Friday, April 8, Sopchoppy Community Showcase

The town of Sopchoppy actually began on the west side of the Sopchoppy River, but moved to its present location when the CT&G Railroad Company (later reincorporated as GF&A) laid out the town, beside their newly constructed tracks on their own property.

The depot was built in 1893 and Sopchoppy became a bustling railroad town.  The depot is the only one remaining between Tallahassee and the south end of the line terminating at the coast.  The full restoration of the depot is now complete.  The Sopchoppy Depot will be open today to visitors, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.  

8:00-10:00AM  -   NATURE WALK IN THE PARK, Nature Walking Tour – Certified Green Guide, George Weymouth, birding guide/wildlife expert.  Morning walking tour along the boardwalk and trails of the Sopchoppy City Park. If it walks, crawls or flies, George will identify and talk about the area wildlife and identify plants as you meander through the park.  $25 per person. Includes breakfast treat. Pre-registration required. www.PalmettoExpeditions.com

9:00 -11:30AM  FLORIDA TRAIL HIKE,  Trail Hiking Tour, Sopchoppy Section of the Florida Trail – Certified Green Guide, Lesley Cox, Florida Master Naturalist, Master Wildlife Conservationist volunteer.  Lesley will identify flora and fauna along this section that follows the winding Sopchoppy River, one of Florida’s blackwater streams.  Hike rated moderate. Les Hassel Excursions.  $25 pp.  Includes snack.  Pre-registration required.   www.PalmettoExpeditions.com

Located inside the restored Toole House, the hosting business for Wild About Wakulla festivities today is POSH Organics and Gifts.  The historic house built in 1896 by Louis Gavin (a former slave) for John & Lucille Rehwinkle Toole, was moved in 2004 from its original location just east of the old Crawfordville Post Office to where it stands today.  The front lawn has become a central gathering spot for many events.  You will find local growers selling their organic method and unsprayed produce today at the Sopchoppy Harvest Growers’ Market, 11:00 am – 3:00 p.m.  http://www.poshorganicsandgifts.com

10:00-11:30AM  -  SOPCHOPPY WALKING TOUR,   Historic Walking Tour, Green Guide Friend, Richard Harden.  Stroll along for a few blocks through the streets of Sopchoppy, a small town that reminds visitors of Mayberry while Richard points out historic buildings and bits of history that make this place so charming.  $10 pp.  Pre-registration required.   www.PalmettoExpeditions.com

10:00AM - NOON  -   “A CLAY EXPERIENCE”  Hands-on Workshop – Certified Green Guide, Nancy Jefferson, clay artist.  Nancy will show you how she uses nature to inspire her creations as she guides you in hand-building a turtle, a kayak or canoe, a bird or fish, or whatever experience has inspired you.  All materials supplied.  Class location Posh Organics & Gifts, Sopchoppy.   $30 pp.  Pre-registration required. www.PalmettoExpeditions.com

2:00-3:00PM  -  SOPCHOPPY WALKING TOUR,   Historic Walking Tour, Green Guide Friend, Richard Harden.  Stroll along for a few blocks through the streets of Sopchoppy, a small town that reminds visitors of Mayberry while Richard points out historic buildings and bits of history that make this place so charming.  $10 pp.  Pre-registration required.   www.PalmettoExpeditions.com

After-school activities for children of all ages (full details pending, please check back):

3:45 p.m.:  Shelley Swenson, will offer an after school children’s activity teaching children, ages 8-14, how to make nutritious snacks and to learn about keeping our environment clean from trash.  The class is limited to 15 children, so please contact Swenson at  the Wakulla County Extension Office at 926-3931, for further details and to reserve a space.  $3.

3:45 p.m.: Gabriel M. Doural, will be teaching a children’s activity about “Trees: From the Inside Out,” for children ages 6-10.  Participants will play a game, pretending to become a tree for about 20 minutes, to learn about the structure of a tree and how all the different parts work together to survive. Contact Posh at: (850) 962-1010 for reservation, details and cost.

8:00 – 10:00PM   GRANT PEEPLES, recording artist, “guitar slinging poet” (Nashville Music City News) will present a special show tonight at POSH JAVA Music & Entertainment.  Limited seating.  Advance purchase recommended.  Tickets $10, (850) 962-1010.

In honor of “Wild About Wakulla” The Frog and the Hummingbird Co & Butterfield’s Roadhouse will be having extended store hours, free door prize drawings, 10% special event discount off gift purchases.  And April 8th to 9th will offer complimentary beverage and cookies to visitors.  Also a selection of local artisans and crafters featuring wildlife and area photography, found art, garden art etc  representing our beautiful region will be showcased.  Assorted beverages, edible delights and dangerously delicious desserts will also be available at nominal cost.

On Friday April 8th The Zach Bartholomew Trio will be performing.  Doors open at 7:30 PM Seating takes place 7:30 to 8 PM and Event ends at 10 PM  $10 cover, Free door Prizes, Free Parking on Municipal Ave and Rose St. Serving assorted beverages, light fare and dangerously delicious desserts.  For more information contact Salli Squitieri and Gabriel Butterfield.

Participating Sopchoppy Businesses

Posh Organics and Gifts
Backwoods Bistro
Two Sisters Antiques
Sopchoppy Shoppy
Scratch Cakes

Visit www.wildaboutwakulla.com for more information.

TOMORROW, APRIL 9, 2011  You will note lots of activity today around the historic downtown as festival organizers put the final touches in place for tomorrow’s 11th annual Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival.  We hope you will return for a full day of fun and entertainment.  Activities begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude with the celebrated Worm Grunters’ Ball at 8:00 p.m. held under the stars and enchantment of a Sopchoppy springtime night.  www.wormgruntinfestival.com

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