Events Mount Dora Freedom on the Waterfront Mount Dora once again hosts a fun-lled Fourth of July party in the beautiful waterside Elizabeth Evans Park. It features family-friendly carnival games, water slide in atables, water tables for babies and toddlers, food, and of course, a reworks show. When: July 3 Where: Elizabeth Evans Park, Mount Dora Web: mountdora reworks.com/ The Key Lime Festival This sweet festival features pie eating, pie making contests and much more, including an attempt to make the world’s largest Key Lime pie, a wacky talent show and pageants for Miss Key Lime Pie and L’il Miss Key Lime. When: July 1-4 Where: Various locations in Key West Web: keylimefestival.com AUGUST Tampa Bay Comic Con Stunning, Hollywood-worthy cosplay and actual Hollywood celebrities ll the Tampa Convention Center, drawing comic book geeks and fans from all over the country. When: Aug. 28-30 Where: Tampa Convention Center, downtown Tampa Web: tampabaycomiccon.com SEPTEMBER Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam More than 20,000 people gather for a country music sing along with the genre’s creme de la creme. When: Sept. Where: Frank Brown Park, Panama City Beach Web: gulfcoastjam.com 38th Annual Fantasy Fest Geckofest Florida Scallop & Music Festival Feast on fresh bay scallops, browse arts and crafts vendors, and enjoy live music. When: Sept. Where: St. Joseph Bay, St. Joe Web: scallopfest.com Gulfport celebrates the end of the summer with its quirky, gecko-themed annual events: the Gecko Ball, GeckoFest parade and GeckoCrawl. Come to one or all dressed in your most colorful or reptilian attire. When: Late Aug.-early Sept. Where: Gulfport Web: geckofest.com Leave the young’uns at home and head for this non-stop, adult-themed mega-party, featuring lavish oats, parades, costume and masking competitions (one for pets, too!), street fairs and island bands. When: Oct. 20-29 Where: Key West Web: fantasyfest.com OCTOBER Biketoberfest Known as the abbreviated fall version of Daytona’s famous Bike Week, Biketoberfest has become a favorite in the biker’s circuit. It draws hundreds of thousands of bikers and their families with music, model car and bike displays, live races and tattoo expos. When: Oct. 19-22 Where: Daytona Beach Web: biketoberfest.org PHOTOS: CHELSEA KORNSE, PEPSI GULF COAST JAM 1890s Festival Enjoy old-time candle making, glass blowing and basket weaving demonstrations as well as live music in this historic Victorian town. When: October Where: McIntosh Web: friendsofmcintosh.org OFFICIAL VISITOR’S GUIDE 4 77
Visit Florida Visit Florida 2017: Page 77
