Events Calendar - List of Activities - Helpful Links

Jan|Feb|Mar|Apr|May|June|July|Aug|Sept|Oct|Nov|Dec

January 2007

Monday, January 1 – New Year's Day
Wednesday, January 3
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
January 13-15 – Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend

Take this long weekend to visit the Okefenokee and see the great flocks of migrating Greater Sandhill Cranes before they leave in February. Participate in Federal Lands Cleanup Day.

January Wildlife Notes

Big numbers of birds winter throughout the swamp you will find Sandhill Crane and Ibis particularly abundant near the junction of Grand and Chesser prairies and in the vicinity of Gannet Lake. Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, and teal can be seen amid the prairies and backwaters. Tree Swallows and American Robins form large flocks, and gray Catbirds disperse among the thickets. Alligators are harder to see but like to sun in the middle of the day.

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February 2007

February – National Bird Feeding Month (Opens in new windowbirdfeeding.org)

Purchase a bird feeder and watch the birds out your window. Then go birding in the Okefenokee Swamp.

Friday, February 2 – Groundhog Day (Opens in new windowgroundhog.org)

If you’re not going to Punxsutawney, visit the Okefenokee. The great flocks of migrating Greater Sandhill Cranes will be leaving soon.

Friday, February 2
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Sunday, February 4 – Super Bowl XLI, Miami, FL

No tickets? Take a tour of the Okefenokee and then put your feet up and watch the Super Bowl.

Wednesday, February 14 – Valentine's Day
Monday, February 19 – President's Day

Take advantage of the three-day weekend to spend time away from politics - in the Okefenokee!

February Wildlife Notes

The rites of spring start arriving to the swamp as Ospreys begin nesting, you can observe aerial courtship displays of red-tailed hawks, Southern Leopard Frogs can be heard calling. Ferns raise new fiddleheads, early blooming wildflowers, such as Neverwet, Arrowhead and Climbing Heath begin to flower. Wild turkeys seek mates during the latter part of the month.

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March 2007

Spring Break!

March and April – School’s out so bring the whole family. Make your reservations early.

Wednesday, March 1

The refuge begins staying open till 7:30 p.m. (through October 31).

Saturday, March 3
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Sunday, March 11

Daylight savings time begins.

March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

Look for that lucky clover in the Okefenokee!

Sunday, March 21 – First Day of Spring

First day of spring – day and night are of equal length.

Saturday, March 31 – Folkston Train Festival

Come join other train fans at Folkston’s Historic Train Depot train video viewing. Bring your own video! Contact Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce for information, 912-496-2536. Don't pass up the opportunity to see the world-famous Okefenokee while you're here.

March Wildlife Notes

Florida Cricket Frogs, Pig Frogs, and Carpenter Frogs join the choruses of Southern Leopard Frogs, Common Yellowthroats and Red-winged Blackbirds can be heard singing. Pond Cypress begin to get their leaves back. Wildflowers begin to bloom as the prairies fill with golden club, bladderworts, Hurrah Bush, Titi, Hatpins, and pawpaws. Alligators and aquatic turtles can be seen in bigger numbers sunning on exposed banks and logs.

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April 2007

April is Keep America Beautiful Month

Keep Charlton Beautiful promotes a cleaner environment in Folkston and Charlton County. Support your local Keep America Beautiful Chapter. Join a local clean-up committee or participate in a clean-up day. Keep trash out of the Okefenokee Swamp. Bring out what you take in. Remember POGO.

Sunday, April 1 – April Fools

Take the Okefenokee submarine tour. ;)

Monday, April 2
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Sunday, April 15 – Easter Sunday

Enjoy the beauty of the earth – visit the Okefenokee

April 21 – Celebrate National Wildlife Week and Earth Day

8am - 2pm – Celebrate the beauty of the earth in the Okefenokee. And join refuge staff and volunteers by helping clean up the environment. Daylong activities including bicycle tour and exhibits. Call the Visitor Center at 912-496-7836 for information and schedule.

Saturday, April 21 – Earth Day

The actual date. Practice being friendly to your planet today.

Friday, April 27 – National Arbor Day (Opens in new windowarborday.org)

Plant a tree. Georgia's state tree is the Live Oak.

April Wildlife Notes

Land bird activity and variety increase as incoming migrants join residents. Sandhill crane chicks are hatching and ospreys are seen feeding their young in their high bulky nests. Alligators bellow territorial warnings as mating begins. Orchids, Pitcher Plants, Grass Pink, Fragrant Water Lily, Spatterdock, and Virginia Sweetspire are in bloom. Swallowtail butterflies visit the blossoms of wild irises.

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May 2007

May is National Bike Month (Opens in new windowbikemonth.com)

Exercise is important. Bring your bike to the Okefenokee or rent one from us!

Wednesday, May 2
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
May 12 - 13 – Mother's Day Weekend and Migratory Bird Day (Opens in new windowbirds.fws.gov/imbd ) & (Opens in new windowbirdday.org)

Go birding with Mom at the Okefenokee. Activities include early morning bird walks, handouts, exhibits and night time owl prowl. Visitor Center information 912-496-7836.

Wednesday, May 23 – World Turtle Day

Visit the Okefenokee this weekend. Look for turtles as you canoe or kayak through the wilderness.

May 26-28 – Memorial Day Weekend
May Wildlife Notes

Many aquatic turtles are laying eggs, raccoons are just as rapidly digging up and eating the eggs. Wading birds become more conspicuous, common Nighthawks perform aerial displays. Warmouth perch fishing is improving. Pine woods Tree frogs and Little Grass Frogs can be heard calling. Watershield, Arrow Arum, and pitcher plants are in bloom. Newborn fawns appear.

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June 2007

June is National River Month (Opens in new windowamrivers.org)

Two great American rivers start in the Okefenokee Swamp – The Suwannee River which flows to the Gulf and The St. Marys River, flowing to the Atlantic.

Friday, June 1
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Saturday, June 2 – Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby

8am - noon – CastingKids contest, knot tying demonstrations, worm grunting and more. Call 912-496-7836 for more information.

June 2-10 – National Fishing & Boating Week
(Opens in new windownationalfishingandboatingweek.org)

Fishing is great in the St. Marys River, the Suwanee, or in the Okefenokee Swamp. Rent a boat and hang out together.

June 16-17 – Father's Day Weekend

Surprise Dad - Bring him to the Okefenokee and then into town to watch trains at The Folkston Funnel.

Wednesday, June 21 – Summer Solstice

Summer officially begins with the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Come to the swamp before it heats up in Southeast Georgia. Take the Full Moon Night Tour tomorrow.

Saturday, June 30 - Blue Moon!
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
June Wildlife Notes

Chorus, green tree, pig, carpenter and over a dozen other species of frogs are heard during the evenings. White Water-lilies and sweet-bay flowers bloom. Good bream fishing.

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July 2007

July is Baked Bean Month, National Hot Dog Month, and/or Blueberries Month

Celebratnig each or all three, this is a great time to have a picnic at the Okefenokee. 

July 4 – Fourth of July!

Celebrate Stephen Foster’s birthday by visiting the Okefenokee’s Stephen Foster State Park in Fargo, Georgia.

Sunday, July 22 – Parent's Day

Dad would love watching trains at The Folkston Funnel. Mom would love the shops downtown. The kids want to see alligators in the swamp. Spend a family weekend in the Okefenokee area.

Monday, July 30
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
July Wildlife Notes

Young herons, egrets and ibis, now fully fledged, leave the rookeries. Wood storks are observed feeding in the prairies. Red-headed woodpeckers and pine warblers are seen in pine forest uplands. Deer are best viewed in the early morning; the bucks are showing their new sets of velvet-covered antlers.

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August 2007

August is Back to School Month and National Catfish Month

Squeeze in a few days of family activity at the Okefenokee before school begins. Bring your family to south Georgia for some catfish. The Okefenokee Restaurant in downtown Folkston serves some of the best. Great month for watching trains at The Folkston Funnel.

Tuesday, August 28
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
August Wildlife Notes

Small flocks of blue-winged teal arrive. Alligator nests hatch and the young alligators may be heard "clucking" to their mother. Nighthawks and chuck-will's widow frequent the evening sky, scooping insects from the air.

September 2007

September 1-3 – Labor Day Weekend

End the summer canoeing in the swamp! Then, eat catfish at the Kingsland Labor Day Catfish Festival (20 minute drive).

Sunday, September 10 – National Grandparents Day

Bring your Granny and Grandaddy, Gran or Paw paw out for a picnic at the Okefenokee, and then into town to watch trains at the Folkston Funnel this weekend.

Thursday, September 22 – First Day of Autumn

Fall is a most beautiful time of year in the Okefenokee.

Wednesday, September 26
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
September Wildlife Notes

Fall migration begins as many different warblers move through the area. Fall fishing improves as daytime temperatures lower.

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October 2007

October 8 – Columbus Day Holiday

Spend this federal holiday in a national wildlife refuge ­ like the Okefenokee!

Saturday, October 13 – Okefenokee Festival

Discover how settlers once lived in the Okefenokee at the Chesser Homestead - learn how they made soap, brooms, butter, quilts, baskets, washed clothes, smoked meat and survived. Sample boiled peanuts, soup and biscuits.  Bluegrass music, stories and four-note singing.  Parade, crafts and vendors in downtown Opens in new windowFolkston.

Friday, October 26
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Wednesday, October 31 – Halloween

See a spooky sunset among the spanish moss.

October Wildlife Notes

Black bears are active, feeding on acorns, nuts and berries. Marsh hawks are seen gliding low over the prairies.

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November 2007

Wednesday, November 1

Refuge hours change to 5:30 p.m. closing.  

Sunday, November 4

Daylight Savings Time Ends

Tuesday, November 6 – Election Day

Your vote is important. Exercise your right to vote.

Sunday, November 11 – Veterans Day

Thank you for your service, vets!

Tuesday, November 17 – Cane Grinding at the Homestead

10am - 4pm – Sugar cane grinding demonstration at Chesser Island Homestead - discover how to make cane syrup from start to finish.  Cut and grind stalks fresh from the garden.  Sample fresh-squeezed can juice.

Thursday, November 22 – Thanksgiving Day

Take advantage of the long weekend off from work and school. Bring the family to the Okefenokee and then downtown to watch trains.

Saturday, November 24
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
November Wildlife Notes

Robins and migrating greater sandhill cranes arrive with the cool weather. Watch for the occasional bald eagle, migrating through the swamp to Florida wintering sites. With cool weather comes the traditional fall color change. Cypress needles turn a golden brown, and sweet gum leaves glow a reddish hue before tumbling to the ground.

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December 2007

December 4 – Chanukah Begins

Chocolate coins begin to jingle in little pockets on the boardwalk.

Saturday, December 8 – Christmas on Chesser Island

Celebrate the holiday season with hayrides, luminaries, refreshments, caroling, and live music.  Warm by the bonfire while enjoying homemade cookies and cider.

Saturday, December 22

Winter begins ­ this is the shortest day of the year,

Monday, December 24
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
December 25 – Christmas

Merry Christmas! Refuge is closed.

December 26 - January 1 – Kwanzaa

A trip to the swamp could be a Kuumba gift for someone special!

December Wildlife Notes

Otters are seen swimming in the lakes and boat trails as alligators become less active. Wading birds are prominent as they forage amid the prairies. Wood Ducks and teal can be seen throughout the swamp.

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Copyright © Folkston House 2007-08 Reserved
Jeanne Scott - Inn Keeper: Direct Line: 1-904-219-4240 - Inn Phone: 1-912-496-3445
Innkeeper@folkstonhouse.com