We have already begun to see our friends from up north start trickling down to sunny and warm Burnt Store Marina. And in November, one of the really great things we begin to see is an abundance of outdoor events – fairs and festivals. Nearly every town in Florida sponsors some kind of outdoor celebration that includes music, arts & crafts, and of course, food. Some are listed below, and I have included some recurring holidays, too.
November 1 – 2: Florida International Air Show, Punta Gorda
Highlights of the 2025 Florida International Air Show include: Dynamic performances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the F-16 Viper Demo Team, and a versatile roster of acts, including Aarron Deliu, Doug Litton, and The Chuters Jump Team. Tickets On Sale Now: floridaairshow.com
November 2: End of Daylight Savings Time. This Sunday, remember to turn your clocks, at 2 a.m., back one hour to 1 a.m. Or, take the easier way, get up at your regular hour and turn them back then.
November 7 – 8: American Indian Arts Celebration, Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation.
This is Native American Heritage month, and what would be better than to celebrate with the Seminoles at their annual celebration of culture, arts, dance and music. Features exhibitors, Native American entertainment, indigenous food, critter shows, crafts and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free parking and entrance to the museum. Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, 34725 West Boundary Road, Clewiston 877-902-1113. www.ahtahthiki.com
The Marine Corps Birthday is on November 10, and celebrates the establishment of the U.S. Marine Corp in 1775.
In the U.S.A., Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. Today is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans are thanked for their services to the United States on Veterans Day. Burnt Store Marina celebrates Veterans Day the following weekend, with proceeds benefiting needy veterans and their families. For information, see the article in this Beacon for Wish for Our Heroes Foundation.
November 12 is National Happy Hour Day. While it’s a celebration in and of itself, it is such a beloved tradition that it’s worthy of having a day to celebrate it. Happy hour socials started as a bonding ritual among sailors in the U.S. Navy during World War I, but it didn’t take long for the rest of the nation to adopt them. So, every November 12 we celebrate National Happy Hour Day. Drink up!
National Pickle Day is an unofficial holiday which is celebrated every year on November 14. The purpose of this holiday is to recognize the importance of the pickle. It’s a food that people generally don’t think about – until a restaurant puts it next to your sandwich. So, if you’re a fan of pickles and want to honor the contributions they have made to the modern diet, then today is a great day to do it. All you need to do is grab your favorite jar of pickles and dig in.
National Fast Food Day is observed annually on November 16. This holiday celebrates a uniquely American cuisine – the fast food restaurant. The first fast food restaurant to open up in the United States was White Castle. This company was founded by Walter Anderson and Billy Ingram in Wichita, Kansas in 1921. This restaurant was considered to be ahead of its time for several different reasons. One, they sold hamburgers for a nickel each. Two, this restaurant allowed customers to see how their food was being prepared, and three, the food was served quickly and efficiently.
November 20 is set aside for The Great American Smokeout. The decision to quit smoking can feel overwhelming. Often, the hardest part is simply making the actual decision to quit. To help people take this important first step, the American Cancer Society sponsors the Great American Smokeout, challenging smokers to start by giving up cigarettes for 24 hours. If you or a loved one smokes cigarettes, consider taking the first step toward quitting cigarettes forever!
November 22: St. Jude’s 5k Walk – Burnt Store Marina
Join other residents and visitors in raising funds on behalf of St. Judes Hospital for Children. Starting 9:30 a.m., 3929 Cape Cole Blvd.
November 27 is Thanksgiving Day. Today we in the United States give thanks for our many, many blessings. Modern Thanksgiving was first officially called for in all states in 1863 by a presidential proclamation of Abraham Lincoln, creating a national Thanksgiving on the final Thursday in November. On December 26, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a joint resolution of Congress changing the national Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday in November.
November 27 – 30: Daytona Turkey Run, Daytona Beach.
Take a walk down memory lane and relive a 46-year tradition with the Daytona Turkey Run, the largest combined classic car show and swap meet in the United States! Four days of family fun at Daytona International Speedway! The annual Daytona Turkey Run is a car enthusiast’s dream held each Thanksgiving weekend in the infield of the World Center of Racing. Special features include swap meet vendors, a Car Corral of thousands of cars available for purchase, and handmade art, crafts and fashion – perfect for holiday shopping. Daytona International Speedway,1801 West International Speedway Boulevard. http://www.turkeyrun.com
