By Coral Gables Gazette staff

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden kicks off the fall season in high-spirited, Southern style with its next Sip & Stroll installment: Boots & Blooms: A Country Night, set for Saturday, October 4, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. This open-air, family-friendly celebration turns the lush Coral Gables landscape into a festive, twang-filled playground of live music, seasonal treats, and old-fashioned fun—just in time to welcome autumn in Miami.

With country rock from Back Country Boys, moonshine flights, line dancing, and a Great Pumpkin Hunt, Boots & Blooms blends Fairchild’s tropical beauty with the feel-good traditions of a Southern harvest party. Attendees can sip, stroll, dance, and play their way through a fully programmed evening designed for all ages—and all energy levels.

Live music & line dancing under the palms

The night’s headliner is Back Country Boys, Southwest Florida’s rising country-rock powerhouse. Formed in 2020 by high school friends Michael Joyce and Brayden Reites, the group has since grown into a full touring band with over 400 performances under their belt—including gigs at Nashville’s circuit venues and Barefoot Country Music Fest in New Jersey.

Back Country Boys are known for high-energy sets that mix fan-favorite covers with original tracks like Magnolia and Wild Card. Whether it’s a Jake Owen anthem or a boot-stomping ‘90s classic, they bring the heat—and the harmony.

Their two sets at Fairchild are scheduled for 7:15 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., with line dancing sessions warming up the crowd at 6:30 p.m. and again at 7:45 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a partner, grab a beer or moonshine flight, and hit the outdoor dance floor.

Southern flavors, sweet sips & fall-style picnics

Beyond the music, Boots & Blooms tempts the taste buds with seasonal sips and hearty eats. Guests can pre-order curated picnic baskets—$65 for two adults or $25 for kids—and enjoy them on the lawn under string lights and banyan branches. The menu promises autumn-inspired bites and cozy comforts (menu to be announced).

For those seeking something stronger, Old Smokey Moonshine Flights are available as add-ons for $34, featuring limited-edition flavors like Pecan Pancake, Pumpkin Pie Dream, and Apple Pie Full Moon. The TJ Southern Kitchen food truck will also be onsite all evening, dishing out stick-to-your-ribs Southern fare.

Family fun: Pie, pumpkins, and giant yard games

While adults sip and two-step, kids and families can dive into lawn games, a Pie Eating Contest, and the Great Pumpkin Hunt. Two lucky winners who locate hidden pumpkins before 9 p.m. will receive Fairchild Garden memberships, adding an extra layer of excitement for scavenger-hunting guests of all ages.

Oversized Connect 4, Giant Yard Pong, and classic cornhole will dot the event lawn, while line dancing under the stars ensures the energy stays high throughout the night.

Fairchild’s Sip & Stroll series has built a loyal following for its creative pairings of art, music, and nature—and Boots & Blooms may be the most spirited entry yet. Whether you’re chasing pumpkins with the kids, slow dancing to country ballads, or digging into a fried chicken picnic, this is fall fun with a tropical twist.

Lace up your boots, grab your sun hat, and come hungry—for music, moonshine, and memories.

If you go…

📍 Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables
🗓 Saturday, October 4
🕕 6–9:30 p.m.
🎟️ Reserve tickets here
💃 Line Dancing Sessions: 6:30 p.m. & 7:45 p.m.
🎸 Live Sets by Back Country Boys: 7:15 p.m. & 8:45 p.m.
🥧 Pumpkin Hunt & Pie Contest: All evening
🌙 Moonshine Flights: Optional Add-On