There are definitely certain experiences that are considered Florida-specific that may seem unusual to some. These unusual experiences tend to unite state residents in a way that is hard to describe. Whether it’s a tropical depression forming deep in the Atlantic, or a traffic jam on 95 that has everyone standing still for a moment together, these 10 experiences bring Florida residents one way or another. Take a look.
- Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition
Flickr Anne Ruthmann The Siesta Key Crystal Classic is one of the most spectacularly unique experiences in Florida. Sand sculpting experts gather together and bring the crowds to see their one-of-a-kind creations come to life. Nothing brings people together quite like castles made out of pure Florida sand.
- The Annual Possum Festival
Flickr Shannon McGee Every year in Wausau, Florida there is an annual possum festival that brings people from all over the state. Enjoy yourself a pancake breakfast, see who is crowned Possum King & Queen and as always, hold a possum for photo ops.
- Hurricanes & Tropical Storms
Flickr NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Nothing unites a state quite like a hurricane. Especially during the milder hurricanes, where you can just kick back and wait until it passes. There is something unifying about grocery shopping for supplies, knowing the majority of Floridians will have the news on at home, and knowing what the pitter patter of rain against storm shutters sounds like.
- College Football
Flickr Gainesville Apartments College football in Florida is truly an unusual experience because really, there is no other place that does football quite like us. And if there is one thing that can unite a group of complete strangers in Florida, it’s cheering on their favorite college football team on a warm autumn afternoon.
- Gator Wrestling
Flickr William Warby Gator wrestling is a time honored tradition in Florida that brings people together to witness one of the strangest things—getting up close and personal with an alligator. Floridians know a thing or two about gator wrestling, and for those who do, it’s like a secret club that only an elite few are a part of.
- Eating Wild Game
Flickr Rob Nothing is more unusual of an experience than eating very rare wild game. Especially at the annual event known as The Wild Game Feast in DeLand. Tackle a few of the exotic delicacies, such as venison, gator tail, frog legs, wild boar stew, and of course, fried rattlesnake.
- Gasparilla Pirate Parade
Flickr Florida Fish and Wildlife What could be more of a unique Florida experience than grown adults dressing up as pirates and parading through the streets of Tampa every year? Gasparilla Pirate Festival is an honored tradition which brings together thousands of Floridians to celebrate the way the old swashbucklers used to.
- Airboat Tours
Flickr Elin B. Airboat tours are an unusual experience unto themselves. Cruising at high speeds through the swamps like you’re floating on air. You won’t find too many airboat tours anywhere else in the country, which is why Florida reigns supreme. If you ask around, a common denominator among many Floridians is that they have taken an airboat ride at least once in their lifetime.
- Daytona 500
Flickr tequila mike This 500-mile-long motor race is held every year in Daytona Beach, Florida and brings together state residents like never before. It’s an unusual thing to know that thousands of Floridians are either at the race or watching on TV, collectively cheering on their favorite driver or team.
- Traffic Jams
Flickr Victor Bezrukov There is something oddly uniting about a traffic jam in Florida. Despite being highly frustrating, Florida traffic jams can be so exhaustive, that you look around and see everyone singing along to the radio, windows down, just trying to keep the last bit of their sanity intact.
How many of these can you say have brought you closer to your fellow Floridians? If you got a kick out of reading this, then you might enjoy reading about the strangest laws in Florida you never knew existed.
Flickr Anne Ruthmann
The Siesta Key Crystal Classic is one of the most spectacularly unique experiences in Florida. Sand sculpting experts gather together and bring the crowds to see their one-of-a-kind creations come to life. Nothing brings people together quite like castles made out of pure Florida sand.
Flickr Shannon McGee
Every year in Wausau, Florida there is an annual possum festival that brings people from all over the state. Enjoy yourself a pancake breakfast, see who is crowned Possum King & Queen and as always, hold a possum for photo ops.
Flickr NASA’s Marshall Space Flight
Nothing unites a state quite like a hurricane. Especially during the milder hurricanes, where you can just kick back and wait until it passes. There is something unifying about grocery shopping for supplies, knowing the majority of Floridians will have the news on at home, and knowing what the pitter patter of rain against storm shutters sounds like.
Flickr Gainesville Apartments
College football in Florida is truly an unusual experience because really, there is no other place that does football quite like us. And if there is one thing that can unite a group of complete strangers in Florida, it’s cheering on their favorite college football team on a warm autumn afternoon.
Flickr William Warby
Gator wrestling is a time honored tradition in Florida that brings people together to witness one of the strangest things—getting up close and personal with an alligator. Floridians know a thing or two about gator wrestling, and for those who do, it’s like a secret club that only an elite few are a part of.
Flickr Rob
Nothing is more unusual of an experience than eating very rare wild game. Especially at the annual event known as The Wild Game Feast in DeLand. Tackle a few of the exotic delicacies, such as venison, gator tail, frog legs, wild boar stew, and of course, fried rattlesnake.
Flickr Florida Fish and Wildlife
What could be more of a unique Florida experience than grown adults dressing up as pirates and parading through the streets of Tampa every year? Gasparilla Pirate Festival is an honored tradition which brings together thousands of Floridians to celebrate the way the old swashbucklers used to.
Flickr Elin B.
Airboat tours are an unusual experience unto themselves. Cruising at high speeds through the swamps like you’re floating on air. You won’t find too many airboat tours anywhere else in the country, which is why Florida reigns supreme. If you ask around, a common denominator among many Floridians is that they have taken an airboat ride at least once in their lifetime.
Flickr tequila mike
This 500-mile-long motor race is held every year in Daytona Beach, Florida and brings together state residents like never before. It’s an unusual thing to know that thousands of Floridians are either at the race or watching on TV, collectively cheering on their favorite driver or team.
Flickr Victor Bezrukov
There is something oddly uniting about a traffic jam in Florida. Despite being highly frustrating, Florida traffic jams can be so exhaustive, that you look around and see everyone singing along to the radio, windows down, just trying to keep the last bit of their sanity intact.
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