Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spring. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

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!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Our Top Picks for April 24-26 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

During this final weekend of April, the Emerald Coast is bustling with a variety of events ranging from music and wine festivals to a cobia tournament and a Bulls on the Beach event. 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, spring weekend! Enjoy!


April 22-26
17th Annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival
Panama City Beach
This foot-tapping event is taking place at the Aaron Beasant Park Amphitheater, adjacent to Pier Park in Panama City Beach. Tickets are available for single and multi-day admission online at BreezeJazzFestival.com or by phone at 800.595.4849.

Photo credit: Panama City Beach Jazz Festival Experience 2015 Facebook event page
April 23-26
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
At this fun-filled festival, over 800 wines and winemakers from around the world gather to celebrate the best in wine and food to benefit the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. Visit SoWalWine.com for more information.

Photo credit: South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival Facebook page
Friday, April 24, 2015:
April 24-25
Bulls on the Beach
Okaloosa Island


April 24-25
31st Annual Navarre Fun Fest
Come on out to this exciting weekend event for non-stop entertainment with arts and crafts, a children’s area, fireworks, 5K run, food and more! Check NavarreChamber.com for complete details on this event.

April 24-26
15th Annual Musical Echoes Flute, Art and Cultural Festival
Downtown Fort Walton Beach
Enjoy the soothing and inspirational sounds of the Native American flute music and be inspired by the colorful, rhythmic dance performances, the art, and the crafts at the festival. Traditional Indian fry bread and other delicious food will be available. Visit MusicalEchoes.org for more information.

Photo credit: Musical Echoes Facebook page

Saturday, April 25, 2015:
39th Saturday in the Park
Perrine Park/Heritage Museum and Gardens in Old Valparaiso
This popular springtime community festival is held to benefit the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida in Valparaiso. It features live entertainment, artisans, traditional craft demonstrations, amusement and activities for children, including pony rides and old-fashioned horse and carriage rides along the bayou. There will also be antique cars, food and fun. To learn more, visit Heritage-Museum.org or call 850.678.2615.


Earth Day Beach Cleanup
The Emerald Coast beaches get a clean sweep from hundreds of happy volunteers during Earth Week in April each year. Volunteers can gather at Beasley Park on Okaloosa Island, Henderson Beach State Park in Destin or Beach Access #3 on Santa Rosa Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach. Volunteers receive a free T-shirt.

Choctawhatchee Estuary Family Festival
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville
Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and Mattie Kelly Environmental Institute will jointly host the 8th Annual Mattie Kelly Estuary Family Festival.


Sunday, April 26, 2015:
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.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

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 5th, 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.