1. Hangout Music Festival
Where: Gulf Shores, AL (about 1 hour and 15 minutes away from campus)
When: May 20-22
Music fests are always fun and this one is right on the beach so you can start your summer tan off right. While it isn’t Coachella, it is within a reasonable driving time. Tickets are $289, and they get you in all weekend. Did we mention the Weekend is performing? Other performers include Fetty Wap, Calvin Harris, Florence + the Machine, Panic! At the disco, and many more.
2. Slide the City (Pensacola Style)
Where: N. Palafox Street and W. Wright Street, Pensacola.
When: May 21, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Literally longest slip-n-slide in the world, it’s laid smack down in the middle of downtown Pensacola. Prices vary depending on the package you want and when you purchase it. The cheapest option is $30 with 5 hours of unlimited sliding, a drawstring bag, a tube and a mouth guard. The most expensive package lets you slide as many times as you want all day, and comes with all the other goodies, plus a hat!
3. Pensacola Beach Air Show (Blue Angels Weekend)
Where: Pensacola Beach
When: July 15-16
First of all, this event is free and a great excuse to take the weekend off, stay at the beach all day and feel patriotic while watching the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron perform incredible stunts in the air. One word of advice from a local, it’s going to be crowded. Not the library during finals week crowded, but full blown, tourist season at Disney World crowded. To avoid the insane traffic, get there early.
4. GlowRage Paint Party
Where: 7451 Pine Forest Road, Pensacola.
When: May 14, 7 p.m.
The party will consist of blasting music, dancing and paint to throw. The price is currently $25, but the longer you wait the more the ticket price will rise.
Zombie Run 5K
Where: Escambia County Equestrian Center 7750 Mobile Hwy, Pensacola.
When: June 11, 8 a.m.
If you have ever wanted to see if you could survive the Walking Dead, then this 5K is for you. You start off at the beginning with flags, and as you run through the course and make it over obstacles, you are also trying to protect your flag from zombies. Yes, zombies. If you prefer snarling, growling, and less running, over heroics, then you can also sign up to become one of the zombies.
Sign up for the race in May is $65, which includes a T-shirt (sign up before May 15 to be guaranteed a shirt), finisher’s medal and your race bib. To be a zombie, it costs $35 for them to infect you with the virus, I mean, put makeup on you.