Gulf County’s Scallop Festival, Franklin’s budget hearing, Labor Day weekend markets, September fishing openings, and Sharon’s Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings.
St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf County zone remain closed to recreational bay scallop harvest this season. Franklin and Wakulla waters are governed by their separate open-zone season through September 24. Read the FWC closure notice →
Franklin County takes up its tentative budget, Carrabelle opens a new WWII exhibit, and Labor Day weekend markets return across the coast.
Gag grouper and greater amberjack seasons are open, while Gulf County’s scallop-zone closure remains an important reminder.
Sharon Rigsby brings crisp Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings to the Coastal Kitchen for Labor Day weekend.
The Gulf County Scallop Festival returns September 5–6 for Labor Day weekend. This year carries an unusual footnote: the festival continues while the Gulf County recreational scallop zone, including St. Joseph Bay, remains closed to harvest so the resource can recover.
Read this week’s lead story →Franklin County commissioners hold the first public hearing on the FY 2026–27 tentative budget Thursday at 5:15 p.m. Eastern at Fort Coombs Armory in Apalachicola.
Public hearing details →Recreational gag grouper and greater amberjack seasons opened September 1 in Gulf waters. Anglers should check current FWC rules before heading offshore.
Check current FWC regulations →The Panacea Community Garden Farmers Market returns Saturday, September 5, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. with produce, eggs, honey, baked goods, handmade items, and local neighbors.
A special Operation Market Garden exhibit runs through October 3 at Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle. The museum is open Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., with free admission.
Sharon Rigsby’s crisp lemon pepper wings take about 40 minutes and get finished in a buttery lemon-pepper sauce — an easy fit for Labor Day weekend or football afternoon.
Get Sharon’s recipe →
September 1 brought the opening of recreational gag grouper and greater amberjack seasons in Gulf waters. Gag grouper is open through September 30, while greater amberjack runs through October 13, subject to current size, bag, vessel, and state/federal-water regulations.
FWC saltwater regulationsLabor Day weekend puts plenty of us on the water, at a festival, around a market table, or sitting down somewhere for supper. Behind those easy moments are people running boats, cooking meals, setting up tents, stocking ice, cleaning rooms, and opening shops. Spend a little locally and be good to the folks making the weekend happen.
A Gulf County tradition returns, two fishing seasons open, Franklin talks budget, weekend markets, and Sharon’s crispy lemon pepper wings.
Franklin County economic planning, a St. George Island full-moon climb, Apalachicola Bay oysters, September fishing openings, and Sharon’s Banana Nut Bread Mini Muffins.
Election results across three counties, Gulf County’s scallop closure, new pediatric care in Port St. Joe, coastal picks, and Sharon’s Creole Shrimp Toast.