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!

Our Top Picks for January 23-25 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

Even though the countdown to spring is underway, there are still a lot of events to be enjoyed this winter! From a local, running event to a winter concert series, the options this weekend are both exciting and varied. 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! Enjoy!

Friday, January 23, 2015:

Lagunitas Craft Beer Dinner

Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

The Nifty 50s… Gonna Rock Around the Clock

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa

4000 Sandestin Boulevard S.

Destin

United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties’ “NIFTY 50s” will be “Rocking Around the Clock” and taking over the dinner, dance and silent auction of 2015 at the event’s new venue, the Hilton Sandestin’s Emerald Ballroom, on January 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This year’s Celebrity Dancers, partnered with a Fred Astaire professional, are Crystal Boyles of Emerald Coast Aviation, Andi Mahoney of White-Wilson Medical Center and Ashley Vogt of Knoll Inc. This fundraiser benefits the United Way and its 42 local partner agencies. For more information, please call Ronda Davenport at 850.243.0315 or visit United-Way.org.

Saturday, January 24, 2015:

Destin’s 5^th Bayou, Bay & Back 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run, 5K Run/Walk, 10K & Half Marathon Sponsored by Shoreline Church

Clement Taylor Park

131 Calhoun Avenue in Destin

Destin’s 5^th Bayou, Bay & Back is, of course, set alongside breathtaking, Destin waterways All are welcome to attend this event. However, the only requirement is that participants keep pace to meet the three-hour time limit.

Race/Award Ceremony Times

7:30 a.m. - Half Marathon begins

8:30 a.m. - 5K/10K begins

10:30 a.m. - 1-Mile Fun Run begins

10:45 a.m. - Award Ceremony begins

Registration

The 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run is $20 and is open to children ages 12 and under. The 5K and 10K are $30 through Jan. 23 and $35 on race day. The half marathon is $60 through Jan. 23 and $70 on race day. Registration is available online until January 21 at midnight. T-shirts are guaranteed for the first 500 registrants. To register online, click here. Active.com

Registration will also be available at Clement Taylor Park from 6-8 a.m. for the 5K, 10K & Half Marathon, and until 10 a.m. for the 1-Mile Kids’ Fun Run. NEXT YEAR the event will add a full marathon, so be sure to come back out January 23, 2016, to join the fun!

Winter Heritage Craft Classes at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

115 Westview Avenue

Valparaiso

Learn a new skill, experience an age-old tradition and create something uniquely yours at Heritage Alive! Craft Classes.

Seat Weaving Workshop

Thursdays, January 8 – February 5

1-3 p.m.

Knitting

January 24

9 a.m. – noon

Photos courtesy of Heritage-Museum.org.

Pine Needle Basketry

Two-part class on Tuesdays, February 3 and 10

5-8 p.m.

Basket Weaving

March 21

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

For further details, visit DestinChamber.com.

Sunday, January 25, 2015:

Okaloosa Arts Alliance Wine & Food Tasting Fundraiser

La Famiglia at HarborWalk Village

2 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Winter Guest Concert Series

Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

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 and upbeat 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 January 8-11 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

HAPPY NEW YEAR! To kick off the second weekend of the year following the holidays, the local area is hosting events ranging from a story hour to a concert series. Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions. Stay warm!

The Life’s A Beach crew wishes everyone a beachy weekend! Enjoy!

Thursday, January 8:

Story Hour at Starbucks at HarborWalk Village

HarborWalk Village Starbucks

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 3:30 p.m.

The first week after the long holiday break is likely the most challenging to muster up the energy to get out and do something outside of work or home. With that said, why not attend a laidback event that both you and the kids can enjoy? Every Thursday, Starbucks at HarborWalk Village will host "StoryHour @ Starbucks." There will be hot chocolate available for the kids and all parents receive 20 percent off their purchase!

Friday, January 9:

Free, Lunchtime History Lecture: 100 Years Young – Okaloosa County, Florida

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

115 Westview Avenue

Valparaiso

Time: noon – 1 p.m.

January kicks off a yearlong celebration of Okaloosa County history at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, as we celebrate its Centennial in 2015. Join us for a special presentation, “100 Years Young – Okaloosa County, Florida” by historian Hank Klein, during History Sandwiched-In, a free lunchtime lecture. Klein will explain the evolution of territories and state, and how Okaloosa became a county in 1915. Bring a sandwich and take your lunch break at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida for History Sandwiched-In, an informal lunchtime education program. This lecture is free and open to the public. However, space is limited. Please call 850.678.2615 to reserve a seat.

Saturday, January 10:

Branson Show Camp, Featuring Barbara Fairchild & Roy Morris

Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium

107 Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 7 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday

Dollar Days at DeFrance Indoor Flea Market

230 Eglin Parkway SE

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m.

Each and every booth in our 13,000-square-foot store will have a limited quantity of items for only $1. Dollar Days is a two-day event with more items added on the second day. We will also have outside vendors with a wide variety of merchandise on Saturday, January 10, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Anything from furniture to handmade baskets and many other items. Visit DeFranceAntiques.com for more information.

Sunday, January 11:

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!

Our Top Picks for July 18-20 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend is filled with a variety of entertaining events, from an outdoor movie showing to a Family Fun Day—there is something for everyone! 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 very safe and BEACHY weekend! Enjoy!

Friday, July 18, 2014:

Movies at the Landing – E.T.

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!

Today’s Boutique Celebrates 33 Years in Destin with Hawaiian Luau Party

Today’s Fashion Boutique

Paradise Key Shopping Center

4433 Commons Drive

Destin

Today’s Boutique invites you to celebrate fashion, fun and friends during its 33^rd Annual Anniversary Week! The celebration bash will be held on July 18 and 19. As part of the celebration, the Dettle’s welcome their friends and customers to enjoy a Hawaiian Luau with Mai Tais, refreshments, Hawaiian snacks, modeling and a drawing for a $500 gift certificate. For more information visit, http://www.destinchamber.com/events or find Today’s Boutique on Facebook.

Saturday, July 19, 2014:

Family Fun Day

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Come out for a day of fun for the whole family! Admission is free! Enjoy a live concert performance by Latitudes from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., try your luck at the Funnel Cake Walk to win a funnel cake, test out your throwing skills at the dunking booth, enjoy great good, shop local vendors and more! At noon, a Pinfish Tournament will commence and end at 12:30 p.m. with four new rods and reels given away amongst four different age categories. For more information, visit http://www.fwbchamber.org/events.

Paddle for Tomorrows

180 Ferry Road

Fort Walton Beach

This is the First Annual Stand Up Paddle Board Races to cure cystic fibrosis at the Fort Walton Yacht Club. At this great event there will be board demos, entertainment, awards, SUP vendors, Little Caesars pizza, cold drinks, swimming and a water slide for the kids.

The FudPoker Run – Around-the-Bay Jet Ski Classic

The first ever “Around-the-Bay” Jet Ski Classic FudPoker Run will be held on Choctawhatchee Bay. The event will be presented by Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar and Grill of Okaloosa Island and will benefit Children in Crisis and the Okaloosa County Sheriff Star Charities. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at Fudpucker’s Okaloosa Island. The first Jet Ski starts at 10:30 a.m. and the last Jet Ski returns by 3:30 p.m. Cost for each Captain is $30, which includes a free T-shirt. Riders are $10 each. All Captains must be 18 years or older. Prizes will be awarded for the top four Poker hands with discounted food and beverage specials provided by Fudpucker’s after the event. For more information, please visit http://www.fwbchamber.org/events.

Where History Comes to Life, at the Heritage of Northwest Florida

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

115 Westview Ave.

Valparaiso

Saturday: 7 p.m.

Sunday: 6 p.m.

This unique and fun event has become so popular that it will be held over two nights, July 19 and 20. Night at the Museum takes guests on a guided tour where the Dream Players Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director Michael Fletcher, will bring history to life through characters of the past. Call to make reservations today. $35 per person or $30 for museum members. 850.678.2615 or visit www.heritage-museum.org.

Rock the Docks – Forrest Williams Band

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 8-10 p.m.

Every Saturday night during the summer, come out for free concerts on the HarborWalk Village stage. For more information, contact info@harborwalk-destin.com or call 850.424.0600.

Sunday, July 20, 2014:

Sunday Cinema at The Village of Baytowne Wharf

The Village of Baytowne Wharf

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

9300 Emerald Coast Parkway

Destin