By Emily - October 1, 2019

Fall in love with these seasonal events!

Illustration of scarecrow with jack-o-lantern head, with pumpkins at the bottom, and a sign pointing to Fall Festival, Pumpkin Patch and Turkey Trot.

Ah, fall. The leaves are changing, the pumpkin pies are baking, and we’re kicking off this season of Publix-sponsored or supported events throughout our operating area.

Atlanta Division

Good Taste Gwinnett — Thursday, Oct. 17
What a great date night idea! Publix is the official grocery sponsor of Good Taste Gwinnett in Duluth, Georgia, where attendees can enjoy restaurant tastings and watch cooking demos from local chefs. Tickets can be purchased at goodtastegwinnett.com.

Falcons Feast — Tuesday, Nov. 19
The Atlanta Falcons are spreading cheer on and off the field each holiday season. Before Thanksgiving, the Falcons team up with Publix to distribute 800 to 1,000 Thanksgiving meals to families in need. Players provide the turkeys while Publix provides dry goods and Publix gift cards.

Hot to Trot 5K, 10K and Fun Run — Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28
Prep for that Thanksgiving turkey and all the fixin’s by hitting this Knoxville, Tennessee, course on Thanksgiving Day! From the Fun Run to the 10K, this event has something for athletes at every level. Register at runsignup.com.

Charlotte Division

Apple Harvest Festival — Saturday, Oct. 19
Nothing says fall like tasting cider or biting into a caramel apple. Throw in apple pies, tarts and hand-cranked ice cream, and you have the beloved Apple Harvest Festival in Waynesville, North Carolina. Whether you’re celebrating the harvest or checking out the festival’s bluegrass music, this event is a favorite you won’t want to miss. After all, an apple a day keeps the doctor … well, you know.

Carolina BalloonFest — Friday, Oct. 18 Sunday, Oct. 20
Since 1974, this Statesville, North Carolina-based festival has kept eyes glued to the sky as hot air balloons float through the clouds. Complete with a Kids Zone, balloon rides, and a wine and craft beer tasting garden, this festival is a hit for attendees of all ages. Float on over to carolinaballoonfest.com to buy tickets.

Fire, Flour and Fork — Thursday, Oct. 31 – Sunday, Nov. 3
Foodies unite! Fire, Flour and Fork is returning to Richmond, Virginia, for the sixth year and is beloved by attendees. The event was named one of the top 3 food festivals in the nation by USAToday. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Living Links to Land, Legacy and Larder,” which pays homage to Virginia foods. Buy your tickets at fireflourandfork.com.

Jacksonville Division

5th Annual Ron Jon Cocoa Beach Half Marathon  — Sunday, Oct. 20
OK, so the closest Floridians get to autumn is sipping a pumpkin spice latte or watching “Hocus Pocus” with the air conditioning on full blast. Naturally, fall events in the Sunshine State stick to Florida’s strengths — the beach! Publix provides the finish-line food for runners and is the title sponsor of the Health & Fitness Expo of this oceanside race in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Register today at cocoabeachhalfmarathon.com. Publix associates receive 40% off with the PUBLIXISBEST promo code through Saturday, Oct. 19.

Savannah Food & Wine Festival — Monday, Nov. 4 Sunday, Nov. 10
Local food, fall flavors and Southern charm are menu staples at the Savannah Food & Wine Festival. As a presenting sponsor, Publix is the sole provider of food and beverages at the festival’s VIP event Saturday, Nov. 9. The festival’s proceeds benefit the Tourism Leadership Council Scholarship Fund and Coastal Hsopita. Buy tickets at savannahfoodandwinefest.com.

OUC Orlando Half Marathon & Track Shack Lake Eola 5K — Saturday, Dec. 7
This year, one of Orlando, Florida’s, biggest racing events is making sure The City Beautiful retains its name. Organizers of the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) Orlando Half Marathon & Track Shack Lake Eola 5K have eliminated plastic and invited new exhibitors to encourage living sustainably, including Keep Orlando Beautiful, Clean the World Foundation and Neighborhood of Good. Publix will provide finish-line food and reusable water bottles for participants. Register at trackshack.com.

Lakeland Division

Savor St. Pete Festival — Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3
Sip, dip, hooray! The Savor St. Pete Festival serves up some of the best food and drink St. Petersburg, Florida, has to offer — and that includes delectable dishes served up by our very own Aprons chefs, Jim Hendry and Anthony LoGerfo. To learn more and buy tickets, visit savortheburg.com.

Turkey Time with the O-Line
Football and fall go hand in hand. And each November, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Florida, step off the field to stuff bags full of turkey, sides and desserts so families in need have a Thanksgiving meal. Publix is a proud sponsor of this event, serving more than 1,000 families.

Shopping with the Tampa Bay Lightning
When the Bolts aren’t bringing the thunder to the hockey rink, they’re bringing joy to #1506, Tampa, Florida, with help from Publix and United Way. Each year, United Way chooses families in need during the holiday season. Each family is surprised with a $250 Publix gift card to fill their carts with food and necessities, and a Bolts player accompanies each family as they shop.

Miami Division

Komen More Than Pink Walk — Saturday, Oct. 12
More than 500 Publix associates from Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties participate in the Komen More Than Pink Walk in Miami to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. In partnership with Publix, Kellogg’s contributes $35,000 to support programs and services benefiting patients, survivors and their loved ones. Publix associates can use the code PUBLIX2019 for a discount through Friday, Oct. 11, at komenmiaftl.org.

Local 10 Day of Giving — Friday, Nov. 8
At Publix, we’re passionate about giving back. That’s why we’ve teamed up with our media partner, ABC-affiliated WPLG Local 10, and local food pantries in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties to help the community. Customers and Local 10 viewers are encouraged to shop at Publix to purchase holiday food items for local food pantries!

The Thanksgiving Harvest Drive — Through Tuesday, Nov. 26
With a theme of “Children Helping Children,” Harvest Drive Inc. allows students of Broward County Public Schools in Florida to work with community partners like Publix to provide food for students and families in need across the school district. In the months and weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, volunteers and sponsors join forces to prepare six to 10 bags of food and household items per family.