Our Top Picks for December 5-7 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend’s calendar features a few art-inspired events as well as holiday-inspired ones. 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 wonderful and safe weekend! Enjoy!

Friday, December 5, 2014:

A Christmas Carol

(December 5 – 6)

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

Sprint Theater

100 College Boulevard

Niceville

The classic Charles Dickens tale “A Christmas Carol” takes a delightful twist December 5 and 6 in a customized adaption by Northwest Florida State College that combines lively music and song, along with acting, period costumes, narration, set design and more to bring to life the story of Tiny Tim, Scrooge, Bob Crachitt and the spirits of Christmas. Included in the ticket price of $25/each will be Victorian-style desserts and beverages. The event will feature performances in the Sprint Theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and an additional show on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Call or click for tickets through the Mattie Kelly Arts Center box office at 850.729.6000 or online at MattieKellyArtsCenter.org. In-person tickets sales are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Mattie Kelly Arts Center is located on the Niceville campus of NWF State College at 100 College Boulevard.

Sounds of the Season

Saturday, December 6, 2014:

Visit with Santa

December 6 – 7

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: noon – 4 p.m.

Children can bring their wish list to Santa! All of Santa’s guests receive a special treat.

Breakfast with Santa at Bubba Gump

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company

14059 Emerald Coast Parkway

Destin

Time: 8 a.m.

Make your reservations today for breakfast with Santa! This event includes a breakfast buffet, fun activities and free goodies for kids, and, of course, Shrimp Louie and Santa Claus. To be entered into the raffle, please bring an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots. For more information, please contact 850.650.1881.

Christmas Market: Holiday Open House

Emerald Coast Science Center

31 S. Memorial Parkway, behind the baseball field

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Crafts, games, giveaways and holiday treats. Plus, holiday shopping from vendors all over the Emerald Coast!

*The Emerald Coast Science Center officially has a new home located at 31 S. Memorial Parkway. In celebration of their new location, the center will host many community events to welcome the guests and families of the Gulf Coast! A complete list of events will be posted soon. For more information, please call 850.664.1261.

Sunday, December 7, 2014:

Breakfast with Santa at Emerald Grande

Grande Vista Bar and Grill, located inside Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 8-11 a.m.

Bring the holiday season to life! Children can enjoy a delicious and festive breakfast with Santa at the Grande Vista Bar and Grill! For reservations, please contact 850.424.0621.

“A White Tie Holiday” Youth Orchestra & White Tie Rock Ensemble

Northwest Florida State College

100 College Boulevard

Niceville

Time: 2 p.m.

Have a “White Tie Holiday” with the Northwest Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra (NFSYO) at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. The NFSYO welcomes back the White Tie Rock Ensemble of Pensacola for a Christmas music extravaganza. This event features the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, holiday tunes, favorite holiday movie moments, a carol sing along and a multimedia light show.

The event is free with donations accepted at the door to support the youth orchestra programs of Northwest Florida State College. The concert will be held in the Mainstage Theater at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center on the Niceville campus of Northwest Florida State College at 100 College Boulevard.

The White Tie Rock Ensemble comprises five professional musicians of guitar, drums, bass, keyboard and vocals who reproduce the classic rock sounds of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s throughout northwest Florida and south Alabama. The group’s founder, Jonathan Clark, is also trained as a classical musician and heads the Escambia County Youth Orchestra programs.

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 October 3-6 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend into next week is filled with big events, ranging from the Destin Seafood Festival and Destin Fishing Rodeo to South Walton Fashion Week! 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!

October 1-31, 2014

66^th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo

Behind AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar, on Destin Harbor

The Destin Fishing Rodeo is the ultimate fishing tournament for saltwater anglers of all ages. Below are some facts about the month-long event:

- Open every day in October

- The rodeo is free to anglers fishing aboard a registered boat in the rodeo

- Weigh-ins take place everyday on the docks at AJ's from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

- The event is open to private and charter boats.

- Fishing on pier, bridge or jetties is free for anglers 14 years of age and younger

- A $25 fee is required for anglers 15 and over

- Over 30,000 anglers compete throughout the month of October

- Over $100,000 awarded in cash and prizes

- Daily, weekly and overall prizes

- Junior, Teen, Ladies and Senior divisions

Virtually every game fish is recognized with awards during the rodeo. Whether you're trolling inshore for king mackerel, offshore for marlin and sailfish, or fishing the deep bottoms for red snapper and grouper, you'll be in the running for prizes. To learn more about the rodeo and to check updates on the most recent weigh-ins, be sure to visit DestinFishingRodeo.org.

Friday-Sunday, October 3-5, 2014

36^th Annual Destin Seafood Festival

Destin Harbor Boardwalk

The 36^th Annual Destin Seafood Festival kicks off this Friday at 4 p.m. at Destin Harbor Boardwalk. Festival highlights include fresh, local seafood, live music on multiple stages, artist and craft vendors, kids’ zones, family fun, a fireworks show and much more! The venue extends along the water from HarborWalk Village at the foot of the Destin Bridge all the way to Heron Harbor. The venue showcases the Destin Charter Fishing Fleet and the action of the 66^th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo, which will continue for the entire month of October. The festival is free and open to the public, so bring your friends and family along for an exciting weekend centered on great food and fun! For more information on the Destin Seafood Festival, please visit DestinSeafoodFestival.org.

Saturday, October 4, 2014:

Fall Nighttime Corn Hole Tournament

Twin Oaks Horseshoe Pits

Corner of Hwy. 85 N and College Boulevard

Niceville

Time: 5 p.m.

All ages and skill levels are welcome to join in on the corn hole fun with two divisions available for sign up—masters and beginners. You have the chance to win cash prizes! Sign-ups and warm-ups are 4-4:45 p.m. with the tournament beginning at 5 p.m. Register early online and save. All proceeds benefit the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. Bring your chairs and coolers, and come enjoy the fun! For more information, please visit FWBChamber.org/events.

8^th Annual Blue Jean Ball

Covenant Hospice

220 Eglin Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6 p.m.

Uptown Station Family Movie Night Series, Featuring Toy Story 3

Uptown Station

99 Eglin Parkway NE

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Join the movie fun every other Saturday night at Central Park for Uptown Station’s Family Movie Series in the Park! All movies begin at dusk (approximately 7:30 p.m.) and are free and open to the public. Feel free to bring blankets, chairs and cuddle up for a family friendly movie. Movies always depend on the weather, so be sure to check the Uptown Station Facebook page for the latest updates on showings. Facebook.com/UptownStation

Sunday, October 5, 2014:

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

Monday, October 6-12, 2014

South Walton Fashion Week

Grand Boulevard

600 Grand Blvd. Ste. 203

Destin

South Walton Fashion Week is a large-scale, multi-day event that takes place along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast to celebrate high fashion by featuring dynamic events. Proceeds benefit The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County’s Arts Education Program. Emerging Designers who apply and are selected as finalists will showcase their designs on the Emerging Designer Runway and a winner will then be selected by a fashion panel of distinguished judges. For more information, visit DestinChamber.com/events/South-Walton-Fashion-Week.

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