Kickin' Off Fall with Festival Fun

EMBRACE change...

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!

High-Flying Fun for All

THERE'S something for everyone...

The Life's A Beach team hopes that everyone had a safe and enjoyable weekend, despite Hurricane Irma's surrounding presence. We are so thankful the storm did not have a direct hit on our beautiful area!

Looking at the week ahead, we have some featured, local events that are sure to inspire your inner adventurer.

15       National Drive Electric Week Exhibit

More than 30 electric cars, motorcycles and bikes will be on display at Destin Commons. Learn all about driving electric! Vendor booths, vehicle presentations and test drives will also be present. To learn more about this "green" event, visit DestinCommons.com.

Photo courtesy of Destin Commons.

16       Oktoberfest at HarborWalk Village

Don’t miss HarborWalk’s twist on an old German tradition this fall! Enjoy live music on the main stage, a variety of food from local vendors, arts and crafts for the whole family, over 20 German and seasonal craft beers, Stein Hoisting, games and more. For further information on this event, please visit EmeraldGrande.com.

Photo courtesy of Emerald Grande's website event page.

16       Knitting Class at Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

Have you always wanted to learn how to knit? Now is your chance! During this class, you will learn basic stitches and begin a project of your choice. You will need to bring your own yarn and short, size 8 circular or straight needles. The cost is $15 for museum members and $20 for nonmembers. Please call 850.678.2615 to register. You can visit Heritage-Museum.com for more information.

Photo courtesy of the Heritage Museum website.

16-17 Fly Into Fall Kite Festival

Join Kitty Hawk Kites and the Emerald Coast Kite Fliers Club for two days of free, kite flying fun! Enjoy larger-than-life show kites, professional stunt kite flying demonstrations, free kite flying lessons, a family fun fly perfect for any age and special activities at the Kitty Hawk Kites store at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. For more information, visit KittyHawk.com.

Photo courtesy of Kitty Hawk Kites Facebook page.

For more information on local events, please visit LifesABeachDestin.com or follow us on Facebook.

Have a beachy day!

Weekly Events

There is always something fun to do on the Emerald Coast! Each week, you can enjoy free concerts, fireworks,  parades, and more. Here are a few of our favorite recurring events for this summer...

July 6-12 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

Throughout this week and into the weekend, the Emerald Coast entertainment will continue with concerts, fireworks, kids’ camps and with an added bonus—Shark Week! 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 safe and beachy week/weekend! Enjoy!

July 6-12

Shark Week Fun for the Kids at the Gulfarium

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

1010 Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa Island

At this week’s MKAF Concerts in the Village Summer Concert Series, The Mulligans will own the stage with their classic ‘60s & ‘70s dance music!

Join the Gulfarium as they celebrate one of the ocean's most fascinating creatures with shark-related activities, specials and discounts throughout the park all week long!

Activities

Shark Feeds

Can you determine "fin fact" from "fin fiction"? Here's your chance to learn more about the incredible sharks that live at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park! The park’s knowledgeable aquarists will conduct a special, shark feeding once daily at each of their shark habitats, including:

9:30 a.m. Stingray Bay - Bonnethead sharks and Whitespotted bamboo sharks

11:45 a.m. Living Sea - Blacktip reef sharks

1:30 p.m. Living Sea - Wobbegong sharks

2:30 p.m. Shark Moat - Lemon sharks and Nurse sharks

Kids’ Crafts

Kids of all ages will enjoy the opportunity to make their own shark creation. Available between 10:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the Living Sea.

Shark Fin Scavenger Hunt

This zany scavenger hunt will have your kids roaming the park to scout out hidden shark fins, each containing a fun fact about our finned friends. Turn in your completed fact sheet for a fun prize!

Aquarium Bounce House

Kids of all ages can bounce around in the park’s custom, aquarium-themed bounce house!

Discounts & Specials

Beginning July 6, get $5 off your Stingray Bay Snorkel encounter! Call 850.243.9046 or use online code SHARKWEEK for $5 off. Offer available between July 6-12 and the encounter can be booked for any available date up until September 7, 2015. Cannot be combined with any other coupon or discount. Cannot be combined with Sunrise Special discount. Discounted Reef Shark ICEE drinks, Lemon Shark iced teas and a special Shark Head Popcorn bucket. Discounts on shark-themed merchandise in Fins Gifts retail store. Stay tuned for more at Gulfarium.com/Shark_Week.

July 6-11

Emerald Coast Theatre Company Presents 2015 Children's Theater Camp: Camp Broadway

Seaside Neighborhood School

10 Smolian Circle

Santa Rosa Beach

Summertime means letting your heart sing. Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC), a not-for-profit professional theater company based in Miramar Beach, Florida, has launched its 2015 summer theater camp series designed with kids in mind. ECTC’s third annual children’s theater summer series, presented with support from the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, features the following program:

Camp Broadway  (One week, Monday through Friday)

Let the Broadway rhythm get you! Come act, sing and dance your heart out to popular Broadway tunes as we learn songs and simple choreography to some of the musical numbers from Broadway. We'll play improvisation and theater games, too. Watch out parents, we'll wow you with a performance the last day of camp. Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Grades 3 through 10. $150 tuition per child. To register your child for this exciting camp, please visit docs.google.com/forms.

Thursday, July 9, 2015:

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Presents: The Mulligans

4323 Commons Drive West

Destin

Time: 7 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m.

Please note: This is the final week of concerts for this series!

During this fantastic and energetic outdoor event, a band plays for a crowd spanning the grass that the Dugas Pavilion overlooks. The audience can bring their own food and drinks to enjoy, or they can purchase them on site. Also, be sure to bring lawn chairs or towels to sit on. Come ready for a night of upbeat tunes and a spectacular performance that you won’t forget!

The cost for this great event is $10 per adult and children under 12 get in for free. For more information, please visit MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org or call 850.650.2226.

Red, White and Blue Celebration

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 7 p.m.

The Red, White and Blue Celebration is a weekly honoring of a local hero. The celebrations highlight the efforts of people who go above and beyond to better their community. Enjoy live entertainment, kids’ crafts, face painting and a vintage WWII aircraft flyover. The evening is topped off by a spectacular fireworks display over Destin Harbor at 9 p.m. This week, Avery Hatchett of SEA Chase Watersports will be honored. Avery’s heroic actions helped save a family from drowning at Crab Island. For more information, please visit EmeraldGrande.com.

Saturday, July 11, 2015:

Downtown Fort Walton Beach Farmer’s Market

DeFrance Antiques and Collectables

230 Eglin Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

The Downtown FWB Farmer's Market is open the second Saturday of every month, beginning in March and continuing through October. The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. An array of vendors set up with many different locally grown and handmade items such as fresh, farm produce and fruit, including Asian pears, local honey, grass-fed beef, baked goods, fresh eggs, jams, jellies, handmade soaps and scrubs, and so much more! Feel free to stroll the streets of Downtown Fort Walton Beach after the Farmer’s Market and check out the local flavor and southern hospitality. The community offers many unique boutiques, restaurants and bars, perfect for a Saturday afternoon outing!

Every Saturday night throughout the summer, come on out for free concerts on the HarborWalk Village stage! All concerts are open to the public. For more information, please call 850.424.0600.

Our Top Picks for April 16-19 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

If you are fond of wine, live music, fashion or pirate invasions, then this weekend’s events on the Emerald Coast will have no problem keeping a smile on your face! 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 safe and beachy weekend! Enjoy!

Thursday, April 16 – Sunday, April 19:

29th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival

Village of Baytowne Wharf

The Sandestin Wine Festival brings an opportunity for discovery. Four days of unique events open up a wide range of experiences like wine dinners with celebrity chefs, preview events throughout the year and wine tastings that showcase hundreds of wines.

Event Schedule:

4/16: Official Kick-Off Party at Rum Runners in Sandestin and Wine Dinner at Marlin Grill

4/17: Champagne & Seafood Voyage onboard Sunquest Cruises – Solaris and Grand Wine Tasting

4/18: Mind. Body. Beach. and Grand Wine Tasting

4/19: Brunch on the Bay at Marina Bar & Grill at Sandestin

Tickets are available at sd.xorbia.com. For more information, visit SandestinWineFestival.com.

Friday, April 17, 2015:

Sandestin Wine Festival Kick-Off Seafood & Champagne Cruise

SunQuest Cruises

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort/Baytowne Marina

9300 Emerald Coast Parkway

Miramar Beach

Celebrate the kick-off of the highly anticipated Sandestin Wine Festival on a luxurious 125-foot yacht that cruises the open waters while indulging in fresh, local seafood and premium champagnes. The SOLARIS chefs are featuring an elaborate four-course, Gulf Coast seafood menu, each paired with premium champagnes. Patrons will embark on an unforgettable day that begins with a Dockside Reception at noon with hors d’oeuvres and sparkling bubbly. It’s smooth sailing for the rest of the afternoon as guests enjoy all three decks of the SOLARIS yacht, including the open-air sky deck, and three additional coastal cuisine courses and champagne. Reservations required online at SunQuestCruises.com or by calling 850.650.2519.

The Mulligans in Concert

Ramada Plaza Beach Resort

1500 Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Saturday, April 18, 2015:

Pirate Day at the Emerald Coast Science Center

31 Memorial Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Come join the science center for sea monster dissections, navigation and pirate and sea crafts. Come dressed as your favorite pirate. You can even visit the William Augustus Bowles Mobile Pirate Museum, which will be present for the event.

Spring Style Event at Silver Sands Premium Outlets

Silver Sands Premium Outlets

10562 Emerald Coast Parkway W., Suite 200

Miramar Beach

Shoppers are invited to enjoy this fun event that will feature a fashion show, food, Abrakadoodle art project for kids, Facetime PhotoBooth, prize drawings and more. The first 50 to check in at the event will also receive a free Premium Outlets signature shopping tote. The event will be held in the space to the left of Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5^th, next to Rack Room Shoes.

Attendees will get to preview spring fashion trends at a fashion show hosted by guest bloggers Jami Ray of 30A Street Style and Jessica Fay of Lipstick, Heels & A Baby. These fashion trendsetters will bring their expertise to the event by exclusively styling looks for the fashion show and hosting the live event.  

Attendees can also enjoy a taste of Silver Sands Premium Outlets with delicious samples from an array of eateries at the center including Pino Gelato Café that will offer samples of Italian coffee, gelato and their famous Ferrari Flatbread Sandwich. The event is sponsored by Southern Vacation Rentals.

Bowlegs Pirate Invasion!

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

1010 Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Local Color Artists to Exhibit at Destin Library

Destin Library

150 Sibert Avenue

Destin

The Destin Library will host an art exhibit of the Local Color Artists Club through April 18. The exhibit will feature the works of local artists from the Destin/Fort Walton Beach/Niceville area. The fifteen-piece exhibit includes the works of:

Sue Tarkin

Bill Stephenson

Dr. Theresa McRee

Dennis Rosati

Amy Jo Rosati

Lynette Miesen

Helen Blair

Jackie Lynch

Gini Simpson

Marie Jackson

Tamara Lee Sturgeon

Lou Kaunzinger

Barbara Brook

Sue Peck Hamm

Priscilla Bonjour

Exhibit hours at the Destin Library’s Calhoun Room are:

            Monday                                   9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

            Wednesdays                          1-5 p.m.

            Tuesday/Thursday              9 a.m. – 8 pm.

            Friday                                       9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

            Saturday                                  9 a.m. – 1p.m.

For more information, please contact Amy Jo Rosati at ajrdjr112@cox.net.

Sunday, April 19, 2015:

ArtWalk on the Harbor

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Each month, HarborWalk Village transforms into a mini art district. Happening every third Sunday, dozens of artists come out to showcase their vibrant, engaging and creative artwork ranging from traditional to contemporary art, jewelry, paintings and more. You’ll find a mix of unique, handcrafted items from both emerging and established artists.

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.