Weekend Events – New Year's Day 2011 Edition

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By now you’ve figured out you could not have picked a better place to escape the snow and the slush and the cold! New Year’s on Panama City Beach rocks, does it not?  But you’ve got to wake up some time, maybe? You might even be looking for a way to top last night. We’ve got relaxation and we’ve got excitement, whenever you get out of bed…

Bowl Games

A lot of folks are going to be looking for some football, and the bowl games today offer interesting match-ups.  Here is a list of some of the football on January 1st. You can run to Publix and grabs some snacks and watch them in the comfort of your room, or you might head out to one of the local spots and watch on the big screen.  Beef O Brady’s on Panama City Beach Parkway will have two for one food specials, wing specials, and beer specials.

Hooters is open and has some PBR specials, more. Check out your favorite team at either of  these, or have a go at one of your favorite local spots. Here’s who is playing when:

97th Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO
4:10 p.m. Central Time
Wisconsin vs. Texas Christian University

Ticketcity Bowl
1:00 PM,Central
Texas Tech vs. Northwestern

Outback Bowl (SEC vs. Big 10)
2:00 PM, Central ABC
Penn State vs. Florida

Capital One Bowl (SEC vs. Big 10)
2:00 PM, Central
Alabama  vs. Michigan  State

Gator Bowl (SEC vs. Big 10)
2:30 PM, Central
Michigan  vs. Mississippi State

St. Andrew’s State Park

There’s no end to the beauty you’ll see at St. Andrew’s State Park down at the end of Thomas Drive. This time of year is great to see migratory birds since they too are down here soaking up the sun. The park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Some of the leaves are off the trees, making more of the surroundings visible. Many of the creatures that some folks would rather avoid are taking winter naps, and most bugs are gone til springtime.

Check out the Environmental Interpretive Center, an interactive nature display in the welcome center for more on St. Andrew’s State Park.

Marianna Caverns/Florida State Park.

It’s a  fantastic day to visit a unique piece of Florida culture, the Marianna Caverns, now a Florida State Park. To get an up close look at the caves, take the tour. It’s very popular, though, so visitors are encouraged to get to the Visitors’ Center as soon as possible. The Park opens at 8 a m; the Visitors’ Center at  9 a m. You’ll understand why you’re there when you see the unlikely formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies.  You’ll find this one of a kind park at 3345 Caverns Road (not far off 231 north, in Jackson County,  Marianna, Florida 32446 (850) 482-9598.