The Nature Coast is a region in the "Big Bend" area of Florida that's known for hunting, fishing, boating, bird watching and hiking. Water sports like snorkeling, diving and swimming with manatee's are just a 20 minute drive from the Villages of Citrus Hills in Crystal River and Homosassa Springs. 

Looking at the next few months, there is no shortage of activities scheduled all along the Nature Coast. And with the Villages of Citrus Hills location in the heart of the Nature Coast, there’s always an event close by.

Here are some of the interesting events and activities for March, April, and May:

Nature Coast Activities in March

Saturday, March 8 will feature another installment of Wildlife Jeopardy atHomosassa Springs Wildlife Park. This event is designed for park visitors of all ages and features a question and answer session about a different animal each month. The program is held in the Children’s Education Center at 12:00 pm and typically lasts about half an hour.  

There will be a Dragon Boat Festival at Hernando Beach on Saturday, March 15. There is absolutely no experience necessary to participate in this event, so anyone who has ever been intrigued by Dragon Boats will have an excellent opportunity to experience them first hand!

The fourth weekend of March is the Nature Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival. This event will be held at the Chinsegut Conservation Centerfrom Thursday, March 20 through Sunday, March 23. There will be a photography contest and kayak tours that allow participants to view waterfowl and wildlife in their natural environments. 

Immediately following the Nature Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival will be the Citrus County Fair from Saturday, March 29 through Sunday, March 30. The fair will take place at the Inverness Fairgrounds and will feature flea markets, pageants, a karaoke contest, and a full livestock schedule. 

Nature Coast Activities in April

The first weekend in is Florida License-Free Fishing Day. On Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5 there will be no licensing requirements for residents or guests at any of the freshwater fishing locations across the state of Florida. 

History buffs will be delighted to participate in the Guided Walking Tours of Historic Downtown Inverness on Friday, April 11. The tour will start at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum where a guide will describe the history of Inverness. 

On Friday, April 18, the Friday Night Thunder Car Cruise returns to downtown Inverness. This free show will feature more than 60 cars, including classic cars, antique cars, and sports cars. The show will last three hours from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 

The 2014 Florida State Championship Horseshoe Tournament is currently scheduled for the fourth week in April. The tournament will start on Wednesday, April 23 with Closed Mixed Doubles, then move on to Closed Doubles on Thursday. Friday will be the Closed Singles event and Saturday, April 26 will be the Closed Championships. The tournament is hosted by the Beverly Hills Horseshoe Club and spectators are welcome to attend!

Nature Coast Activities in May 

The Music at the Museum Concert Series will resume on Thursday, May 15 at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum in Inverness. This performance will feature Singer/Songwriter Bob Patterson. Doors will open at 6:15 pm and the music will start around 7:00 pm. 

There are currently three Farmer’s Market Saturdays scheduled for the month of May. On Saturday, May 3, 17, and 31, there will be a host of local vendors occupying Main Street in Inverness. This is a great opportunity to purchase locally grown and organic produce, plants, and flowers. 

Whether it’s the Citrus County Fair, the Friday Night Thunder Car Cruise, the Nature Coast Birding & Wildlife Festival, or the History Tours, there is something to do in the area surrounding the Citrus Hills Community almost every weekend for the next three months.