Tate’s Hell 5K, Bay Fest return to St. James Bay Saturday

In a welcome respite from the flurry of this week’s hurricane preparations, the Tate’s Hell 5K and Bay Fest is alive and well and on schedule, as it provides a full day of outdoor adventure this Saturday, Oct. 1 as the event returns to St. James Bay Golf Resort.

Activities include a 5K, bike safety rodeo, live music, Key lime pie tasting and bake-off, auction, food specials, and pickleball tournament. 

At 8 a.m. the day kicks off with the seventh annual Tate’s Hell 5K, along a scenic course that backs onto Tate’s Hell on the Crooked River. The course winds through the forest and meanders through wetlands (via a boardwalk) along the Audubon sanctuary golf course and surrounding neighborhood. All ages are welcome to join this run and walk; registrations are still welcome including on Race Day. 

Families, including children age 3 and up, are encouraged to join in the free Bike Safety Rodeo from 10 a.m. to noon. Those who complete this bike safety course receive an AAA bike safety certification. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets for a safety check and fitting. A limited number of loaner bikes and helmets will be available. The first 50 children riders will receive a free helmet and shirt and several bikes will be raffled off! For more info on the rodeo, call 850-345-1379.

The fun continues with Rockulla Music rockin’ the stage at Bay Fest from 9:30 until 11 a.m. Returning for a second year will be local faves, Blues Meets Girl, from 11 a.m. to noon. 

New this year will be a Key lime pie tasting and bake-off at 11 a.m. Participants are invited to enter their key lime pie in the bake off, or sample the pies as part of the tasting. 

The auction starts at 9 a.m, plus there’s food specials all day, and SUNTrail bike trail info. 

Starting at 10 a.m. pickleball tournament competitors at both beginner and intermediate levels will be hitting the courts. The tournament, hosted by the St. James Bay Pickleball Club, is expected to last until 2 p.m. Guests are encouraged to watch the play, and cheer on their favorite team and learn how to get involved in this fun game. 

All proceeds from this event go to support the Franklin County Senior Center in Carrabelle. 

This year’s sponsors include C-Quarters Marina, Carrabelle Artist Association, Centennial Bank, Crawfordville Rentals LLC, Crystal Clear Auto Glass of North Florida, Golden Construction, Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant, Metcalfe Family, Sandy Beach Properties, Sea Crest Real Estate, St. James Bay Golf Resort, and Weems Memorial Hospital.

St. James Bay Golf Resort is at 151 Laughing Gull Lane, Carrabelle. For more information and registration forms, go to www.franklincountyseniorcenter.org/ Or contact BeLinda Wharton, event director, at bhwharton@gmail.com or 850-544-5410.