Reeling Adventures

The summer season brings visitors from all over to THE Emerald Coast to test out their fishing skills here in “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”. The Gulf of Mexico offers a bounty of red snapper, triggerfish, grouper, scamp, amberjack and MORE! Local charter boat Captains and knowledgeable crew provide visiting anglers the perfect opportunity to explore the local waters with loads of fun fishing activities. The Destin Harbor is home to the largest fishing fleet in Florida and the best place to view more than 100 charter boats bring in their daily catch.  Take a walk along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk and book your charter experience TODAY!

2015 Destin Seafood Festival

Like Festivals? Like Seafood? Like enjoying gorgeous fall weather with fellow seafood enthusiasts? Look no further than the Destin Seafood Festival. Yes, Destin is known for its fishing, and you can experience its glorious bounty fried, grilled, blackened, poached, sautéed, seared, broiled, stewed, simmered, or all of the above! Come out and experience fresh seafood straight from the Gulf of Mexico, served with a side of Southern hospitality.

Cost of admission: FREE (Yea, I know, right?)

Times: Friday, October 2nd, 4 pm - 10 pm

            Saturday, October 3rd, 10 am - 10 pm

            Sunday, October 4th, 11 am - 4 pm

Where: Destin Harbour Boardwalk, 102 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541

For more information destinseafoodfestival.org

Our Top Picks for December 12-14 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend’s calendar of events features holiday events GALORE. If you feel like really getting into the holiday spirit of Santa Claus, Christmas carols, parades and more, then there is no doubt you’ll find an event that interests you! 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 wonderful and safe weekend! Enjoy!

Saturday, December 13, 2014:

City of Destin’s 30^th Annual Christmas Parade

Time: 10 a.m.

This year’s theme is “Christmas Trees & Memories, Celebrating Destin’s 30 Years.” The floats will start at Downtown Destin Shopping Center (Old Time Pottery) and travel West down Harbor Blvd. (Hwy. 98) to Nightown on Stahlman Avenue. Please stand on the north side of Harbor Blvd. to watch the floats.

A Dickens Christmas

Photos provided by Emerald Coast Theatre Company.

Visit with Santa

December 13-14

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: noon – 4 p.m.

Children can bring their wish list to Santa! All of Santa’s guests receive a special treat.

2^nd Saturday Market

23 Eglin Parkway SE

Downtown Fort Walton Beach

Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

There will be vendors set up outside with Christmas decor, Christmas gift items, furniture, shabby/chic, hand crafted items, home decor, home furnishings and so much more. Hamburgers and hotdogs will also be available for those who work up an appetite from shopping!

The Voices of Christmas at FWB First United Methodist Church

Fort Walton Beach First United Methodist Church

103 First Street SE

Fort Walton Beach

Located off of Highway 98, behind De' France Antiques and Flea Market

Time: 7-8:15 p.m.

The story of Christmas will unfold through the “voices” of witnesses (narration) echoed by the voices of the choir singing familiar holiday carols along with new Christmas anthems.

Lunch With Santa

AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar

116 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 1-3 p.m.

Head on over to AJ's after the Destin Christmas Parade for "Lunch with Santa"! This is a free, family event for everyone to enjoy. There will be live music with Cheryl Jones, arts & crafts with Build-A-Bear, cookie decorating, games, a Home Depot workshop, face painting, a bouncy house and so much more! You can also visit with Santa and tell him what you’d like for Christmas!

Sunday, December 14, 2014:

Destin Harbor Boat Parade

HarborWalk Village

Destin

Time: 6 p.m.

The Destin Harbor will be dancing with holiday lights and cheer during the 28^th Annual Destin Boat Parade. Come enjoy live music, children’s arts and crafts, and hot chocolate! Visit Santa Claus from noon to 4 p.m. The boat parade begins at 6 p.m. Following the parade, will be a spectacular fireworks display over the Destin Harbor.

ARTwalk on the Harbor

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Art event along the Destin Boardwalk from HarborWalk Village to AJ’s, featuring local and regional artists and vendors. This event is free to the public and takes place on the third Sunday of every month.

Breakfast with Santa at Emerald Grande

Grande Vista Bar and Grill, located inside Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 8-11 a.m.

Bring the holiday season to life! Children can enjoy a delicious and festive breakfast with Santa at the Grande Vista Bar and Grill! For reservations, please contact 850.424.0621.

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

*For a full, detailed list of holiday events taking place on the Destin Harbor this weekend, check out destinchamber.com/events/Holiday.

Our Top Picks for October 18-19 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This upcoming fall weekend entails some fantastic events, including a kite festival, a zombie walk and ballet performance! For current weather updates, be sure to reference weather.com or tune in via television to The Weather Channel.

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

Saturday, October 18, 2014:

6^th Annual Flying High on the Harbor Kite Festival

HarborWalk Village and Norriego Point

Destin

Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Kite Festival entails an all-day event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both October 18 and 19 at Destin Harbor’s HarborWalk Village and Norriego Point across the water. There will be giant 25 to 100-foot kites flying over the Destin Harbor, stunt kite lessons and family fun fly at Norriego Point. At HarborWalk Village, there will be kite making for the kids, paddleboard and skateboard demos, and toys and games. This event will be fun for everyone! For more information, please call 850.837.2800.

Fort Walton Beach Coin Show

Northwest Florida Fairgrounds

1958 Lewis Turner Boulevard

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Fort Walton Beach Coin Club will host a coin show at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds October 18 and 19. Admission is free. Buy/sell/trade an assortment of coins/medals/tokens/currency. Bring the entire family! For more information, please visit fwbchamber.org/events/.

Snow White – Northwest Florida Ballet

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

100 College Boulevard

Niceville

On October 18 and 19, the Northwest Florida Ballet presents Snow White. The performance will take place on the main stage at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19. Contact the Ballet at 850.664.7787 or visit NFBallet.org for ticket information.

Hispanic Heritage GALA Festival

Knights of Columbus

205 Carol Avenue

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.

The Eglin Hispanic Heritage Committee is hosting a GALA Festival at the Knights of Columbus on October 18. The event will close out all events held by the committee in celebration of the Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). The committee would like to share the culture by inviting the community to enjoy Hispanic music and dancing. There will be a live band and a DJ for entertainment. Snacks will be provided. The event is free. Dress code is semi formal. This is an adult-only event, so please no children. For more information, visit fwbchamber.org/events/.

Downtown Fort Walton Beach 2014 Zombie Walk & Canned Food Drive

Fountain Square

196 Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

The Zombie Walk and Canned Food Drive for Sharing & Caring will take place Saturday, Oct. 18, at 4 p.m. To register, please bring four cans of food to The Fort Walton Beach Landing or to the corner of Highway 98 and Ferry Road. More than $1,000 in prizes will be given away during this event. You don’t want to miss it!

2014 American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Uptown Station

99 Eglin Parkway, Ste. 9

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 8 a.m.

Join the 2014 American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of the Emerald Coast. This noncompetitive 5K walk raises money to fund breast cancer research and to educate Floridians about the importance of early detection and prevention. During this event, participants will join together to show support for the fight against breast cancer. For more information and to sign up, please contact Donna Fought at 850.585.9904 or e-mail donna.msabc@gmail.com.

Uptown Station Family Movie Night Series, Featuring: Muppets (2014)

Uptown Station

99 Eglin Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Join the movie crowd every other Saturday night at Central Park for Uptown Station’s family movie series in the park. All movies begin at dusk (approximately 7:30 p.m.) and are free and open to the public. Bring along blankets and chairs to stay comfortable. This week’s movie feature is the 2014 Muppets movie! Movie showings are always dependent upon the weather, so please refer to the Uptown Station Facebook page for the latest updates. facebook.com/UptownStation

Sunday, October 19, 2014:

ARTwalk on the Harbor

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Local artists display their unique and creative work along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk every third Sunday of each month.

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