Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Our Top Picks for May 1-3 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

HAPPY first weekend of May! This weekend, the Emerald Coast is hosting everything from a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta to a free concert! Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions. We have high hopes that this weekend's weather is going to be amazing and sunny!

The Life’s A Beach crew wishes everyone a safe and beachy weekend! Enjoy!

Friday, May 1, 2015:
3rd Annual Cajun Crawfish Bash
Warren Averett CPA & Advisors
36474C Emerald Coast Parkway, Ste. 3301
Destin
Time: 5:30-9 p.m.
The Rotary Club of Destin will host its 3rd Annual Cajun Crawfish Bash this Friday with event proceeds benefitting young families in need through Food For Thought, Harvest House, the Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast and support The Rotary Club of Destin Scholarship Funds.

The public is invited to join in the Cajun festivities, including all-you-can-eat crawfish, potatoes and corn on the cob. For those who don’t crave crawfish, grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and barbeque chicken will be prepared fresh onsite. Shades of Blue will entertain audiences with jazz, blues, Motown, funk and R&B melodies. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets to win incredible door prizes, including products, services and stays along the Emerald Coast. 

To learn more, find Cajun Crawfish Bash event page on Facebook.

Free Concerts at The Landing, Featuring Heritage
The Landing
139 Brooks Street
Fort Walton Beach
Time: 6-8 p.m.


Saturday, May 2, 2015:
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
HarborWalk Village
10 Harbor Boulevard
Destin
Time: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Viva La Fiesta! Come on out to HarborWalk Village for a day of vibrant, Latin music, food, dance, artistry and so much more!



*Photo credit: HarborWalk Village Facebook page

Get ready to run with the Annual Running of the Bulls as local roller derby women don red shirts and bullhorns, chasing the running crowd through HarborWalk Village. Runners are encouraged to wear a white shirt, white pants or shorts and wear a red bandanna or piece of red cloth around their waist and neck. An alarm will sound to alert the runners that the corral gate is open. A second alarm will signal that all “Roller Derby Bulls” have been released. Then, grab your friends for the Annual Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl. Enjoy great drink specials all night long at all of the fiesta stops. At 9 p.m., look to the sky for a spectacular fireworks show!

Stay and play rates available at Emerald Grande. For reservations, please call 855.421.3127.

Waves for Wildlife
Buccaneer Pirate Cruises
100 Harbor Boulevard
Destin
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Set sail with the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge during their Annual Waves for Wildlife fundraiser! On May 2, the Buccaneer will sail from the Destin Harbor at 1:30 p.m. for a one-and-a-half hour cruise. Passengers will take a voyage into Choctawhatchee Bay and enjoy the company of the Buccaneer’s merry band of pirates. The voyage includes interactive entertainment with sword fighting, storytelling and treasure hunting for the young sailors. The ECWR’s animal ambassadors will be on the dock to greet you before the voyage and their wildlife experts will be on hand to answer all of your questions about local wildlife including the dolphins we may see during the cruise. The Buccaneer is an authentic 100’ pirate ship built in 2012 and is the only ship of its kind on our coast. Hors d’oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, free of charge, and spirits will be available for purchase.

Tickets are $30 for passengers 10 years of age and up and $15 for children under 10. Tickets are available for purchase by calling 850.650.1880 or online at ECWildlifeRefuge.com/WavesForWildlife. They may also be purchased in advance at the ECWR office located at 105 Santa Rosa Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7 days a week.

Archeological Walking Tour of Fort Walton Beach
Heritage Park & Cultural Center, City of Fort Walton Beach
139 Miracle Strip Parkway
Fort Walton Beach
Time: 9-11 a.m.
The Destination Archaeology Resource Center (DARC) and Heritage Park & Cultural Center (HPCC) are partnering to host an urban hiking archaeological tour of ancient mounds built by prehistoric Native Americans in downtown Fort Walton Beach. Archaeology Works: Mounds and Middens is free and open to the public. Participants will meet at the Lazarus Education Center for a brief presentation inside the Indian Temple Mound Museum located at 139 Miracle Strip Parkway and it will be followed by an urban hiking tour with a total distance of a half mile. They will talk about archaeological excavations and efforts to preserve and protect these non-renewable cultural resources.

The Destination Archaeology Resource Center is an archaeology museum located inside the headquarters of the Florida Public Archaeology Network in Downtown Pensacola. Exhibits include information about archaeology, archaeological sites across the state, and a temporary exhibit space that highlights current research by UWF archaeology faculty and graduate students.

The City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park and Cultural Center is a community outreach division of the city and is committed to providing area historical educational programming.

For further information please call 850.833.9595.

Sunday, May 3, 2015:
Some Sunday Brunch spots in and around Destin:
Crab Island Cantina, Destin Harbor crabislandcantina.com
Harry T’s, Destin Harbor harryts.com
Angler’s Beachside Grill, Okaloosa Island Boardwalk anglersgrill.com

McGuire’s Irish Pub, Destin mcguiresirishpub.com

Beach Fun Checklist

Everyone can benefit from some tips for ensuring a stellar day at the beach. So, we researched some of the best tips as seen on the popular site, Pinterest, and included some of our own, and here is what we came up with!


1. Pack the sunscreen and apply it often
Depending on what level SPF you purchase, apply the good stuff around the clock even if it doesn’t look like you are getting burnt. It’s always better to be safe than sorry! Also, don’t forget to apply a lip balm with SPF to keep your lips safe from the sun.

2. Wear eye protection
Whether you prefer to wear sporty sunglasses or a floppy sunhat, any sort of protection for your eyes is a good idea.


3. Pack plenty of towels
Towels at the beach can be used for drying off after playing in the water or for sitting on while tanning, so pack away!


4. Load up an ice chest with plenty of water
Heading to the beach with a cooler stocked with cold waters, drinks and snacks is great for keeping hydrated and making sure you have food for energy while out in the hot sun. For those who want to be super prepared, purchase a cooler with wheels!

5. Put your cell phone in a plastic Ziploc bag
This is a safety precaution for keeping your phone sand free and from accidentally forgetting it in your swimsuit pocket before jumping in the water. If only phones could swim!

6. Pack baby powder
Now, this one may sound a little odd at first, but for those beach goers who don’t want to track a pound of sand back into your car or hotel room, check out this is a neat trick. Apply a generous handful of baby powder to your legs and feet, and watch as the powder absorbs the moisture on your body, causing the sand to fall off.


7. Don’t forget the Toys
A lot of people, especially children, like to be active on the beach. Pack some buckets for sandcastle building, a football or Frisbee for throwing around, or some boogie boards for riding the waves.

8. Throw some floaties/arm inflatable floaties in your beach bag
You can never go wrong with having a floatie for the children to play on in the water or packing a pair of arm inflatable floaties to put around a young child’s arms to aid in helping to keep them safe when you take them for a swim.


9. Bring along a good book
For those of you who love to enjoy a good read while relaxing, be sure to pack that new novel you’ve been wanting to dive into.

10. Be cognizant of the Beach Warning Flags
This isn’t a physical item that you can bring along, but we thought it was too important to not list. Please do heed the beach warning flags as they are displayed to keep you safe.



Above all, enjoy your day at the beach and we hope you make many wonderful memories with your family and friends while doing so!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Our Top Picks for April 24-26 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

During this final weekend of April, the Emerald Coast is bustling with a variety of events ranging from music and wine festivals to a cobia tournament and a Bulls on the Beach event. Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions.

The Life's A Beach crew wishes everyone a safe and beachy, spring weekend! Enjoy!


April 22-26
17th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival
Panama City Beach
This foot-tapping event is taking place at the Aaron Beasant Park Amphitheater, adjacent to Pier Park in Panama City Beach. Tickets are available for single and multi-day admission online at BreezeJazzFestival.com or by phone at 800.595.4849.

Photo credit: Panama City Beach Jazz Festival Experience 2015 Facebook event page
April 23-26
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
At this fun-filled festival, over 800 wines and winemakers from around the world gather to celebrate the best in wine and food to benefit the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. Visit SoWalWine.com for more information.

Photo credit: South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival Facebook page
Friday, April 24, 2015:
April 24-25
Bulls on the Beach
Okaloosa Island


April 24-25
31st Annual Navarre Fun Fest
Come on out to this exciting weekend event for non-stop entertainment with arts and crafts, a children’s area, fireworks, 5K run, food and more! Check NavarreChamber.com for complete details on this event.

April 24-26
15th Annual Musical Echoes Flute, Art and Cultural Festival
Downtown Fort Walton Beach
Enjoy the soothing and inspirational sounds of the Native American flute music and be inspired by the colorful, rhythmic dance performances, the art, and the crafts at the festival. Traditional Indian fry bread and other delicious food will be available. Visit MusicalEchoes.org for more information.

Photo credit: Musical Echoes Facebook page

Saturday, April 25, 2015:
39th Saturday in the Park
Perrine Park/Heritage Museum and Gardens in Old Valparaiso
This popular springtime community festival is held to benefit the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida in Valparaiso. It features live entertainment, artisans, traditional craft demonstrations, amusement and activities for children, including pony rides and old-fashioned horse and carriage rides along the bayou. There will also be antique cars, food and fun. To learn more, visit Heritage-Museum.org or call 850.678.2615.


Earth Day Beach Cleanup
The Emerald Coast beaches get a clean sweep from hundreds of happy volunteers during Earth Week in April each year. Volunteers can gather at Beasley Park on Okaloosa Island, Henderson Beach State Park in Destin or Beach Access #3 on Santa Rosa Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach. Volunteers receive a free T-shirt.

Choctawhatchee Estuary Family Festival
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville
Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and Mattie Kelly Environmental Institute will jointly host the 8th Annual Mattie Kelly Estuary Family Festival.


Sunday, April 26, 2015:
Some Sunday Brunch spots in and around Destin:
Crab Island Cantina, Destin Harbor crabislandcantina.com
Harry T’s, Destin Harbor harryts.com
Angler’s Beachside Grill, Okaloosa Island Boardwalk anglersgrill.com
McGuire’s Irish Pub, Destin mcguiresirishpub.com

March-April, 2015
2015 HarborWalk Marina 18th Annual Cobia Tournament

The tournament takes place at HarborWalk Marina, located on the Destin Harbor, just minutes away from the intracoastal waterway and the Gulf of Mexico. The tournament ends April 30 at 8 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.