Our Top Picks for January 31 – February 1 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

Not only does this weekend carry us into the first day of a new month, it’s also Super Bowl Sunday! A few of the happenings around town this weekend are a Travel Expo, Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser and Kids Free Weekend at the Gulfarium! Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions.

The crew wishes everyone a beachy weekend filled with lots of football fun! Go team!

Saturday, January 31, 2015:

Inaugural Travel Expo

Saint Mary Parish Life Center

165 SW Coral Avenue

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser

Destin History & Fishing Museum

108 Stahlman Avenue

Destin

Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

What better way to spend your Saturday afternoon than tasting delicious gumbo and bidding on spectacular auction items?

The Destin History & Fishing Museum announces its Annual Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Fundraiser. The event will take place Saturday, January 31, at the Destin Community Center from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Area restaurants and individuals compete for the title of the best gumbo in the panhandle! The event will include live music by a local band and a silent auction of 60-plus items, including artwork, vacation stays, jewelry, restaurant gift certificates, boating and fishing trips, services, golf, recreational activities, gift baskets and much more.

Come sample all of the area’s finest gumbo and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award. Advanced tickets are available now at the museum for $10 per adult. Admission will be $12 at the door the day of the event.

For more information concerning entering your gumbo in the contest, donating an item for the silent auction or coming to enjoy the event, please contact the museum at 850.837.6611 or e-mail kathydestinhistory@gmail.com.

Kids FREE Weekend at Gulfarium

Jan. 31 – Feb. 1

Gulfarium

1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE

Fort Walton Beach

Kids 12 and under get FREE park admission on Jan 31 and Feb 1 (limit two free kids’ passes per adult). In addition to shows and exhibits, special activities include fishy crafts and access to our custom aquarium bounce house. Gulfarium.com

Sunday, February 1, 2015:

Winter Guest Concert Series

Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 2-4 p.m.

Shake off the chills of winter with free, live music on HarborWalk Village’s main stage! All winter guests and locals are invited to enjoy an inspirational concert!

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

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

This weekend is all about golf tournaments, benefitting great causes! If you love the sport of golf, then grab your lucky clubs and come on out! 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 weekend! Enjoy!

Friday/Saturday, September 12 & 13, 2014:

Concerts in the Club

Juana’s Pagodas/Sailor’s Grill

1451 Navarre Beach Causeway

Navarre Beach

Show time: 9:30 p.m.

Friday, September 12, 2014:

A Hole Lot of Heart Golf Tournament, Benefitting the American Heart Association

Shalimar Pointe Golf Club

302 Country Club Road

Shalimar

Time: Shotgun start at 11 a.m.

Sponsorship Levels:

Platinum: $450 – entry for one (1) two-man team into the tournament, hole sign and acknowledgment of sponsorship in player invitation, pre/post tournament and day of materials

Gold: $300 – hole sign, acknowledgment in pre/post tournament announcements and day of materials

Silver: $150 – hole sign

For more information, please contact Dan Robertson at 850.243.5604.

Mini Antique Road Show

Destin Library

150 Sibert Avenue

Destin

Time: 3 p.m.

The Friends Guild of the Destin Library, Inc.’s Sept. 12 meeting will feature a Mini Antique Road Show with Gerald Roper, one of the region’s most well-known and respected enthusiasts of antiques and collectibles. The program is free and open to the public. To learn more, e-mail friendsofthedestinlibrary@gmail.com.

Saturday, September 13, 2014:

Okaloosa STEMM Academy Golf Tournament

Shalimar Pointe Country Club

302 Country Club Drive

Shalimar

Sunday, September 14, 2014:

Tin Cup Classic Golf Tournament

556 Seascape Drive

Miramar Beach

Time: 11 a.m.

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

Chill, Chill, Go Away – Indoor Activities During Cold Weather

As a result of the recent cold snap taking over the Emerald Coast, many people are staying away from the outdoors and seeking warmth inside. When you’re not busy at work and would like to go out and do something with your friends or loved ones, there are indoor options for fun in the area.

We know our area is known for its warm days and beautiful beach weather, but it also boasts many other activities for those cold, winter days. Here’s a list of some of the things to do on the Emerald Coast when you want to stay indoors.

Museums

Browse a local museum and learn about the history of the area and its people. The Air Force Armament Museum, Destin History and Fishing Museum, Indian Temple Mound Museum and Emerald Coast Science Center are just a few of the museums around town.

Air Force Armament Museum

Games

For a day of fun, head on over to Fat Daddy’s Arcade next to Fudpucker’s in both Destin and Okaloosa Island. Santa Rosa Mall also has a newly revamped arcade. These arcades provide numerous, exciting games with unique prizes available in exchange for tickets. Take your family or friends out to an arcade for hours of cyber entertainment.

Fudpucker's on Okaloosa Island

Shopping

The popular act of browsing rows and rooms of clothing, accessories and shoes in hopes of finding something special to add to your wardrobe, is a favorite cold day and sunny day activity on the Emerald Coast. With fabulous shopping offered locally at Destin Commons, Santa Rosa Mall, and an array of smaller shopping centers, your retail adventure will be a blast.

Destin Commons

Coffee

If you want to stay low key for your outing, then stop in at a local coffee or pastry shop and grab a warm cup of Jo or some hot chocolate. Coffee and hot chocolate taste great no matter what time of day you enjoy them.

Food

Sit down for any meal of the day at a nearby restaurant. There are so many to choose from. Whether you are craving seafood, Italian, Mexican, Greek, Chinese, or almost any other type of fare, you will find a restaurant that caters to your taste buds.

Movies

Rent a movie from Redbox or venture out to the theater. There are Redbox locations all around at places like Winn-Dixie, Walgreens and Walmart, and the cost is just a dollar per DVD. Don your comfortable clothes and go view one of the recently released films in the comfort of cushion seats and a big screen, with popcorn and candy to top it off.

No matter what you choose to do for fun indoors during cold weather on the Emerald Coast, there is no doubt that you'll stay warm and entertained!