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October 13, 2019 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

The Historic Thomas Center Gainesville – The Perfect Wedding Venue

Your big day. The perfect dress, the one you’ve had saved in your Pinterest tab for months now and worked so hard to find. The matching suits and buttonholes for the best men, everyone will look dapper. The flower girl and ring bearer match your theme too, and lo and behold you’ve actually managed to get the bridesmaids to agree on a dress, well if agreeing means grinning and bearing it then they’re definitely agreeing. The food has been catered for and the honeymoon has been booked, the final and most important detail to confirm is the location.

Finding a great location for your wedding can be tricky, with so many locations to choose from, each professing to be the very best venue for your special day. How can you choose a location that will be sure to meet your requirements?

The Historic Thomas Center in Gainesville FL is a show stopping wedding venue, the creme de la creme as they call it. This article has been put together to help you see just how perfect a wedding venue the Historic Thomas Center is and will share with you all of the details you need to know about it. And of course, you wouldn’t want to put all of your eggs in one basket so I will also list a few other locations that are worth having a peek at too.

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The Story Behind The Historic Thomas Center

So what is the Historic Thomas Center and what makes it so…historic? The building work started on the center in 1910 and was made in a Mediterranean Revival style. The building was originally the home to William Rueben Thomas and his family but in 1928 work started to expand the home and convert it into a hotel and later a local art and cultural center.

The Historic Thomas Center is also known as the cultural heart of Gainesville thanks to the numerous contemporary art exhibitions and historical exhibits that are held there on a regular basis adding to the cultural wealth of the city of Gainesville. The exhibits are open from Monday to Friday and also hold banquet and meeting spaces that are available during the center’s open hours.

The center is located on 6th avenue, just a few blocks from North Main Street and North East Boulevard, making it an easy venue to find and travel to.

Why It’s The Best Wedding Venue

The Historic Thomas Center is a great wedding venue thanks to its beautiful West gardens, eye catching West Veranda, elegant Turtle Court, historic stone water fountain, romantic balconies and courtyards that you can choose as the backdrop to the most important date of the year. And if you don’t fancy being outside, you can spend the day in the enchanting Spanish Court Atrium which has a spectacular glass ceiling that reflects the most precious rays of jeweled light that will enhance the brightness of your day and help you to get the most natural lit photos.

Hotels Nearby

If you are planning to enjoy your special day on the grounds of the Historic Thomas Center it is important to know which hotels are nearby for your guests that are traveling in for the wedding. That way they can come down to the site early and get ready in the comfort of the hotel and be able to enjoy the entire evening without thinking about having to rush back home at the end of the night.

HIlton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville

Located a mere 3.4 miles from the Thomas Center this 4 star hotel and conference center would be the perfect location for your guests to wind down after the wedding party.

Hampton Inn & Suites Gainesville

Want your guests there early for your big day? There will be no reason for them not to be as this hotel is 0.4 miles from the Thomas Center and best of all includes breakfast to keep them full all the way to the “I do’s”.

AC Hotel Gainesville

This hotel has a great reserve now pay at stay policy and is located just 1 mile from the Thomas Center.

Restaurants Nearby

The days leading up to your wedding will be stressful and finding time to cook during that time will be somewhat impossible. That is why you need to be able to rely on good restaurants near the venue.

Dragonfly Sushi and Sake – the perfect restaurant if you would like a mix of American and Japanese cuisine.
Harry’s Seafood Bar – if you love the taste of the ocean, you’ll love the mix of fresh fish available here.
Emiliano’s Cafe – if you like a bit of a Latin twist with your meals then you will love the menu down at Emiliano’s Cafe.

Other Venues

Do you like keeping your options open? Then here’s a list of other wedding venues that you should also take a look at:

C Bar Ranch
Baughman Center
Western Gateway Grand Hotel

October 13, 2019 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

University Of Florida Traditions – 5 Of The Most Important Game Day Rituals

Ok, so you have booked your tickets to the upcoming UF game, but you are not too sure about what to expect. I know what it is like going to your first new game, you are not sure about the chants, the colors to wear or even what mascots to expect to see bouncing up and down the pitch.

The good thing about game day at the University of Florida is that it never changes. The rituals that are in place today have been going for years and things are only getting more enjoyable and wacky as time goes on.

So what can you do to stop yourself from sticking out like a sore thumb as the “newbie” at the next University of Florida game day? Take a look at the following list of 5 rituals that you will have a blast taking part in at the game. Have a read over them in order to get familiar with everything that will happen when you arrive at the stadium.

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Quick Facts and What You Need To Know

The Florida Gators play American Football.
The Florida Gators’ colors are orange and blue.
The Florida Gators’ mascots are two alligators.
Some of their chants and songs include “We are the boys” and “It’s great to be a Florida Gator”

Tailgating Before The Game

Only the best game day traditions start with a good ol’ grub up and thankfully the Florida Gators are all about loading in the carbs before the game. You can expect to see fans arriving early and pitching tents way before kick off in order to fire up a smoker and get some meat on a grill. Tailgating is a great way to get to know new football fans and helps to bring everyone together before the game starts. It also helps to ramp up the atmosphere ready for kick off.

Know All Of The Songs & Chants

Are you ready to lock arms? During the third and fourth quarter of the game, all of the fans lock arms and sway while singing to Florida Gators’ “We are the boys”.

Don’t forget the Gator fight song! – which celebrates the team’s colors – orange and blue. Make sure you have a listen to that one so you can sing along when you arrive at the stadium. Not only that, but I am sure you will hear the students shouting “Orange!” and “Blue!” back and forth to one another across the stadium as the match is being played.

One of the most important chants is shouted when the Gators are winning, it helps to really stir up the emotions of the crowd. Fans will start to do “the chomp” – waving right arms over left before music is played and everyone chants in unison “Gator bait”!

Get Dressed In Gator Colors

You can’t turn up at a football game wearing the wrong colors, not if you wish to get out alive that is, so make sure you’ve got the Florida Gator colors imprinted in your mind – orange and blue. In fact, these colors are so important for the Gators that they are the name of their fight song!

If you fancy getting your paws on one of the sporty “Beat” shirts that Gator fans have then you will only need to pay a membership fee or participate in the “Beat” T-Shirt giveaway after a home game.

Meet The Most Awesome Mascots

Albert and Alberta are the team mascots that you must meet at your next University of Florida game. Albert and Alberta are plush alligators and are a great laugh on the pitch. But you may be wondering – why alligators? Alligators are commonly found throughout the state of Florida and were the inspiration for this teams’ mascots. Remember- it’s no real match without snapping a selfie with these two!

Attend The Gator Growl

When the football season begins all of the Florida Gators meet up at the stadium for a fantastic show with live music and fireworks. If you are looking for a great way to meet new Gators then you cannot miss this event!

Conclusion

So before you attend your very first University of Florida Gators game, make sure you get savvy on all of the Gator traditions so that you can join in on all of the fun.

Make sure you do all of the following so that you can have the very best Gator experience:

Arrive early to the match so that you can start tailgating, chow down on some grub and meet new fans.
Learn the songs and chants to be able to sing along with the rest of the Gators.
Pick up a “Beat” T-Shirt and dress in the Gator colors – orange and blue.
Snap a selfie with the best alligator mascots in football.
Attend the Gator growl to start the football season off with a bang.

October 13, 2019 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Gainesville – Get Acquainted With The Most Floral Wedding Venue

If you are on a bit of a mission to get to know Gainesville one of the first places you should definitely stop off is at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. The 62 acre facility and gardens are littered with quaint benches and rustic gazebos and the most well-kept gardens filled with a wide array of flowers in bloom.

The wide variety of gardens and luxurious indoor and outdoor spaces make the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens the perfect location for the most picturesque wedding for someone who really loves getting in touch with the great outdoors and would like nature’s beauty to shine through the pages of their wedding album.

But before making your mind up on a location, stay tuned as this article will let you in on everything you need to know about the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens and why it would be a great location for your wedding.

Kanapaha – The Story Behind The Name

So you may be wondering – where did the Kanapaha Gardens get their name? The name Kanapaha originates from the words “palmetto leaf” and “house” in the Timucua Indian language which is now extinct but native to Florida. The words “palmetto leaf” and “house” together mean thatched houses that the native people used to live in on the side of the Kanapaha lake.

Why The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Is The Best Wedding Venue.

There are so many reasons why the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens would make for the very best wedding venue. Take a look at the following information that will provide you with just a glimpse of what awaits you and your guests on the site of the gardens.

How to travel to the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Planning a wedding at a location that is tricky to get to will create unnecessary stress for your big day. That is why I love the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens as it is located just a few streets away from Route 75 and North East State road. The gardens are set back from the main road and secluded so that your guests will be able to fully enjoy an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

What wildlife awaits you at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens?

The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens are immaculately kept and include some signature plants such as Chinese royal bamboo and majestic water lilies during the summer months – the perfect backdrop for the most eye-catching wedding photos. The venue boasts having the largest public display of bamboo in the entire state of Florida and the largest herb garden – these details provide unique sights for your guests to see and a relaxing setting that will reflect tranquility throughout your special day.

What is the size of the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens?

The venue includes 2 indoor spaces and an abundance of outdoor spaces which will make for the most precious wedding locations, no matter the weather. The 62 acre facility boasts ample room for you and your guests to celebrate your big day together for both the ceremony and the reception should you wish.

The best thing about renting the gardens is that the rental fee for your wedding day will waiver the cost of admission to the gardens for up to 150 guests, meaning they will be able to ponder through the gardens and soak in a view of the wildlife free of cost.

Another bonus about renting the gardens for your wedding is that the rental fee includes chairs – there’s another worry ticked off of your to-do list.

When is the best time to have your wedding at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens?

If you are planning your wedding at the gardens, then I am sure you will want to take place at a time when everything is in bloom. If you are a fan of Victorian water lilies and would like them in the backdrop of your photos, then the best time to plan your wedding at the gardens will be during the summer months. If you would like some bold and vibrant colors in your photos then schedule your wedding around June to September. And of course, the spring is also an excellent time to have your wedding to see some of the more delicate and seasonal flowers coming into bloom.

Why Everyone Should Visit The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens.

Even if your big day isn’t coming up quite so soon, you should still consider paying a visit to the gardens. But why?

The gardens are a fantastic place to walk dogs, and are open for your furry friends to take a stroll around the premises everyday, outside of special events.
The gardens often have special events such as the Spring Garden Festival – the perfect time to see all of the new flowers come into bloom and the Moonlight Walk – a breathtaking event where the paths and gardens are lit with unique laser lights and live music is played so that you can enjoy the sites of the gardens and explore the emerging wildlife during the evening.

October 13, 2019 by Jeremy Leave a Comment

Festivals Gainesville Florida – You Won’t Want To Miss

If you are somewhat of a festival junkie, then you should definitely check out the awesome festivals held in Gainesville Florida. Festivals in Gainesville go far beyond your run of the mill music festival, as a large number of festivals held in Gainesville are cultural events, with opportunities to learn something new displayed in a fun and adventurous way. Festivals held in Gainesville Florida often include craft shows, art festivals medieval fares and more.

But don’t get me wrong as Gainesville Florida also know how to throw a great party and also hold many beer festivals, music festivals and jest fests throughout the course of the year.

Are you ready to see what is awaiting you at the next festival in Gainesville Florida? Then take a look at the following list of the very best festivals you would be nuts to miss out on.

Art Festivals In Gainesville

Spring Arts Festival.

Held at Santa Fe College, the Spring Arts Festival in Gainesville is one of the most popular educational festivals in the state.

The festival is an annual event held at the college and has already been running for over 50 years. The festival takes place during the spring month of April, to celebrate the changing seasons with some of the best artwork. Admission is usually free to get into the festival and each year brings some bright and colorful artwork in the form of paintings, sculptures, handmade jewelry, and crafts not to mention live jazz music that perfectly matches this outdoor festival and inspires art lovers.

The Downtown Festival and Art Show.

The Downtown Festival and Art Show is very popular. It has been running for almost 40 years and draws in crowds of more than 80,000 thanks to the fantastic art quality displayed at the festival and the magical atmosphere.

At this festival, you can expect a first class mix of vivid oil and acrylic paintings, relaxing watercolors, delicate sculptures, artisan jewelry, jaw dropping photography and more. All of this mixed together with fantastic food trucks that will help you to get the most out of this two day festival.

Food and Drink Festivals In Gainesville

Hogtown Craft Beer Festival

If you are a fan of a pint or two then you will love the Hogtown Craft Beer Festival held in Gainesville Florida.

Do you fancy trying your hand at brewing your own beer at home? Then you will love the homebrewing demonstrations at this festival that will let you in on all of the tips and tricks that will help you make the very best homemade pint ever tasted.

Not only that, but you will also be able to enjoy a drink of local and national craft beers that will tickle your tastebuds this festival season.

To top it all off, you will be able to sit back and sip a pint while unwinding to the best live music and enjoy the flavors of the on-site food trucks.

My favorite thing about this event is that there is no entry fee charged for those who will enter as designated drivers, making this a great event for everyone (over 21 of course!).

Embers Wood Grill Wine And Food Festival.

Introducing you to one of the newer festivals to pop up in Gainesville Florida, but boy has it made an entrance as a fantastically flavorsome food and wine festival.

Unwind throughout three days on site sipping the finest wine and tucking into the most exquisite and gourmet food. It doesn’t get any better than sitting back and listening to the sounds of live music and sampling some of the most flavorsome and palatable wines from the Jordan and Napa valleys.

Not a big fan of the red? Not to worry, as at this festival you will have the opportunity to choose from hundreds of drinks, also including an extensive array of champagnes and liquors that have been carefully selected to complement and enhance the fine taste of the food on the menu.

Animal Festivals in Gainesville

Bat Festival.

Every year around Halloween, you will be able to enjoy the sights of a bat festival in Gainesville. Not only will you be able to learn more about these magnificent creatures, but you will also be able to catch sightings of some of the most interesting bats native to the area.

Make sure your RSVP as this event is popular!

Butterfly Festival.

Are you ready to take a trip down to the Florida Museum of Natural History? This annual festival is massively popular with families as you will be able to see some of the most colorful and delicate butterflies and snap pictures of the beauties flying around gracefully in an eye catching scenery.

If you are a butterfly fan, you will also love a special part of this festival that will teach you a few tricks and tips on how you can attract more butterflies into your backyard.