Holiday events in Gulf County
Here is a rolling list of holiday happenings taking place in Gulf County this year.
Know of an event that should be added to this list? Email details to news@gulfcounty.news.
Forgotten Coast Festival of the Trees
Now — Dec. 10
Enjoy decorated trees from organizations around the community at this year’s Forgotten Coast Festival of the Trees at the Joe Center for the Arts in Port St. Joe.
The center is open Wednesday through Sunday. Visitors will be able to vote for their favorite tree display. For more information, visit https://thejoecenterforthearts41.wildapricot.org/.
Beachy Christmas string art class
Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. EST
At this class at the Joe Center for the Arts, participants will hammer nails using a template on a wooden plaque to form a palm tree. Embroidery thread will be wrapped across the nails to color in the palm tree. Christmas ornaments and garland will be added. The class costs $20 or $18 for members, plus a $15 supply fee.
Instructor will provide all needed supplies. To register, visit https://thejoecenterforthearts41.wildapricot.org/.
Bay Area Choral Society concert
Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. EST.
The Bay Area Choral Society will be presenting “It’s Christmas!” at the First United Methodist Church of Port St. Joe.Tickets are $10. Concert goers are encouraged to secure tickets in advance online at Eventbrite.com or by calling 863-698-8773. The concert will feature solos from local performers.
Silent Night Paint and Sip
Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. EST
There’s nothing like a touch of Christmas and some painting (and sipping) to get you in the holiday spirit. No experience is necessary to recreate this winter scene in acrylics on an 11” x 14” canvas and make it your own. The class at the Joe Center for the Arts costs $35 for members and $40 for non-members. A $5 per person supply fee will be charged. This event is open to those 21 and over, and participants are asked to bring their own alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
Christmas in the Garden
Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. — 2 p.m. EST
The Port St. Joe Garden Club invites the community to its Christmas in the Garden Celebration at the Garden Center, located at 216 Eighth Street. Unique handmade gifts, baked goods, and Forgotten Coast holiday décor will be featured, along with this year’s commemorative ornament. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the specially designed tree trimmer will benefit programs tailored for children at the Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library.
Port St. Joe Christmas Parade
Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. EST
The Annual Christmas on the Coast Parade will be held on Reid Avenue in downtown Port St. Joe. Judging of the floats will begin at 5 p.m. EST, with categories: Schools and Non-Profit, Family and Friends, Business, and Faith-Based. After the parade, be sure to visit Santa in the gazebo next to City Hall.
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Christmas on the Green
Dec. 12 at 6:30 p.m. EST
WindMark Beach Church will be hosting a Christmas concert on the green at WindMark Beach. The concert will feature the Voices of Mobile.
Scrooge on the Street
Dec. 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. EST
The characters of the Christmas classic — A Christmas Carol — will lead a guided tour through downtown Port St. Joe. The tour, which begins at the Gulf County Chamber of Commerce office on Reid Avenue, costs $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Christmas bake sale and pancakes with Santa
Dec. 17 from 8 to 11 a.m. EST
The Gulf County Senior Citizens Association will be hosting a Christmas Bake sale at the Senior Center in Port St. Joe, located at 120 Library Drive. They will also be hosting a pancake breakfast with Santa. Proceeds will benefit the Senior Citizens Association.
Golf Cart Parade
Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. EST
The St. Joe Beach 2022 Deck Your Golf Cart Parade will be raising funds to benefit the St. Joseph Bay Humane Society. The parade will be held on Americus Avenue. Registration is $20.
Wewahitchka Christmas Parade
Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. CST
Wewahitchka will be hosting its annual Christmas Parade on Highway 71 in Downtown Wewahitchka.
New Years Eve fireworks
Dec. 31 at 10 p.m. EST
The Gulf County TDC and The City of Port St Joe will be bringing you a spectacular firework celebration on New Year’s Eve. You will be able to view the show from the Port St Joe downtown and George Core Park area.
Cape San Blas Polar Plunge
Jan. 1 at 10 a.m. EST
Join friends and neighbors for the annual Cape San Blas Polar Plunge at Cape Palms Park. Participants will run into the chilly waters of the Gulf to kick off 2023. Donuts and coffee will be provided by Scallop Cove.
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.