Sunshine State of Mind

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Ten unique, offbeat, "Only in Florida" events for 2020 Feb 05, 2020

Show notes

Two weeks ago we ran down a number of Florida food festivals happening in Florida, so this week we're going to explore some of the unique, weird, and offbeat events for 2020 that could only happen in Florida.
In this Episode:

Unique, offbeat, "Only in Florida" events for 2020
Fiddler Crab Festival
- http://steinhatcheechamber.com/the-events-calendar/fiddler-crab-festival
Gasparilla Pirate Festival
- http://gasparillapiratefest.com
Rattlesnake Festival
- http://www.rattlesnakefestival.com
Sugar Sand Festival
- https://sugarsandfestival.com
Siesta Key Crystal Classic
- https://www.siestakeycrystalclassic.com
Biketoberfest
- https://www.daytonabeach.com/biketoberfest
Venice Shark Tooth Festival
- http://www.sharkstoothfest.com
Hemingway Days
- https://fla-keys.com/hemingway-days/
Worm Gruntin' Festival
- http://www.wormgruntinfestival.com
Flora-Bama Interstate Mullet Toss
- http://www.florabama.com/mullet-toss
Listener Voicemail; Brandon from the Florida Focus College Football Podcast
Listener Purchase of the Week: Custom Leather Keychain

Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

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Best Places to Visit in Florida (according to T&L) Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

This week we came across an article in Travel & Leisure that listed the best places to visit in Florida. We go through and discuss that list and give our own thoughts and opinions on each place listed. Also some news about Universal's Epic Universe, SNL pokes fun at Disney Fastpass and listener mail.
In this Episode:

Universal Studios confirms "Super Nintendo World" will be part of Epic Universe.
Saturday Night Live pokes fun at Disney Fastpass & Orlando
Travel & Leisure's - "The Best Places to Visit in Florida" discussion
- https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/beach-vacations/best-places-to-visit-in-florida
Listener Mail; St. Augustine questions, new listeners, and food festival feedback.
Listener Purchase of the Week: RUIGPRO Sport Camera Backpack Clip Mount for Gopro

Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

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Ten Unique Florida Food Festivals Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

The Florida festival season is ramping up, and with it comes all kinds of great events to try new foods all over the state.
This week we discuss ten interesting and unique Florida food festivals.
In this Episode:

Listener mail about our visit to Daytona Beach
The Florida Aquarium is offering discounts for bringing in Gasparilla beads.
We discuss ten unique Florida food festivals
Florida Strawberry Festival - Plant City
- https://flstrawberryfestival.com
South Florida Garlic Festival - Delray Beach
- https://garlicfestfl.com
Key Lime Festival - Key West
- http://www.keylimefestival.com
Lobsterfest - Key West
- http://www.keywestlobsterfest.com
Blueberry Festival - Plant City
- http://www.keelfarms.com/bbfest
Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival - Fernandina Beach
- https://www.shrimpfestival.com
Speckled Perch Festival - Okeechobee
- http://www.okeechobeemainstreet.org
Zucchini Festival - Windsor
- http://www.windsor-z-news.org/events.html
Cuban Sandwich Festival - Kissimmee & Tampa
- http://www.thecubansandwichfestival.com
Kumquat Festival - Dade City
- https://kumquatfestival.org

Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

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Ten exciting things coming to Florida in 2020 Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

The year 2020 is upon us and we're looking forward to a lot of fun new stuff making it's way to the Sunshine State this year.
In this episode, we run down ten of the most exciting things we're looking forward to this year. We also talk a bit about our winter break, and the end of a 70-year-old Florida tradition.
In this Episode:

A little talk about our winter break.
The Florida Welcome Center no longer gives away free orange juice.
Ten exciting things on the way for 2020

Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

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Our favorite Florida Moments of 2019 Dec 27, 2019

Show notes

In this "Best of 2019" review episode, we talk about some of our favorite things we saw and did around Florida (and beyond) in the past year.

We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

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Star Wars: "Rise of the Resistance" reaction & review Dec 17, 2019

Show notes

This weekend we headed out to Disney's Hollywood Studios to ride the brand new "Rise of the Resistance" at Galaxy's Edge! Let's talk about this mind-blowing new attraction!

In this Episode:

Getting up early to get our Boarding Pass for Rise of the Resistance and our thoughts on the virtual queue system
Our Spoiler Free reaction and review of the ride.
And then we give our full review of the ride with spoilers for those who want to know!

We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

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A visit to Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa Dec 10, 2019

Show notes

Last weekend we were invited to check out Christmas in the Wild at ZooTampa. We talk about our visit to the zoo's Christmas party, and some of the early reaction to the opening weekend of Rise of the Resistance at Galaxy's Edge.

In this Episode:

Rise of the Resistance opens at Galaxy's Edge to long wait times
We visit ZooTampa for their holiday party "Christmas in the Wild".

We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

How to support the show

Where to find Manatees this Winter Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

The manatee is one of Florida's most iconic symbols, and wintertime is the best time to see them. When the temperatures dip, manatees will gather in springs and the warm-water outflows of power plants in huge numbers. This week we talk about some of the best places to see these gentle giants in the wild.

In this Episode:

We talk about manatees and the best places to see them this winter
http://sunshinestateinsider.com/best-places-in-florida-to-see-manatees/

We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

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A visit to Daytona Beach Nov 12, 2019

Show notes

This weekend we took a long weekend trip to the self-appointed "Worlds Most Famous Beach", Daytona. Daytona Beach is the birthplace of auto racing, and a former spring break hot spot, but it still offers a lot of bang for your buck if you're looking for a cheap beach getaway in Florida. We review the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, the Riverfront district, the Boardwalk, and give our thoughts on the current state of the town.

In this Episode:

Interactive Pac-Man escape maze coming to Orlando in 2020
- https://www.themazelive.com
We visit and review Daytona Beach
Riverfront District
https://riverfrontshopsofdaytona.com
https://aberrantart.com
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse
https://www.ponceinlet.org
The current state and condition of the town
- A1A: A Pockmarked Paradise

We want to hear your own reviews and Florida trip reports!
Twitter: @FloridaPodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridapodcast
Email: Contact@sunshinestatepodcast.com
Blog: http://www.SunshineStateInsider.com

How to support the show

Meeting Mermaids & Heckling Stormtroopers Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

It's already November, so we run down five awesome Florida events happening this month all over the state. Then we talk a little about Shannon's trip to Weeki Wachee to meet mermaids and our recent experience back at Galaxy's Edge where we finally tried the Blue Milk.

In this Episode:

Five Hot November Florida Events worth checking out.
St. Petersburg - The worlds largest Christmas light maze
- https://enchantchristmas.com/stpete
St. Augustine - Nights of Lights
- https://www.visitstaugustine.com/event/nights-lights
Kissimmee - Ice!
- www.ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com
Jacksonville - Porchfest
- http://www.jacksonvilleporchfest.org
Captiva Island - Hobie Cat World Championships
- https://hobieworlds.com
A day with the Weeki Wachee mermaids.
Heckling stormtroopers for photo ops at Galaxy's Edge
We try the Blue Milk.