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

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What Are You Doing This Weekend? February 17-19

What’s happening on the Emerald Coast this weekend?

We've got a big weekend ahead of us. It’s President’s Day weekend, so I know there are a few people out there who will enjoy a longer break than usual. Fat Tuesday is just around the corner as well, so there are several Mardi Gras celebrations happening throughout the area over the next few days. This should also be a highly entertaining and cultured weekend, with an art show, and several musical performances, including the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra among others. In addition, if you’re an avid runner, you will have your choice this week of what events you’d like to participate in, and for what cause.

It’s a great weekend to be on the Emerald Coast, and if you haven’t made your weekend plans yet, Life’s A Beach wants to help. We’ve highlighted a few of the area happenings for the upcoming weekend below for your convenience.

Multi-Day Events

(February 17 & 18) Spend an evening enjoying the sounds of Grammy Award-winning The Parker Quartet.  This astounding string quartet performs this special evening in the intimate setting of Rosemary Beach Town Hall. Event begins at 7:30 p.m. both days.

www.sinfoniagulfcoast.org

(February 18-19) Barefoot runners, this is your race! The Destin 50 Beach Ultra Marathon, 5 a.m. – 7 p.m. boasts an entire weekend of events for runners. This race will take place on the white sand beaches of Destin, Florida and next to the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  That's right, the entire 50 mile/50K/relay races are in the sand! Truly a race like no other. Marathon benefits go to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

www.destin50.com.

Friday, February 17^th

The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra presents Stars of Tomorrow at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. Relish in the extraordinary talent that is highlighting the 2011 Concerto Competition winners.  This family friendly concert features the orchestra in a salute to the Old West, with a presentation of Aaron Copland's Billy the Kid suite, and guest artist performances by the talented winners of the 25th annual Concerto Competition for young musicians.

www.mattiekellyartscenter.org        

Saturday, February 18^th

Navarre’s  26^th Annual Mardi Gras Parade begins at 1:00 p.m. on Grand Boulevard in Navarre Beach.

www.NavarreChamber.com, 850.939.3267

The Friends of the Museum will be sponsoring the annual White Tent Yard Sale Fundraiser from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. outside the Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum. Several tents and tables of gently used items, baked goods, and coffee will be for sale. All proceeds will benefit the Heritage Park and Cultural Center.

850.833.9595

The Doo-Wah Riders concert at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium offers a return to familiar Americana. They have entertained for more than 30 years with their sounds of high energy country with a Cajun twist. Concert starts at 7:30 P.M. The audience is invited to a reception at the Magnolia Grill following the concert where they can meet all the band members.

www.emeraldcoastconerts.com, 850.362.9356

Enjoy great food, beverages and more at the Sandestin Gumbo Festival which will take place at the Village of Baytowne Wharf from noon until 4 p.m. Bring your discerning palate, and cast your vote as area restaurants and businesses vie for the prestigious title of “Area’s Best Gumbo.”

850.244.8110

Enjoy a parade, costume contest, movie and more at the 1^st Annual Hammock Bay Mardi Gras Dog Parade and Festival at Hammock Bay in Freeport. The theme this year is Beach Bound Hounds! Parade will start at Canine Commons Bark Park in Hammock Bay at 4 p.m. and end in the town square at Hammock Bay where the street party begins. Stay for a movie in the park featuring Disney’s animated comedy Princess and the Frog set in the festive city of New Orleans.

www.hammockbayfreeport.com

Head out to the Destin Commons from 3-5 p.m. for the Destin Commons Mardi Gras Masquerade featuring entertainment, a seafood boil, arts & crafts, street dancing and more.

www.destincommons.com

Take part in the Son of A Beach 5K Run/Walk to benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation this Saturday. Event begins at 8 a.m. at the Back Porch Restaurant in Destin. Registration includes a logo'd SoB cooler, water, light snacks and entertainment.

http://www.destin50.com/5k.html

Get active for a great cause at the Run for the Kids a 5K run or walk event to benefit AMI Kids Emerald Coast. Event starts at 8:00 a.m. at the Fort Walton Beach Landing. After party/awards ceremony will follow at Fokkers in Downtown Fort Walton Beach.

Register online at www.active.com.

Bring your artistic side to the Annual Art Show and Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Seascape Resort Conference Center. Several artists represented. Original watercolors, prints, cards, gift items, and art instruction supplies will be for sale. Come meet the artists and purchase local artwork. This event is FREE and open to the public.

850.837.9181

Sunday February 19^th

This year’s Modern Bridal Expo at the Village of Baytowne Wharf gives brides the opportunity to mix and mingle with leading wedding vendors at Sandestin’s Baytowne Conference Center. The expo will feature a high-energy fashion show, door prizes, and the chance to win a FREE honeymoon! As a bonus brides may tour Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s wedding venues.

www.sandestin.com

The Village of Baytowne Wharf's Mardi Gras Dog Parade is one of the premier canine events on the Emerald Coast with members of the four-pawed community coming far and wide to participate. This year’s theme is Cruisin’ Canines: Fetch a Wave. Event starts at 2 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge.

www.baytownewharf.com

 

Join the Northwest Florida Symphony Guild for their annual Food and Wine Tasting, to be held at the Emerald Coast Convention Center from 1-4 p.m.

www.nwfsymphony.org

Celebrate the coasts most talented regional and local musicians at the 4^th Annual Beachcomber Music Awards at HarborWalk Village. Enjoy live music throughout the village from several of the nominees. Concerts are FREE and open to the public.

www.emeraldgrande.com