Top Events for May 1st - 8th

The Emerald Coast is breathtakingly beautiful in the spring, and May has the warm days and cool nights that are just perfect. Here are a few of our top picks for the first week of May…

Our Top 10 Picks for May 2-4 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend it’s all about CINCO DE MAYO! In honor of this festive holiday, there are a few events going on around the Emerald Coast, including a two-day festival and a pub crawl at Destin Harbor. Some other events taking place this weekend are a concert, crawfish bash and charity event. For current weather updates, be sure to check weather.com or tune in via television to The Weather Channel.

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

Friday, May 2, 2014:

Burning Up The Beaches Benefitting the Horizons Foundation

4/2-4/4

Okaloosa Island Boardwalk

1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy.

Fort Walton Beach

Experience this great, weekend-long event for a fantastic cause! Your entry gives you access to three parties, featuring live music, food, prizes, cash giveaways, six fun-filled stops along the Emerald Coast, T-shirts, an event sticker, one car show entry, shows on the Midway, 24/7 vehicle security and it is tax deductible. New for 2014, are car corral and valve cover races. Visit www.BurningUpTheBeaches.com to learn more.

2^nd Annual Cajun Crawfish Bash

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation

Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village

4323 Commons Drive West

Destin

Time: 5:30 p.m.

The Rotary Club of Destin presents this event that will benefit young families in need through Food For Thought, Harvest House and the Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast. This Cajun-style celebration features Destin Rotarians serving as “Private Peelers” and “Bucket Barmaids” to earn generous tips and compete for the coveted title of “Top Crawdad”. The public is invited to join in the Cajun festivities with pounds and pounds of classic crawfish cuisine and fixings. Other food will also be available for those that don’t fancy crawfish. Tickets are $25 per person and $10 for children under 12. Day of event tickets are $30 per person. Please call the main ticket hotline at 850.837.1071.

Home School Fridays

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

115 Westview Ave.

Valparaiso

Time: 10 a.m.

The month of May focuses on the topic “Mothers of the Past” during Home School Fridays. The program will study mothers from generations past, and discover what parts of their lives changed over time and the timeless roles that have remained the same. Each child will craft a token of gratitude to give to their mother. Please pre-register by calling 850.678.2615.

Concerts at the Landing – Forrest Williams Band

The Landing in Downtown Fort Walton Beach

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.

For 10 consecutive weeks, The Landing will be THE spot for an unforgettable live concert every Friday night from 6-8 p.m. On May 2, Forrest Williams Band will perform. In the following weeks, there will be performances by Boukou Groove, Season Ammons Bands, Chris and Gileah, Heritage and more! For more information, visit www.1021TheWave.com.

Saturday, May 3, 2014:

Charity Day at Belk

Belk at Destin Commons

4101 Legendary Drive

Destin

Time: 6-10 a.m.

All nonprofit organizations can pick up charity tickets to sell, starting now. Remember, you keep 100 percent of your ticket sales! Charities are also needed the morning of the sale to volunteer help with selling tickets at the door to customers. Those that volunteer get an equal split of the money taken in at the doors that morning for their charity.

Cinco de Mayo Festival

4/3-4/4

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Blvd.

Destin

Saturday will host a Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl through HarborWalk Village venues along with contests and live Latina-themed entertainment.

Pub Crawl Schedule:

6 p.m. Jester Mardi Gras Daiquiris

7 p.m. Jackacudas

8 p.m. Crab Island Cantina

9 p.m. Harry T’s Lighthouse

10 p.m. Margaritaville

11 p.m. Fishheads

12 a.m. Coyote Ugly Saloon

It’s Cinco de Meow-YO!

SOCKS

498 Carmel Drive

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8:30 p.m.

SOCKS Thrift Store, located directly behind the shelter, will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mexican-themed food and drinks. Store specials will also be a part of the celebration! Tickets are $5 per person and are available for purchase in advance or at the door. The cost provides you with a raffle ticket and two drink tickets. You can purchase additional raffle tickets at the event if you choose. Silent auction items will also be present. If you have an auction item that you’d like to donate or if you would just like more information on this event, please call the store at 850.863.8999 or call Nancy at 850.865.6866.

Hands-On History Saturdays

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

115 Westview Ave.

Valparaiso

Time: noon

The month of May focuses on the topic “Mothers of the Past” during Hands-On History. The program will study mothers from generations past, and discover what parts of their lives changed over time and the timeless roles that have remained the same. Each child will craft a token of gratitude to give to their mother. Please pre-register by calling 850.678.2615.

“Come Together 2014” Choctawhatchee Style Marchers

Choctawhatchee High School Auditorium

110 Racetrack Road NW

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 7-9 p.m.

The Choctawhatchee Style Marchers along with the Beachside Community Church present “Come Together 2014”. If you like STOMP, Blue Man Group, Blast or RamCorps, you will love this event. Sixty-one performers, projection, lighting, a house band—it will all be under one roof for ONE night! Percussionists from Meigs Middle School will also be present. Admission is $5. Children six years old and younger get in for free.

Sunday, May 4, 2014:

Cinco de Mayo Festival

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Blvd.

Destin

Time: 5-11 p.m.

Sunday brings live entertainment to include folkloric dancers, the 3^rd Annual Running of the Bulls and Macho Nacho Contest, piñata breaking and crafts for families to enjoy! The celebration will include a spectacular fireworks display over the stunning Destin Harbor.

What Are You Doing This Weekend? May 4-6

What’s happening on the Emerald Coast this weekend?

Happy Cinco de Mayo weekend! How will you celebrate? There are a few great things going on this weekend that you won’t want to miss. So check below to see what lively events you’d like to attend this weekend. If nothing catches your fancy, you can always grab an icy-cold margarita, or spend some time on one of the area’s ever-beautiful beaches!

 

Multi-Day Events

Burning up the Beaches a two-day car show, cruise, and beach bash with loads of fun and prizes will take place May 4-6! Check in at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.

BurningUpTheBeaches.com

Friday, May 4

Photo from NathonAbbotTeam.com

Saturday, May 5

Come out and celebrate at the Cinco de Mayo Spring Fest at HarborWalk Village from 4-10 p.m. A vibrant celebration of Latin music, food, dance, and more! Kids will enjoy many free activities and crafts. You won’t want to miss this spirited event which will include  piñata breakings, a nacho eating contest, a “Running of the Bulls” featuring the Roller Derby Girls and more!

EmeraldGrande.com

Hop aboard the Southern Star for the Waves for Wildlife Dolphin Cruise to benefit the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. Enjoying scouting the water for dolphins and other wildlife while taking in the beautiful scenery of the Destin area. The cruise will include live music by Dannica Lowery, free food, beer & wine, raffles and a meet-and-greet with our live animal ambassadors. Tickets can be purchased at the refuge or online at ECWildlifeRefuge.com for only $30 for adults, and $15 for children under 10.

Take in some local history as the Destin History & Fishing Museum Celebrates Founder’s Day from 10am-4pm. Learn about the founders of Destin, revive your memories of days gone by in a sleepy little fishing village, visit the “Old Post Office” and admire the new “Footprints in the Sand” celebration garden which commemorates Destin’s past, present, and future. Museum admission is free all day long.

Sunday, May 6

Photo from OceanReefResorts.com

Enjoy your beachy weekend!

            -The Life’s A Beach crew