NOVEMBER FESTIVITIES
P
Winterfest C elebrates the Season (Safel y!)
ensacola Winterfest has been a holiday staple for around two decades, and the cheer doesn’t stop in 2020. This year, things will be a little different due to the pandemic, but the Christmas spirit is expected to remain strong in Pensacola, as residents and visitors come together to celebrate the season. The much-anticipated artificial snow will begin to fall the first night of Winterfest from 5-8:30 pm, and will continue each night through Christmas Eve. Winterfest Pensacola will offer two types of experiences for the whole family to enjoy: the Polar Express tour and the Cajun Christmas Village. Unfortunately, the Elf Parade, fireworks display and traditional performance tours have been canceled this year.
Denise Daughtry, founder and creative genius behind Winterfest, is feeling optimistic about this year’s festival. “We made this decision in June,” Daughtry said of the program changes. “We thought it was better to have a Winterfest that was oriented in a different direction.” Winterfest will also be a bit shorter than usual, with only select dates this season. Each tour will have its own introduction, with festival goers arriving at each station about ten minutes early. The Polar Express tour will be an exciting experience this year for the whole family. It will be its own tour and last about 20 minutes. The steam engine will take participants around the festival grounds to experience performances by the much-beloved hot chocolate tap dancers. The performance will be outside of the open air tram, so you won’t have to miss any part of the show. Warm clothes are recommended and blankets will be allowed on board to accommodate for the weather. All participants over the age of two will be required to wear a mask while on board the steam engine.
The Cajun Christmas Experience will be another tour that is available this year. Visitors will board a trolley at the foot of the downtown courthouse with a guide onboard to narrate the wonders of how Christmas is celebrated in Louisiana. After arriving in the Historic Village, visitors will be free to roam around the village to see an abundance of activities. These include a performance by a live jug band, a scavenger hunt and Papa Noel, the Cajun Santa Claus, who will be offering his version of the night before Christmas. “Cajun Santa will have a team of alligators that will conduct tasks. Papa Noel will greet people with a steam whistle. A real steamboat whistle!” Daughtry said. Santa Claus will be available for picture taking this year, but reservations are required to allow for social distancing. Reservations eliminate waiting in lines and allow you to have control of the night and give you time to plan your adventures. To keep you safe, Dr. Seuss’ Thing 1 and Thing 2 are going to be the “Social Distancing Brigade.” This year, there is also a new set for Santa. Kids will be sitting in front of his sleigh, instead of in it, to allow for proper social distancing. Elves will guide the family to meet Santa, and children will have the opportunity to write their gift lists for Santa. Masks will be required around the Winterfest grounds, but can be removed for the pictures. “Santa will read their lists, and they will receive their list back as a souvenir. The kids won't have to be afraid of Santa, as their parents will be able to be a part of the picture for the first time,” Daughtry noted. Additional information regarding the festival, dates and how to purchase tickets can be found at www. pensacolawinterfest.org.
41st Annual Pensacola Seafood Festival November 6–8 Savor delicious seafood, enjoy various musical acts and immerse yourself in historic downtown Pensacola during the Annual Pensacola Seafood Festival, produced by Fiesta Pensacola. This festival is one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in northwest Florida with more than 150 artisans and craftsmen who travel from around the country to participate. Join in on the fun with free admission. Festival times: Friday 11 am–11 pm; Saturday 10 am–11 pm; Sunday 11 am–5 pm. Some festival changes include a modified layout to accommodate increased spacing between vendors, more sanitizing stations throughout the parks, and a smaller entertainment stage featuring local bands. Masks are encouraged for vendor transactions. The 36th Annual Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival November 11–15 This annual festival features more than 100 nationally acclaimed songwriters in venues along the Florida / Alabama Gulf Coast. Join in on the opportunity to hear and listen to seasoned and aspiring songwriters and musicians from all over the world and learn the stories behind the lyrics that only the song’s author can express. During this exciting five-day festival, performers will be hosted in over two dozen venues along the FL/AL Gulf Coast including Flora-Bama, Hub Stacey’s and Lulu’s Gulf Shores. Check out the various venues at the website: frankbrownsongwriters.com. 2020 Food Truck Fest November 14 Gather round at the Community Maritime Park for fresh air, food and philanthropy. From 11 am–8 pm, the festival will feature several of the city’s finest food trucks. Vendors will be exhibiting and selling gifts, crafts, jewelry, personal care products and much more! There will be food trucks, vendors, live entertainment, a food truck tasting competition, people’s choice award and a bounce house for the kids. A portion of the proceeds go to Feeding the Gulf Coast. Winter Brewfest 2020 November 14 O'Riley's Irish Pub presents Winter Brewfest 2020 from 5–7 pm. Come sample delicious appetizers from the kitchen and the latest craft beers available this winter season. Beers are to be determined. Mix-and-match six packs of craft bottled beer will be available for $15. Decide on your favorites and take them home! This event is 21+ and limited capacity. Tickets are $20 in advance / $25 day of event. First City Lights Festival November 27, 2020–January 16, 2021 Experience the holidays this year under the magical glow of half a million twinkling white lights along the historic streets of downtown Pensacola. During the First City Lights Festival, Nov. 27 through Jan. 16, you'll find a diverse, season-long lineup of festive activities. Including live music, shopping, fine dining, art and nightlife, along with a completely reimagined Winterfest holiday program each weekend through December. Also, outdoor holiday shopping at Palafox Market each Saturday from 9 am–2 pm. Minutes from Pensacola's sugar-white beaches, you can stroll downtown Pensacola's iconic streets on foot, or hop on a Segway, pedicab or horse and carriage to enjoy downtown Pensacola, named "Florida's Greatest Place" by the American Planning Association. DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 21
