The once sleepy agriculture center is fast fading away, although front-page headlines in the local monthly newspaper, the Parrish Village News, promote events like the Parrish Heritage Day parade, festival and chili cook-off and the 25th anniversary of the Rocky Bluff public library. To accommodate all this growth, brand-new public schools like Barbara Harvey Elementary School and North River High School are opening, and in 2019 State College of Florida began offering classes at various Parrish locations. In anticipation of all the new residents to come, the Parrish Arts Council was founded in 2012 to foster the arts and arts education in the growing community.
Dining, Shopping & Entertainment
C&K Smoke House BBQ 12119 U.S. Highway 301 N., Parrish, (941) 776-1440, cksmokehousebbq.com
Despite a surge in the number of residents in Parrish, the area hasn’t yet developed a huge dining scene yet. But we dig C&K, a neighborly barbecue restaurant that specializes in outstanding pulled pork. Be sure to grab a side of fried okra. The macaroni and cheese is also fantastic.
Public schools: Mills Elementary, Williams Elementary, Barbara Harvey Elementary; Buffalo Creek Middle School
