Our Top Picks for August 13-17 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend is full of an assortment of exciting events happening along the Emerald Coast! Besides Shark Week being in full force, other local happenings include the much-anticipated Emerald Coast Poker Run, the Downtown Fort Walton Beach Art Walk and the Annual Paddle at the Porch—Destin SUP Cup. 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!

Wednesday, August 13-Sunday, August 17, 2014:

The Emerald Coast Poker Run is hitting the scene with boats, contests, parties and more! The day-by-day schedule for the event is as follows: Aug. 13 Luau Ladies Night at Helen Back, Aug. 14 Swamp Features Miss Boat Week Contest, Aug. 15 (private) Captains Party at AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar, Aug. 16 Emerald Coast Poker Run and Poker Run Party and Aug. 17 Crab Island Party. The Poker Run benefits the Emerald Coast Foundation. EmeraldCoastFoundation.com, EmeraldCoastPokerrRun.com/Events/

Poker Run 2011

Thursday, August 14, 2014:

Navarre Beach Chamber Free Summer Concert Series—Thursdays in the Park

Photo credit: Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Twitter page

Friday, August 15, 2014:

Downtown Fort Walton Beach Art Walk

August’s Art Walk celebrates every parents’ favorite time of the year—back to school! Art Walk will give everyone a final chance for a night out before local schools begin their academic season on Monday, August 18.

Photo credit: Downtown FWB Art Walk Facebook page

Art Walk is thrilled to use this month’s event as a community fundraiser for the art program at Elliott Point Elementary School! The school is located only a couple miles from Downtown Fort Walton Beach. Elliott Point has a wonderful, volunteer art teacher, but is in desperate need of supplies. There will be a number of raffles and auctions happening throughout the night to help raise money for their supply fund, and many of the Downtown FWB merchants will be donating a percentage of their sales during Art Walk. Stop in Liz Fashions to buy raffle tickets for a gift certificate worth $50. All proceeds will go toward the art program. For more information, please find Downtown Fort Walton Beach Art Walk on Facebook or visit DowntownFWB.com.Event/ArtWalk.

Movies at the Landing – The Princess Bride

Downtown Fort Walton Beach

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 8 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair, picnic and your friends out to this Disney movie event, happening every Friday through August 29!

Saturday, August 16, 2014:

3^rd Annual Paddle at the Porch – The Destin SUP Cup is an event looked forward to by Stand Up Paddle Boarders every year. Paddle at the Porch showcases the gorgeous emerald waters of Destin behind The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House. The event features a one-mile recreational race, a three-mile recreational race and a six-mile elite race. All to be followed by awards, including a big cash purse, food and fun! PaddleAtThePorch.com

25^th Annual Hafla

The Kasba Dancers will host their 25^th Annual Hafla at Sons of Italy #2422 at 808 South Drive in Fort Walton Beach. Doors open at 10 a.m. and dancing is scheduled for 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. The cost is $10 at the door, with portions of the entry fee benefitting Ovarian Cancer Research. For more information, contact director Carla Bauer at 850.830.8058.

Sunday, August 17, 2014:

Some Sunday Brunch spots in and around Destin:

Crab Island Cantina, Destin Harbor

Harry T’s, Destin Harbor

Anglers Beachside Grill, Okaloosa Island Boardwalk

A Festival of Fish and Much, Much More -- The 36th Annual Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival

What:    The 36^th Annual Boggy Bayou                   Mullet Festival

Where:  Niceville, FL

When:   October 19-21, 2012

www.MulletFestival.com

www.BoggyBayouMulletFestival.info

If there’s one thing you won’t want to miss this weekend, it’s the 36^th Annual Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival. Recently named one of the USA’s top 12 food festivals by Parade Magazine, this spirited fall festival offers something for everyone. Festival fun will include high-quality arts and crafts, a huge selection of clothing, jewelry and other goods, collectibles and merchandise, carnival rides and booths, kids’ activities, local and big-name entertainment, and more!

Festival History

Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival 1978

The festival began back in 1976 in the town of Niceville, then a happy little fishing village known simply as Boggy Bayou. In those days, local fisherman poled flat-bottomed skiffs out into the bay at night, listed for the jumping mullet, and cast their nets. During the depression, mullet saved the Boggy Bayou area by providing pioneer families with the means to barter with regional farmers for needed goods and services, so this little town owes the mullet a lot.

Since its beginning, this annual festival honoring the mullet has grown to one of the South’s most celebrated festivals, gaining much recognition and notoriety nationwide. It has become one of the best-known country music events in the South.

For folks living in the area, it’s an event that brings the townsfolk together every year, allowing them to renew old friendships and celebrate with neighbors. For visitors, it’s an excellent opportunity to have some good old-fashioned family fun.

Food

Photo: MoscatoMom.com

Throughout the three day festival, thousands of hungry mullet fans will consume up to 4 tons of this tasty fish. Of course, everyone who goes the Mullet Festival will have something to eat. Aside from fried and smoked mullet, a wide variety of menu options will be available including seafood, oriental foods, Cajun and country cooking, sweet treats and more. Just a few of these must-try items include shrimp, shark, alligator, crawfish, BBQ, shrimp tempura, fried vegetables, bratwurst, wings, chicken, burgers, funnel cakes, kettle corn, cotton candy, hot apple dumplings and ice cream!

Arts and Crafts

A large arts and crafts show will make for some truly unique finds. This juried show features only original, high-quality work. All exhibitors are eligible for the “Best of Show” Purchase Award. In addition, there will be tons of hand-made and/or decorated clothing available in the Boutique section.

Entertainment Galore

As previously mentioned, the Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival has become known as one of the South’s best country music festivals. Known for featuring nationally-recognized country acts in a small, festival atmosphere, if there’s one thing there’s no shortage of at this event it’s entertainment. The best part? The festival’s low admission price INCLUDES all the entertainment. How awesome is that?

To see a complete schedule of entertainment Click Here.

Family Day

Sunday, October 21 is Family Day at the Mullet Festival. Sponsored by Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and Twin Cities Hospital, this is the festivals only alcohol-free day. No sales of beer or any other alcoholic beverages will be permitted on this day. On Family Day, volunteers from Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and Twin Cities Hospital will be selling soft drinks on site to raise funds for the United Way.

The entertainment on this day is geared specifically towards a family audience. Children can enjoy rides, clown shows, cartoon characters, pony rides, magicians, face painting, and much, much more!

What’s A Mullet?

Black or striped mullet are a versatile fish that can be found throughout the world in warm, coastal marine waters and sometimes in fresh water. They are abundant in Florida Waters, especially in Choctawhatchee Bay and its bayous. Mullet are sometimes called jumping, or happy mullet because these fish leap right out of the water and skip along the surface in great exuberance.

Well known and held in high esteem for centuries, these fish were often included in the writings of the ancient Romans. Mullet, which feed on vegetation, algae and plankton, take on the flavor of their surroundings. In most areas, dirty or polluted waters render mullet inedible. For this reason, the mullet is no longer a prize delicacy in Rome because Italy’s canals and coastal waters became polluted.

Mullet taken from the Niceville’s sandy-bottomed waters are fat and clean. Their firm-texture has a mild, almost sweet, nutlike flavor. Don’t take my word for it, come out to the 36^th Annual Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival and see for yourself!

Check out this Mullet Festival T-Shirt
Worn by the "Sam Merlotte" Character
on HBO's Popular TRUE BLOOD Series

Fall in Love with the Emerald Coast

Looking Forward to an Eventful Fall Season!

If you’ve been wanting to visit the always lovely Emerald Coast all summer long, and haven’t yet made it down, don’t worry! You haven’t missed your chance. The first official day of fall is this Saturday, September 22, and it is a wonderful time to plan an escape to this magical area.

There are a ton of things to look forward to throughout this lively season. One of my personal favorites of course is that the fall/winter edition of Life’s A Beach will be hitting the stands throughout the region. (We in fact, just received this edition from the printer this morning, so look for it at a location near you!) This means new artwork, photos, coupons, articles, events and more for our readers. How sweet is that!?

Another favorite is the weather. Fall weather on the Emerald Coast is ideal for almost any activity you can imagine. It’s still great for spending a day at the beach, or out on the water, and it’s fantastic if you just want to get out there and experience the beauty and wonder of Mother Nature in a comfortable setting. The slightly cooler evenings are awesome for a stroll on the beach, or for cuddling up with that special someone. If you enjoy camping, this is an optimal time of year for sleeping out under the stars and roasting marshmallows by the fire.

During the fall, the whole area comes alive with the vibrance of the season. There is always something happening, and there is so much to see and do you will never be bored. Let’s take a brief look at some of the things that will be happening throughout this magical season.

Throughout the entire month of October, spend a little time at the Destin Harbor, and enjoy the festivities of the 64^th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo. There will be tons of cash and prizes awarded to anglers from all over the country. Best of all, participation in the Rodeo is FREE to when you fish aboard any boat registered in the Rodeo. Even if you’re not fishing, you can still enjoy the merriment of the daily weigh-ins held on the docks. Don’t miss Shark Saturdays!

DestinFishingRodeo.org

The 34^th Annual Destin Seafood Festival will be entertaining thousands October 5-7. This tribute to the rich history of the Destin Harbor will feature 3 days of fun-filled activities for the whole family. There will be over 10 stages, and over 60 shows of amazing live music, kid’s activities, arts and crafts vendors, delicious food, beer, and much, much more! This event is also free and open to the public, however donations are accepted.

DestinSeafoodFestival.org

The Destin Beer Festival on October 13 will be held along the main street of Destin Commons. This event will feature an afternoon of specialty brews, eclectic cuisine, live entertainment, a merchandise booth and more! Event proceeds will benefit The Children’s Neighborhood of Children in Crisis, Inc. Come out and enjoy some great beer for a great cause!

DestinBeerFestival.com

Enjoy even more beer October 19-20 at the 5^th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival. The event will feature over 40 onsite craft brewers, over 100 domestic and international beers, seminars and samplings, and live music.

BaytowneWharfBeerFestival.com

Make your way to Niceville October 19-20 for the 36^th Annual Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival. (Don’t worry folks, that’s mullet as in fish, not the popular 80’s hairstyle that’s business in the front and a party in the back!) The festival always promises a great time for the entire family with big-name entertainment, the highest quality fine art and home hand-crafts, numerous exhibits and a staggering array of food concessions. Don’t miss other special events throughout the festival such as the Mullet Toss!

BoggyBayouMulletFestival.info

If you are a dog lover, you will not want to miss Dog Daze on October 20 at Liza Jackson Park in Fort Walton Beach. This canine-centered event featuring doggie arts and crafts, informational booths, lots of freebies and giveaways, a dog parade, wiener races and more! Come out for a day of fun focused around man’s best friend. Dog Daze benefits Alaqua Animal Refuge, RUFF (Rescue Unwanted Furry Friends), and PAWS (Panhandle Animal Welfare Society).

FWBChamber.org

If there’s art in your heart you will not want to miss the 17^th Annual Destin Festival of the Arts sponsored by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. The festival will be held October 27-28 at Henderson Beach State Park. The event will feature over 100 artists from across the United States in a vast variety of mediums. There will be kid’s events, live music and lots of fun.

MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org  

November 1-4 grab your glass and head to Seaside for the Seeing Red Wine Festival. This for day event is choc-full of decades of southern tradition, and is sure to satisfy your taste for wine… and the beach! An extensive array of tasting tents will be onsite with wine samples from around the world.

SeeingRedWineFestival.com

The Great Golf Coast Arts Festival is a juried art show that takes place in Seville Square in Downtown Pensacola November 2-4. Over 250,000 visitors flock to the area to enjoy this event every year.

GGAF.org

On November 10 head down to the Destin Harbor for the Blues, Brews & BBQ event. Local restaurants will be firing up the frills and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Northwest Florida chapter will be onsite hosting a craft beer tasting and creative BBQ competition.

EmeraldGrande.com

These are just a few of the many events you can enjoy this fall. Other things you may want to check out include touring shows, orchestra performances, Halloween festivities including multiple haunted houses and more! Check back with us often for more information on these and other upcoming events in addition to your regular Emerald Coast connection.

Until next time, enjoy the fruits of the season and remember to send us your Emerald Coast vacation photos!

Life's A Beach Photo Upload

Celebrate Independence Day on the Emerald Coast

Boom, Boom, Boom! The celebration of America’s Freedom has already begun with a bang here on the Emerald Coast. If you’re just arriving to spend the 4^th of July weekend at this lively locale, allow us to outline a few of the events you won’t want to miss. Fun-filled and patriotic events will be occurring throughout the area all week long. Some events are regularly scheduled Emerald Coast Weekly Summer Events, but for the sake of those who are here to celebrate the holiday this week only we’re going to touch on a few of those things as well.

Monday, July 2

Join Magician Rick Moore from 7-9pm at the Events Plaza Stage at the Village of Baytowne Wharf for Magical Mondays, an evening of laughs and illusions.

BaytowneWharf.com

                             Tuesday July 3

The Village of Baytowne Wharf is host to the weekly celebration, Boomin’ Tuesdays. This celebration provides an evening of fun and merriment, complete with face painting, kid’s crafts, and live music by Coconut Radio from 7-9pm. Stick around for the fireworks show beginning at 9:15pm!

BaytowneWharf.com

Head down to HarborWalk Village, where every Tuesday is Fat Tuesday, with their Pardi Gras celebration from 7-10pm! Enjoy dazzling floats, beads, and loads of swag during the parade through the village, and relish the cocktails, red beans and rice, and live entertainment!

EmeraldGrande.com

Enjoy a coastal fireworks display beginning at 9pm in Seaside. Be sure to tune your radio to 30A Radio (107.1) to hear the simulcast soundtrack as you watch the magnificent display.

SoWal.com

Wednesday July 4 

Celebrate the holiday with at the Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Red, White & Baytowne celebration. Bring the kids! Enjoy face painting, crafts and a stilt walker from 6-10pm and live music by The Shrimpboat Cowboys form 7-9pm. A special Independence Day fireworks show will light up the sky over the lagoon at 9:15pm.

BaytowneWharf.com

HarborWalk Village will be offering tons of fun and excitement from 6-10pm at their 4^th of July Extravaganza on the Harbor! Festivities will include family activities, a hotdog eating contest, giveaways, live music on the Main stage by Clinch 46, and of course FIREWORKS!

EmeraldGrande.com

Head to Main Street in Destin for the American Legion Cookout. American Legion post 296 will be hosting an old-fashioned cookout with hamburgers and hotdogs beginning at 2pm. Entertainment will be provided by Rock’n Robbin. This event is open to the public.

Legion.org

The City of Fort Walton Beach will be hosting its annual 4^th of July Celebration at the Fort Walton Beach Landing. The event is scheduled from 4-10pm and will include entertainment, vendors, a bicycle parade for children, a flyover, and kid’s activities and games. The evening will conclude with a breathtaking fireworks display over the sound beginning at 9:15pm.

FWB.org

The annual South Walton 4^th of July Parade will begin in front of Seagrove Plaza at 8am. Participants in patriotic costumes and on festive holiday floats will travel 1.5 miles down Scenic Hwy 30A to Seaside, where a winning parade entry will be selected. After the parade, enjoy music in the Amphitheater from 30A Radio until 11am. Bring your blanket and settle in as the celebration continues with Stars & Stripes at Seaside at 7pm featuring a special performance by Dread Clampitt and Sam Bush. The festivities will come to a close with a spectacular fireworks show viewable from the Seaside Amphitheater or along the beach.

SoWal.com

Spend the holiday building ad sailing a pirate ship with the little ones in the reflection pond during a ranger-led activity from 10am-noon at Eden Gardens State Park’s Fourth of July Family Day.

FloridaStateParks.org/EdenGardens

Enjoy the all-day 4^th of July Celebration in Rosemary Beach. The festivities kick off with the annual Bike Parade through town beginning at 8:45am. A Family Field Day will be held from 9-11am on the Western green. Have a blast with sack races, 3-legged races, hula-hoop contests, a water balloon toss, music, airbrush tattoos, “go fish,” balloons and moonwalks. A barbeque will take place from 5-7 pm on the Eastern Green where an old-fashioned BBQ dinner will be available for purchase. Bring a blanket and enjoy an evening of music under the stars at Concert on the Green from 6:30-8:30pm on the Western Green. The evening will end with a fireworks show at 8:45.

RosemaryBeach.com

The DeFuniak Springs Business and Professional Association presents the 21^st annual Celebration around the Lakeyard, which includes a parade, entertainment with Crossroads, children’s activities, a flyover, a fireworks display and more!

WaltonOutdoors.com

The Walton County Heritage Museum celebrates the museum’s 10^th Anniversary on July 4^th. The museum will open at 10am and remain open until the conclusion of the fireworks over Lake DeFuniak. The caboose will be open for tours from 11am-2pm. Trolley tours of historic homes around Circle Drive will be offered at 11am, 11:45am, 12:30pm and 1:15pm. Tours will include a guided walk through the Heritage Garden and a reception at the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood. Hot dogs, sausage dogs, and drinks will be sold in front of the museum beginning at 11am.

WaltonCountyHeritage.org

Thursday, July 5

Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and head out to the Village of Baytowne Wharf for Sunset Cinema, a fun-filled movie under the stars! This week’s feature film is The Smurfs, and showing begins at 8pm.

BaytowneWharf.com

Can’t get enough fireworks? Check out the Red, White and Blue Celebration at HarborWalk Village from 6-8pm. This weekly honoring of a local hero highlights the efforts of people who go above and beyond to better their community. Enjoy live entertainment, free kid’s crafts and face painting, and a WWII replica flyover. The evening is topped off by a spectacular fireworks display over the Destin Harbor.

EmeraldGrande.com

Friday, July 7

Rock the Docks with Andy Velo at HarborWalk Village from 8-10pm. The evening will include free kids activities and face painting.
EmeraldGrande.com

Saturday, July 8

Relive America’s favorites at Rock the Docks with Ron Adams and Friends at HarborWalk Village from 7-9pm.

EmeraldGrande.com