Things to do in Pensacola: Beach Firefighter’s Challenge; Fred Levin Way Fest; PaddleFest

Seven days out is your guide to entertainment events, concerts, festivals and activities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

MONDAY

Monday Night Blues

7 p.m. Monday, April 1. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Seville Quarter and the Blues Society of Northwest Florida are bringing the “blues” back to the Seville Quarter Entertainment District. The event features live blues music and "BBQ and Bud" food and drink specials. More info: 850-434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.

TUESDAY

Mad Violets Wine Dinner

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9. The District: Seville Steak & Seafood, 123 E. Government St. Enjoy a five-course Mad Violets Wine Dinner with husband and wife winemaker Kelly Kidneigh and winegrower Stirling Fox, from Willamette Valley, Oregon. Prepared by The District's executive chef, Josh Warner. $125. More info: lisa@districtsteaks.

Bands on the Beach

7 p.m. Tuesday, April 9. Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach, Pensacola Beach. Bands on the Beach is Pensacola Beach's popular outdoor summer concert series with performers for every musical taste. Featuring a lineup of regional artists, the series delivers an eclectic musical experience throughout the entire summer. This week features Karli Ryan. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free. More info: 850-932-2257 or visitpensacolabeach.com.

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THURSDAY

PaddleFest

3 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday, April 11 through 13. Big Lagoon State Park, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway. PaddleFest features a variety of water and land activities, including short and long guided paddles along inland rivers and the intracoastal, guided hikes, and self-guided tours of local attractions. Attendees may also enjoy catered meals and social gatherings, including an evening social with appetizers on Thursday. The event will begin with a meet and greet at the newly restored Big Lagoon Governors Pavilion. More info: floridapaddlingtrails.com/2024-paddlefest.

Rally For Recovery

6 p.m. Thursday, April 11. Olive Baptist Church, 1836 E. Olive Road. Olive Baptist Church is hosting the Rally For Recovery featuring over 20 partner organizations onsite offering resources to families with loved ones struggling with addiction in addition to a special performance of PCARA Production’s gospel stage play Fentanyl Ain’t Got Nothing on the Word of God in the Worship Center. Free. More info: olivebaptist.org.

The Toasters

7 p.m. Thursday, April 11. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. The Toasters will perform live in concert with Operation Hennessey. $12 in advance; $15 at the door. More info: thehandlebar850.com.

Black Jacket Symphony presents Prince's Purple Rain

8 p.m. Thursday, April 11. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. The Black Jacket Symphony offers a unique concert experience through recreating classic albums in a live performance setting. A selected album is performed in its entirety by a group of handpicked musicians specifically selected for each album, with no sonic detail being overlooked--the musicians do whatever it takes to musically reproduce the album. The performance is separated into two sets. The first set features the album being recreated as a true symphonic piece. The second set features a selection of the album artist's greatest hits. Tickets start at $36. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.

FRIDAY

Pensacola Beach Firefighter’s Challenge

5 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday, April 12 and 13. Pensacola Beach. Get ready for the toughest firefighter challenge in the country. Test your skill, strength, and stamina on the sugar-white sands of Pensacola Beach. Register a team or challenge yourself and do the course solo. Use the challenge as a way to build camaraderie, compete, have fun, and win. There will be individual and team firefighter challenges, as well as individual and team civilian challenges. Civilians will use the same course as the firefighters. More info: pensacolasports.org/penbeachfirefighters.

Spring Break Riley Green Duckman Jam

5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13. Flora-Bama Lounge & Package, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. Spring Break just got a lot hotter. Riley Green is bringing the Duckman Jam to the Flora-Bama for a two-day beach concert featuring country music stars such as Tracy Lawrence, Drake White, Ella Langley and Jake Worthington. For ages 18 and older. Tickets start at $49. More info: 850-492-0611 or florabama.com.

PRECUBED

7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Friday, April 12. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Vinyl is hosting the return of PRECUBED featuring Ego Death, Ynicorns and Grave Chorus. Free. For all ages. More info: vinylmusichall.com.

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SATURDAY

Wheels & Waves – Navarre Beach Vintage Festival

7 a.m. Saturday, April 13. Navarre Beach Lifeguard Headquarters, 8640 Blue Heron Court, Navarre Beach. Wheels & Waves is the only car, truck, motorcycle, and surfboard show on the Emerald Coast. Day of registration for cars and trucks is $35. Enter for a chance to win Top 25 awards, Best of Show, and Chief’s Awards. Motorcycles and surfboards are donation entries. All proceeds go towards the Beach Safety Program. More info: getrelaxing.com.

The annual Plant Sale

9 a.m. Saturday, April 13. The UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners invite the public to attend the 2024 annual Plant Sale at 6263 Dogwood Drive in Milton. The event features a variety of community resources including over 1,500 native and Florida-Friendly plants, Florida-Friendly landscaping educational booth, wildflower education booths, Butterflies in Motion exhibit, plant clinic, and coffee and food trucks. More info: sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu.

Woofstock 2024

9 a.m. Saturday, April 13. Pik-itz Arts & Antiques, 1922 U.S. 87, Navarre. The Navarre Chamber hosting the inaugural pet party Woofstock 2024. Dogs and their families will be invited to gather on the back lawn of Pik-itz for a day of pet-friendly vendors, food trucks, live music, pet contests, and raffles. More info: getrelaxing.com.

Navarre Beach Pier Arts, Crafts and Makers Market

10 a.m. Saturday, April 13. Navarre Beach Pier, 8579 Gulf Blvd., Navarre Beach. The Navarre Beach Pier is hosting a market featuring live music throughout the day along with free beer and spirits tastings. Booths are offered to local vendors at no charge. More info: getrelaxing.com.

Top Secret Missions

10 a.m. Saturday, April 13. National Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd. The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum are presenting “Top Secret Missions” for military children honoring the Month of the Military Child. Military families are invited to a morning filled with adventure and learning as children aged 13 and younger participate in top secret missions alongside dedicated base support teams. The event features a lineup of exhibitors, including the Pensacola Lighthouse, NCIS, NAS Pensacola Fire Department, the Navy’s Working Dog division, and the Crash Response Team. Free for military children aged 13 and younger, but registration is required. More info: navalaviationmuseum.org.

850 R&B Festival featuring Lyfe Jennings

3 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds, 6655 W. Mobile Highway. The Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds is hosting the 850 R&B Festival featuring Lyfe Jennings and friends. The show also features performances by Da Hawg and music by DJ Sammy Sam, DJ Millz and DJ Hale. Chairs and coolers are welcome. Tickets start at $30. More info: pensacolafair.com.

Atmosphere

7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Saturday, April 13. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Atmosphere presents Tour De Friends Part Deux with special guests Hebl and NoFun. For over two decades, Atmosphere has maintained a course of rigorous output, releasing over two dozen studio albums, EP's and collaborative side projects in as many years. In that time, the venerated duo have built a legacy out of bringing honesty, humility and vulnerability to the forefront of their music, continually challenging themselves to evolve without straying too far from their roots. $30. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.

Grits and Greens

7 p.m. Saturday, April 13. The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Grits and Greens will perform live in concert with Bangarang Peter, LVVRS, and Heavy Weather. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. More info: thehandlebar850.com.

A Night at the Opera

7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. The stage is set, the lights are dimmed, and anticipation fills the air as Pensacola prepares to host a musical evening like no other. “A Night at the Opera” is set with an unforgettable concert experience that melds the power of classical orchestration with the enchanting voices of The Choral Society of Pensacola’s talented singers, all under the baton of the esteemed Pensacola Civic Band. Tickets start at $15. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.

SUNDAY

Fred Levin Way Fest: A Celebration of Giving

11 a.m. Sunday, April 14. The Fred Levin Way Foundation hosts the third annual Fred Levin Way Fest in historic downtown Pensacola, near Palafox and Government Street. The festival is a free community event celebrating the generosity of giving to families and individuals in need. Attendees can explore the free services of 60-plus nonprofits and receive numerous essential items. Activities at the festival include giveaways and prizes, kid’s games, food from local food trucks, DJ Albert Lao and a live performance from Jordan Chase (American Idol, The Voice). More info: fredlevinfest.com.

Blues on the Bay

6 p.m. Sunday, April 14. Community Maritime Park Hunter Amphitheater, 301 W. Main St. This free concert series is one of the most popular events for locals and visitors to spend the final hours of their weekend enjoying great music with family and friends in a great atmosphere. Concert spectators are invited to bring coolers and lawn chairs. Guests of all ages are encouraged to enjoy the cool breeze of the bay while listening and dancing to some of the region's best musical talent. This week features Nobius. More info: 850-436-5670.

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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Things to do in Pensacola: Beach Firefighter’s Challenge; Levin Fest