The wonders of Santa Rosa County will be showcased starting this weekend with the Beaches to Woodlands Festival.

During the next five weekends there will be numerous special events across Santa Rosa County with some special events planned all month long as well.

The ninth annual event offers something for everyone.

The joy of fall and this tour is the opportunity we all get to enjoy fabulous, wholesome events in our own backyard, said tour coordinator, Karen Harrell. The tour is comparable to an extended fall festival with about 40 events and venues that touch all four corners of Santa Rosa County.

Sponsored by the Tourist Development Council, the self-guided Beaches to Woodlands Tour is designed to showcase the many attractions and diversity of the area during a key shoulder season. Most of the events are free or low-cost, tied to an area fundraising effort and family friendly.

After the first weekend in August, tourism numbers drop dramatically in the region, Harrell said. Once the children are settled back in school, folks start looking for a long weekend opportunity to take a mini-vacation before the holidays set in.

Santa Rosa County offers a diverse range of lodging options from traditional hotels to luxury beach rentals, wooded cabins, RV parks and primitive camping and best of all offseason rates are among the lowest of the year.

This weekend's events will include the Milton Heritage Tour and the Artfest.

The Milton Heritage Tour is new to the festival and is a progressive bus tour of Miltons Historic Sites with expert tour guides to share the rich history of the area. Stops include the Acardia Mill Archeological Site, West Florida Railroad Museum, Downtown Milton Historic District and the Imogene Theater and Bagdad Village Preservation Museum. The cost is $20 which includes transportation and a boxed lunch. Advance reservations required. Details: 850-626-3084, ext. 102.

The Artfest is an event hotsted by the Santa Rosa Arts Association Inc. on Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Santa Rosa County Auditorium. Artfest will feature original art and crafts by gulf coast artists. There will be door prizes, music, and live demonstrations throughout the day. Hot food and baked goods will also be available.

Originally posted here:

Beaches to Woodlands Tour kick off this weekend