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!

Daily Events for Summer 2016

The summer season on the Emerald Coast is here!  That means you have the chance to go out and have a great time in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and on Okaloosa Island any day of the week. Fireworks, free concerts, parades, and more will be held throughout the entire summer. Here are a few of our favorite events to add to your calendar...

Top Events on the Emerald Coast for April 15th - 31st

The Emerald Coast has awesome events all year long, and we have a few tops picks for this month. Be sure to check out our calendar of events for a full list of fun things to do in Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, and Destin! 

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 February 21-22 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

With Spring Break officially less than two weeks away, the Emerald Coast is getting ready for the warm season that we all look forward to! This weekend, put on your dancing shoes for the Island Dance party on Okaloosa Island, get creative with a knitting class at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, or sip on a frozen margarita with extra salt in honor of National Margarita Day on Sunday—there’s always some fun to be had on the coast! Be sure to check weather.com or tune in to the Weather Channel for the latest updates on local weather conditions.

Thecrew wishes everyone a beachy weekend! Enjoy!

Saturday, February 21, 2015:

Island Dance Party on Okaloosa Island

Emerald Coast Convention Center

1250 Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Dance and Party to Classic Rock! This event will benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The cost is $10 per person. Buy 4 tickets and get 1 free. More than 2,000 people attended the last three dance parties!

For more information, please visit IslandDanceParty.com.

Poppy's Seafood Factory Presents Western Gunfighters Murder Mystery Dinner

Poppy's Seafood Factory

138 Fisherman's Cove

Destin

Time: 6-9 p.m.

Knitting Class

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

115 Westview Avenue

Valparaiso

Time: 9-11 a.m.

Warm up when you learn to knit this winter with Carol Burkhard. She will teach students the craft of knitting by using basic stitches to begin a project of your choice. Please bring your own yarn and size 8 circular needles. The fee is $20/$15 for museum members.

Sunday, February 22, 2015:

Today is National Margarita Day! Enjoy one of these great beverages frozen or on the rocks at an area restaurant overlooking the water. Sounds like paradise to us!

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 and upbeat concert!

Fish Fry at the American Legion Post 296

American Legion Post 296

311 Main Street

Destin 

Time: Jabbo 4-7 p.m./ Cajun Ray’s Fish Fry 3-6 p.m.

This event is open to the public. The cost is $7. Please come out and help support our veterans. Visit AmericanLegionDestin.com to learn more.

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 November 21-23 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

The weather temperatures are warming up this weekend! Friday-Sunday you can enjoy a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, The Nutcracker ballet performance, Santa’s Holiday Arrival 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 wonderful and safe weekend! Enjoy!

Friday, November 21, 2014:

Christmas Tree Lighting at the Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island

1450 Miracle Strip Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 5:30-8 p.m.

Saturday, November 22, 2014:

Santa’s Holiday Arrival and Fireworks at Destin Commons

Destin Commons

4300 Legendary Drive Ste. 200

Destin

Time: 5–7 p.m.

Photo credit: Destin Commons

Santa Claus is coming to town at Destin Commons! At 6:45 p.m., join in Santa’s arrival with a festive holiday celebration parade down Main Street and the official lighting of the center’s spectacular 50-foot Christmas tree. Delight in a fireworks finale to kick off the holiday season. Activities and entertainment for the whole family include Christmas carolers, musicians playing traditional holiday favorites, kids’ craft projects by Abrakadoodle, and free photos with Santa at Bass Pro Shops. Kids can visit Santa at Bass Pro Shops throughout the rest of November and December. Visit BassPro.com for Santa’s hours. For more information, visit DestinCommons.com or check out their Facebook page.

NWFL Ballet - The Nutcracker

Nov. 22-23

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

100 College Boulevard

Niceville

The Northwest Florida Ballet presents the holiday favorite "The Nutcracker" in the Mainstage theater at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 22 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 23. Advance tickets will be available for purchase through the NWF Ballet. To purchase tickets, visit purchase.tickets.com. Please contact the Ballet at 850.664.7787 or visit NFBallet.org for more information.

Thanksgiving on the Destin Harbor - Emerald Grande

Nov. 22 – Dec. 3

Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Enjoy a relaxing holiday at Emerald Grande where a chef will prepare dinner for your private suite and a full-service staff will return, clean and pack leftovers, then pour after-dinner drinks and serve dessert to you and your family. Room rates starting at $225. Enjoy a Thanksgiving Feast at Grande Vista Bar and Grill and make your Thanksgiving GRANDE.

Sunday, November 23, 2014:

City of Fort Walton Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony

FWB Landing

139 Brooks Street SE

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 4 p.m.

Photo credit: City of Fort Walton Beach

Mark your calendar for Sunday, November 23, as the City of Fort Walton Beach presents its annual, waterfront Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Fort Walton Beach Landing. The program kicks off when Santa arrives by fire truck at the Landing. Be sure to bring your camera (and your Christmas list) because Santa will be in the Landing Park gazebo to visit with all until 7 p.m. 

Michael “Taz” WrightReynolds, longtime local favorite actor will read “Elf on the Shelf”. Local entertainer, Reid Soria of Autism Sings, will sing Christmas carols around the tree leading up to the official lighting of the City of Fort Walton Beach Christmas Tree. Mayor Mike Anderson will be on hand to do the honors, kicking off the holiday season in grand style.

  

Don’t forget to stick around for the outdoor movie—The Polar Express, starting at 6 p.m. Bring your lawn chair or picnic blanket and enjoy the show! Fantasea Faces will be on hand for face painting and hot chocolate and other concessions will be available throughout the event. Bring the whole family and kick off the 2014 holiday season in style! For more information about the city’s holiday events, please call 850.833.9576 or visit FWB.org/Holidays2014.

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