Ghosts, triathletes, horses to highlight week 4

The always popular Ghosts of Milton Walking Tour and the Downtown Milton Haunted House are among several Halloween-theme highlighted events in the fourth weekend of the 7th Annual Beaches to Woodlands Tour of Santa Rosa County.

Both events start at 6 p.m. each night (Oct. 22-23). The Downtown Milton Haunted House features a second weekend (Oct. 29-30). Also returning this year is “Boo at the Zoo” at the Gulf Breeze Zoo being staged over two weekends (Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-31).

Other highlighted events:

--Covenant Hospice returns Oct. 23 with its Barbeque and Bull Riding Festival at Hayes Ranch in Milton.

--Runners will enjoy a fabulous early morning run Oct. 23 across one of the area’s most scenic bridges at the Mediacom Garcon Point Bridge Run/Walk.

--A treasure hunt, free concerts and more are the highlight of Santa Rosa Horse Association’s Weekend of Trail Riding, Concerts and Camping at Coldwater Recreation Park.

--The second annual Ghost Chase Triathlon and Duathlon will be staged Oct. 23 at Navarre Beach.

--The 2nd Annual Taste of Navarre Oct. 23 sponsored by the Navarre Chamber of Commerce features tasty dishes and wine from area restaurants.

--The Santa Rosa Library Foundation’s Fall Golf Tournament Oct. 22 at Hidden Creek.

-- --The final lecture in the Arcadia Mill Archeological series is Oct. 23

– “Beyond the Mill: Searching for the People of Arcadia.”

--Ongoing events through the end of the month include the Sweet Season Farms Corn Maze in Milton; Fall Foliage Zip Line Tours at Adventures Unlimited; Holland Farms Tours and Pumpkin Patch in Milton; Kids Under 12 Fish Free at Navarre Beach Pier and Golf Specials at Santa Rosa Golf Courses.

For updates, join the Beaches to Woodlands Tour – Santa Rosa County

Facebook page or www.thebeachestowoodlandstour.com or 800-480-SAND.

7TH BEACHES TO WOODLANDS TOUR 2010 EVENT SCHEDULE

WEEKEND FOUR EVENTS

Oct. 22-23

Ghosts of Milton Walking Tours – 6 p.m. Polka Dots, 5227 Willing St., Milton, Fla. Presented by the Santa Rosa Historical Society, this year’s theme is World War II and how it affected Santa Rosa County. Proceeds to be donated restoration efforts for the historic Imogene Theater and the Gulf Coast Honor Flight.. Details: Angela Nolan  850-529-1016 or www.santarosahistoricalsociety.com.

Oct. 22-23 and 29-30

Downtown Milton Haunted House - Spooky fun and a popular event sponsored by Main Street Milton. Event will be held on Willing Street in Downtown Milton. 6 p.m. Oct. 22-23 and 29-30. Details: Josh Wilkes, 850-626-6246 or www.mainstreetmilton.org.

Oct. 22-24

The Santa Rosa Horse Assistance Council Weekend of Trail Riding, Camping and Concerts, Coldwater Recreation Area, Milton, Fla. Variety of horse breeds on display, short seminars, horseback rides for children, and a silent auction. Event includes a treasure hunt Saturday along the marked trails of the Coldwater Recreation Park with prizes for the most treasures collected. Cost is $20 donation per person and includes breakfast Saturday and live music Friday night with the band “Trilogy” and Saturday night “Touch of Blue.”

The park is reserved from Oct. 22-24 for camping (including tent camping.) Bring items or purchase at the “horsey stuff barnyard sale.”  Donations of any unused or slightly used tack or barn equipment are appreciated. Proceeds go directly to helping horses and horse owners in Santa Rosa County. Saturday lunch is available for purchase from the Milton High Baseball Booster Club along with snow cones, cotton candy, funnel cakes and drinks. Details: Kim Gallagher 850-380-2278 or Russell Bloodworth 334-657-8889.

Oct. 22-23

Zoo Boo at Gulf Breeze Zoo - 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze, Fla. Friday and Saturday events will feature a bit of a “scare” with haunted train rides, sides shows and other treats. Sunday afternoon Halloween event is geared toward smaller children and will feature a trick-or-treat path. Zoo Boo is 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Details: Kayte Wanko 850-932-2229 or www.gulfbreezezoo.org.

Oct. 22

Santa Rosa County Library Foundation Fall Golf Tournament - Hidden Creek Golf Course, 3070 PGA Blvd., Navarre, Fla. Benefit to expand services and fund the Santa Rosa County Library Foundation. Fee to play is $75. Oct. 22, 11:30 a.m. Details: Linda Hendrix, 850-623-2043 or www.santarosa.fl.gov/libraries.

Oct. 23

4th Annual Blue Jeans and BBQ Festival and Bull Riding Competition sponsored by Covenant Hospice – 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Hayes Ranch, 5097 Berryhill Road, Milton, Fla.  Event features Kiddie Korral, food, entertainment and a bull riding competition, Bucking Series Rodeo. Festival tickets $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Proceeds help unfunded and non-reimbursed Covenant Hospice programs. Oct. 23, Details: Leah Harrison at 850-208-7122 or http://support.covenanthospice.org/bluejeans/index.html

Oct. 23

3rd Annual Mediacom Garcon Point Bridge Run/Walk - 7:30 a.m. start at Lowe’s/Walmart 1421 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze, Fla. 4.8 mile run across Garcon Point Bridge and Pensacola Bay. Advance registration: Adults over 18, $25; Youth Under 18, $20. All after Oct. 22, $30. T-shirts to first 300 who register. Event is a fundraiser for the Santa Rosa County Education Foundation. Details: 850-983-5043 or http://www.santarosa.k12.fl.us/sref/index.htm.

Oct. 23

2nd Annual Taste of Navarre sponsored by the Navarre Chamber of Commerce - Navarre Park, 8513 Navarre Pkwy, Foot of the Navarre Beach Bridge. From sushi and fine cheese assortments, to jambalaya and wings, this is your chance to attend a catered event (under an open-air tent) on the waterfront in Navarre Park. Add live music and wine tasting, and you’re set for a great afternoon, or a perfect start to a date night. Oct. 23, 2 p.m. Details: Betsy Soles 850-939-3267 or www.navarrechamber.com.

Oct. 24

Ghost Chase Triathlon and Duathlon - Navarre Beach Boat Ramp, Navarre, Fla. Entry level multi-sport event gives family and individuals a chance to compete. Super Sprint Triathlon includes a 300-yard swim, 9-mile bike ride and 2-mile run. Intermediate Distance Duathlon for youth up to age 12. Oct. 24, 8 a.m. Details: Steven Fair, 850-549-5454 or www.racepensacola.com.

Oct. 29-31

Zoo Boo at Gulf Breeze Zoo - 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze, Fla. Friday and Saturday events will feature a bit of a “scare” with haunted train rides, sides shows and other treats. Sunday afternoon Halloween event is geared toward smaller children and will feature a trick-or-treat path. Open 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. Oct. 29-30; and 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Oct. 31. Details: Kayte Wanko 850-932-2229 or www.gulfbreezezoo.org.

ALL MONTH

Sweet Season Farms Corn Maze - 2260 Horn Road, Milton, Fla. This agritourism event gives families the opportunity to enjoy a day on a working Santa Rosa County Farm. Visitors can spend time navigating their way through our 5-acre corn maze, playing on the farm-themed playground, enjoying hayrides, cow train rides, firing our corn cannon or have a

family picnic at designated areas on the farm. Through Oct. 31, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sundays. Details: Trent or Sharon Mathews 850-675-3573 or www.sweetseasonfarms.com.

Adventures Unlimited – 8974 Tomahawk Landing Road, Milton, Fla. “Fabulous Fall Foliage” Zip Line Tours exploring the geology, local eco-systems and history of northern Santa Rosa County. Also, Canoeing, Ropes Course, Camping and Kayaking. Details: 850.623.6197 or 800.239.6864 or www.adventuresunlimited.com.

Gulf Breeze Zoo - 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze, Fla. October’s cooler weather is a perfect time to visit the hundreds of animals at this 50-acre zoo. Take a safari train ride tour of the animals to view free-ranging herds of deer, ostrich and the lively Chimp Island. Other features include walking path, primates, large bears, colorful birds, large cats and giraffes. Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Cost: $12 adults, $11 seniors over age 65 and $8 children ages 2-12. Details: Kayte Wanko 850-932-2229 or www.gulfbreezezoo.org.

Navarre Beach Pier – 8579 Gulf Blvd., Navarre Beach, Fla. Fall fishing frenzy. Kids under age 12 fish free for the month of October! The Navarre Beach Pier opened in May and is the longest pier along the Gulf of Mexico! Pier Shack has full line of tackle, gear, snacks and refreshments. A popular destination for fishermen – and walkers! Cost per day: Walkers - $1; Fishing - $7 adults, $6 seniors or $4 children under age 12 (but free in October.) Details: 850-936-1794 or www.navarrepier.com.

Holland Farms Tour - Homer Holland Road, Milton, Fla. Holland Farms offers hay rides, a pumpkin patch, and a hiking trail throughout October. Experience a real working farm! Participants each receive a free cup of boiled peanuts. Details: BJ Holland, 850-675-6876 or www.hollandfarmsonline.com.

Golf Santa Rosa County – Time to grab the clubs and hit the links! Four Santa Rosa County golf courses are offering special rates during the October Beaches to Woodlands Tour including: Hidden Creek Golf Course, 3070 PGA Blvd., Navarre, Fla., 850-939-1939 or www.hiddengolf.com and Tiger Point Golf Course, 1255 Country Club Road, Gulf Breeze, Fla., 850-932-1333 or www.tigerpointclub.com - $35 per round Monday through Friday and after 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday throughout October; Tanglewood Golf Course, 5916 Tanglewood Drive, Milton, Fla., 850-623-6176 $5 off regular greens fees and Stonebrook Golf Course, 3200 Cobblestone Drive Milton, Fla., 850-994-7171, $10 off regular greens fees. You must mention the Beaches to Woodlands Tour to get these rates.

Gulf Islands National Seashore - Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center. 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, Fla. Ongoing programs on local history and wildlife all month-long. Stop by and pick up a Beaches to Woodlands program and map. Drive the scenic seven-mile stretch of the Santa Rosa area located between Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach, Details: 850) 934-2600 or www.nps.gov/guis

“Secrets of Santa Rosa Archeology & History in Your Own Backyard,” - Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site, 5709 Mill Pond Lane, Milton, Fla. Historic lecture series presented by the University of West Florida, the Florida Public Archeology Network, West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc., and Arcadia Mill. Arcadia Mill is Florida’s largest antebellum industrial complex . 11 a.m., Saturdays in October, Details:  850-626-3084 or  http://www.historicpensacola.org/arcadia.cfm.

Weekend lecture series programs include:

•       Oct. 23 - Beyond the Mill: Searching for the People of Arcadia, Melissa Timo, FPAN Intern & UWF Archaeology graduate student.