounds so you can put it all back on the next day with the Toga Party at Notes Music Room and Wine Bar, 872 Colorado Ave, Stuart, at 6:30 p.m. Toss on a colorful tablecloth or sheet and toga up to discounted wine and beer specials, Sake-tinis, and $2 iced coffees. Live music with all the popular songs. Learn more »

November 24—Downtown Stuart Tree Lighting Festival

Music, performances, and a host of family-friendly activ­i­ties like a “liv­ing manger” pet­ting zoo, and cook­ies and milk on the patio at Duffy’s Sports Grill. Begins at 4:00 PM. Then just after sun­set the lights go on on the offi­cial Down­town Stu­art Hol­i­day Tree. About Stuart »

Ongoing through December 31—Rock’n Riverwalk

A free open-air concert on the Riverwalk State every Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00 PM with music, vendors, and just walking around taking in the sights and sounds of the waterfront. Schedule »

November 30 to Sunday, December 3—Singing Christmas Tree

Free event at Hobe Sound Bible College at 11925 Gomez Ave, Hobe Sound, features 75 singers in a beautiful Christmas tree of 50,000 colored lights, a 25-piece orchestra, children’s choir and a drama cast of 50. See flying angels, kind and shepherds, holy family, and a spectacular message of the season. Learn more »

December 2—Santa Paws Holiday Pooch Plunge

The Humane Society’s annual dog-friendly celebration at Sailfish Splash Waterpark at 931 SE Ruhnke Street, Stuart. A fun day whether you own a pooch or not. Admission information »

December 2—Annual Hobe Sound Christmas Parade

Grab your lawn chair and line the street on Old Dixie Highway or Bridge Road to watch over 80+ entries and thousand of adults and kids strut their stuff with cars, floats, trucks, marchers, bands and surprises. This genuine old-fashioned Christmas parade and Art and Crafts Stroll along Dixie is a great opportunity to get in the holiday mood and do a little early Christmas shopping.