Sand in the Coffee, Vol. 145: Foo Foo Fest, and how to do a Pensacola day trip without losing the beach
Put the phone down. Not the beach one, the ticket one. You do not need to buy anything yet.
why this week
Foo Foo Fest runs from Oct. 29 through Nov. 9 in downtown Pensacola, and the festival’s own program says there is at least one cultural, visual or musical event nearly every day of it. That is a rainy-day plan, a cool-front plan and a “the kids have seen the beach” plan, all at once. You can find the full calendar at foofoofest.com, and our own /events/ page is the place for what is happening closer to the Key.
the one that needs no ticket
Artel Gallery, at 223 S. Palafox St., is hosting an installation called Lightspill that the festival describes as blurring the line between architecture and art. It is open anytime during the festival, which makes it the easiest first stop. Walk in, look around, and you have already done a Foo Foo Fest.
how to split the day
- Beach first, city second. Late October mornings are the good ones: cool, quiet, a lot of firm sand. Check the flag and the water at /beach-today/ before you leave, and take your walk early.
- Head to town after lunch. Downtown is a drive from the Key, so leave yourself real time and don’t count on the first parking spot being the closest one. Give the trip more minutes than the map says.
- Pick one or two things, not six. The calendar is long. A day trip that tries to catch everything ends with a cranky toddler and a parking ticket. One gallery and one dinner is a good day.
- Eat in town. You are already there. Save the Key’s patios for the next night.
- Be back for the light. Sunset comes earlier all week, and the clocks go back Nov. 1. If you want the water at the end of the day, plan to be on the sand rather than on the road. Don’t take my word for the sky, the cam’s live at /live-cam/.
a note on the weather
Cool-front days are when the festival is at its best, because standing outdoors between events is a pleasure instead of a sacrifice. Bring a light jacket. You will carry it more than you wear it. That is what a jacket is for.
the short version
Beach in the morning, one stop downtown in the afternoon, home before dark. The festival will still be there tomorrow, and so will the Gulf.
— Chris
P.S. Know a restaurant, charter, shop, or event we’re missing? Add it — free, Florida side or Alabama side: /submit/
