Kickin' Off Fall with Festival Fun

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Autumn has commenced and that means the season for outdoor events is in full swing! 

With the transition from summer to fall behind us, we can now enjoy all that the months of September through December have to offer both locals and visitors of our festive area. The season starts off with exhilarating rides, exciting games and delicious food at the fair. The fun continues when the Destin Fishing Rodeo begins on the first of October, hosting people from all over as they compete for cash prizes and bragging rights in an array of categories. The weekend of October 6-8 is going to be full of entertainment as the Destin Seafood Festival and the Navarre Fishing Rodeo take place, bringing food, fishing, arts, kids' activities and more.

You don't have to look far to discover something fun to do on the Emerald Coast in the fall. Grab your family or friends and experience these happenings for yourself!


September

26-30   Northwest Florida Fair

Ride the rides, play the games, see the animals and have an overall great time at the fair! Visit the fair's website for a coupon for $2 off admission tickets. NWFFair.com

Photo courtesy of NWFFair.com

October

1-31   Destin Fishing Rodeo
Head to nearby Destin for this enormous, month-long fishing celebration! Known globally as “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin is home to some of the world’s best angling opportunities. Compete in the tournament for generous cash prizes or head to HarborWalk Village for exciting weigh-ins, free live music and fireworks. DestinFishingRodeo.org

Photo courtesy of Life's A Beach Publications archives

1   2nd Annual Destin Charity Cornhole Tournament
Participate or be a spectator at this popular sporting event at Destin Commons that benefits Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center! Sets of cornhole boards will be auctioned off to benefit ECCAC. ECCAC.org

Photo courtesy of ECCAC.org

6-8   Destin Seafood FestivalThis Emerald Coast tradition brings thousands of visitors and locals alike to celebrate Destin’s fantastic local cuisine. One of the area’s largest annual celebrations, the festival kicks off during opening weekend of the famous Destin Fishing Rodeo, so guests can enjoy two awesome events packed into one unforgettable weekend! Join us alongside the Destin Harbor for live music, fireworks, and of course, delicious seafood! DestinSeafoodFestival.com

Photo courtesy of Life's A Beach Publications archives

7-8   Navarre Fishing Rodeo

Be part of the coolest fishing event around! Fish from the shore, a charter, a kayak, or from the pier to participate in this classic tournament, then head to Juana’s Pagodas for post-fishing food and fun! NavarreFishingRodeo.com

Photo courtesy of Navarre Fishing Rodeo's Facebook page

For information on more events happening this fall, be sure to visit LifesABeachllc.com.

Have a beachy week!

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 October 3-6 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend into next week is filled with big events, ranging from the Destin Seafood Festival and Destin Fishing Rodeo to South Walton Fashion Week! 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!

October 1-31, 2014

66^th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo

Behind AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar, on Destin Harbor

The Destin Fishing Rodeo is the ultimate fishing tournament for saltwater anglers of all ages. Below are some facts about the month-long event:

- Open every day in October

- The rodeo is free to anglers fishing aboard a registered boat in the rodeo

- Weigh-ins take place everyday on the docks at AJ's from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

- The event is open to private and charter boats.

- Fishing on pier, bridge or jetties is free for anglers 14 years of age and younger

- A $25 fee is required for anglers 15 and over

- Over 30,000 anglers compete throughout the month of October

- Over $100,000 awarded in cash and prizes

- Daily, weekly and overall prizes

- Junior, Teen, Ladies and Senior divisions

Virtually every game fish is recognized with awards during the rodeo. Whether you're trolling inshore for king mackerel, offshore for marlin and sailfish, or fishing the deep bottoms for red snapper and grouper, you'll be in the running for prizes. To learn more about the rodeo and to check updates on the most recent weigh-ins, be sure to visit DestinFishingRodeo.org.

Friday-Sunday, October 3-5, 2014

36^th Annual Destin Seafood Festival

Destin Harbor Boardwalk

The 36^th Annual Destin Seafood Festival kicks off this Friday at 4 p.m. at Destin Harbor Boardwalk. Festival highlights include fresh, local seafood, live music on multiple stages, artist and craft vendors, kids’ zones, family fun, a fireworks show and much more! The venue extends along the water from HarborWalk Village at the foot of the Destin Bridge all the way to Heron Harbor. The venue showcases the Destin Charter Fishing Fleet and the action of the 66^th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo, which will continue for the entire month of October. The festival is free and open to the public, so bring your friends and family along for an exciting weekend centered on great food and fun! For more information on the Destin Seafood Festival, please visit DestinSeafoodFestival.org.

Saturday, October 4, 2014:

Fall Nighttime Corn Hole Tournament

Twin Oaks Horseshoe Pits

Corner of Hwy. 85 N and College Boulevard

Niceville

Time: 5 p.m.

All ages and skill levels are welcome to join in on the corn hole fun with two divisions available for sign up—masters and beginners. You have the chance to win cash prizes! Sign-ups and warm-ups are 4-4:45 p.m. with the tournament beginning at 5 p.m. Register early online and save. All proceeds benefit the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. Bring your chairs and coolers, and come enjoy the fun! For more information, please visit FWBChamber.org/events.

8^th Annual Blue Jean Ball

Covenant Hospice

220 Eglin Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6 p.m.

Uptown Station Family Movie Night Series, Featuring Toy Story 3

Uptown Station

99 Eglin Parkway NE

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Join the movie fun 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. Feel free to bring blankets, chairs and cuddle up for a family friendly movie. Movies always depend on the weather, so be sure to check the Uptown Station Facebook page for the latest updates on showings. Facebook.com/UptownStation

Sunday, October 5, 2014:

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

Monday, October 6-12, 2014

South Walton Fashion Week

Grand Boulevard

600 Grand Blvd. Ste. 203

Destin

South Walton Fashion Week is a large-scale, multi-day event that takes place along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast to celebrate high fashion by featuring dynamic events. Proceeds benefit The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County’s Arts Education Program. Emerging Designers who apply and are selected as finalists will showcase their designs on the Emerging Designer Runway and a winner will then be selected by a fashion panel of distinguished judges. For more information, visit DestinChamber.com/events/South-Walton-Fashion-Week.

The 34th Annual Destin Seafood Festival Kicks Off This Weekend!

OCTOBER 5 – 7, 2012

Friday, October 5: 3pm – 10pm

Saturday, October 6: 10am – 10pm

Sunday, October 7: 11am – 5pm

Admission: FREE (Donations Accepted)

If you enjoy fantastic entertainment, delicious food, and exciting activities for all ages, then you won’t want to miss the 2012 Destin Seafood Festival. This year, the festival will be presented by the Destin Charter Boat Association, along with many community businesses. To these folks, it’s more than just a festival – it’s a tribute to the rich history of the Destin Harbor. This year’s festival will be taking place along the beautiful Destin Harbor which now features the new and improved Harbor Boardwalk.

The event will feature tons of entertainment and fun for all ages, as the entire harbor district is abuzz with the excitement of the festival. There will be two outdoor main stages featuring performances from musical groups such as Heritage, Cadillac Willy, Coconut Radio and Cheryl Jones, just to name a few. An exciting addition to this year’s musical lineup is Wild Country Blue, an amazing U.S. Air Force band. There will also be live music at several other locations throughout the harbor. Kid’s activities will include bounce houses, pony rides, a petting zoo, hamster balls, Euro bungee, face painting, arts & crafts and more! If all this isn’t enough, the Destin Fishing Rodeo will be in full swing, with exciting weigh-ins taking place daily.

 

When you attend the Destin Seafood Festival this year, you better come hungry! Tons of succulent seafood items will be on the menu this year including lobster, crab cakes, scallops, shrimp, mullet, shark, mahi mahi, crawfish, clams and much, much more!

Come down to the Destin Harbor and see why more than 60,000 locals and visitors are expected to visit this year’s Destin Seafood Festival – exceptional food, outstanding entertainment, and loads of fun for the whole family.

Visit the Official Destin Seafood Festival Website Here