Sandhill Chapter - Florida Trail Association

FTA Activity: Gainesville -Hawthorne Trail Hike,
Sparks in the Park, Picnic and Fireworks: Happy New Year, 2026!

Description: Let’s gather to celebrate New Years Eve! We will hike down trail to Sweetwater Overlook and return (about 4 miles) to get a pond side view for “Sparks in the Park” from 5-8 PM.
Fireworks over the main pond! Come for the hike or just come for the fireworks/picnic-after 530pm.

You may bring a picnic of choice, folding chair and/or blanket to sit on the lawn socializing to see sunset and night skies, listening to live music .
Headlight or flashlight advised. Dress to your comfort.
Fireworks commence with night skies, ~ 6:30pm.
Bathrooms: Yes, at Depot Park
Dogs allowed: NO
Restricted to: FTA membership. Family and Friends of FTA members are welcome to join us. Join by phone 877-HIKE- FLA or online at floridatrail.org/join.
Florida Trail Association builds, maintains, protects, and promotes the unique Florida Trail (FT). “Building More Than Trails”.

FTA Sandhill Activity: Free FLYING PIG PARADE, Thomas Center/Duck Pond, Music on Bo Diddley Plaza,

Time/Location: 11:30 AM. Meet and greet and sign-in, FTA Assumption of Risk, at Bo Diddley Plaza located @ 111 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL. 32601. Maria will be on the north side of Plaza grassy area.

Leader: Maria Fiedler
Description: Experience Flying PIG Parade, Thomas Center/Duck Pond, Music on the Plaza and Cuisine at Harry’s!
“Cultural “ experience. We will walk up to the Thomas Center, through the NE “Duck Pond” area of GNV, peruse the Gallery Exhibit at the Thomas Center; Walk back to the Plaza and locate ourselves towards the end, near the HIPP, for the parade that begins at 2:00 PM. Relocate to the Plaza for the music portion or to Harry’s outside seating to listen. (Optional Harry’s Restaurant downtown afterwards)
Do web search details and location.
Directions: Depends on where you are driving from, follow web map directions to Bo Diddley Plaza. Parking is generally free downtown on weekends. GRU parking lot and many areas around downtown.
General Information:
Bathrooms: Yes, next to the Plaza stage, Thomas Center and at Harry’s.
Dogs allowed: No
Restricted to: FTA current members, family and friends. Not a member??Go to floridatrail.org to join membership. “Building More Than Trails.”
RSVP to: Meet-UP

Location: Trailhead entrance: 643 SW 40th ST Gainesville, FL 32607
Leader: Maria Fiedler
Time: Arrive by 9:45 AM at parking lot. Sign-in FTA AOR and meet/greet.
Description: This will be a ~3.0-mile hike on mostly shaded hike. Trails are unpaved, uneven, on a dike, in some places it may be paved in a neighborhood. Exposed roots. Hiking poles advised. This hike is a unique hike that’s ideal for dry cool weather hiking.
Directions: Drive to the location given above. The Park/Trailhead is located at rear/southside of neighborhood.
General Information: Bring a hat, water, and snacks per preference. Bug spray is always a good idea.
Optional:Lunch at Mi Apas on University Ave and SW 34th St afterwards.
Bathroom: NO
Dogs: NO
Restricted to 10 FTA current members: Not a member??
Join by phone (877-HIKE-FLA) or online at floridatrail.org/join.
FTA, Florida Trail Association “Building More Than Trails”.