Crooked River Park Fest

The Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle, FL will be hosting their 2nd Annual Crooked River Park Fest on Saturday, February 3 from 9 am-9 pm. The all-day festival starts off with Country ‘Super’ Market from 9 am-5 pm. Then, in the evening, the festivities continue with a Special Event Concert with live music by the Funky ‘Taters, a 10-piece band that plays jazz, blues, funk, rock, country folk & reggae, plus evening tower climbs and a local food vendor under the stars from 6-9 pm. The Crooked River Lighthouse Museum & Gift Shop, Tower Climbs, and the 1894 Fresnel Lens exhibit will be open to visitors during both activities. Admission to the Country ‘Super’ Market is free to the public from 9 am – 5 pm. Tickets for the evening concert are available for $20.  Discounted presale concert admission tickets are $15 and available online through February 2nd.

The morning kicks off with the Country ‘Super’ Market from 9 am-5 pm, which has been expanded to include food vendors and regional arts and crafts vendors. Visitors can shop for gifts and goodies like fresh roasted coffee, delicious baked goods, farm fresh produce, grass-fed beef, local art and photography, and handcrafted balms. Festival attendees can also grab a bite at Carrabelle’s own A Train Stop food truck, or a snack of festival favorites (kettle corn, boiled peanuts).  Shoppers are also invited to browse some unique nautical gifts and souvenirs inside the Keeper’s House gift shop. Last year 40 vendors graced the park grounds. There will be something for everyone including children’s activities. Admission to the park for the Country Market is free to the public (9 am-5 pm).

In addition, general admission tower climbs are available to attendees (13 + yrs. old) for a suggested $5 donation during country market hours from 9 am – 5 pm.  Children 12 and under are free accompanied by ticketed adult climbers and must be a minimum of 44 inches tall.

Guests can also enjoy a visit inside the Keeper’s House Museum to see the interactive exhibit for the Crooked River Lighthouse’s original 4th Order Fresnel lens manufactured in Paris, France in 1894. After decades away in New Orleans, the lens is finally home in Carrabelle. This one-of-a-kind lens is glowing and turning again after almost 50 years! The new exhibit, a blend of science, culture, and history, highlights the role of Fresnel Lens technology.  There is no charge for admission for a self-guided visit through the museum from 9 am – 5 pm but donations are warmly accepted to help preserve and maintain the Crooked River Lighthouse and its artifacts. For more information about the Fresnel Lens Exhibit go to:

https://www.crookedriverlighthouse.com/illuminating-apparatus/

As darkness falls, the stage will heat up for this Special Event Concert from 6 pm-9 pm. The Crooked River Lighthouse Park Stage will host a benefit concert featuring the Funky ‘Taters. The Funky ‘Taters, a 10-piece band from Tallahassee, Florida, plays jazz, blues, funk, rock, country folk, and reggae, a mix that has been called the “Music of the Gulf Coast Highway.”  The Gulf Coast route travels from the East coast of Florida, through New Orleans, all the way to Texas.

Clear skies permitting, Special Event Night Tower Climbs will allow climbers a chance to spot Carrabelle Beach, Dog Island, and St. George Sound. Special Event Climbs are available from 6 pm to 9 pm at 15-minute intervals.   Climbers must be 13 + years of age or accompanied by an adult.  Advance climb reservations are available now for $10.  Reservations are required at scheduled 15-minute intervals throughout the evening event.  All climbers must be at least 44 inches tall.

This special evening event will also feature a local food vendor, bonfire, and after-hours visits in the Keeper’s House Museum. Special museum docent-led tours of the Fresnel Lens Exhibit will be available every 30 minutes for a $3 suggested donation from 6-9 pm.

Tickets for the evening event are available for $20.  Discounted presale concert admission tickets are $15 and available through February 2nd online at https://www.crookedriverlighthouse.com/category/programs-events/. Children under 12 are free with an adult ticket holder. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the maintenance of Crooked River Lighthouse Park.

Crooked River Lighthouse is located in Carrabelle, just west of the Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle. For more information, contact the gift shop at 850-697-2732, carrabellelighthouse@gmail.com or https://www.crookedriverlighthouse.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.