Imagine 12 days of festival fun, from music and art to theater and children’s activities and everything in between. Foo Foo Festival in Pensacola combines cultural and creative happenings every fall from a host of community organizations, all under one umbrella. And this year, the festival marks its 10th anniversary Nov. 2-13.
Foo Foo Fest
Festival organizers choose grant recipients to take part in the 12-day event and they range from 309 Punk Project, a nonprofit archiving the punk culture of the region to the Pensacola Civic Band, Opera, Symphony Orchestra and Little Theatre, among so many others. Events include “Singing in the Street” by the Choral Society of Pensacola and Pensacola Children’s Chorus, the musicals “Desperate Measures” by PenArts and “Xanadu” by the Dixon School of Arts and Sciences and the glass installation “Poseidon’s Garden” by First City Art Center. To get a full lineup of cultural happenings, visit foofoofest.com.
Attend Homecoming
No gowns or tuxes required to watch the world-famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly over Pensacola for their annual Homecoming Show. The Blue Angels practice at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola and visitors may watch their breathtaking aviation antics weekly from March to October. But they return to the museum for the NAS Pensacola Homecoming Air Show Nov. 2-3. Admission, parking and blanket seating in an open paved area are free. Preferred seating areas are available with paid admission.
Visitors should enter at the west gate of the naval base and U.S. citizens 18 years and older must show a valid I.D. for admission. For non-native citizens, visit NavalAviationMuseum.org for more information.
Get on the Water
Love dolphins? Several businesses offer cruises to spot those wonderful mammals who make the bays surrounding Pensacola home. And if that’s not entertainment enough, Dolphin Blue Angels Blues Cruise Adventure out of Gulf Breeze allows guests to see both dolphins and the Blue Angels in flight, including the Homecoming Show.
The Beach Less Traveled
The Gulf Island National Seashore requires an entrance fee but you’ll agree it’s worth every dollar after spotting the pristine emerald waters and sugar white sand beaches. The 160-mile seashore just outside Pensacola is run by the National Park Service and considered America’s largest national seashore since it extends all the way to Mississippi. Don’t miss historic Fort Pickens, which includes a campground and the beginning of the four-mile beach bike path. And if you’d rather not drive to the beach, take the ferry to Fort Pickens. And yes, you can watch the Blue Angels from Fort Pickens as well.
Go for A Stroll
Stroll through downtown Pensacola where restaurants, boutiques and gourmet food trucks surround historic Palafox Street. Nothing hits the spot this time of year like cozy coffee shops serving up warm beverages. Grab a craft cup of joe, such as the Angelino and Honey Latte at Bodacious Bookstore & Café where great reads may be acquired as well. Or purchase an espresso and relax a while at Maker’s Cafe & Espresso Bar.
Florida-Bound Flight
For another getaway down the Florida coast, Breeze Airways will begin flying a new route from New Orleans to Fort Myers (beginning Nov. 2) on Thursdays and Sundays. To reserve a flight or to obtain more information, visit flybreeze.com.
