FL: Christmas Near the Beach

Posted on December 10, 2019 by sandra

Hollywood, FL:  I-95 Exit 18N or Exit 20S: Celebrate Christmas Florida style…Christmas Near the Beach in Hollywood. This family-friendly event draws thousands of people to the Arts Park in Downtown Hollywood.

Enjoy the variety show featuring talented up-and-coming local singers, dancers, and bands,  who bring the beauty of Christmas to the stage. There will also be the entire show of Grinchy the Musical, a classic car show, Kid’s Play Area, vendors and a FREE photo with St. Nick at his “Beach House.”

Christmas Near the Beach has become a holiday tradition bringing joy to the Arts Park every year. Best of all admission is FREE.

Location: Arts Park at Young Circle,
1 Young Circle, Hollywood, FL 33020Date:  Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014
Hours: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tel: 954-428-4480
christmasnearthebeach.com/

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NC: Stay in Fayetteville and Get a Gas Card to Help With Travel Expenses

Posted on August 27, 2019 by sandra

Fayetteville, NC  Exit 49:  As the halfway point between New York and Florida, Fayetteville is the perfect place to relax, recharge and refuel on the way to and from a magical vacation. The community offers a variety of great hotels, all conveniently located just off I-95 at Exit 49. 

Fayetteville is home to some of the country’s most prestigious military history museums outside the Smithsonian. Paired with notable military landmarks and dedicated sites not found anywhere else, Fayetteville inspires visitors to step back in time and honor those who fought for America’s freedom.

Browse the charming stores sprinkled through Fayetteville’s historic downtown. Shop till you drop at the mall, plazas and lifestyle centers spread throughout Cumberland County. From trinkets and treasures to souvenirs and clothes, shoppers can easily find a variety of fantastic options here.

Visitors looking to make even more memories along the way can grab a bite to eat at one of their 58 restaurants near I-95 or have a little fun along the way exploring all the best that America’s Hometown has to offer at any of their amazing attractions.

Drop by the Visitors Bureau, they will be happy to help plan out a special day with  day-long itineraries.

Now if you stay a night in Fayetteville and travelers can receive a $25 Gas Card to get them back on the road.  Follow This Link for full details.

Location: Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 245 Person Street,  Fayetteville, 28301
Hours: Mon-Fri  8am -5pm
Tel: 888-98-HEROES,  910-483-5311

 

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MD: John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tour

Posted on August 12, 2019 by sandra

Clinton, MD Exit 7: On the night of April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot by the dashing young actor, John Wilkes Booth, at Ford’s Theatre in Washington City. While Lincoln lay dying, his assassin was making his escape into Southern Maryland.

Over the next twelve days, Booth and his accomplice, David Herold, were tracked through the lower counties of Maryland and across the Potomac River into Viriginia. They were finally trapped at Garrett’s Farm near Bowling Green, Virginia, where Herold was taken prisoner and Booth was shot and killed by federal troops. Herold was hanged along with Mary Surratt on July 7, 1865.

 John Wilkes Booth Escape Route Tour – The Surratt Society sponsors tours each fall and spring along Booth’s escape route. Many of the same roads and houses used by Booth are still in existence and are visited on this excursion which is narrated by nationally-recognized authorities on the Lincoln assassination and John Wilkes Booth’s flight.

Follow the trail of President Lincoln’s assassin from Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. to his death near Port Royal,  Virginia. Relax and enjoy the history and scenery on this 12-hour, fully narrated bus tour. The cost is $85 per person ($80 for Surratt Society members). Proceeds go toward the preservation of the Surratt House Museum which was the first stop on Booth’s flight south.

To reserve your spot fill out this form
or contact the Surratt House Museum by phone 301.868.1121

Location: The Surratt House Museum, 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735
Dates: Sat, September 14, 21 & 28, 2019
Time: 7 am –7 pm
Tel: 301-868-1121
surrattmuseum.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitmaryland.org

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FL: The National Reptile Breeders’ Expo – The Oldest & Biggest Place For Anything HERP

Posted on August 5, 2019 by sandra

Daytona Beach, FL Exit 261: You won’t want to miss what is known as the largest reptile meeting in the world, when the National Breeders Expo returns. Visitors can see hundreds of captive-born snakes, spiders, lizards, amphibians and turtles, along with herpetology memorabilia, books and supplies. A “Cold Blooded Creations Art Show” will also be part of the expo.

Friday, August 16:
7pm – 11:45pm Turtle Talks at the Daytona Hilton Hotel hosted by Turtle & Tortoise Club of Florida (Everyone invited): Speakers at Turtle Night:
7pm- Elliott Jacobson – Biology and development of the Chelonign shell.
8pm – Ivan Alfonso – Breeding of snail eating turtles (Malayemys subtrijuga).
9pm- Paul VanderSchouw – Green hair and spiked collars: the Australian saw-shelled snapper (Myuchelys latisternum).
10pm – Ronny Bakowskie – Turtles for couch potatoes; Keeping and breeding small turtles in Germany.

Saturday, August 17:
10am – 5pm The National Reptile Breeders Expo – Ocean Center
10am – 5pm Cold Blooded Creations art show – Ocean Center.
8pm – 12pm Auction at the Daytona Hilton Hotel (top of the escalator)

Sunday, August 18:
10am – 5pm The National Reptile Breeders Expo – Ocean Center.
10am – 5pm Cold Blooded Creations art show – Ocean Center.

Location: Ocean Center, 101 North Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Dates: August 17 – 18, 2019
Time: 9am – 5pm
Tel: 863-307-5925
reptilebreedersexpo.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurant & Attractions: daytonabeach.com
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FL: World Class Surfing Competition at Daytona Beach Week

Posted on July 16, 2019 by sandra

Daytona Beach, FL Exit 260: Grab your bikinis and board shorts and head to the beach… Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach Week the fun, family friendly surf and music festival, showcasing world class surfing, food, plus art and entertainment.

Enjoy paddleboarding, beach volleyball, live art with Perego, and fun and games for the whole family. A charity walk, all ages paddleboard and kayak race, live music, and beach clean-ups will also be part of the festivities.

The event highlights world class surfing with a 2019 competition hosted by Professional Surfer and U.S. Open Champion Shea Lopez, features Amateur and Professional Men’s, Women’s, Longboard, Stand-up Paddleboarding, and exciting new X-Groms divisions. After the Pro/Am prize ceremonies on Saturday night, stay for the free tribute bands at The Bandshell followed by an amazing fireworks show.

Location: Daytona Beach Pier,  1200 Main Street Daytona Beach, FL
Dates: July 30 – Aug 4, 2019
Times: various
facebook.com/events/2099204793712010/
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com

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FL: Celebrate Independence Day Weekend at the World Center of Racing

Posted on June 25, 2019 by sandra

Daytona Beach, FL Exit 261: Celebrate this Independence Day weekend at the World Center of Racing. Be a part of one of the most anticipated races of the season, the Coke Zero Sugar 400. The stars and cars of the NASCAR Cup Series battle for victory under the lights: 

July 4, 2019 – NASCAR Practice Day 

  • Midway open, noon to 6 p.m.
  • UNOH Fanzone open, 1 p.m.
  • Practices every hour at 1:05 p.m., 2:05 p.m., 3:05 p.m. and 4:05 p.m.

July 5, 2019 – NASCAR Xfinity Series 

  • Live band in the UNOH Fanzone, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
  • NXS Driver autograph session under the FPL Solar Patio in UNOH Fanzone, 2:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
  • Circle K Firecracker 250 Powered by Coca Cola (100 laps, 250 miles), 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

July 6, 2019 – Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 

  • Live band in the UNOH Fanzone, 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
  • Pre-race ceremonies, 2:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Coke Zero Sugar 400 (160 laps, 400 miles), 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

And, if it’s Daytona Beach fireworks you’re looking for, immediately following the drop of the checkered flag, enjoy one of the biggest fireworks displays in the Southeast.

Buy your Firecracker 250 and Coke Zero Sugar 400 tickets here.

2020 Save the Date: the Coke Zero Sugar 400 is moving from July to August 27-29 in 2020.

Location: Daytona International Speedway, 1801 West International Speedway Blvd Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Dates: July 4 – 6, 2019
Time: various
Tel:  1-800-PIT-SHOP
daytonainternationalspeedway.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com

 

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FL: International RoboBoat Competition Showcases the Talents of Future Engineers

Posted on June 10, 2019 by sandra

Daytona Beach, FL Exit 261: Join the City of South Daytona and Robonation for a day of science, technology and sun.  The International Roboboat Competition is a demonstration of the capabilities of autonomous, robotic boats.

 RoboBoat is an annual robotics contest, where the next generation of engineers put their autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) through a series of advanced water-based challenges that mirror real-world maritime operations.

Student teams design autonomous, robotic boats to navigate and race through an aquatic obstacle course. The behaviors demonstrated by these boats mimic tasks that are being developed for coastal surveillance, port security and other types of oceanographic operations.

Don’t miss the “Technology under the Big Top Tent” on Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be on-grass robot demonstrations and exciting activities with local organizations. Free and open to the public.

Location: Reed Canal Park, 2871 South Nova Road South Daytona, FL 32119
Date: June 20 – 23, 2019
Time: 12pm – 5pm
Tel: 386-322-3070
auvsifoundation.org/competition/roboboat
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com

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SC: Gear Up And Get Ready to Roll

Posted on June 5, 2019 by sandra

Florence, SC Exit 160: The Florence Downtown Roll and Cycling Festival is a free and easy ride. Why not enjoy a police- and SAG-escorted, leisurely 3-mile family fun cycle through newly renovated Downtown Florence that brings you to a cycling festival at the First Presbyterian Church.

 The festival highlights include: local food vendors, cycling games, informational booths, face painting, balloons, raffles and kids bike routes. Children will receive a free little goody bag after they finish playing all of the games, run and/or bike through the obstacle course, and jump on the inflatables. 

One hundred percent of the sponsorship money and donations raised goes directly to supporting PADD (Presbyterian Agency for the Developmentally Disabled).

The “Roll” starts at 10:15 a.m. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: First Presbyterian Church Flo, 700 S. Park Ave., Florence, SC 29501
Date: Sat, June 15, 2019
Time: 10 am – 1 pm
Tel: 843-662-2583
florencefirst.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitflo.com

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FL: Free Concerts at The Bandshell All Summer Long

Posted on June 3, 2019 by sandra

Daytona Beach, FL Exit 261: Catch a free concert at The Bandshell every Friday and Saturday night from 7:15 – 9:30 p.m. and a free 9:45 p.m. fireworks show at the Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier after every Saturday night concert and on Independence Day. In addition to the Friday and Saturday night line-ups, the schedule includes these extra concerts: Independence Day, Tuesday, July 4; and Labor Day Weekend, Sunday and Monday, September 1-2.

Daytona Beach, Florida

*Bandshell concerts marked with an asterisk indicate that a free Daytona Beach fireworks show will take place after the concert at 9:45 p.m.  

  • ​Friday, June 7, 2019: Completely Unchained, Van Halen tribute
  • Saturday, June 8, 2019: Rocket Man, Elton John tribute*
  • Friday, June 14, 2019: Carnival of Crue, Motley Crue and Ozzy Osborne tributes
  • Saturday, June 15, 2019: Livin’ on a Prayer, Bon Jovi tribute*
  • Friday, June 21, 2019: Purple Masquerade, Prince tribute
  • Saturday, June 22, 2019: Let it Be, Beatles’ tribute
  • Friday, June 28, 2019: Rebel Rebel, David Bowie tribute
  • Saturday, June 29, 2019: Smokin’ and Renegade, Boston and Styx tributes*
  • Thursday, July 4, 2019: Alter Eagles, Eagles tribute*
  • Friday, July 5, 2019: Cowboy, Kid Rock tribute
  • Saturday, July 6, 2019: Nuthin’ Fancy, Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute*
  • Friday, July 12, 2019: Uncle John’s Band, Grateful Dead tribute
  • Saturday, July 13, 2019: Never Stop Believin’, Journey tribute*
  • Friday, July 19, 2019: Vertigo and Original Sin, U2 and INXS tributes
  • Saturday, July 20, 2019: Boss Project, Bruce Springsteen tribute*
  • Friday, July 26, 2019: Ultimate Garth, Garth Brooks tribute
  • Saturday, July 27, 2019: Absolute Queen and Ultimate Def Leppard, Queen and Def Leppard tributes*
  • Friday, August 2, 2019: Night Train, Guns and Roses tribute
  • Saturday, August 3, 2019: Zendatta and Kiss America, Police and KISS tributes*
  • Friday, August 9, 2019: The Motowners, tribute to Motown
  • Saturday, August 10, 2019: REO Survivor and Chicago Rewired, REO Speedwagon and Chicago tributes*
  • Friday, August 16, 2019: The Dirty Doors, Doors tribute
  • Saturday, August 17, 2019: Boxers and Southern Cross, Simon and Garfunkel and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young tributes*
  • Friday, August 23, 2019: Fire & Ice and Love Alive, Pat Benatar and Heart tributes
  • Saturday, August 24, 2019: Turnstiles, Billy Joel tribute*
  • Friday, August 30, 2019: KC & The 70s Flashback Party, KC & The Sunshine Band tribute
  • Saturday, August 31, 201: US Stones, Rolling Stones tribute*
  • Sunday, September 1, 2019: Back in Time, Huey Lewis and 80s show
  • Monday, September 2, 2019: 1 p.m. NY Rockabilly Rockets and 4:30 p.m. Paisley Craze, ’60s Peace, Love and Rock and Roll tribute
  • Friday, September 6, 2019: Best of British Rock, Judas Priest tribute
  • Saturday, September 7, 2019: Highway to Hell, ACDC tribute*
  • Friday, September 13, 2019: Battery, Metallica tribute
  • Saturday, September 14, 2019: Fleetwood Max, Fleetwood Mac tribute*
  • Friday, September 20, 2019: Wildflowers, Tom Petty tribute
  • Saturday, September 21, 2019: In the Light of Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin tribute*
  • Friday, September 27, 2019: Jaded, Aerosmith tribute
  • Saturday, September 28, 2019: Wall of Echoes, Pink Floyd tribute

Location: The Bandshell, 600 Auditorium Blvd, Daytona Beach, Florida 32118
Dates: Friday & Saturday
Time: 7:15pm – 9:30pm
Tel: 386-671-3462
daytonabeach.com/events/music/bandshell-concerts/
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com

 

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FL: Big-Wheeled, Jacked Up Pick-Ups at Daytona Truck Meet 2019

Posted on May 31, 2019 by sandra

Daytona Beach, Fl Exit 261: Join over 25,000 spectators and hundreds of vendors in the infield of Daytona International Speedway, for the largest truck show in the world.

At the Daytona Truck Meet 2019 get up close and personal with the biggest truck builds around and get a chance to connect with the personalities behind the monster machines. This 3 day action packed event is one the entire family can enjoy, featuring a burn out pit, live entertainment and 1,000s of custom pick up trucks from around country for a weekend of fun.

See how your favorites rate in the following categories: Best of Show, Best Ford (Gas & Diesel Classes), Best GM (Gas & Diesel Classes), Best Ram (Gas & Diesel Classes), Best Nissan, Best Toyota, Best SUV, Best Jeep, Best Exterior, Best Interior, Best Burn Out, Best Female Owned, Best Lifted, Best Lowered, Under Construction, Loudest Train Horns, Furthest Distance, Largest Group, Best Food Truck, Staff Choice, Crowd Favorite, and Truck Fever’s Top Pick.

Location: Daytona International Speedway, 1801 West International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Date: June 7 – 9, 2019
Time: 9am – 5pm
Tel: 800-748-7467
daytonatruckmeet.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: daytonabeach.com

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