Carrabelle Cares

The Carrabelle Riverfront Festival is an opportunity to highlight some of Carrabelle's local attractions. The festival occurs in a historically important area of Carrabelle.  Although the city  was established in 1893, the area was inhabited by indians going back at least 2000 years.  Archealogical middens are located in areas adjacent to the festival grounds.

Another important historic era involves the Georgia Florida Alabama Railroad which terminated near the Carrabelle wharf pavilion at the southern end of Marine Street. 

Later in the 40s, Camp Gordon Johnston brought 35,000 troups to the area for the amphibious assault training in World War II.

Other historic industries and activities involved with lumber, sponging, commercial fishing and shrimping were also concentrated around the river on or near Marine Street.

Today, on Ave B, a historic building is the site for a new museum celebrating the rich culture of Carrabelle and its citizens.  This street will also serve as a focus point for Carrabelles history and the three museums that provide insight into the many aspects of our local history.  

Located on the Big Bend National Scenic By-Way, our community is proud of its three museums.  Be sure and stop in and support these important festival partners.

The Carrabelle History Museum will be open to visitors throughout the festival.

Guided Walking Tours of Historic Carrabelle, conducted by Guided Tours in Florida’s Capital and the Forgotten Coast will leave from the museum at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM Saturday and Sunday.  From the Museum on Avenue B, the guide will point out local points of history including the Civil War “Skirmish of Carr’s Hill”.

The Carrabelle History Museum proudly displays artifacts and relics from Carrabelle’s various economic incarnations as a lumber town, sponging port, Army town, seafood exporter and sleepy fishing village.  

The recently renovated Crooked River Lighthouse and Keeper’s House Museum will be celebrating the Riverfront Festival with opportunities to climb the lighthouse on Saturday and Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM.

The 115 year old Lighthouse, re-commissioned in 2004 as an aid to navigation, stands 103 feet tall among the North West Florida pines.

Pick up your ticket at the Crooked River Lighthouse Keeper’s House Museum and Gift Shop or at the festival’s exhibit on “Museum” Ave B and Marine Street.

Carrabelle was the sight of a major amphibious training camp World War II.  Camp Gordon Johnston was known as Camp Bell during its active years, hosted 35,000 troops in heavy preparation for the D-Day assault.

The Camp Gordon Johnston Museum located at the new Carrabelle city hall complex at 1001 Gray Street, will be open to visitors during festival hours.  The museum will also be showing off their amphibious assault vehicle on “Museum” Ave B both Saturday and Sunday of the festival.