Our Top Picks for March 13-15 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

There are quite a few fantastic events happening this weekend on the Emerald Coast! Since we can’t highlight them all, please visit these links to learn about some that are not included in this post.

DestinChamber.com/Events

FWBChamber.org/Events

Throughout the next month or so, Spring Break continues to be in full swing, and we welcome all of our happy visitors! Along the Emerald Coast this weekend will bring events like the 9^th Annual Children in Crisis Charity Golf Classic, the 7^th Annual Irish Street Festival and Grog March, ARTwalk on the Harbor and so much more! Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions.

 

 wishes everyone a beachy weekend! Enjoy!

Friday, March 13, 2015:

9^th Annual Children in Crisis Charity Golf Classic

Children in Crisis, Inc.

1000 Luke’s Way

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 11 a.m.

Emerald Coast Theatre Company Presents Northwest Florida Debut of “Art,” Tony Award-Winning Comedy, March 13-15

Market Shops

9375 U.S. Highway 98

Miramar Beach

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC), a not-for-profit professional theater company based in Miramar Beach, Florida, continues its 2015 season by staging the Northwest Florida debut of “Art,” a comedy by French playwright Yasmina Reza.

Directed by ECTC artistic producer Nathanael Fisher, “Art” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. in suite 15 at the Market Shops, located at 9375 U.S. Highway 98, near the entrance to Sandestin and Hilton resorts in Miramar Beach.

The performance begins with an art gallery preview, featuring local Northwest Florida, including Andy Saczynski, Mary Hong, Velia Lala, Lori Drew and others prior to each show starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person. Due to language, the play is recommended for adult audiences. Seats are limited, and advance purchase is recommended. To purchase tickets, visit EmeraldCoastTheatre.org or call 850.687.1637.

Saturday, March 14, 2015:

7^th Annual Irish Street Festival & Grog March

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Come on out to this festive, annual event held on the beautiful, Destin Harbor! The fun kicks off at noon with a street festival, live music and games. This part of the event will feature the Irish Dance Studio, the Emerald Coast Community Band, the Emerald Coast Pipe & Drum and Joe Ashcraft Bagpiper.

At 5 p.m., the Grog March Pub Crawl begins as patrons “Sham-Rock” their way throughout HarborWalk Village. The Pub Crawl is $10 per person with proceeds benefitting Food For Thought. Bring a plastic jar of peanut butter or jelly and receive $5 off your Grog March pass. At 6 p.m., there will be a live concert performance by Continuum, along with free Irish whiskey and green beer tasting!

For more information or to purchase tickets for this event, please visit HarborWalk Village’s Facebook page.

Snake Day

Emerald Coast Science Center

31 SW Memorial Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Experience live encounters with the science center’s reptile friends, as well as snake games and crafts, reptile face painting and more. For more information, please call 850.664.1261 or visit ECScience.org.

Lucky Leprechaun 5K/10K Run/Walk

The Fort Walton Beach Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 8 a.m.

Sunday, March 15, 2015:

ARTwalk on the Harbor

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

HarborWalk Village transforms into a mini art district with dozens of artists showcasing their vibrant, engaging and creative artwork, ranging from traditional to contemporary art, jewelry, paintings and more! For more information, please contact 850.424.0600.

March at the Post

American Legion Post 296

311 Main Street

Destin

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Help us to help our veterans. There will be food and cocktails available, along with lots of fun and entertainment. All events are open to the public.

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.

Our Top Picks for May 16-18 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

T.G.I.F.! The past two weekends have been rain free and we are hoping for a third consecutive sunny and dry weekend. We hope you find this week’s blog post featuring area entertainment useful in deciding what to do and where to go with friends and family this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Whatever you decide to do, we wish you a very happy and fun weekend! 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! 

Friday, May 16, 2014:

11^th Annual Bob Hope Memorial Charity Golf Classic

Eglin AFB Golf Course

1527 Fairway Drive

Niceville

Time: 10:30 a.m.

The Air Force Enlisted Village’s major, local fundraising event, the 11^th Annual Bob Hope Memorial Charity Golf Classic, will be held May 16-17 at the Eglin AFB Golf Course in Niceville. Registration is open online at www.afev.us/GolfClassic or by calling 850.651.3766. Proceeds will benefit military widows in need, residing at the Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV). Play begins at noon on Friday at The Eagle course. Golfers will play The Eagle again on Saturday, May 17, with an 8:30 a.m. start time and an awards luncheon to immediately follow.

Concerts at the Landing – Continuum

The Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair, picnic and your friends out to this musical event on Friday evening. Continuum will put on a show stopping performance for all to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.1021thewave.com.

Downtown FWB Artwalk

Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

This event features local artists over all sorts of mediums. There is something for everyone—from oil paints and jewelry to handmade fishing lures. Stroll through Downtown FWB, check out the stores, listen to the local music and be amazed by the creative talent of our area artists.

Glow Run 5K for Children in Need

Fort Walton Beach High School

400 Hollywood Blvd.

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Children in Crisis are joining forces with Mary Esther United Methodist Church to raise funds to benefit the children in our community. On May 16, a dance party starts the night off at 6:30 p.m. followed by the run at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit Children in Crisis and all Children’s Compassion Ministries of Mary Esther Methodist. Register online at www.Active.com or in person at Mary Esther United Methodist at 703 East Miracle Strip Parkway in Mary Esther. www.MaryEstherUMC.org

Saturday, May 17, 2014:

Michles & Booth Charity Golf Tournament

Shalimar Pointe Golf Club

302 Country Club Road

Shalimar

Time: 11 a.m. registration/noon shotgun start

This tournament will benefit the Veterans Tribute Tower of Northwest Florida. The entry fee is $150 per person and is limited to the first 120 players. Sponsorships are available. Come out to this great event for an even greater cause. Prizes and raffles put the cherry on top of this spectacular event! www.ShalimarPointe.com; 850.651.1416

21^st Annual ABWA Billy Bowlegs Boat Poker Run

Shalimar Yacht Basin

100 Old Ferry Road

Shalimar

The 21^st Annual ABWA Billy Bowlegs Boat Poker Run begins and ends at Shalimar Yacht Basin. Boaters cruise to several local ports, visit the Casino Room and party at Shalimar Yacht Basin. The top three Poker hands win valuable prize packages. Local restaurants will donate food for the party. Entertainment will also be provided. To participate, call 850.863.9082 or visit www.ABWA-ECC.org. The Emerald Coast Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) is a nonprofit civic organization and all proceeds provide scholarships and educational opportunities for their members and for area students.

Spring Fest at HarborWalk Village

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Blvd. Ste. 230

Destin

Time: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

This event benefits the Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) and is free and family friendly. There will be live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, free, family activities, live animals, face painting, hands-on art activities, a silent auction and a display of posters from the talented students in the area. For more information, please contact Amy at amybaty1@gmail.com or Nancy Babin at kidzoneonthecoast@aol.com.

www.OkaloosaArts.org

Sunday, May 18, 2014:

ArtWalk on the Harbor

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Blvd.

Destin

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

This art event spans the Destin Harbor Boardwalk from HarborWalk Village to AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, featuring local and regional artists and vendors. The ArtWalk includes more than 40 artists and artisans from a variety of disciplines like painters, jewelers, soap makers, watch designers, photographers, sculptors and more! For more information on this event, e-mail info@harborwalk-destin.com or call 850.424.0600. www.ArtWalkOnTheharbor.com

Our Top Picks for April 25-27 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend it’s all about being OUTDOORS! There is a charity golf tournament, Relay for Life event, an Arbor Day event, a Heritage 5K and more. Try to get out and attend a couple of them, or ALL of them! For current weather updates, be sure to check www.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, April 25, 2014:
Emerald Coast Volleyball Week
4/23-4/27
Okaloosa Island Boardwalk
This 26-year running event invites all volleyball players (no matter their skill level) out to the beach for a week of fun in the sun and sand. This is, however, a primarily adult-oriented event. The event is presented by Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill. For more information, visit www.EmeraldCoastVolleyball.com.

30th Annual Fun Fest
4/25-4/26
Navarre Beach
Time: Friday - 4-10 p.m.  Saturday - 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Santa Rosa Medical Center presents nonstop entertainment with arts & crafts, a children's area (unlimited pass to enjoy inflatables at a low price), fireworks, a 5K run, food and more! There will be a free shuttle service from the Navarre Beach Park during festival hours. Two nights of FREE concerts include performances by Maddy Rose, Chloe Channell, The Chris Martin Band and Robert Wayne. Visit www.NavarreChamber.com for complete details and registration forms.

Musical Echoes Native American Flute Festival and Cultural Event
4/25-4/27
Fort Walton Beach Landing
If art, sculpting flutes, or playing the flute is a passion of yours, then there's a creative annual event in Fort Walton Beach calling your name. The totem for the 2014 festival is the hummingbird. There are three competitions at the festival: an Arts competition, a Flute Makers competition and a Flute Players competition. Spectators can enjoy the festival for free. There will be concerts, vendors with flutes, jewelry, baskets and more, and Native-American style food. Visit www.MusicalEchoes.org for more information.

Photo courtesy of Bill Lucas.

24^th Annual Amici d’Italiani Charity Golf Tournament

Shalimar Pointe Golf Club

302 Country Club Road

Shalimar

Registration: 10:30 a.m.  Shotgun start/tee time: noon

Sons & Daughters of Italy Joseph B. Franzalia Lodge #2422 proudly presents the 24^th Annual Amici d’Italiani Charity Golf Tournament in loving memory of our departed Brothers & Sisters. The cost per person is $60 for nonmembers and $50 for Shalimar Pointe members. The fee covers your cart, beverage and food. The proceeds of this dedicated tournament go toward scholarships of college-bound seniors. For more information or to purchase your player application or hole sponsor application, call 850.863.8944 or 850.609.6077.

Relay for Life of Fort Walton Beach

Northwest Florida Fairgrounds

1958 Lewis Turner Blvd.

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6 p.m.

For 29 years, Relay for Life has been the American Cancer Society’s premiere fundraising event. This overnight, walking journey celebrates our survivors and honors those whose lives were taken by cancer. Help the continuation in funding cancer research and providing services for those fighting for their lives. Register your team at www.RelayForLife.com and join the community on April 25 at the NWF Fairgrounds.

Dance Facets 2014

4/25-4/26

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

Mainstage Theater at NWFSC

100 College Blvd.

Niceville

Time: 7:30 p.m.

The stellar dance students at Northwest Florida State College present their annual dance concert, Dance Facets 2014, featuring original works and choreography, stunning talent and more on April 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. Dancers will perform original dance presentations, featuring classical ballet, contemporary and modern. To purchase tickets, contact the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office at 850.729.6000 or purchase online at www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org.

Destin Charity Wine Auction

4/25-4/27

Children in Crisis, Inc.

Grand Boulevard

Miramar Beach

Destin Charity Wine Auction is recognized as one of the nation’s “Top 10 U.S. Charity Wine Auctions” by Wine Spectator Magazine and is the Foundation’s largest annual event. The event draws wine aficionados, gourmet chefs and celebrity vintners from around the world to enjoy word-class wines in the gorgeous setting of white-sand beaches on Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast. Funds raised benefit 12 local charities, impacting the lives of children in need. To view the schedule of events, visit www.destinchamber.com.

City of Destin to Host Arbor Day Event

City of Destin

4200 Indian Bayou Trail

Destin

Time: 10:00 a.m.

This event will feature a guest speaker and a tree-planting ceremony by the city’s Environmental/Tree Committee. The ceremonial magnolia tree for this year has been donated by former Mayor Sam Seevers, dedicated to the City of Destin staff. Mayor Ponder will host the ceremony. The featured guest speaker will be Henderson Beach State Park Specialist, Lynda Smith. The city will give away an Eastern Redbud seedling to the first 50 people to arrive at the ceremony. The public is welcome to bring their own seedlings to trade with other tree enthusiasts. For more information on this event, visit www.destinchamber.com.

Saturday, April 26, 2014:

38^th Annual Saturday in the Park & Heritage 5K Run/Walk & Kids Fun Run

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

115 Westview Ave.

Valparaiso

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This free, family-oriented event offers a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy. The festival begins with the Heritage 5K Run/Walk and Kids one-mile Fun Run at 8 a.m. It then continues throughout the day with live entertainment, historic craft demonstrations, re-enactments, folk artists, food vendors and a Kids Zone with old-fashioned toys, contests and more! Register early (before April 24) at www.Active.com or visit the Heritage Museum. For more information, contact 850.678.2615.

6^th Annual Spring Market

4/26-4/27

Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island

1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy.

Fort Walton Beach

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

This two-day shopping extravaganza features vendors from around the country, selling unique gifts and quality merchandise. The event enables locals and visitors to shop while supporting the various community projects of the Junior League of the Emerald Coast. General admission is $5. All proceeds benefit the Junior League of the Emerald Coast. If you would like to be a vendor, please e-mail JLECMarket@yahoo.com.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day/Camp Sign-Up Day

Fort Walton Beach YMCA

1127 Hospital Road

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Healthy Kids Day is the YMCA’s national initiative to improve the health and well-bring of families, featuring fun, active play and educational activities to help kids be healthy and reach their full potential. Healthy Kids Day is a free community event to get kids moving and learning. There will be hands-on, interactive activities for families to participate in, along with membership specials for the YMCA and special promotions for YMCA summer day camp programs.

Sunday, April 27, 2014:

Red Cross Stadium Stomp

American Red Cross of Northwest Florida

222 N. Baylen Street

Pensacola

Sunday: Run/Walk: 2:00 p.m.   Baseball game: 4:00 p.m.

Saturday: pre-registration/packet pick-up at World of Beer

Be a part of the American Red Cross 1^st Annual Stadium Stomp! Bring the family and run/walk the 1.3-mile course through and around the Wahoo Stadium at the Community Maritime Park. Finish the afternoon by staying for an exciting baseball game. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross of Northwest Florida. The cost is $25 for the run/walk and $9 for the baseball game. To register, visit www.Active.com or call 850.432.7601.