Our Top Picks for June 25-27 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

The Emerald Coast is full of summer entertainment with its weekly events taking place Thursday through Saturday, entailing concerts, fireworks, kids’ activities and more! 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 final weekend of June 2015! Enjoy!

Thursday, June 25, 2015:

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Presents: Tyn Tymes

4323 Commons Drive West

Destin

Time: 7 p.m.

At this week’s MKAF Concerts in the Village Summer Concert Series, Tyn Tymes—the South’s Favorite Party Band—will perform!

During this fantastic and energetic outdoor event, the featured 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.

Friday, June 26, 2015:

Concerts at the Landing, featuring Jacob Mohr Band

The FWB Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.

This weekly event, that has been going on since May 1, is coming to an end next week. Be sure to catch the final two concert performances this week and next week in Downtown Fort Walton Beach. Bring a lawn chair and a cooler, and sit back and relax in the company of great tunes!

Saturday, June 27, 2015:

Rock the Docks LIVE

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 7 p.m.

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 May 21-23 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

During this special, holiday weekend on the Emerald Coast, we hope it’s wonderful and that you can spend it with family and friends, and are able to celebrate what Memorial Day is truly about! 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 Memorial Day weekend! Enjoy!

Thursday, May 21, 2015:

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Presents: Shades of Blue

4323 Commons Drive West

Destin

Time: 7 p.m.

At this week’s MKAF Concerts in the Village Summer Concert Series performance, Shades of Blue will perform a smooth blend of jazz/blues along with their signature pop songs and selections from the ‘70s.

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.

Friday, May 22, 2015:

Free Concerts at The Landing, featuring Boukou Groove

The Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Saturday, May 23, 2015:

Memorial Day Concert Celebration

Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 4 p.m.

Kick off the summer with free concerts and fun on the Destin Harbor. Rock the Docks all weekend, with The Village Belles and Tobacco Rd Band Saturday May 23^rd starting at 5pm and Flash Flood and DEPARTURE:The Journey Tribute Band Sunday May 24^th starting at 4pm. Celebrate with a vibrant fireworks display after Sunday's concert!

Beach Fun Checklist

Everyone can benefit from some tips for ensuring a stellar day at the beach. So, we researched some of the best tips as seen on the popular site, Pinterest, and included some of our own, and here is what we came up with!

1. Pack the sunscreen and apply it often

Depending on what level SPF you purchase, apply the good stuff around the clock even if it doesn’t look like you are getting burnt. It’s always better to be safe than sorry! Also, don’t forget to apply a lip balm with SPF to keep your lips safe from the sun.

2. Wear eye protection

Whether you prefer to wear sporty sunglasses or a floppy sunhat, any sort of protection for your eyes is a good idea.

3. Pack plenty of towels

Towels at the beach can be used for drying off after playing in the water or for sitting on while tanning, so pack away!

4. Load up an ice chest with plenty of water

Heading to the beach with a cooler stocked with cold waters, drinks and snacks is great for keeping hydrated and making sure you have food for energy while out in the hot sun. For those who want to be super prepared, purchase a cooler with wheels!

5. Put your cell phone in a plastic Ziploc bag

This is a safety precaution for keeping your phone sand free and from accidentally forgetting it in your swimsuit pocket before jumping in the water. If only phones could swim!

6. Pack baby powder

Now, this one may sound a little odd at first, but for those beach goers who don’t want to track a pound of sand back into your car or hotel room, check out this is a neat trick. Apply a generous handful of baby powder to your legs and feet, and watch as the powder absorbs the moisture on your body, causing the sand to fall off.

7. Don’t forget the Toys

A lot of people, especially children, like to be active on the beach. Pack some buckets for sandcastle building, a football or Frisbee for throwing around, or some boogie boards for riding the waves.

8. Throw some floaties/arm inflatable floaties in your beach bag

You can never go wrong with having a floatie for the children to play on in the water or packing a pair of arm inflatable floaties to put around a young child’s arms to aid in helping to keep them safe when you take them for a swim.

9. Bring along a good book

For those of you who love to enjoy a good read while relaxing, be sure to pack that new novel you’ve been wanting to dive into.

10. Be cognizant of the Beach Warning Flags

This isn’t a physical item that you can bring along, but we thought it was too important to not list. Please do heed the beach warning flags as they are displayed to keep you safe.

Above all, enjoy your day at the beach and we hope you make many wonderful memories with your family and friends while doing so!

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.