March 2017 fun events in Pensacola FL

There are just a few days left for Mardi Gras celebrations. We will be heading over to Jackson's Steakhouse tonight to Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler with Chef Leon Galatoire of New Orleans. After the last parade rolls on Tuesday, I will be looking to sign up for some local runs.  The first one up is the Bayou Hills Run 10K-5K-Kids Run on March 4, 2017. The Bayou Hills Run is sponsored by the Creative Learning Academy and is a family-friendly 10K-5K and Kids One Mile Run in Bayview Park through the hills of East Hill in Pensacola. You can check out this run and others in the area using the following sites: pensacolarunners.com, eventbrite.com, localraces.com/destin-fl.

The 2nd annual Grog March pub crawl will be starting at O'Riley's Irish Pub Downtown March 4, 2017. The entry fee is any two non-perishable food items as a donation for Manna Food Pantries. Each crawler will be given a t-shirt while supplies last and a passport they can complete to be eligible for the raffle at O'Riley's later that night. Official Grog March 22-oz mugs can be purchased at the beginning of the crawl.

Of course, we can't think of St. Patricks Day without giving props to the Annual McGuire's St. Patrick's Day Prediction 5K Run on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at 9 am. This 5K course starts and finishes at McGuire's Irish Pub in Downtown Pensacola. You must be able to run or walk 3.1 miles in under one hour. The course will open to traffic at 10 a.m. Stragglers will be picked up by McGuire's bus. This event brings thousands of runners to downtown Pensacola every year on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. Last year the race numbers reportedly stretched well into the five-digit territory and included a 2,000-plus formation of U.S. Marines.

At opposite sides of the spectrum is the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Presents: Mahler Symphony No. 3 and the Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire. On March 4, 2017, at the Saenger Theatre, the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra takes on this mammoth piece for what will be an incredible evening of live music. Guests include Susan Platts, mezzo-soprano, UWF Women's Chorus, and the Pensacola Children's Chorus.  All seats are reserved so plan ahead.

The Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire rides into town March 4th & 5th, 2017. Thousands gather at the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds to witness the spectacle of armored combat, the thunderous clash of jousters, the swirl of a dancer's costume and to sample the wares of merchants who have traveled from afar. Time to Get Medieval!

The City of Gulf Breeze and Gulf Breeze Arts, Inc. presents the 23rd Annual Fine Arts Festival March 11, 2017 - March 12, 2017. Located in the Gulf Breeze High School-Parking Lot, this festival signals the beginning of spring to local art lovers. "Gulf Breeze Celebrates the Arts" is free to the public and includes over 140 artists.

The 20th Annual Cobia Tournament spans the entire month of March and is presented by HarborWalk Marina.  The Kickoff Party will be held at Harry T's Lighthouse on March 8th from 6-8pm. The tournament begins when the first fish is caught and ends April 30th at 8 PM. All events are free and open to the public.