What’s better than holding a tribute to one of the greatest
bands in Rock and Roll history? Holding a tribute for TWO of the greatest Rock andRoll bands!
On April 24, 2014, at 7 p.m., Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation
(MKAF) and Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals & Real Estate present A Rock and
Roll Tribute to The Beatles & The Rolling Stones in a live, onstage
performance by The Return & Satisfaction called “Gimme Abbey.” This
much-anticipated event will be held at Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village at
4323 Commons Drive West in Destin.
General Admission is $15 for MKAF members and $18 for
non-members. Children under the age of 12 get in for free. Picnic Supper Club
Tables are open to everyone for purchase at $125 seating six people and $150
seating eight. Please call 850.650.2226 to reserve your table today. A charity
raffle will also be held during intermission.
Feel free to bring your favorite chair, wine and picnic for
the event. Or, you can purchase dinner prepared onsite by Carrabba’s Italian
Grill. For more information, visit MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org.
Life's A Beach Publications is a proud sponsor of this tribute event!
There is more than one way to enjoy our Life’s A Beach Visitor’s
Guide. People who pick up our book are interested in a number of things:
learning about the area, finding something to do, finding somewhere to eat, and
clipping great coupons from our advertisers found in the back of our guide. Our
advertisers provide our readers with great specials via coupons. Take advantage
of these coupons when you are exploring the Destin/Fort Walton Beach area.
Maybe you could use one or ten of the coupons in the current issue during your
next trip. It’s all up to you!
Our coupons are divided into the three separate categories within the guide: attractions, shopping and dining.
These are the coupon pages in the back of our Spring 2014 Life's A Beach Visitor's Guide.
In the ATTRACTIONS part of our coupon section, you will
find coupons for money off pontoon boat and jet ski rentals, canoe rentals, parasailing
adventures, snorkeling trips, fishing charters, golf games and MUCH more.
Jet skis can be a blast on the stunning, emerald waters.
Pontoon boats are great for larger parties.
In the SHOPPING coupon section, you’ll discover savings on jewelry,
clothing, beach accessories, and a plethora of other shopping essentials.
Open-air malls give way to gorgeous days of shopping and enjoying the warm, beachy weather.
Lastly, in our DINING coupon section, you’ll find coupons
for free food with the purchase of other food, percentages off of your meal,
and many other great offers to keep both you and your wallet full and happy.
Great views!
Great seafood!
Great lunch and dinner!
Great breakfast!
Pick up a hard copy of a Life’s A Beach Visitor‘s Guide or
go online to our website http://www.lifesabeachllc.com
and click on the link on the home page that reads “printable coupons.” Enjoy
your discounts from our amazing advertisers and have a blast discovering all that our beautiful Emerald Coast has to offer!
The beautiful Emerald Coast waters and sandy white
beaches draw visitors from all over the world. As summer quickly approaches and water temperatures rise it’s important to remember beach and water safety.
While the shores of the Emerald Coast and the Gulf of Mexico are extraordinary and inviting places to play, they can also be dangerous. It’s important to know
when and where it is safe to swim. Okaloosa and Walton County Beaches use the
flag systems to advise beach goers of current water conditions.
Destin is called "the worlds luckiest fishing village" for a reason! Thousands come each year to see
the beautiful emerald green waters and to catch the many varieties of fresh
local fish that the Gulf of Mexico is famous for. Fisherman love the shallow water shelf and easy deep water access to the Gulf. Crab island is where all go for a good time! Visit Florida's Emerald Coast and enjoy the great people, fishing, and food!
Emeril Lagasse loved fishing in Destin so much, he moved his family to the barrier island!
Don't forget to VOTE! For more information about Destin and the Emerald Coast pick up a copy of our Spring issues of Life's A Beach, THE Visitor's Guide to the Emerald coast or order on online here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook for your chance to WIN a FREE Emerald Coast vacation!
If you are in Destin for St. Patty's Day weekend, you're in LUCK! On Saturday, March 16th the city of Destin's Parks and Recreation Department will once again host the 13th Annual Run with the Dogs 5k. Registration for the Run/Walk is open until Friday, March 15th. All dogs are welcome, and there will be awards for both two-legged and 4 four legged participants. For more information or to register, call 850.650.1241. Sunday, March 17th, from 12-11 p.m. you don't want to miss the festivities at he 5th Annual HarborWalk Village Grogg Games & Irish Street Festival. Enjoy live Irish music by authentic bag pipers Irish dancers, classic Irish fare and authentic Irish beers. Crafts and activities for children too! Fun for the whole family! For more information visit EmeraldGrande.
The Village of Baytowne Wharf will also be celebrating the luck of the Irish Saturday, March 17, 6-9 p.m., enjoy the beautiful scenery, live traditional Celtic music in the events plaza, sponsored by Henri’s Notions. For more information visit, BaytowneWharf.
So get out there and enjoy all of wonderful festivities the Emerald Coast has to offer! For more information about local restaurants,dining, attractions,shopping,events,maps,coupons and MORE pick up a copy of Life's A Beach Spring issue. We are THE Visitor's Guide to the Emerald Coast. Be sure to LIKE us on FACEBOOK for you chance to WIN the Life's A Beach Spring Giveaway!
St. Patty's day is right around the corner and Downtown Fort Walton Beach is the place to be! It all kicks off with Ladies Night Downtown, sponsored by Bella Day Spa and Salon this Thursday, March 14 at 6:30. Bella's will be offering chair massages & demonstrations, over $400 in raffles and door prizes will be given away and don't forget Ladies, The ULTIMATE GALS WEEKEND Giveaway! The winner will be announced at December’s Ladies Night Out Event….but you must attend at least 6 Ladies Night OUT events in order to be eligible.No kids, no men, no hassles..just girl time!
If you're looking for an evening out with the family, check out the Downtown Art walk this Friday, March 15. This Free event will have local Artists lining the sidewalk of Historic Downtown Fort Walton Beach to share and sell their original art from 5:30-8:30. To make Artwalk even more fun for the family there will be live entertainment, food, face painting, and much much more!
Want to burn some pre-pub crawl calories? Join the crew over at Run With It. They had so much fun doing the “Lucky Leprechaun 5K & 10K Run” last year that they have decided to do it again it's a great run with a fantastic after party at KC’s Sandbar. Register at Run With It or online Here
Be sure to save some energy and get "green" at the FWB St. Patty's day pub Crawl, Sunday March, 17. Starting at 5 p.m be ready to walk the walk at any participating location. For more information any any of the great events visit, DowntownFWB. To keep up with all the the latest and greatest The Emerald coast has to offer be sure to pick up a Spring Issue of Life's A Beach, THE Visitor's Guide to The Emerald Coast.
Spring is here on the lovely Emerald Coast and we would like to be the first to WELCOME you to our little piece of paradise. The water is clear and the temperature is on the rise, let us guide you through all of the wonderful events and activities the Emerald Coast has to offer. Be sure to pick up our Spring Edition and Like us on Facebook for the latest news and events, be sure to enter our spring giveaway for your chance to "Win" a Life's A Beach souvenir box of spring time "must haves".
If there’s one thing you won’t want to miss
this weekend, it’s the 36th 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 36th
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
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.
Are you looking
for a fun fall activity for the whole family? You might consider loading the
kids up in the car for scenic drive to the north of the beautiful shores of the
Gulf of Mexico. The picturesque Blackwater River State Forest is awe-inspiring
with its towering trees, and lush plant life. Within the forest, you will find
Blackwater Canoe Rental, a friendly little outpost in the woodland. Here, you
have many options for optimal enjoyment of the Blackwater River and surrounding
forest. Rent canoes, kayaks or tubes from these fine folks and embark upon a
memorable adventure.
The staff at
Blackwater Canoe Rental will ensure your trip is safe, easy, and fun. Park your
car at the end of the canoe route and they will shuttle you upstream to the
launch area. When you reach the end, simply beach your vessel and walk straight
to your vehicle. (It doesn’t get any easier than that!) Bonus! The ride to the
launch point is absolutely stunning!
As you begin
your adventure, there is much to notice about this unique area. The Blackwater
River is one of the few shifting sand bottom streams which remains in its
natural state for nearly its entire length. Its sugar-white sand beaches and are
both beautiful and relaxing. The river is one of the purest sand-bottom rivers
in the nation, making this park a popular place for swimming, fishing, camping,
and paddling. This is definitely one of the most unique bodies of water you
will ever see. The water has a dark appearance when seeing it from afar and yet
is crystal clear, allowing you to see every little thing on the bottom – every swimming
fish, every turtle, every rock, stick or grain of sand – you can see it all.
Along the way there are plenty of places to
pull up on the sandy shore and enjoy the water, the plant life, a picnic lunch,
or just relax for a spell. Near the end of the route, you will enter the
Blackwater State Park. It offers large pavilions, restrooms, and outdoor
showers.
We talk a lot about all the fun of the
coast, but this incredible area offers a ton of opportunities for merriment of
all kinds. A canoe trip down the Blackwater River is a must for anyone who
longs to be one with nature while enjoying a day of fun in the Florida sun. One
thing’s for sure, you’ll have a memorable adventure and a story to tell for
years to come.
Check out this video of the Life’s A Beach
canoe trip.
For more information on Blackwater Canoe
Rentals visit their website at BlackwaterCanoe.com. Also, look for their coupon in our the spring and summer issues of Life's A Beach.
