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January 2006 |
Saturday, January 1
New Year’s Day
Spend the New Year’s Weekend relaxing and celebrating the New Year at
the Inn at Folkston. During the day, canoe the Okefenokee Swamp or watch TV at
the Inn or enjoy your room. |
January 13-16
Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
Take this long weekend to visit the Okefenokee Swamp and see the great flocks of migrating Greater Sandhill Cranes before they leave in February. Participate in Federal Lands Cleanup Day. |
 Saturday, January
14 – Other nights with advance registration
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com
Phone: 1-866-the-Swamp |
Friday,
January 20
Presidential Inauguration Day
Escape to the wilderness...canoe or kayak the Okefenokee Swamp, or watch the festivities on
the Inn’s TV. |
Sunday,
January 29
Celebrate the Chinese New Year
2006 is The Year of the Dog
Watch trains at the Folkston Funnel. Afterwards, have dinner at the Rose Garden Chinese Restaurant in downtown Folkston. |
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Tuesday,
January 31
Islamic New Year – Muharram |
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. |
| February 2006 |
 February is National Bird Feeding Month www.birdfeeding.org Purchase a bird feeder and watch the birds out your window. Then go birding in the Okefenokee Swamp www.okefenokeeadventures.com. Or visit Kayak Amelia’s concession for birding in the marshes around Amelia Island www.kayakamelia.com.
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Wednesday, February 1
Groundhog Day www.groundhog.org
If you’re not going to Punxsutawney, visit the Okefenokee www.okefenokeeadventures.com. The great flocks of migrating Greater Sandhill Cranes will be leaving soon. |
Saturday,
February 11
Wings Over the Swamp Festival
To help celebrate Sand Hill Cranes and other birds, the refuge will have activities including birding by canoe, canoe clinic, and night walk on the boardwalk. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Visitor Center 912-496-7836, 1-866-the-Swamp, www.okefenokeeadventures.com. |
Wednesday, February
13 – Other nights with advance registration.
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com
, 1-866-TheSwamp. |
Tuesday, February 14
Valentine’s Day
Take someone you love to the Okefenokee for Valentine’s Day! After a day in the swamp, fall into a comfy featherbed - topped with a love-heart box of chocolate - with your sweetheart. Make this a three-night getaway and take advantage of our Valentine’s Special: get the third night at 50% off. Two Night Minimum This Weekend. |
 February
15-17
Women's Overnight Guided Tour
Spend two nights in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee. This overnight for women only!
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp.
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Monday, February 20
President’s Day
Make this a three-night getaway – take advantage of our weekend special: get the third night at 50% off. |
Sunday, February 27, 8:00 pm
Academy Awards Weekend www.oscars.org
Unable to get to the Kodak Theater in Hollywood? Watch the Academy Awards at
the Inn at Folkston |
February Wildlife Notes
The rites of spring start arriving to the swamp. 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. |
| March 2006 |
Spring Break!
March and April – School’s out and we’re busy at the Inn. Make your reservations early. |
Tuesday, March 1
The refuge begins staying open till 7:30 p.m. (through October 31) |
Friday, March 10 – Other nights with advance registration.
Overnight Guided Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Spend a night in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee.
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
March 17 - 20
Celebrate International Earth Day and St. Patrick’s Day this weekend –
with soda bread for breakfast! Spend International Earth Day and the first day of spring in the Okefenokee. |
Tuesday,
March 21
First day of Spring – day and night are of equal length. |
Friday, March 24
- 27 – Other nights with advance registration.
Overnight Guided Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Spend two nights in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee. Option to add a 3rd night and 4th day.
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
Friday, March 24 – Other nights with advance registration.
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
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. |
| April 2006 |
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. Remember Pogo? Keep trash out of the Okefenokee Swamp. Bring out what you take in. |
Saturday, April 1
April Fool’s Day
Don’t be fooled – the environment needs protecting! Come see the beauty of the Okefenokee for yourself. |
Sunday, April 3
Daylight savings time begins. |
Saturday, April 8
Folkston Train Festival
Come join other train fans at Folkston’s Historic Train Depot for all-day train video viewing. Bring your video for viewing! Join Mr. Cookie and all his friends for a fabulous day of train watching and video watching. Contact Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce for information, 912-496-2536. Bring your spouse for a weekend at
the Inn at Folkston Bed and Breakfast. You’ll both love our hearty breakfasts and comfortable feather beds. |
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Easter Sunday, April 16th
Join us at the Inn and enjoy God's creation at the
Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge. |
April 22-24
Celebrate National Wildlife Week April 16-22 and Earth Day April 22
Help refuge staff and volunteers clean up the environment. Daylong activities. Call the Visitor Center at 912-496-7836 for information and schedule. |
Sunday, April 23 – Other nights with advance registration.
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
Friday, April 28
National Arbor Day
www.arborday.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. |
| May 2005 |
May is National Bike Month
www.bikemonth.com
Exercise is important. Bring your bike to the Okefenokee or rent one from Okefenokee Adventures. www.okefenokeeadventures.com |
Sunday, May 8
Mother’s Day Weekend and Migratory Bird Day
birds.fws.gov/imbd.html
www.birdday.org
Go birding with Mom at the Okefenokee. Activities include bird walks, handouts, exhibits and night time owl prowl. Visitor Center information 912-496-7836.
Bring Mom back to the Inn at Folkston for a box of candy on her featherbed! |
Monday, May 23
World Turtle Day
Visit the Okefenokee this weekend. Look for turtles as you canoe or kayak through the wilderness. Take the Full Moon Night Tour (see below). |
Monday, May 23 – Other nights with advance registration.
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp |
May 27-30
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 Treefrogs and Little Grass Frogs can be heard calling. Watershield, Arrow Arum, and pitcher plants are in bloom. Newborn fawns appear. |
| June 2005 |
June is National River Month
www.amrivers.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. |
June 4-12
National Fishing Week
http://www.nationalfishingandboatingweek.org/
Fishing is great in the St. Marys River, the Suwannee, or in the Okefenokee Swamp. Rent a boat and hang out together. |
June 17-19
Father’s Day Weekend
Surprise Dad – Bring him to Folkston to watch trains at The Folkston Funnel. |
Tuesday, June 21
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. |
Wednesday, June 22 – Other nights with advance registration.
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
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. |
| July 2005 |
Whether you celebrate July as Baked Bean Month, National Hot Dog Month, or July Belongs to Blueberries Month, this is a great time to have a picnic. Come watch trains at the Folkston Funnel and cook your steak or veggie burger on the adjoining BBQ pit. Stay at
the Inn at Folkston and ask for blueberry pancakes for breakfast. |
July 1-4
Fourth of July Weekend
Take advantage of the long weekend and our Fourth of July Special: Stay 3 nights and get the third night for 50% off. Celebrate Stephen Foster’s birthday by visiting the Okefenokee’s Stephen Foster State Park in Fargo, Georgia. |
Thursday, July 21 – Other nights with advance registration.
Full “Buck” Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
Sunday, July 24
Parents’ Day
Dad would love watching trains at The Folkston Funnel. Mom would love the shops downtown. Give them a gift certificate for a weekend away at
the Inn at Folkston. |
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. |
| August 2005 |
August is Back to School Month
Squeeze in a few days of family activity before school begins. Bring your family to south Georgia for some catfish during National Catfish Month. The Okefenokee Restaurant in downtown Folkston serves some of the best. Great month for watching trains at The Folkston Funnel. |
Friday, August 19 – Other nights with advance registration.
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
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 2005 |
September 2-5
Labor Day Weekend
End the summer canoeing in the swamp! www.okefenokeeadventures.com .
Eat catfish at the Kingsland 22nd Annual Labor Day Catfish Festival (20 minute drive).
Stay three nights at
the Inn at Folkston and take advantage of our special: the third night is 50% off. |
Sunday, September 11
National Grandparents Day 
Bring your Granny and Grandaddy, Gran or Pawpaw to watch trains at the Folkston Funnel this weekend. They will love the featherbeds and hearty breakfasts at
the Inn at Folkston.
Remember lost loved ones in the tranquility of the Okefenokee. |
September 14-16 – Other nights with advance registration.
Overnight Guided Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Spend two nights, 3 days in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee.
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
Saturday, September 17 – Other nights with advance registration.
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
Thursday, September 22
First Day of Autumn – night and day are of equal length.
Fall is a most beautiful time of year in the Okefenokee. |
September 24-26 – Other nights with advance registration.
Overnight Guided Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Spend two nights, 3 days in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee.
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
September Wildlife Notes
Fall migration begins as many different warblers move through the area. Fall fishing improves as daytime temperatures lower. |
| October 2005 |
Saturday, October 8
Okefenokee Festival, Folkston, 912-496-2536
Parade, arts and crafts, food vendors, pony rides, rock climbing and other activities.
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, 912-496-7836
Chesser Island Homestead exhibits, food, music, and games.
Two-night minimum weekend. Wait-list availability only. |
October 11
Columbus Day Holiday |
Saturday, October 15
Sweetest Day and Chesser Family Reunion
Take someone you love to the Okefenokee for Sweetest Day! After a day in the swamp, fall into a comfy featherbed - topped with a love-heart box of chocolate - with your sweetheart. Make this a three-night getaway and take advantage of our weekend special: get the third night at 50% off. |
October 16-17 – Other nights with advance registration.
Overnight Guided Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Spend one night, two days in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee.
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
Monday, October 17 – Other nights with advance registration.
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
October 20-22 – Other nights with advance registration.
Overnight Guided Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Spend two nights, 3 days in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee.
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
Sunday, October 30
Daylight Savings Time Ends |
Monday, October 31
Halloween
Help the Inn at Folkston pass out candy to the little ghosts and goblins. |
October Wildlife Notes
Black bears are active, feeding on acorns, nuts and berries. Marsh hawks are seen gliding low over the prairies. |
| November 2005 |
Tuesday, November 1
Refuge hours change to 5:30 p.m. closing. |
Wednesday, November 2
Election Day - Your vote is important. Exercise your right to vote.
www.dnet.org
www.americans.net |
Tuesday, November 15
America Recycles Day
Do your part for the environment. Make recycling a habit.
Come to the pristine wilderness and see nature as it should be. |
Tuesday, November 15 – Other nights with advance registration.
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
November 20-21 – Other nights with advance registration.
Overnight Guided Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Spend one night, 2 days in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee.
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
Thursday, November 24
Thanksgiving Day
Sorry, we are full at the Inn. |
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 sweetgum leaves glow a reddish hue before tumbling to the ground. |
| December 2005 |
Saturday, December 10
Chesser Island Christmas
Hot cocoa, apple cider, coffee, home-made cookies, hay ride, caroling.
Visitor Center Information 912-496-7836. |
December 10-12 – Other nights with advance registration.
Overnight Guided Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Spend two nights, 3 days in the heart of the swamp with a naturalist guide. Great opportunities for wildlife viewing while you relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Okefenokee.
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
Thursday, December 15 – Other nights with advance registration.
Full Moon Night Tour at the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Adventures www.okefenokeeadventures.com 1-866-TheSwamp. |
Wednesday, December 21
Winter begins – this is the shortest day of the year. |
Sunday, December 25
Christmas
http://www.christmas.com/spirit/
http://www.holidays.net/christmas/ |
December 26 - January 2
Chanukkah
http://www.holidays.net/chanukah/ |
December 26 - January 1
Kwanzaa
http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/ |
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. |
Events Calendar
