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

The Family Fun Arts Fest is Just Around the Corner

What: The Family Fun Arts Fest

Where: Henderson Beach State Park

When: May 12, 2012, 10 am – 5 pm

A Place For Creativity to Flourish

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance has joined forces with the Friends of the Emerald Coast State Parks to bring you the 5^th Annual Family Fun Arts Fest. The festival will be held at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin on Saturday, May 12 from 10 am – 5 pm. The festival and park are fee and open to the public all day, with free parking available in the park. This lovely festival offers something for everyone so ring the whole family out to this beautiful state park for a day of cultural fun in the sun.

Browse through the many arts and crafts vendors onsite to find that unique Mother’s Day gift, and don’t forget to pick something out for yourself. Take in performances by local artists while you enjoy delicious food and drinks. You won’t want to miss out on the loads of free activities for families including painting, crafts, chalk, drawing, mother’s day cards, animals, face painting and more. Stick around and place your bid at the silent auction, featuring several fantastic items. All festival proceeds benefit the Okaloosa County Arts Alliance.

There’s still time to enter the 4^th Annual OAA Okaloosa Schools Poster Contest

Do you know a young da Vinci? All Okaloosa County School students are invited to participate in the 4^th Annual OAA Okaloosa Schools Poster Contest. For this year’s contest the OAA wants to know what you consider “Summer Fun.” Entries can be anything a student creates on paper with markers, paint, pastels, charcoal or crayons. Digital artwork is also being accepted. A 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winner will be chosen from each of the following levels; elementary school (grades K-4), middle school (grades 5-8), and high school (grades 9-12). All poster contest entries will be on display at the Family Fun Arts Fest, and winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and announced at the Fest.

Any Okaloosa County School student may enter. Entries can be mailed through an Okaloosa County School or by an individual student. The poster contest deadline is April 30, 2012.

For more information about the Okaloosa County Arts Alliance, the Family Fun Arts Fest, or the poster contest, visit OkaloosaArts.org.

Images from OkaloosaArts.org