Issuu

Downtown Crowd P E N S A C O L A’ S

SEPT 2 0 2 6

FREE 5 Qs with Creatives Artist, Don Manderson

downtowncrowd.com

A World of LEGO Possibilities Pensacola Brick Convention Returns

Local Roasts

The Beans Behind Pensacola’s Best Coffee

Taking Back the Reef

FWC Pensacola Lionfish Invitational

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DOWNTOWN CROWD | SEPTEMBER 2026

Editor’s Letter

CONTENTS

Assistant Editor Dawn Gresko

Contributing Writer Nic Fenger

Advertising Account Executives Maggie Banks maggie@ballingerpublishing.com

In this issue, you’ll meet local digital artist Don Manderson, whose surreal digital montages combine art, technology and social commentary in some unexpected ways.

Jaami Clement jaami@ballingerpublishing.com For advertising rates or news tips contact Phone: 433.1166 • Fax: 435.9174

DOWNTOWN CROWD is published by Ballinger Publishing.

Then, there’s coffee. Lots of coffee. This month, we’re highlighting several Pensacola-area roasters and the beans behind some seriously good cups. Whether you’re a dedicated coffee fanatic or someone who simply needs caffeine to function before noon, you’re bound to find a roast worth trying! And because fall means Halloween is officially on the horizon, we’re getting into the spooky-season spirit with First City Art Center’s 20th Annual Glass and Ceramic Pumpkin Patch. Thousands of handmade pumpkins, local artists, live demonstrations and plenty of colorful ways to decorate for fall? We’re here for it.

Editor Morgan Cole

Graphic Designer Ryan Dugger

There’s always plenty happening around Pensacola this time of year, and we’ve packed this issue with plenty to see, do and discover to help you stay connected with everything happening around town.

Beneath the surface, there’s another local story worth knowing about: Pensacola’s growing lionfish problem. The inaugural FWC Pensacola Lionfish Invitational and Festival is bringing divers, conservationists, local businesses and the community together to tackle an invasive species threatening our Gulf waters. Be to check out the story on page 10 for more on what’s in store for this year’s event.

Editorial & Creative Director Kelly Oden

Art Director Ian Lett

Morgan Cole, Editor

We’re also getting a little more hands-on this month with our feature on the Pensacola Brick Convention. Returning to the Interstate Fairgrounds Sept. 19–20, the event will feature massive LEGO builds, interactive building areas, vendors, special guests and plenty of opportunities to get creative. Whether you’re searching for a rare LEGO minifigure or just looking for a fun day out with the kids, there’s something for everyone.

Owner & Publisher Malcolm Ballinger

Offices located at 21 E. Garden St., Ste. 205 Pensacola, FL 32502

8 7

5 Questions with Creatives: Artist, Don Manderson

A World of LEGO Possibilities Unleash your creativity at Pensacola Brick Convention

10 Taking Back the Reef First Annual FWC Pensacola Lionfish Invitational 15 Local Roasts A look at the beans fueling Pensacola’s coffee culture

From art and LEGO creations to lionfish, coffee and pumpkins, this issue has a little something for just about everyone. Hopefully, you’ll find something new to check out, a local favorite to revisit or just a good reason to get out and enjoy all that fall has to offer.

18 Gourd Vibes Only First City Art Center’s 20th Annual Pumpkin Patch

As always, thanks for reading, and we’ll see you around town. Cheers,

21 Community Calendar 22 Military Matters

Downtown Crowd is locally owned and operated. It is published monthly for distribution in Pensacola, Florida. All Right Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2026

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5 Questions with Creatives

Artist, Don Manderson

By Dawn Gresko

In a digitally-driven world where social media notifications, news headlines, conversations and images compete for our attention, digital artist Don Manderson asks us to pause — and look again. His intricate “digital montages” transform the visual noise of modern life into layered, surreal compositions that explore how people process an increasingly “technical and transitory” world. Drawing from his studies in Asian art history, formal training in expressionist painting and fascination with dream imagery, Manderson creates works that are both visually compelling and open to interpretation. Discover his work at local spots like the Saenger Theatre, Artel Gallery and Studer Community Institute, or explore more of his portfolio online at dmandersonart.com. What was the first piece of art you remember What software and hardware do you prefer to making, and how did it lead you to the digital realm? use, and how does your favorite tool define As a child I was very interested in newspaper comics. your style? The first internally motivated piece of art that I recall was an original comic strip done at the age of 8 or 9. I remember the excitement of my first use of comic stylistic elements to create rather than to passively ponder a comic strip. Digital editors and commercial printing techniques that I now utilize offer a very facile tool set for my comic influenced approach to surreal social commentary. Although my current work could not be categorized within the contemporary comic genre, selected elements of the comic genre are always part of my approach to artistic expression and comic genre elements are efficiently enabled by the tools available to me in digital editors.

I use Photoshop within the MacOS and hardware environment. Photo editing techniques I use emanate from the techniques associated with my training in expressionist painting in undergraduate school. Some of my pieces appear to exhibit the visceral and tactile surface qualities associated with abstract expressionism. Expressionist image qualities are preserved/simulated in my digital prints through use of multiple layers of photographic images and manually generated graphics that are assigned various degrees of translucence and digital variations of their constituent pixels (i.e., hard, vivid and soft light; color dodge, linear burn and color burn; as well How do your interests and experience outside as more analog effects involving hue, saturation and luminosity). My pieces are sometimes assumed to of art influence your digital work? be paintings until the viewer realizes the complete A keen interest in the sciences and science fiction absence of tactility. cinema lead me toward a type of dual existence consisting of a drive to create socially significant Can you walk us through a specific piece in visual art and an equal drive to understand and devise your portfolio, from the initial concept to the socially significant applications of the sciences. An final product? early intersection of this duality involved simultaneous Good Bears is a piece I completed in 2026 and is exploration of mathematical perspective and geometry. currently posted on my web site. The piece was This drive to understand classical space resulted in inspired during a trip to the Appalachian Mountains. interests in analytical geometry and trigonometry. I stayed in a rustic lodge that had prints of William My degrees in fine art (AA, BFA, MFA, Art Education Holbrook Beard bear paintings hanging in several Certification) resulted in art teaching positions from rooms. I began to take photographs of the mountains K12 to higher ed; however, I found that as I continued and woods around the cabin with the intent to use to devise art curriculum, the sciences and mathematics them in a piece that was my own, but definitely began playing an ever increasing role in the concepts inspired by and paying homage to the work of Beard. I was teaching (much to the chagrin of many of my The possibility for social and ecological comment art students). My technical skill set steadily grew, and through posing bears in various human contexts soon I found myself providing technical support. After was my primary motive in Good Bears. Also, the wish retirement from the technical role that had dominated of many humans for bears to be docile, friendly and most of my creative efforts for years, I immediately capable of human behavior and emotion was a primary immersed myself in continuous production of art influence on the narrative. These human attitudes work that was heavily influenced by technology. I have regarding control of bears and a desire for them to be termed this type of computer assisted surreal social cuddly and submissive (teddy bears) can be extended commentary “Digital Montage.” to human attitudes toward the environment/planet. The piece employs several of my digitally combined dmandersonart.com photographs, appropriated swatches of woodland and

Drifting

Good Bears

Glass Grouper

animal detail, and fabricated detail where required. All of these components are assembled in translucent layers. When each layer is individually digitally altered a broad range of hues, textures and chiaroscuro are created. At that point collaboration with a trusted digital printing service begins. A technically skilled and aesthetically astute printer technician is absolutely necessary to complete the piece. What’s one thing people are often surprised to learn about you as an artist? The length of a period of near artistic stasis I experienced while employed as an Information Technology director and an Instructional Technology consultant often surprises people. Also, the speed at which I made the retirement transition to an extremely prolific producer of art work and show participation tends to surprise most.

| downtowncrowd.com

A World of

Photos courtesy of Brick Convention

Possibilities Unleash Your Creativity at Pensacola Brick Convention By Morgan Cole

Whether you grew up building castles across the living room floor, creating epic spaceships for your bedroom shelf, or have recently discovered the fun of putting together LEGOs with your kids, the Pensacola Brick Convention has something for everyone. Returning to the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds Sept. 19–20, the 2026 Pensacola Brick Convention is bringing an even bigger lineup of colorful displays, interactive attractions, hands-on building experiences and special guests from the LEGO community, including stars from the hit reality competition series LEGO Masters. This year’s LEGO fan expo will feature more than twice as many displays as past conventions, giving visitors even more amazing builds to explore and plenty of inspiration for their own creations. With so much creativity and imagination on display, there’s something for LEGO fans of every age to enjoy. The Brick Convention is much more than a showcase of toys — it’s part art exhibit, part family festival and

part creative playground. Throughout the event, guests can explore towering castles, bustling cityscapes, intricate train layouts, famous landmarks and imaginative fantasy worlds, all brought to life one brick at a time. These impressive creations feature tens of thousands of LEGO bricks, with many taking hundreds of hours to design, plan and build. Unlike a traditional exhibit, where visitors typically walk through galleries and look at displays from a distance, the Brick Convention invites guests to become part of the experience. Families can roll up their sleeves and let their creativity take over in large, interactive building zones stocked with thousands of bricks. Visitors can also join collaborative builds that grow throughout the weekend, help create colorful LEGO mosaics one piece at a time and test their creativity in open build areas where there are no instructions. Younger builders can get in on the fun, too, with oversized brick play areas made especially for little hands. With displays and activities for builders of all ages, there’s plenty of room for everyone to create, explore and play. Another crowd favorite is the opportunity to meet some of the personalities behind

the LEGO community. The Pensacola Brick Convention will feature special appearances by professional LEGO artists, accomplished builders, authors, content creators and contestants from the hit FOX television series LEGO Masters. Guests will have a chance to meet the builders, hear about their creative journeys, ask questions, snap photos and even collect autographs. Collectors and serious hobbyists will have plenty to discover at the convention’s marketplace, where brick vendors and merchants from across the region will

September 26 |

offer everything from the latest LEGO sets to retired and hard-to-find collections no longer available in stores. Visitors can browse booths filled with rare minifigures, individual bricks for custom builds, specialty accessories and unique collectibles, with something to catch the eye of both first-time builders and longtime LEGO fans. Even if you’re not looking to shop, the vendor area is worth exploring, offering a chance to discover creative, unusual and hard-to-find pieces you may not come across every day. Throughout the convention, visitors will also enjoy colorful photo opportunities with lifesized brick creations and themed displays, making it easy to capture all the fun. One of the things that makes Brick Convention so special is its ability to bring people of all ages together. Colorful bricks become a shared creative experience,

giving families and friends a chance to put down their phones, build side by side and enjoy the fun together. It’s one of those rare events where a preschooler, a teenager and a longtime collector can all leave equally impressed. The annual Brick Convention is also about spreading the joy of building beyond the convention floor. A portion of proceeds from every regional convention supports the Build Smiles Foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit that provides new LEGO sets to children in need around the world and helps support orphanages in Brazil. It’s another way the fun of LEGOs can make a difference far beyond Pensacola. This year, to help manage attendance and give guests plenty of room to explore, the convention will be divided into timed sessions throughout the two-day event. When purchasing tickets, visitors can choose a 10 am–1 pm or 2–5 pm session

on either Saturday or Sunday, with tickets valid only for the date and time selected at purchase. Tickets are $15 when purchased online in advance or $20 at the door, based on availability. Since sessions often sell out before the event, organizers recommend buying tickets early to secure your preferred date and time. Children 2 and younger are admitted free. Advance tickets can be purchased online at brickconvention.com/pensacola. With creativity around every corner and something for builders of all ages and experience levels, it’s the kind of event that may leave you inspired to pick up a few bricks and start creating something of your own. Whether you’re coming to check out incredible custom builds, meet stars from the LEGO Masters community, hunt down a hard-to-find collectible or simply enjoy a favorite hobby with friends and family, the Pensacola Brick Convention offers something for everyone. For tickets and information, visit brickconvention.com/ p e ns a c o la . Yo u c a n a ls o follow Brick Convention on Facebook and Instagram for event updates, highlights of this year ’s LEGO displays, featured artists and more.

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Photo courtesy of FWC Reef Rangers

Taking Back the Reef First Annual FWC Pensacola Lionfish Invitational

By Morgan Cole

Pensacola’s Gulf waters are home to a beautiful but unwelcome predator — and this fall, the community is coming together to fight back. With fanlike fins, bold red-and-white stripes and venomous spines, lionfish are striking underwater. But beneath that beauty is an invasive predator capable of disrupting the delicate balance of Florida’s marine ecosystems. This September, Pensacola will turn its attention to that problem, and to one of the most hands-on ways to fight it. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Reef Rangers will host the inaugural FWC Pensacola Lionfish Invitational and Festival Sept. 25–27 at Plaza de Luna on Palafox Pier, bringing divers, coastal conservation advocates, local businesses, vendors and the public together around a common goal: removing invasive lionfish from Gulf waters. The tournament will run from first light until last light on tournament days, with teams able to launch from any legal waters where lionfish harvesting is permitted. The public festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, Sept. 27, from 10 am to 5 pm.

For Tony Hart, FWC’s Lionfish Program Coordinator in the Division of Marine Fisheries Management and tournament director, bringing the competition back to Pensacola is about much more than a fish count. “As the Tournament Director, I am excited to help bring removal efforts back to the Pensacola area,” Hart said. “My goal is to make it a fun and successful event, while educating the public about the importance of getting involved and making a difference in the fight against lionfish invasion.”

The story of the lionfish invasion is one of those environmental stories that begins with an almost deceptively simple problem: a fish that does not belong here. Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific, not the Gulf of Mexico. But over the past several decades, they have established themselves throughout the waters of the Southeast, including the Gulf, where they have found an abundance of prey and relatively few natural predators. The problem is not simply that lionfish are newcomers. It is how effectively they have adapted to their new environment. Photo courtesy of FWC

September 26 |

“Lionfish are extremely detrimental to Florida’s reefs and marine ecosystems,” Hart said. “With no natural predators, rapid reproduction rates, and large stomachs, they can consume significant amounts of marine life.”

Photo courtesy of FWC

Lionfish can prey on more than 100 species of fish, competing with native species for food and habitat. Their venomous spines also offer an effective defense against potential predators, and they reproduce at a remarkable pace. “A healthy female lionfish in warm waters can spawn every 2-4 days, releasing 15,00030,000 eggs each time,” Hart explained. “When you realize how often that happens, it really puts the scale of the problem into perspective.” That reproductive capacity helps explain why simply removing a few lionfish is not enough to eliminate the invasion. Instead, biologists and conservationists focus on sustained, targeted removal, particularly in areas where divers can repeatedly harvest lionfish. For years, organized tournaments have provided one of the most visible ways to encourage that work. Divers compete to remove as many lionfish as possible, turning conservation into a competition while putting thousands of invasive fish on the dock rather than on the reef. “While lionfish remain a serious threat, tournaments like this make a measurable difference by removing large numbers of invasive fish and raising awareness about the importance of continued control efforts,” Hart said. That is part of the reason FWC wanted to bring a tournament back to Pensacola. For several years, Gulf Coast Lionfish Tournaments operated the Pensacola Lionfish Festival before recently ending its tenure. Rather than let the local tradition disappear, FWC stepped in to continue the removal effort and keep the community engaged. “It was important to keep a tournament in the Pensacola area, ensuring the continuity of this tournament promotes removal efforts of this invasive species and brings the community together,” Hart said.

The new festival is built around that same idea of community. Pensacola’s connection to the Gulf runs deep, woven into the area’s fishing, diving, boating, seafood and tourism industries. The tournament builds on that connection while giving it a conservationfocused mission. The competitive portion of the weekend is designed for divers, but visitors do not have to own a dive tank, or even know the difference between a lionfish and a red snapper, to participate in the larger celebration. Teams can begin their hunts from any legal waters where lionfish harvest is allowed, with the tournament operating from first light until last light on the designated tournament days. Standard entry is $100, with a discounted $75 entry available for participants who actively submit fish in the 2026 Lionfish Challenge. Around the competition, Plaza de Luna and Palafox Pier will become a waterfront gathering place for the community. Vendors, educational activities, waterfront entertainment and family-friendly programming will give visitors a chance to learn about lionfish and the broader work

being done to protect Florida’s marine resources. The festival will also feature a variety of tasty foods. Local community chefs will host cooking demonstrations and showcase lionfish as a versatile Gulf seafood option, with tastings giving festivalgoers an opportunity to decide for themselves whether this invasive predator belongs on the dinner plate. For Hart, encouraging people to eat lionfish is not just about finding another fish to put on a menu. It is another way to create demand for an invasive species that conservationists want removed from the water. “Encouraging people to eat lionfish helps create a demand for this invasive species and supports the effort to remove lionfish from our waters,” Hart said. There is, however, one important distinction for anyone handling lionfish: They are venomous, not poisonous. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that lionfish are poisonous and cannot be eaten,” Hart said. “In reality, lionfish are venomous, not poisonous. The venom is found only in their spines. Once the spines are safely

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Photo by Amanda Nalley courtesy of FWC

“Lionfish are extremely detrimental to Florida’s reefs and marine ecosystems. With no natural predators, rapid reproduction rates, and large stomachs, they can consume significant amounts of marine life.”

The weekend will also introduce visitors to the FWC Reef Rangers, the program hosting the event and one of the agency’s key initiatives for supporting lionfish removal across the state.

removed, lionfish are completely edible and are a fantastic food source.” The meat itself is mild, white and flaky, making lionfish a surprisingly approachable seafood choice. “And if you’ve never tried lionfish, I encourage you to give it a taste,” Hart said. “Lionfish is a delicious, mild, white fish, and it’s a great way to enjoy a meal while supporting conservation efforts.” The festival tastings offer more than a culinary introduction, they give people who may never participate in a lionfish tournament a hands-on way to become part of the solution.

Invasive Lionfish By the Numbers

The Reef Rangers program focuses on education, outreach, tournament support and participation in the annual FWC Lionfish Challenge, a free online competition that runs each year from May through September. Divers who remove and submit lionfish can earn prizes while contributing to statewide removal efforts. The Pensacola Invitational fits naturally into that larger mission.

Can lay up to

30,000 Eggs Every 2-4 Days

“Our ultimate goal is to educate the public about the lionfish invasion and the importance of removing this invasive species from our waters,” Hart said. “The Reef Rangers and Pensacola Lionfish Invitational help support FWC’s larger conservation goals by bringing people together, raising awareness and showing the public how they can get involved in lionfish removal efforts.” Hart joined FWC in June 2024 as its Lionfish Outreach Coordinator. Coming from a media and fishing-industry background, he now works with dive shops, divers and schools across Florida, provides outreach and education and supports lionfish events around the state. For Hart, that work is about more than raising awareness — it’s about giving people a clear way to turn that awareness into action. For those who are not ready to take up a spear, there are still plenty of ways to contribute.

It takes

1 Year for a Lionfish to Reach Maturity

Lionfish Live up to

30 Years

September 26 |

People can learn about the invasion, encourage responsible lionfish removal and seek out lionfish as a seafood choice. The Pensacola festival will offer even more ways to get involved. Reef Rangers staff will be on hand to discuss lionfish management, while representatives from Catch a Florida Memory will showcase FWC’s free Saltwater Angler Recognition Program. A lineup of vendors, raffles and other activities will add to the weekend’s festivities. “Everyone is welcome!” Hart said. “It’s a great opportunity to learn more about our conservation efforts, try some delicious lionfish, and even participate in raffles.” That sense of community is key to tackling an invasion that spans a vast area and cannot be addressed by a single tournament or agency. Because lionfish reproduce so quickly, removal will remain an ongoing effort. Still, targeted harvests can help reduce local populations, protect native species and reefs, and keep attention focused on the threat.

Hart said the sheer number of lionfish harvested through organized efforts surprises people, but so does the scale of the population that remains. “The number of lionfish harvested each year would amaze a lot of people, but it is still only a fraction of the overall population,” he said. That reality makes the competition about more than declaring a winner; it’s about keeping the fight against lionfish moving forward. It’s a competition, but the bigger story goes beyond the leaderboard. Divers will head out in search of lionfish, return with their catches and see how their haul stacks up against other teams. But at Plaza de Luna, the focus will be on what happens when conservation becomes a community effort. A diver can contribute by harvesting lionfish. A chef can contribute by putting the fish on a plate. A family can contribute by learning

why the species is invasive. A diner can contribute simply by ordering it. And in a coastal community like Pensacola, those individual choices can add up. The 2026 FWC Pensacola Lionfish Invitational and Festival will take place Sept. 25–27 at Plaza de Luna and Palafox Pier. The free, family-friendly festival will be open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm Sept. 26 and from 10 am to 5 pm Sept. 27, with activities and programming for all ages. “Bring your family and join in the fun,” Hart said. “Conservation is a community effort!” For tournament registration, rules, official event details and more information on lionfish programming, visit the FWC Reef Rangers Lionfish Invitational page at reefrangers.myfwc.com/lionfishinvitational and follow @FWCReefRangers on Facebook.

100 1,000 Feet 1985 First Detected off Florida Coast

Prey on Over

Species of Fish

Can Reach Depths up to

Have Invaded

U.S. National Marine Sancutaries

September 26 |

Local Roasts The Beans Behind Pensacola’s Best Coffee By Dawn Gresko

Great coffee starts with great beans. Luckily, Pensacola is home to a community of local roasters turning exceptional beans into memorable cups. From rich, bold espresso blends and smooth, low-acid roasts to bright, flavorful single-origin and multi-origin coffees, there’s something to suit every palate. Whether you’re fueling an early morning, powering through an afternoon slump, or settling into a productive workday, coffee has a way of making every moment a little better. While visiting your favorite coffee shop is always a treat, brewing at home offers the chance to slow down, experiment and discover exactly what you like. If you’re ready to skip the coffee shop line and elevate your morning routine, look no further than these local roasters. Each one brings its own approach, flavor profiles and roasting expertise to the cup, with fresh beans crafted right here on the Gulf Coast. From familiar favorites to new blends worth exploring, these locally roasted coffees make it easy to bring a little Pensacola flavor to your daily brew.

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Alla Prima Coffee Roasters – Signature Espresso Blend Whether you’re pulling espresso shots or brewing a rich morning cup, Alla Prima’s Signature Espresso Blend showcases the artistry behind carefully crafted coffee. Rather than roasting every bean together, Alla Prima sources coffees from multiple origins, roasting each variety separately before blending them to achieve optimal balance, flavor and crema. The result is a medium roast with vibrant notes of bright citrus, warm cinnamon and clove, and a lingering buttery toffee finish that creates a smooth, memorable espresso experience. While designed specifically for espresso, the blend also performs beautifully in drip brewers, French presses and other brewing methods. The roastery recommends purchasing whole beans whenever possible, noting that freshly grinding coffee with a quality ceramic burr grinder allows for precise adjustments that can dramatically improve espresso extraction. Rich, balanced and versatile, this signature blend highlights Alla Prima’s commitment to craftsmanship while delivering a cup that’s equally approachable for casual coffee drinkers and enthusiasts alike. Discover more at allaprimacoffee.com.

Fosko Coffee Barre – Breakfast Blend Looking for a bright, balanced coffee that makes mornings feel a little easier? Fosko Coffee Barre’s Breakfast Blend is crafted to be an everyday favorite, combining beans from Africa and South America that have been processed using both washed and natural methods. Roasted to a light-medium profile, this blend offers a lively cup without overwhelming acidity. Rich notes of milk chocolate and candied pecans create a comforting sweetness, while peach flavors add a fresh, fruity lift. A creamy finish reminiscent of cereal milk rounds everything out, making each sip both nostalgic and satisfying. The combination of origins and processing methods creates a layered flavor profile that evolves as the coffee cools, revealing even more subtle sweetness. Whether you’re easing into the day or enjoying a leisurely weekend breakfast, Fosko’s Breakfast Blend delivers a smooth, motivating cup with just enough brightness to wake up your palate and keep you coming back for another pour. For more details, check out fosko.com.

Drowsy Poet Coffee Company – Brazil Blend Take your morning coffee on a mini getaway to Brazil, no passport required. Drowsy Poet Coffee Company’s Brazilian specialty blend is a smooth, medium-bodied brew with a subtle earthy and nutty flavor accompanied by rich, bittersweet chocolate notes. Naturally low in acidity, it’s an easy-drinking cup that’s perfectly suited for slow mornings, busy afternoons or whenever you need a little pick-me-up. Whether you’re a longtime coffee enthusiast or simply looking for your next favorite brew, this Brazilian bean delivers plenty of flavor without overwhelming your tastebuds. Pick up a fresh 12-ounce bag at Drowsy Poet and bring the café experience home, or have it delivered straight to your doorstep. However you brew it, this coffee makes it easy to start your day on a delicious note. For more information, visit drowsypoetcoffee.com.

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De Luna Coffee – Graffiti Bridge Colombian Coffee Named after one of Pensacola’s most recognizable landmarks, Graffiti Bridge Colombian Coffee from De Luna Coffee Roasters is a smooth, approachable roast designed for everyday enjoyment. This roast highlights the naturally balanced character of premium Colombian beans, offering inviting notes of milk chocolate, raw sugar and bright citrus peel. The result is a medium-bodied cup with gentle sweetness, lively yet smooth acidity, and a clean finish that keeps every sip refreshing. Roasted in small batches at De Luna’s Pensacola facility, each bag is packaged fresh to preserve flavor from the roasting room to your morning mug. Its versatility makes it equally at home in drip coffee makers, pour-over setups, French presses or even cold brew. Whether you prefer your coffee black or with a splash of cream, Graffiti Bridge delivers dependable flavor and exceptional drinkability, making it an easy choice for daily brewing while showcasing the quality Colombian coffee is known for worldwide. Learn more at delunacoffee.com.

Bodacious – 407 Blend Meet your new everyday coffee crush: Bodacious Coffee’s 407 Blend brings together three standout origins for a cup that’s smooth, lively and full of personality. This medium roast starts with a creamy, full-bodied base of chocolate and caramel from Brazil, then turns up the brightness with juicy stone fruit and honeyed citrus from Colombia. Beans from Guatemala round things out with cozy notes of warm spice, ripe plum and lingering cocoa. The result? A beautifully balanced brew that’s sweet without going overboard, bright without being too sharp and complex without trying too hard. It’s the kind of coffee that fits effortlessly into your daily routine, whether you’re easing into the morning with a classic drip, savoring a slow pour-over or pulling a rich espresso. However you brew it, the 407 Blend delivers a flavorful, feel-good cup worth coming back to sip after satisfying sip. Visit bodaciousshops.com for more.

Renfroe Pecan Company – Pensacola Sunrise Bring the beauty of a Gulf Coast morning to your kitchen with Pensacola Sunrise from Renfroe Pecan Co. This lightly-roasted flavored coffee is designed to capture the warmth and charm of an early sunrise over Pensacola Bay. Bright citrus notes greet the palate before giving way to rich caramel sweetness, toasted almond and a delicate hint of fresh coconut that lingers on the finish. The result is a smooth, aromatic cup that feels both comforting and refreshing. Crafted for those who enjoy a subtly flavored coffee rather than an overpowering sweetness, Pensacola Sunrise balances familiar flavors with a light, uplifting roast that allows the coffee itself to shine. Renfroe’s Pensacola Sunrise is also available in a decaffeinated version, and 12-ounce whole bean bags can be ground upon request for both in-store and online orders. Whether paired with breakfast or enjoyed on a quiet porch overlooking the morning sky, this blend offers a taste that’s unmistakably inspired by the Gulf Coast. Find out more at renfroepecan.com.

| downtowncrowd.com

Glass Pumpkins by Tim Nolan

Photos courtesy of First City Art Center

Gourd Vibes Only By Nic Fenger

First City Art Center’s 20th Annual Pumpkin Patch

pooky season is creeping in, and Pensacolians are already getting into the Halloween spirit.

Celebrants are planning costumes, piling up candy and decking their homes out with delightfully frightful decor. And, of course, no Halloween display is complete without a pumpkin — or even a whole patch! This year, the First City Art Center (FCAC) is hosting its 20th Annual Glass and Ceramic Pumpkin Patch, bringing together colorful, one-of-a-kind creations by local artists. What began as a small gathering of artists at FCAC’s original location has grown into a much-anticipated community event and fundraiser. FCAC and its artists have gone from selling 300 pumpkins after their very first patch to selling an impressive 5,600 pumpkins last year. Just as the selection of artists and their pumpkins has grown over the years, so has FCAC. This annual event has

significantly contributed to the development of their arts education programs, as well as spreading awareness of the importance of art and encouraging local artists to grow their exposure and abilities. “The 20th Anniversary Pumpkin Patch is a beloved part of the fabric of our community,” FCAC Executive Director Bart Hudson said. “It represents a community that is committed to the arts and enjoys the creativity of their neighbors. Certainly, it is about the pumpkins, but it is also about the greater Pensacola area coming together for a stunning experience of artistry.” FCAC’s Glass and Ceramic Pumpkin Patch returns Oct. 9–10 with a new assortment of glass-blown and sculpted pumpkins. The event kicks off with a preview party on Oct. 9 from 5 to 8 pm, featuring music and live art demonstrations. Preview party guests get an early look at the patch and can purchase up to two pumpkins per guest. On Oct. 10, the patch opens to the public from 10 am to 2 pm for a free general admission sale, with no limit on the number of pumpkins guests can purchase. Local ceramic artists and glassblowers from the FCAC community pour their talent and creativity into crafting 6,000 expressive pumpkins for the event each year. They

handcraft a colorful collection of glass and ceramic gourds in all colors, shapes, sizes and patterns. “Each artist works at their own pace,” Hudson said. “What is often lost in the narrative of the creation is the time spent by the artist in learning and perfecting their craft. They spend years on rotten pumpkins before achieving the Great Pumpkin.” Each pumpkin has a different vibe, providing a unique flare to your Halloween decor and boasting a longer lifespan than a normal pumpkin. Whether you buy a gourd you adore or just admire the patch, you will be

Luke Baldwin

September 26 |

Flowers by Kara Struck

“What is often lost in the narrative of the creation is the time spent by the artist in learning and perfecting their craft. They spend years on rotten pumpkins before achieving the Great Pumpkin.” supporting local artists by checking out this event. “Our artists are amazing,” Hudson said. “With varying degrees of experience, they each bring an absolutely unique approach to their art. The artists come from all backgrounds — students, IT folks, physicians, teachers, lawyers, members of the military and the list goes on. We also have a couple of artists that are making their livelihood with their art. They work on their pumpkins all year to be ready for the harvest.” Other activities will also run alongside the pumpkin sale. FCAC’s awardwinning children’s programming is available to provide fun activities for kids during the event. Glassblowers and ceramicists will demonstrate their craft live during the event, giving the community a glimpse into the hard work and precision that goes into their creations. Food trucks are also on-site to provide patch-goers a reprieve from pumpkin-picking.

The pumpkin patch is FCAC’s largest annual fundraiser and outreach event, benefitting both the center and the artists who create the pumpkins. Artists receive 70% of the proceeds while the remaining 30% goes directly to FCAC to support arts education classes, community outreach programs and scholarships for students in need. Attending this event is a great way to give back to FCAC and its artists, while also supporting arts education in our community. Pumpkin prices begin at $20 during both the preview party and the general admissions sale. Preview party tickets are $45 for FCAC members and $50 for non-members, while children receive free admission. The preview party ticket price does not include the two pumpkins each partygoer is allotted to purchase. Guests can also purchase two additional pumpkins by making a $15 donation to FCAC at checkout. In addition to music and live art demonstrations, guests will also enjoy complementary beer and wine from

Pensacola Bay Brewery, available for those 21 years and older, alongside other refreshments for partygoers of all ages. FCAC is also looking for patch-goers old and new to share their FCAC pumpkin patch stories and favorite pumpkins to connect with the community. Stories and photos showing how you began collecting pumpkins, what your favorite pumpkin from the patch is or whether you prefer glass or ceramics are just a few examples of stories that FCAC is interested in seeing. Send your photos and stories to info@firstcityart.org if you are interested in sharing your pumpkin passion. “We want our community to know how grateful we are for the support of 20 years of The Pumpkin Patch,” Hudson said. “This area loves art and artists. After 20 years, simple math tells us that there are tens of thousands FCAC pumpkins in our homes. What a wonderful statement to our artists and all those that love First City Art Center.” The 20th Annual Glass and Ceramic Pumpkin Patch will be held at First City Art Center, located at 1060 N. Guillemard St. in downtown Pensacola. Parking is available across the surrounding neighborhood. For tickets and complete event details, including available volunteer opportunities, visit firstcityart.org and follow @firstcityartcenter on Facebook or Instagram.

September 26 |

SEPTEMBER COMMUNITY EVENTS at the museum. The weekend will feature a The Girl on the Train at PLT the most amazing and fun after parties nautical-inspired mural festival at Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .September 18 to 27 with delicious food and beverages offered Riverside Park with live music and plenty Grab a seat and follow The Girl on the Train after the race. This is both a great chance to of food trucks to fuel the fun. Admission is at Pensacola Little Theatre running from get outdoors, take in the beautiful scenery For tickets and information, visit $19 per person and includes museum entry. September 18 to 27. This story centers on of Pensacola and help the Pensacola For more details and tickets, visit nmmog. Rachel Watson, a lonely woman obsessed Runners Association give back to the milb.com/pensacola. org/jimmy-buffett-experience. with the couple she watches from afar. running community. Registration is open September 8-12 at 6:05 pm - Biloxi Pensacola Breast Cancer When the girlfriend suddenly disappears, now, starting at $45 per person that wants to either run or walk the route. Children can Shuckers vs Blue Wahoos Association’s Annual Bowl-A-Thon Rachel becomes entangled in a dangerous enter the Kids Mile for free. Learn more and September 13 at 1:05 pm - Biloxi investigation that forces her to confront . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 12 register online at pensacolarunners.com. fractured memories, manipulation, addiction Shuckers vs Blue Wahoos Strike up some fun for a good cause! Join Pensacola Breast Cancer Association at and buried violence. This all builds to a Pensacola Latin Salsa Festival Cordova Lanes on September 12 for its shocking revelation about trust, abuse, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 26 Blue Angels Practice Annual Bowl-A-Thon starting at 2 pm. Gather and survival. Tickets range $30 to $45 Pensacola’s biggest celebration of Latin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 1, 9, 15, 22 friends, family and coworkers for a day of per person. There will be $3 discounts for music, dance, food and culture is back! Join The world-famous Blue Angels can be bowling, laughter and friendly competition military, seniors and students, plus Theatre Pensacola Latin Salsa Festival on September seen practicing over the National Naval while helping raise awareness and support Thursdays are half-off adult ticket price. 26 at Maritime Park for an unforgettable Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola on for those affected by breast cancer. The For more information and tickets, visit day filled with salsa, live entertainment, select days throughout the year. Watch cost is $50 per person for teams of 5, which pensacolalittletheatre.com delicious food and nonstop energy from 2 them soar and visit the museum for free. includes shoe rental, three games per team Third Annual Suicide Prevention to 10 pm. In addition to live performances The gates to the flight line viewing area plus a cash bar as well as complimentary Awareness Walk there will be food vendors like the Rican open at 9:30 am, and the Blues will take food and drinks courtesy of Sonny’s Barbecue. Vegan on site to offer samples of delicious . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 19 flight at 10:30 am. The 55-minute practice So lace up your bowling shoes, hit the lanes Latin flavors. Admission is free. This annual flight demonstrations can also be viewed and show your support. Proceeds support Come together with Trauma Release festival aims to foster cultural education by Invest (TRI) for their Third Annual Suicide outside of NAS Pensacola, including the association’s mission for education, embracing diversity and bringing people Fort Pickens, boat cruises and various screening and diagnosis of breast cancer in Prevention Awareness Walk at Museum together to create an inclusive space where points throughout downtown Pensacola. the Florida Panhandle indigent and under- Plaza from 5:30 to 8 pm on September 19 for all can experience the rhythms, flavors and The National Naval Aviation Museum is insured patient population. Learn more at a day of raising awareness and supporting traditions of the Caribbean. This year’s event those affected by suicide. This family-friendly located at 1750 Radford Blvd. in Pensacola. pensacolabreastcancerassociation.com. community event will also feature vendors, will also support Storytelling Solutions of Access to NAS Pensacola for those without live music and a DJ plus line dances and America, whose goal is teaching youth to a Department of Defense ID begins at 9 Luncheon with Master more. Attendees can also enjoy a meal from share their story and access mental health am through the West Gate. Please ensure Portraitist Jeff Bass care through the art and skill of public everyone in your vehicle who is 18 years of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 15 an onsite food truck, and explore access to speaking. So mark your calendars, grab age and older is in possession of a REAL ID The Pensacola Museum of Art Guild invites education resources at the event. Lace up your crew and get ready because this is or valid U.S. passport. Practice schedules you to a special luncheon with Master your sneakers, bring your friends and family one event you won’t want to miss. Find out are subject to change. For more information, Portraitist Jeff Bass at Pensacola Country and walk together to make a difference more at nwfba.com. visit navalaviationmuseum.org/blueangels. Club on Tuesday, September 15 at 10:30 am. breaking the stigma and supporting those in need. Learn more at supporttri.org. Oddities & Art Market Gather for an inspiring morning as Bass Emerald Coast Beerfest shares the stories behind his remarkable Pensacola Seafood Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 11 paintings. His work is featured in the U.S. Sip, chill, and enjoy the best brews at Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 25 to 27 Explore the weird and wonderful at the first Emerald Coast Beerfest on September 11 CIA and other major museums nationwide, Seafood lovers unite! The Pensacola annual Oddities & Art Market in Pensacola, from 5:30 to 9 pm at Seville Quarter. This 21+ including Pensacola’s own National Naval Seafood Festival returns the weekend of coming to the Interstate Fairgrounds on event is a must-attend for craft beer lovers, Aviation Museum. The social opens at 10:30 September 25 to 27, taking place in historic September 26 from 11 am to 6 pm. Step mead enthusiasts and wine fans looking to am and the presentation will start at 11 am, downtown Pensacola across Seville Square, into a fully indoor, all-ages welcome experience the best of the Emerald Coast’s with lunch immediately following. Tickets Fountain Park and Bartram Park. Onsite marketplace featuring over 100 incredible thriving beverage scene. With over 250 craft are $50 per person with all proceeds food vendors will offer a variety of coastal artists and vendors offering a selection of beers available to sample, plus a curated supporting the Pensacola Museum of Art. dishes like crab cakes, lobster rolls, gumbo oddities, crystals and gems, handcrafted art, selection of artisan meads and premium Find more details at pensacolamuseum.org. and boils. For “land lubbers,” there will be taxidermy, fossils, jewelry as well as other plenty of non-seafood options available as unique gifts and finds. Attendees are also wines, this event delivers one of the largest well. Fiesta Seafood Grille, presented by invited to explore the mystical with psychics and most exciting Pensacola beer tasting Josh Turner at Pensacola Pensacola Energy, will showcase some of and tarot readers, plus indulges in delicious experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned Saenger Theatre Pensacola’s best chefs in action while they bites from food trucks and vendors. It’s a enthusiast or just exploring, you’ll find bold flavors, local favorites and unique pours all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 17 share their recipes in an outdoor demo weird-in-the-best-way experience you won’t in one place. The VIP experience is $109.77 Country music powerhouse Josh Turner kitchen. With over 170 artists exhibiting want to miss. Parking is free. Tickets are per ticket and includes exclusive limited- brings his unmistakable deep bass and their work and crafts, there is something $15 day of the show, while children 10 and release beers, wines and meads, access to traditional country sound to the Pensacola for everyone to enjoy or take home. Exhibits under get in free. All proceeds go directly select distilled spirits, plus complimentary Saenger Theatre on September 17 starting will include paintings, prints, drawings, to Access Art, helping fund programs and food, a private air-conditioned lounge at 7:30 pm. More than 20 years after his photography, ceramics and pottery, clothing scholarships that provide underprivileged and limited-edition sampler mug. General debut, the South Carolina native continues and accessories, woodcraft, metal and youth with access to the arts. So come shop admission tickets are $47.20 per person. to captivate audiences with his commitment glass, soaps, candles, jewelry and more. weird, support art and make a difference. Find more information or get tickets online to timeless country music and exceptional Expect live musical performances running Discover more at accessflart.org. songwriting. A beloved member of the throughout the weekend across the park at emeraldcoastbeerfest.com. Grand Ole Opry, Turner has sold more than areas. Admission is free and hours are Friday Garden Variety Book Signing 6 million albums, earned five Number 1 hits 11 am to 11 pm, Saturday 10 am to 11 pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 29 Jimmy Buffett: Son of a Son of a and amassed more than 5 billion career and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm. Find out more Ready to spice up your cookbook collection? Sailor Experience streams. His latest album, This Country information at pensacolaseafoodfestival.com. Join author Timothy Pakron on September . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 11 to 13 Music Thing, features 11 tracks that blend 2026 Pensacola Seafood Don 29 from 5 to 7 pm at End of the Line Cafe Set sail for a weekend celebrating the life classic country, heartfelt romance, Southern as he celebrates the launch of his newest McCloskey 5K and legacy of Jimmy Buffett in Mobile! pride and modern energy. Fans can expect cookbook, Garden Variety. Swing by to The Jimmy Buffett: Son of a Son of a Sailor favorites alongside new songs showcasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 26 meet Pakron, grab a signed copy and enjoy Experience opens at the National Maritime Turner’s signature sound, including My Side, Don’t miss an opportunity to kick off your your favorite bites from the cafe’s regular Museum of the Gulf on September 12, with Two Steppin’ on the Moon and Whirlwind. fall racing with the Pensacola Seafood Don menu. Admission is free and open to the opening festivities beginning September 11 at With his powerful vocals and unmistakable McCloskey 5K on September 26 from 7:30 public. Guests are encouraged to RSVP in the Mobile Saenger Theater with Margaritas style, Turner promises an evening of pure- to 9 am. This 5K is an incredibly fast, flat advance. Whether you’re a longtime fan or and Memories, featuring Mac McAnally and country entertainment. Tickets start at and scenic 5K race through downtown simply love good food, come hungry and Scotty Emerick. Saturday brings the grand $58.90. Learn more and get tickets at Pensacola that starts and finishes in front say hello. For more details or to RSVP, visit of Seville Quarter. There will be short mississippivegan.com. opening, which unveils a larger-than-life pensacolasaenger.com. sleeve shirts for participants, and one of bronze Buffett sculpture on the waterfront

September Home Games at Blue Wahoos Stadium

| downtowncrowd.com

MILITARY MATTERS AN ARMED FORCES NEWS SECTION

NAS PENSACOLA PARTNERS WITH UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA TO SAFEGUARD ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS

Story & photos by Chief Petty Officer Ian Cotter, Naval Air Station Pensacola

n an effort to preserve regional history and cultural heritage, volunteers from Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola and the University of Georgia (UGA) teamed up to transfer more than 900 boxes of archaeological artifacts and records from the installation to the university on Aug. 12.

The UGA team previously conducted a site visit in While the collection is permanently moving to April to inspect the extensive collection and prepare the university, ties to the local community will for its safe transport. remain intact.

The transferred materials include excavated remains gathered during various archaeological surveys and studies of prehistoric and historic resources on the installation, along with their associated records. The initiative, spearheaded by the NAS Pensacola Additionally, extra copies of investigation reports Public Works Department, is designed to enhance and documentation will be scanned for modern the curation, analysis and long-term protection of electronic access. the Navy’s historical collections. The permanent transfer to UGA brings NAS Carrie Williams-Hannah, NAS Pensacola’s Cultural Pensacola into full compliance with the federal Resources Manager, secured funding to correct regulation governing the curation of federally owned deficiencies in the installation’s previous curation or administered archaeological collections, offering program. The resulting contract, awarded to UGA, multiple strategic benefits to the Navy. covers comprehensive artifact processing, analysis, collection rehabilitation and database entry. “This contract will also provide the Navy with a database of all artifacts recovered from NAS “Maintaining the artifact collection is about Pensacola which will advise the Navy of all items preserving institutional history, protecting cultural in the collection, provide information on artifacts and scientific heritage, supporting research and requiring stabilization and/or conservation and scholarship, maintaining provenience and context, render the data more accessible for management educating the public, supporting the Navy’s mission, and research,” Williams-Hannah explained. preserving information for future generations, demonstrating responsible stewardship and She also noted the strategic geographic benefit protecting against loss of knowledge,” Williams- of the move. “Further, the relocation of the Hannah said. “Beyond compliance with the laws artifacts farther inland will keep the material out and regulations, it is about preserving evidence, of harm’s way in the event of adverse weather knowledge, history and public heritage that the occurrences,” she said. federal government has been entrusted to protect.”

“Yes, it is permanent, but we will still loan artifacts to our local partners in preservation and history via UGA,” Williams-Hannah said. The sheer scale of moving over 900 boxes required significant manpower, leading to a massive joint volunteer effort. Navy personnel, civilian staff, and university representatives worked side-by-side to accomplish the heavy lifting. “A huge thank you to the volunteers,” WilliamsHannah said. “If not for them, we would still be loading artifacts!” Founded in 1826, Naval Air Station Pensacola, known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” supports operational and training missions for several tenant commands, Naval Air Technical Training Center, Naval Aviation Schools Command and Center for Technical Training. The installation also hosts Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 and Marine Aviation Training Support Group 23 and serves as the headquarters for Naval Education and Training Command. In addition to an active airfield, NAS Pensacola maintains a deepwater port supporting operations for the U.S. Coast Guard.