Thursday, October 22
There will be a special event on Thursday, Oct. 22, to encourage everyone to join the fight against breast cancer. The event will feature guest speakers, survival stories, information to help you understand your own personal risk of contracting breast cancer, early detection and screening resources and more. The event takes place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church, located at 134 SW Meeting Ave., in Madison. The event is being presented by the Florida Department of Health in Jefferson and Madison Counties, as well as the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation and Madison County Memorial Hospital. For more information, please contact jessicalong2@FLHealth.gov or call (850) 601-6164.
Friday and Saturday, October 23-24 and 30-31
Ragans Family Campground located in Madison, at 1051 SW Old St Augustine Rd, will have special halloween-themed contests on the last two weekends of October. Activities will include costume contests, pumpkin carving contests, trick-or-treating and more. For more information, call their office at (850)-973-8269.
Saturday, October 24
The 70th Annual Florida Forest Festival takes place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Forest Capital Park, in Perry, Fla. There will be The World’s Largest Free Fish Fry, lumberjack shows and competitions, live entertainment, hundreds of craft vendors, a classic car show, the King Tree Parade, a Carnival, an Equipment Show and so much more.
The Madison Church of God, located at 771 NE Colin Kelly Hwy., in Madison, will be having their annual Fall Fest from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. There will be Trunk or Treat, candy and prizes, games and food, music, hayrides and a pumpkin patch.
Macedonia Baptist Church will be holding their Old-Fashioned Day Festival from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. The event will feature sack races, egg-and-spoon races, apple bobbing, pumpkin games, water-pail relay, hayrides and other old-fashioned games that promise to be fun for all ages. There will be popcorn, cotton candy and peanuts available, as well as a meal that begins by 6:30 p.m. “Fun Costume Awards” include best bonnet, best overalls, best old-fashioned outfit, the best dressed family and the best little pioneer. The festivities are taking place at the church, located at 5539 E. US Hwy. 90, in Lee.
Timmy Dyke's birthday party barbecue is being held at Alvin Henderson Farms, located at 903 NE Cayenne Dr., in Lee. The party starts at 5 p.m.
Sunday, October 25
CrossPointe Madison Church is having a Fall Festival at their church, located at 688 N. Washington St., from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. There will be inflatables, food, games and live worship.
St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting their annual Fall Festival and trunk-or-treat from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. There will be decorated trunks with lots of candy, festival booths with games, food and more. Everything will be free, and everyone is encouraged to attend. For more information, please call (850) 464-0114, or visit their social media site at www.Facebook.com/SJMBCGreenville.
Monday, October 26 through Saturday, October 31
The Madison Public Library, located at 378 College Lp., in Madison, will be hosting Trick or Treating during their regular hours, which are from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Costumes are optional for the trick-or-treating.
Wednesday, October 28
The First Baptist Church, located at 134 SW Meeting Ave., in Madison, will have their Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat events starting at 5:30 p.m.
Friday, October 30
The Lee Public Library, located at 7783 US-90, in Lee, is hosting a Halloween Party from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. There will be Halloween treats, popcorn, a spooky crafts station and a viewing of a Halloween classic. The event is free and fun for the whole family.
Saturday, October 31
The seventh Annual Trunk or treat on Main Street in Madison will be hosted by Kimberly Jackson beginning at 5 p.m. The event is free to the public, and monetary donations or donations of candy are accepted.
Lee’s Second Annual Fall Festival will take place at two locations this year: Lee Town Hall, located at 286 NE Co. Rd. 255, in Lee, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.; and Lee First Baptist Church, located at 8157 E. US Hwy. 90, in Lee, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. To sign up for Trunk-or-Treat, call the Lee Library at (850) 971-5665. In addition to the Trunk-or-Treat, there will be hay rides, games and a cake walk, as well as hot dogs and chips.
If you’re looking for a local, safe, fun night of tricks and treats for your kids, come check out downtown trick-or-treating on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., on Range Ave., in Madison. Organized and presented by Cindy Poire, of the Madison Antiques Market, and with the help of other local businesses and programs, Madison closes the downtown roads to traffic, along with the section of US-90 in front of the courthouse, allowing for safe treat collection without the worry of traffic.
The First Baptist Church of Pinetta is hosting trunk-or-treat festivities from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Halloween celebration will have food, candy and games. The church is located at 10285 NE Colin Kelly Hwy., in Pinetta.
All of October
The Madison Church of God, located at 771 NE Colin Kelly Hwy., in Madison, will have their annual Pumpkin Patch every day of the month until 6 p.m.
Among the many Halloween activities available this year is a Pumpkin Painting and Decorating Contest, hosted by 11:1 Catering at Lake Frances in Madison. The contest is for painting and decorating pumpkins only, not for carving. There are different groups for submissions, including the “Pumpkin Sprouts,” for ages six and under; the “Pumpkin Pals,” for ages seven to 12; the “Pumpkin Pros,” for ages 13 to 17; the “Whole Vine Crew,” for anyone over 18 and for families; and the “Business Pumpkin Patch,” for all local businesses of any kind who may want to submit a pumpkin. All entries will be posted as they’re submitted, and you can vote for your favorite one on Facebook or in person at Lake Frances. Drop-offs are accepted from Friday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 23; voting will be open from Sunday, Oct. 25 until Friday, Oct. 30; winners will be announced on the final day of voting.
Every Monday through Friday
There is a seed lending library at the Madison Public Library, located at 378 College Lp., in Madison. It is open during normal hours and has various seasonal seeds available for checkout.
Every Monday
The Madison Public Library is currently hosting a chair aerobics with Ms. Ruby every Monday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. The library is located at 378 College Lp. in Madison. The Lee Public library hosts a similar class called “chair yoga” from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Lee Library is located at 7783 E. US Hwy. 90, in Lee.
Every Tuesday
The Madison Public Library hosts Lego and Game day at 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. for all ages, located at 378 College Lp. in Madison. There will be Legos to play with (or you can bring your own) as well as games aplenty!
At noon, the Lions Club holds its weekly meeting at Cucinella’s Brick Oven Pizzeria. At these meetings, they welcome new members and discuss community related topics. Cucinella’s is located at 201 SW Rutledge St., in Madison.
The Lee Public Library, located at 7783 E. US Hwy. 90, in Lee, hosts a food pantry from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. There, those in need can receive food donations at no cost, or those with extra to give can donate food to help their community.
The Perry Shrine Club is hosting bingo games at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., at their clubhouse, located at 1050 Courtney Rd., in Perry. You must be 18 or older to play, and all proceeds support the local Shrine Club’s community efforts.
Every Wednesday
A representative from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) will visit the Madison Public Library, located at 378 College Lp., in Madison, from 9 a.m. until noon. The representative will be able to help anyone apply for services and answer any questions.
At 12 p.m., the Madison Rotary Club meets in the Villa Maria Hall of St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, located at 301 N Orange Ave., in Madison. For more information, contact Chad Arnold, Secretary, at jcarnold@gmail.com or call (850) 673-8201.
The Lee Public Library has events of all kinds on Wednesdays, including Spanish Class at 1 p.m., Chair Yoga from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Chess Club at 3 p.m. and finally Magic: The Gathering Club at 4 p.m. The library is located at 7783 E. US Hwy. 90, in Lee.
Join the Edge of Town for a weekly pool tournament at 7 p.m. in Lee, at 8289 US-90. For any pool enthusiasts, this is the place to show your muster.
Every Thursday
Starting at 10 a.m., the Lee Public Library, located at 7783 E. US Hwy. 90, in Lee, has Ms. Jodis’s singalong, then storytime at 10:30 a.m., followed by a graphic novel at 3 p.m. and game afternoon at 4 p.m.
Join the Edge of Town for a weekly cornhole tournament and bingo at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. The tournament is blind-draw, double elimination. Located in Lee, at 8289 US-90.
At 10:30 a.m., the Madison Public Library hosts “storytime” for any children who want to hear a good book. At 3:30 p.m., they have their “Maker Space” meeting and STEM activities. If you’re looking to tickle your brain, come enjoy some creative learning at 378 College Lp., in Madison.
Every Friday
The Lee Public Library, located at 7783 E. US Hwy. 90, in Lee, hosts an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting from noon to 1 p.m., and then art club at 3 p.m. The library also hosts an after-school art club at 3 p.m., for those aged eight to 17.
Join the Edge of Town for Karaoke and Trivia every Friday night at 7 p.m. There will be fun karaoke, trivia, prizes and more. Located in Lee, at 8289 US-90.
Every first Monday
The 4-H Saddles & Spurs Club, for those aged five to 18, meets to learn about horses, leadership and outdoor skills at 6 p.m. They meet at the UF/IFAS Extension Office at 184 NW College Lp., in Madison. Call the Madison County Extension office at (850) 973-4138 for more information. You must be a 4-H member to participate.
American Legion Post 422, representing Lee, hosts their monthly meetings at 6:30 p.m., at 226 SE Lee School Ave. (The Old Lee School/Industrial Park), in Lee. You must be a member to participate.
Every second Monday
The Town of Greenville holds their Town Council Meetings at 6 p.m. at Greenville Town Hall, located at 154 SW Old Mission Ave., in Greenville, to discuss town policy and procedure. The meetings are open to the public.
Every first and third Monday
The Madison County School Board usually holds their meetings on every first and third Monday, barring any holidays, at 6 p.m. These meetings discuss matters relating to educational procedures and school systems and are open to the public. They happen at 210 NE Duval Ave., in Madison.
Every fourth Monday
The Madison County Democratic Party (DEC) meets at 5:30 p.m., at the Madison Public Library, located at 378 College Lp., in Madison.
The Republican Party of Madison County (GOP) meets at 7 p.m., at the Chamber of Commerce Agricultural building located in Madison at 182 NW College Lp..
The Lee Public Library will be hosting a Photography Club, for photographers of all experience levels to connect, share and inspire each other. The meetings will take place from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m., at 7883 E US Hwy. 90, in Lee.
Every first Tuesday
The American Legion Post 224/Auxiliary Club holds their monthly meetings at 7:30 p.m. at their post home, located at 4383 NE Cherry Lake Cir., in Madison.
The Town of Lee has their monthly meeting, open to the public, at the Lee City Hall at 7 p.m. The meeting takes place at 286 NE County Rd. 255, in Lee.
Every second Tuesday
The Madison City Commission meets monthly at 5:30 p.m. at Madison City Hall, located at 321 SW Rutledge St., in Madison. Here, Commissioners vote on local laws and review official matters related to the city’s functions.
The American Legion Riders meet at their post home at 7:30 p.m. at 4383 NE Cherry Lake Cir., in Madison.
The Lee Public Library has a Book Club meeting at 10 a.m. Located in Lee, at 7783 E. US Hwy. 90, the meeting is for all reading enthusiasts who want to discuss their love for literature.
The 4-H Creative Clovers, a sewing and crafts club for ages eight to 18, meets at 5:30 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Extension Office at 184 NW College Lp., in Madison. Call the Madison County Extension office at (850) 973-4138 for more information. You must be a 4-H member to participate.
Every third Tuesday
The Lee Public library, located at 7883 E. US Hwy. 90, in Lee, will be hosting a Stamp Collectors Club at 3:30 p.m., open to all experience levels, for anyone who loves stamps or wants to learn about the hobby. The club will be hosted by Jamie McCall.
Every second and fourth Tuesday
The Lee Public Library has a Lego Club, open to all ages, for anyone who loves Legos to come together for a fun afternoon. The meeting is at 4 p.m. at 7783 E. US Hwy. 90, in Lee.
Every second Wednesday
The American Legion Riders meet at their post home, located at 4383 NE Cherry Lake Cir., in Madison.
The 55 Plus Club of Madison will be meeting on the second Wednesday of every month, September through May, from noon until 1 p.m. at The United Methodist Center. The church is located at 1997 NE Colin Kelly Hwy., in Madison. The event is completely free and open to all Madison County residents aged 55 or older. There is a free lunch and a different guest speaker at every meeting.
The Madison County Chapter of the Charmettes, Inc. meets at 6 p.m. at the Madison Recreational Center, located at 297 Arnold St., in Madison. You must be a member to participate. To inquire about joining, contact Annie Jo Martin at (850) 290-6042.
Every second and fourth Wednesday
The Madison County Board of Commissioners meets at 9 a.m. on the second Wednesday of every month, and again on the fourth Wednesday of every month, at 6 p.m. They meet at the Courthouse Annex, located at 229 SW Pinckney St., Suite 107, in Madison. The meeting concerns all of Madison County’s cities and their various civic functions, and it is open to the public.
Every first Thursday
The Madison Garden Club has their meeting for gardeners to discuss strategies for gardening and their interests or plans for their gardens. The meeting is held at the Madison Woman’s Club building, located at 345 Lakeshore Dr., in Madison. The meetings are held at 11:30 a.m. until around 1 p.m.
The 4-H STEM Club, for ages eight to 18, meets at 5:30 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Extension Office at 184 NW College Lp., in Madison. Call the Madison County Extension office at (850) 973-4138 for more information. You must be a 4-H member to participate.
Every second Thursday
The Madison Woman’s Club has their monthly meeting at their building, located at 345 Lakeshore Dr., in Madison. Here, women are welcome to become part of their fellow female’s community and enjoy events and community projects they host.
The 4-H Community Club, for ages five to 18, meets to coordinate community service and learn about the importance of community involvement at 5:30 p.m. They meet at the UF/IFAS Extension Office at 184 NW College Lp., in Madison. Call the Madison County Extension office at (850) 973-4138 for more information. You must be a 4-H member to participate.
Every second and fourth Thursday
The Kiwanis Club of Madison meets from noon to 1 p.m. at the Madison County UF/IFAS Extension Office Meeting Room, located at 184 NW College Lp., in Madison. They welcome new members interested in community service.
Every third Thursday
The Madison Public Library, located at 378 College Lp., in Madison, hosts Genealogy for Everyone from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Here you will learn how to trace your family history. Any skill level is welcome to attend. Bring a laptop and any family information you have (birth/death dates or marriage certificates). From there you will be assisted in constructing your family tree. At this event, you will also learn about free online tools and library resources available, alongside access records and databases to find your ancestors for free. For more information, please contact Tammy Beauchamp at (941) 286-9682.
The 4-H Culinary Club, for ages five to 18, meets to learn how to cook and stay safe in the kitchen at 5:30 p.m. They meet at the UF/IFAS Extension Office at 184 NW College Lp., in Madison. Call the Madison County Extension office at (850) 973-4138 for more information. You must be a 4-H member to participate.
Every first Friday
The Madison Public Library, located at 378 College Lp., in Madison, has their monthly community acoustic gathering “SongFarmer” for locals to jam out together from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Every last Friday
The 4-H Homestead Homeschoolers meet at 10:30 a.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church to connect and discuss strategies for successfully homeschooling children. Their church is located at 323 NE Jay St., in Madison. You must be a member or parent of a member to participate.
Every second Saturday
The 4-H Shooting Sports/Archery Club, for ages eight to 18, meets at 9 a.m. at the Madison County Extension Office to learn how to shoot safely and responsibly. The meetings are at 184 NW College Lp., in Madison, and equipment is provided. You must be a 4-H member to participate.
Every third Saturday
The Greater Life Church hosts their Compassion in Action Crusade a t 177 SW Horry Ave., in Madison, to provide local families with support they may need, such as free clothing, food and drinks, household items and individual prayer and support. The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, please visit www.gplmadison.com.
Sunday, November 1 through Wednesday, November 4
St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, located at 5905 NW Lovett Rd., in Greenville, invites you to join them at their homecoming revival with Randy and Mary Perry for the church’s 80th Anniversary celebration. Sunday Morning, the revival begins at 10:30 a.m. Monday through Wednesday, evening service will be held at 7 p.m. A nursery for ages zero through seven will be provided nightly.
Monday, November 2 through Friday, November 20
Madison County’s 12th Annual Toys for Tots Program, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps has begun. Madison County Sheriff David Harper oversees the local Toys for Tots Program. He is assisted by Tammy Tuten of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and Kim Brandies, Charles River CFO. If you would like to donate unopened, unused toys, they may be dropped off at the MCSO or at the Madison County Community Bank. If your family or children are in need, you may come by the MCSO at 2364 W. US 90, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. to fill out an application. There are no guarantees that every family signed up will receive gifts through the program. For more information or to give a donation, please call Tammy Tuten at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 973-4151.
Saturday, November 7
Join the SJMBC Women’s Conference in November at the St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville. The event is hosted by the Women’s H.E.N.S. Ministry and will feature guest speaker Christy Bass Adams.
Pinetta Volunteer Fire Rescue and the Rescue Community Center will be hosting their Fall Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 401 NE Empress Tree Ave., in Pinetta. Vendors can sell anything except for food. Breakfast and lunch will be provided all day, and there are still free spaces available for vendors. If you want to reserve a space, call Sharon Shadrick at (850) 251-0999.
Wednesday, November 11
The Madison County community will come together to recognize and honor the men and women who have worn the uniform and have served the country. The parade begins at 11 a.m. and will make its way along US Hwy. 90 from behind O’Neal’s Buffet to downtown Madison. Vendors of all kinds will be set up at Four Freedoms Park. For more information, please contact Kaysona Jones at (850) 464-8456.
Saturday, December 5
Light Up Madison will make its yearly return to Madison for the holiday season. Hosted by the Kiwanis Club and Madison County Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature vendors, a parade and plenty of activities for the whole family. The event will start at 4 p.m. and the parade will start after sunset.