Parks will be hopping this Saturday

With tourism setting a torrid pace this fiscal year, where double
digit increases are the norm and months of triple digit hikes common, the
Tourist Development Council wants to showcase the places and people that make
this industry work.

So this Saturday, everyone is invited to relax, and go to
the park.

You don’t have to run there. In fact they ask asking that
you hop on over.

The first Park Hopper Day is a free, fun activity intended
to offer a glimpse into the varied park offerings throughout the county, and in
visiting five of them, affording hoppers a chance to about tourism in Gulf
County and its impacts on the community. Plus there’s lots of fun games,
prizes, food, and more expected at each park.

“It’s important to become champions, to stand behind our tourism
industry,” said Adrianne Glass, marketing director for the Gulf County TDC. “As
we’ve bounced back from Hurricane Michael, and new business have opened, we can
stay open (to tourism) throughout the year.

“Parks are one reason why they like to come to Gulf County,”
she said.

The first stop on the hop is from 10 a.m. to noon ET at Lake
Alice Park, in Wewahitchka, where the day starts off by learning about local
history, absorbing some local trivia, and starting the day off right with a
bite at Gulf Glazed, set up for the occasion.

The second stop is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET at Honeyville
Park, in Wewahitchka, where hoppers can learn about local beekeeping and taste
local honey. Tropical Paradise Ice will be set up there to cool off visitors.

Stop 3, from 1 to 3 p.m. ET is at Tom “Dooder”
Parker Park, in Port St. Joe. There hoppers can learn how to tie fishing knots
with the Swivel Sisters. Plus, there will be three-legged races, and lots of lunch
choices from a local food truck on hand for the hop.

Stop 4, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET is at Salinas Park, on Cape
San Blas, where it’s “Fins up for the afternoon.” Local Turtle Patrols will offer
insight in the importance of turtles and how to leave no trace. “Be on the
lookout for turtles hidden around the park,” said Glass.

The fifth and last stop, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. ET is at
Veteran’s Memorial Park at Beacon Hill, in St. Joe Beach. There, hoppers can wrap
the day up by helping clean up the beach and celebrating tourism together.

“Relax and enjoy some live music. There will be food trucks
set up and our photo booth,” said Glass. “Meet us at all five parks to stamp
your passport. Get a large prize at stop 5 for completing Park Hopper Day.”