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Take it from Stephen Foster: head down to the Swannee

Suwannee River State Park, just south of the Florida line and only an hour’s drive away, has activities for all types of people. Almost every kind of outdoor activity imaginable is at your fingertips.
For the person who wants a weekend away from the stresses of classes and work, the cabins available do not come with telephones or television, so the vision of escaping it all is closer than you might think. These cabins sleep six comfortably for $100.00 a night. If you are looking for a cheaper option, over 30 campgrounds for tents or RVs are available for use.
If fishing is more of your thing, anyone can catch catfish, bass or panfish off the banks of the Suwannee River. You must have a Florida fishing license if you are over the age of 16, but these are not hard to obtain.
Take advantage of the spring weather coming up and rent a canoe or kayak from the park. The calm waters of the Suwannee are perfect for leisurely trips. If your sea legs aren’t in shape, you can still take a hike on the Suwannee River Trail along the banks of the river. The Sandhills Trail takes visitors from the picnic area to the Columbus Cemetery, which is believed to be one of the oldest cemeteries in Florida.
Thirty minutes down the road from the state park is the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and Campground, which hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Voted Best Live Music Venue in 2009, the park boasts a natural amphitheater for musical events such as Suwannee Springfest, which is March 25 through March 28. Wannee is one of the biggest music festivals in central Florida, with artists like The Allman Brothers, Widespread Panic and Gov’t Mule headlining. On April 21, the gates will open for Suwannee River Jam, the biggest country concert in the South. Featuring Zac Brown Band, Travis Tritt, John Michael Montgomery and Colt Ford, this is going to be a party you don’t want to miss. Tickets for all of these events are available online through www.muscliveshere.com.
The Suwannee River Bluegrass Association plays every Saturday night in the Pickin’ Shed at 6 p.m. for a night filled with music and dance. Pack a dinner and relax while listening to the music and when dinner is over, mini golf is available at $2.00 a person for your enjoyment.
Suwannee River State Park is located near Live Oak, Florida. Take exit 451 off of I-75. It is 4.5 miles south and you can’t miss the sign. Whether you want to escape into nature or join the party, the Suwannee River is the place to be.

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