Happy 2023 everyone! We hope your year is off to a great start and you have already begun working on your goals for the new year. Get out of the house and enjoy time with your family and friends at these events to start the new year right!
Iche Nippy Dippy Day
Join the Friends of Ichetucknee Springs State Park for the 10th annual new year tradition of taking a quick dip in the park's headspring. The group will provide giveaways for Iche Nippy Dippers! Wondering how the water temperature will feel? Dippers say the colder it is outside, the better it feels inside. This year's dip will be held in memory of Earl Kinard, who started this tradition more than 80 years ago, and all money raised by the event will go directly to supporting the park and its goals. Hot cocoa, coffee, and a bonfire will be available to you after your dip in the springs!
Location: Ichetucknee Springs State Park 8294 SW Elim Church Rd Fort White, FL 32038
Time: Saturday January 7, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $6 entry fee per vehicle (two to eight people)
Perspectives in the Park Speaker Series
Hogtown Creek Headwaters Nature Park is pleased to start their Perspectives in the Park speaker series! On the first Sunday of each month, come learn from experts in their field about nature, history, and art, and hear some of their amazing stories. The topic this month is Gainesville’s Water Story, so come learn about your drinking water from source to sink!
Location: Hogtown Creek Headwaters Park 1500 NW 45th Ave Gainesville, FL 32605
Time: Sunday January 8, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Cost: Free
Florida Museum of Natural History Tot Trot
Get your toddler excited about exploring the great outdoors! Join Discovery Zone nature ambassadors for a safe and interactive nature walk on Tot Tuesdays. Each program has a focused theme and encourages exploration with a close look at the natural world, while also sharing Museum treasures. This month’s theme is animals, and the topic for this event will be fur, hair, feathers, and scales! Be sure to arrive at 9:00 AM to check in and start on time.
Location: Florida Museum of Natural History 3215 Hull Road Gainesville FL, 32611
Time: Tuesday January 10, 9:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost: Members $6 | Non-Members $7 | Under 2 Free
Storytime and Hike with a Ranger
Join us for outdoor stories and a morning nature walk with a park ranger! The park ranger will read park-relevant tales about wildlife, mindfulness or environmental stewardship then lead a short walk on our Discovery Trail. We will connect the main ideas from the stories we read to what we see on the trail. Weather permitting (at least 50°F and no rain) we will read outside by the visitor center. Parents and families can bring blankets and chairs to spread out and enjoy the fresh air. Otherwise, we will read inside in an air-conditioned room. This program was designed for preschoolers but anyone who enjoys a picture book is more than welcome to join in on the fun!
Location: Ichetucknee Springs State Park 12087 SW Highway 27 Fort White, FL 32608
Time: Thursday January 12, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Cost: $6 state park entry fee, program is free
Easton Newberry Sports Archery Funtastic Fridays
Join us every Friday for the most fun you can have with a bow. Bring a friend and see who can play best, Tic-Tac-Toe, Battle Ship, Bowling with Bows, you name it we’ve played it! It’s not always just about hitting the bullseye. Open shooting is from 5:30pm - 6:30pm and archery games are from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, so don’t miss out on these activities if you are interested!
Location: Easton Newberry Sports Complex 24880 NW 16th Avenue Newberry, FL 32669
Time: Friday January 13, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Cost: $10 for non-members, $5 equipment rental, free for members
Featured photo by Amy Humphries on Unsplash