Kick Off the Labor Day Weekend! August 31 - September 3

What’s happening on the Emerald Coast this Labor Day weekend?

Happy Labor Day weekend friends! It’s been a wonderful summer here on the Emerald Coast hasn't it? But, as we all know, all good things must come to an end. Not to worry, the area offers a variety of fun year-round, and we look forward to another amazing summer next year. In the meantime, why not celebrate the unofficial close of the season with some of these spirited Labor Day Weekend festivities?

REMINDER:

Remember, friends and readers, there is nothing we here at Life’s A Beach love more than seeing folks out there enjoying the spectacular Emerald Coast. If you’d like to share your photos with us (and have them considered for future publications) upload those amazing shots here: Life's A Beach Photo Upload

Multi-day Events

Join the Village of Baytowne Wharf this weekend as they welcome the fall season with their Baytowne Art Walk from 5-10pm, August 31-September 2. This event will showcase exceptional artists from some of the Southeast’s leading galleries. Stroll the streets as you enjoy live music from local musicians and browse a variety of art from these talented regional artists.

BaytowneWharf.com

The Emerald Coast Convention Center will be hosting the annual Greek Festival from August 31-September 2. Experience the sights, sounds, and flavor of Greece with a wide variety of homemade Greek foods, traditional dance performances, and live entertainment.

Email the Festival

Rock your way through the holiday weekend at HarborWalk Village as they celebrate with the Endless Summer Music Fest August 31-September 2. The weekend starts and ends with a dazzling fireworks display over the Destin Harbor on Thursday and Sunday night! The lineup is as follows:

          Friday, August 31:

                        HarborWalk Village Main Stage

                                    6pm - Alissa Moreno, Aaron Barker, Bridgette Tatum

                                    7pm – James Slater, Jeff Cohen, Danny Myrick

                        Harry T’s

                                    7pm – Kendall Marvel, Tim James

                        Crab Island Cantina

                                    7pm – LaBounty, Candi Carpenter

                        Tightlines

                                    7pm – Bobby Tomberli, Will Rabmeaux

                        Poppy’s Crazy Lobster

                                    7pm – Sherri Austin, Aaron Barker

            Saturday, September 1:

                   HarborWalk Village Main Stage

                                    5:30pm – James Slater, Jeff Cohen, Sherrie Austin

                                    7pm – Tim James, Kendal Marvel, Bridgette Tatum

                                    9pm – The Andy Velo Band

                        Harry T’s

                                    7pm – Bobby Tomberlin, Candi Carpenter

                        Crab Island Cantina

                                    7pm – Alissa Moreno, Aaron Barker

                        Tightlines

                                    7pm – Bill LaBounty, Trent Summar

                        Poppy’s Crazy Lobster

                                    7pm – Danny Myrick, Will Rambeaux

          Sunday, September 2:

                   HarborWalk Village Main Stage

                                    6pm – Bobby Tomberlin, Candi Carpenter, Trent Summar

                                    9pm – Danny Myrick, Bridgett Tatum, James Slater

                        Harry T’s

                                    7pm – Will Rambeaux, Sherrie Austin

                        Crab Island Cantina

                                    7pm – Jeff Cohen, Alissa Moreno

                        Tightlines

                                    7pm – Tim James, Aaron Barker

                        Poppy’s Crazy Lobster

                                    7pm Kendall Marvel, Bill LaBounty

EmeraldGrande.com

Friday, August 31

Relax!

Saturday, September 1

There’s still time to register for this Saturday’s Okaloosa Have A Heart 5k Run/Walk. The course will begin at the 911 Emergency Operations Center and loop around the Northwest Florida State College campus in Niceville. T-shirts will be presented to the first 200 entrants. Download your registration form at OkaloosaFl.com or visit Active.com.

Sunday, September 2

The Village Green of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation will be rockin’ and rollin’ with The Best of Rock n’ Roll Labor Day Weekend Concert. Opening the concert will be the popular Emerald Gold band with vocalists Olivia Slater and Amanda Holmes. They will be performing rock n’ roll and Mowtown from the 1950’s to today. Headliner Ron Adams is up next, paying tribute to the King of Rock n’ Roll himself, Elvis Presley. Bring your comfy lawn chair and picnic or purchase dinner onsite prepared by Jim N’ Nicks Bar-B-Q. Admission is $10 per adult and children under 12 are free.

MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org

Monday, September 3

 Happy Labor Day! You work hard...

As always, have a fun-filled, sun-filled and BEACHY Labor Day weekend! After all, Life’s A Beach!

          -The Life’s A Beach crew

 Visit Our Website

No weekend plans? We can help! August 17-19

What’s happening on the Emerald Coast this weekend?

Hello there friends! I hope that everyone is enjoying time spent on the always lovely Emerald Coast. (I know I enjoy every minute of my time here.) I know that thoughts of fall are starting to pop up in everyone’s minds as we draw near the first day of school, and several other landmarks in time that tell us that cooler weather is on the way. Before you break out your sweaters and oh-so-cute knee-high boots, enjoy this beautiful summer! After all, there’s just something about sweet, sweet summertime that sends the “ahhhhhh” vibes through us. Get out there and savor the summer Emerald Coast style, with these exciting events.

 

Also, check out these Emerald Coast Weekly Summer Events, to find out what happens here EVERY week!

REMINDER:

Remember, friends and readers, there is nothing we here at Life’s A Beach love more than seeing folks out there enjoying the spectacular Emerald Coast. If you’d like to share your photos with us (and have them considered for future publications) upload those amazing shots here: Life's A Beach Photo Upload

Multi-day Events

Calling all fitness enthusiasts! You won’t want to miss the Max Fit Nutrition – Emerald Coast Power Expo this Friday and Saturday, August 17-18. Get out to the Emerald Coast Convention Center for this power-packed event.

Friday, August 17

It’s that time of the month again folks… by which I mean Art Walk time of course! Head to Downtown Fort Walton Beach for this free, open-air bizarre. Visitors can stroll the streets of this historic district where artists of all types will be displaying their creations. Enjoy the live music, art demonstrations, shopping and dining as you stroll. The evening will conclude with the presentation of a surf movie on the lawn behind Fired Up. (5:30-8:30pm)

Downtown Fort Walton Beach Art Walk on Facebook

Saturday, August 18

Be a part of history when you participate in the FIRST EVER Paddle at the Porch – Destin SUP Cup. This exciting event will begin in the beautiful emerald green waters behind the iconic Destin restaurant, The Back Porch. The event will feature a 3 mile recreational race and a six mile elite race. After the race there will be awards, food and fun!

Paddle at the Porch - Destin SUP Cup

A tasty 3-course meal, a little comedy, a little MURDER… sounds like a good time right? Head to Christopher’s Uncorked in Crestview this Saturday as Act4Murder presents KNOCK ‘EM DEAD, a hilarious murder/mystery that will have you laughing at the edge of your seat over a delicious dinner. 

Act4Murder.com  

The African American Student Association (AASA) of Northwest Florida State College will host a benefit Gospel Concert, “An Evening with Le’Andria Johnson,” at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. The evening will feature BET’s Sunday Best™ Season 3 Titleholder and Grammy© award-winning gospel artist, Le’Andria Johnson. Concert proceeds will benefit the NWFSC Pacesetter Scholarship Program. Special guest host will be Linda “Sonshine” Moorer, the Mid-Day Diva of Magic 106.1 radio. Included local performers are Believer’s Life Center Dance Ministry of Pensacola, and Spirit and Truth Ensemble of Love & Faith Community Church of Tallahassee.

MattieKellyArtsCenter.org

Sunday, August 19

As always, have a sun-filled, fun-filled and BEACHY weekend! After all, Life’s A Beach!

        -The Life’s A Beach crew

“An Evening in Margaritaville” Presented by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation

What: “An Evening in Margaritaville,” a pop-up dining event

When: August 23^rd - 5:30-8:30pm

Where: Still a mystery at this time

Mystery, intrigue, food, entertainment and oh yeah, did I mention MYSTERY!? If you’ve been following the progress of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s pop-up dining event, “An Evening in Margaritaville,” you know what I’m talking about. If not, that’s ok, allow me to fill you in a little… as much as I can at least.

I first heard about this event a few weeks ago, and I have to admit, I was intrigued. The whole concept casts an air of mystery and excitement upon the occasion. This enigmatic event has followers and interested parties eagerly checking their email and Facebook accounts to see if the latest details have been released. I know I’m sucked in! I guess that’s the beauty of these pop-up dining experiences; you know that it could take place anywhere – a rooftop, and airport hangar, an old warehouse, a restaurant – who knows! Food and entertainment could include any wealth of options. Details of the event have been kept secret and are being revealed as the event grows near. So, let me tell you what I know so far.

Photo courtesy of SoWal.com

I know that a portion of the entertainment will be in an art demonstration by the talented mixed-media artist, Andy Saczynski. Andy’s usual “junk into funk” style typically uses reclaimed materials and found objects to create original (and not to mention sensational) pieces of art. The product of Saczynski’s live demonstration will be auctioned off at the event, along with a few other pieces that the artist will have on display.

Photo Courtesy of Legendary Inc.

Alright, so we know we can expect an amazing art demonstration by a gifted artist, what else? I’ll tell you what else! It has been announced that the meal will be prepared by none other than Legendary Inc.’s Executive Chef, Jimmy McManus. YUM! You KNOW that’s going to be one delicious meal! With his impeccable skills, and vast knowledge and experience, McManus has received much praise and many honors for his culinary genius. The menu will feature beef empanadas and coconut lobster tartlets during the cocktail hour. This will be followed by a sumptuous buffet with salads, grilled swordfish, roast pork tenderloin, rice, vegetables and a delectable selection of desserts.

Last, the most recent detail revealed that patrons can expect to be entertained by the musical stylings of the Trop Rock sensation Coconut Radio. This dynamic duo is comprised of award-winning violinist extraordinaire, Susan Kittredge and singer/songwriter Steve Reeths. The music of Coconut Radio is meant to share those feelings/emotions one feels when sharing a cold one with friends at the tiki bar or watching a beautiful sunset. I think our friends at The Beachcomber put it best when they said “(Coconut Radio's release 'Gone Bamboo') is the perfect soundtrack for your spring                                                                           and summer."

So far, that is pretty much the sum of everything I know about this event at this time. I know there’s more to come so I will continue to follow the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation on Facebook, for the latest updates about this event’s details. If you’d like to do the same, follow this link to their page: Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation on Facebook

Also, if you haven’t got your ticket yet, call the Foundation today at 850-650-2226 to reserve your place at the table. I understand that seating is limited to 100 people and tickets are selling very quickly.

There's A Great Weekend Ahead! How Will You Spend It? August 3-5

What’s happening on the Emerald Coast this weekend?

We’re back! It’s been a couple of weeks since we were last able to get a post up. We have been so busy with tons of great projects (including starting on our fall/winter edition of Life’s A Beach) that we haven’t had a chance to come back here and share with everyone.

It looks like August is here! July wrapped with a rainy finish, but we are high and dry (and absolutely beautiful) as I write this today. It’s it definitely a great day for the beach… or really any outdoor activity. Luckily for you, there are tons of fantastic things going on this weekend (in addition to the regularly scheduled Emerald Coast Weekly Summer Events) to make a good weekend a great weekend. Check it out!

REMINDER:

Remember, friends and readers, there is nothing we here at Life’s A Beach love more than seeing folks out there enjoying the spectacular Emerald Coast. If you’d like to share your photos with us (and have them considered for future publications) upload those amazing shots here: Life's A Beach Photo Upload

Multi-day Events

All weekend long (August 3-5) enjoy the tax-free benefits of the Sales Tax Holiday. During this period, no Florida sales tax or local option tax will be collected on sales of clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $75 or less per item, or on certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item. Seems like a great time to check out some of the already amazing deals at Silver Sands Factory Oultets.

Florida Sales Tax Holiday Details

Have a blast at the USABMX Multi-Point Weekend Racing event at the Emerald Coast Dirt and Vert in Fort Walton Beach. This event will feature a full weekend of races, including double and triple point events for all USABMXers chasing year-end district points.

ECDandV.com

Friday, August 3

Get a birds-eye view of this stunning area...

Saturday, August 4

Photo: IslandDanceParty.com

This Saturday, the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island will be THE place to dance the night away. The Island Dance Party – Dirty Bird Reunion will be featuring a live performance from the local favorite, Emerald Gold. Performances will include some of your favorite old school Classic Rock from the 70s and 80s. Dance Party proceeds will be aiding the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Party starts at 7pm. Get your tickets now!

EmeraldCoastConvetionCenter.com | IslandDanceParty.com

Photo: Chautauqua Wine Vineyards

Wine AND art. It doesn’t get much better than that. Join Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery in Defuniak Springs this Saturday starting at 10am for the Chautauqua Paint Party. No experience needed! Rachel with Southern Strokes Art says 90% of people who attend her parties have never picked up a paint brush before. Call the winery at 850.892.5887 if you’re interested in painting!

Sunday, August 5

Want to really make the most of your time on the Emerald Coast? Pick up the latest issue of Life’s A Beach for information on shopping, dining, attractions, and more! Don’t miss the COUPONS section in the back!

As always, have a sun-filled, fun-filled and BEACHY weekend! After all, Life’s A Beach!

            -The Life’s A Beach crew