MILTON — Upcoming North Okaloosa County events and surrounding area activities are as follows.
PIONEER DAY: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, 4281 State Road 20, Niceville. Family-oriented event. Activities include making rag dolls, dipping candles, churning butter and learning pioneer survival skills. Demonstrations include campfire cooking, blacksmithing and beekeeping. A 19th century chuck wagon will be on display, as well as toys and fishing tackle from days gone by. Children will enjoy the storyteller. Food concessions available. Admission costs $5 per car with up to eight people. No pets allowed. Rain date, noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 19. Details: 833-9144.
GLOBAL MISSION GIFT FAIR: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 19, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church's Christian Life Center, 363 Miracle Strip, Fort Walton Beach. Theme: 20 Years of Sharing God’s Love. The fair focuses on feeding those in the world who still hunger—both at home and abroad. Eight booths (four local organizations and four global ones) will offer ministries one can support while giving Christmas gifts to loved ones in the process. There will also be a gift shop and a bake sale. June Gunnerson, 651-5955.
WASTE PRO HOLIDAY CLOSURE, SCHEDULE: Waste Pro will be closed Nov. 23 in observance of Thanksgiving. Residential garbage collection will take place Nov. 27 instead. Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) and Friday recycling will be picked up Nov. 24.
HOLIDAY VICTORIAN TEA: 2 p.m. Dec. 16, Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Experience a history program about Victorian tea etiquette, costume, and holiday traditions while enjoying a variety of teas and light refreshments. Cost is $18 per person, or $16 for museum members. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Reservations are required due to limited space. RSVP: 678-2615.
EMERALD COAST CHRISTMAS MIRACLE CHILDREN’S FIESTA: 1-7 p.m. Dec. 17, Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Free giveway for needy families. New toys for all who attend. The 1-2 p.m. hour is only for families with kids with disabilities. The public will be allowed to enter at 2 p.m. Food, games, DJs, singers, church choirs, clowns, magicians, dance contests for bikes and more. Free coats courtesy of the United Way’s Coats for Kids program will also be given out. Business sponsorship opportunities, volunteers and monetary or in-kind donations welcome. Visit www.unitedforagoodcause.org for details, or see the group's Facebook page. David, 368-3505, or Estela, 305-3686 or e-mail united4agoodcause@gmail.com.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEETING: 3 p.m. Dec. 14, training room of the Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 Eglin Parkway, Shalimar. Meeting schedule and location are subject to change. For updates and agendas, visit www.wfrpc.org or email tiffany.bates@wfrpc.org, or 332-7976, extension 217.
BLACKMAN FIRE DISTRICT BOARD: 7 p.m. first Mondays, 1850 U.S. Highway 2, Baker.
CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.
CRESTVIEW HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD: 5:15 p.m. third Mondays, 371 Hickory Ave. W, Crestview. Open to the public.
CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.
MILLIGAN WATER SYSTEM BOARD: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, 5340 U.S. Highway 4.
BAKER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays in the Baker Area Public Safety Building, 1375 19th St.
REP. JAYER WILLIAMSON OFFICE HOURS: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first and third Thursdays, Okaloosa County Extension office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. Call 995-3698 for an appointment.
LAUREL HILL CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, City Hall.
DORCAS FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, 5232 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview, off Highway 90.
HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90, Holt.
ALMARANTE VOLUNTEER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Almarante Fire Station, 3710 Old California Road, Laurel Hill.
OKALOOSA-WALTON NORTH OKALOOSA FIRE DISTRICT: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, fire station 82, 5549 John Givens Road, Crestview.
HOLT FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90.
HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station.
LAUREL HILL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m., second Fridays, in Laurel Hill City Hall's fire department office.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EVENTS: for chamber members and their employees. Details: 682-3212 or info@crestviewchamber.com. http://www.crestviewchamber.com.
AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE MEETING: 8:30 a.m. Nov. 29, Crestview chamber office, 107 Commerce Blvd. Become more involved in the Crestview chamber of commerce, network and grow your business. Amber Ellis or Karen Donaldson, ambassadors@crestviewchamber.com.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What's happening in North Okaloosa County