Our Top Picks for June 6-8 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

ARGH! This weekend is all about pirates and their booty as Fort Walton Beach celebrates its 59^th Annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival Thursday through Saturday! Don your eye patch, bandana and other pirate swag and come out and enjoy the festival with hundreds of others! For current weather updates, be sure to check weather.com or tune in via television to The Weather Channel.

The Life’s A Beach crew wishes everyone a very safe and BEACHY Billy Bowlegs weekend! Enjoy!

Friday, June 6, 2014:

Concerts at the Landing – Heritage

The FWB Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair, picnic and your friends out to this musical event on Friday evening. Heritage will put on a show-stopping performance for all to enjoy. For more information, please visit 1021thewave.com. 

Saturday, June 7, 2014:

40^th Billy Bowlegs 5K

Fort Walton Beach High School

400 Hollywood Boulevard

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10:30 p.m.

The 40^th Annual Billy Bowlegs Midnight Run will start and finish at FWB High School. The event will be followed by an incredible after party at Liza Jackson Park. Sign up at active.com. NWFTC.com

BBSD Roller Derby Presents: Pirates of the Flat Track-Battle of the Black Eye

Northwest Florida Fairgrounds

1958 Lewis Turner Boulevard

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Come out and watch your local roller derby girls play their game! It’s a family friendly event, beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $12 at the door and children under 12 get in for free.

Beach Brawl SK8R Dolls Roller Derby Bout

Northwest Florida Fairgrounds

1958 Lewis Turner Boulevard

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6:30 p.m.

North Light Marina to Host Signature Fishing Tournament

North Light Marina

113 John Sims Parkway

Niceville

Time: Scales open from 2-5 p.m., payouts at 7 p.m.

The 2014 North Light Red Snapper Challenge gives anglers the chance to enjoy some of the best fishing of the shortened, federal water snapper season while competing for cash payouts and prizes. Entry cost is $159 per team of up to 5 anglers, with additional anglers charged $35 each. Teams can register to compete in several red snapper categories as well as optional lady, youth and king mackerel divisions. For more information, and to register your team, please visit NorthLightChallenge.com or call 850.516.0709 or 850.678.2836.

Rock the Docks LIVE

HarborWalk Village

10 Harbor Boulevard

Destin

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Every Saturday night throughout summer, come out for great concerts on the HarborWalk Village stage! All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, please e-mail info@harborwalk-destin.com or call 850.424.0600.

Sunday, June 8, 2014:

Sunday Cinema at The Village of Baytowne Wharf

The Village of Baytowne Wharf

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

9300 Emerald Coast Parkway

Destin

Time: 8 p.m.

Our Top Picks for May 9-11 Entertainment on the Emerald Coast

This weekend it’s all about MOM! Treat the special lady in your life to one of the events listed below for a Mother's Day that she will never forget! For current weather updates for events held outdoors, be sure to check weather.com or tune in via television to The Weather Channel.

The Life’s A Beach crew wishes everyone a very safe and BEACHY weekend! 

Happy Mother's Day!

Friday, May 9, 2014:

Concerts at the Landing – Boukou Groove

The Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair, picnic and your friends out to this musical event on Friday evening. Boukou Groove will put on a show stopping performance for all to enjoy. For more information, please visit www.1021thewave.com.

26^th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival

May 9-11

Grand Boulevard

600 Grand Blvd. Ste. 203

Destin

During every Mother’s Day weekend for the past 26 years, art is celebrated in South Walton with ArtsQuest, a fine arts festival produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA). This special tradition scheduled for May 9-11 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, brings mothers and daughters together to experience nearly 200 national and local artists, live music and kids’ activities. This year during the festival week, local galleries will participate in Gallery Nights Monday through Thursday, offering special parties, showings and events in the spirit of ArtsQuest. This tour of special gallery events is open to the public. For a complete list of participating galleries, visit www.ArtsQuestFlorida.com.

Saturday, May 10, 2014:

“Summer’s Coming” Car Show

Shalimar Elementary School

1350 Joe Martin Circle

Shalimar

Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

This event is centered on delicious food, great music and People’s Choice voting for the best cars! The cost is $20 to pre-register and $25 to register at the show. Business sponsors are also needed for $50. All proceeds benefit Shalimar Student Programs. Please call 850.833.4339 for more information.

All About Mom Market

The Landing

139 Brooks Street

Fort Walton Beach

Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The 1^st Annual Mother’s Day celebration is focused on the ladies. This free event will be a day to bring Mom out for a stroll in the park, shopping and maybe even a relaxing spa day! Bella Day Spa will be in the gazebo, offering nail, hair and makeup services at your convenience. This event is hosted by Gulf Coast Celebrations. For more information, contact FloridaPanhandleMarkets@gmail.com.

“Mother’s Day Victorian Tea” at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

115 Westview Avenue

Valparaiso

Time: 2 p.m.

Men, women and children are invited to honor their Mothers in a unique and special way at the “Mother’s Day Victorian Tea”. Enjoy light refreshments, a variety of teas and a fun history program with tea etiquette and traditions associated with “Tea Time”. The cost is $18 per person or $15 per person for Museum Members. Reservations are required. Please call 850.678.2615.

5^th Annual Crawfish Boil, “Kickin’ the Tail out of Crime”

Uptown Station

Eglin Parkway

Fort Walton Beach

Time:  11 a.m.

Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers will host its 5^th Annual Crawfish Boil, “Kickin’ the Tail out of Crime” on Saturday, May 10 at Uptown Station, beginning at 11 a.m.

Bravo Beat 5K Walk/Run

The Village of Baytowne Wharf

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort

9300 Emerald Coast Parkway

Destin

Lace up your shoes and run for the arts on May 10 in Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s 4^th Annual Bravo! Beat 5K run/walk. There will be post-event food, beer and entertainment. The award ceremony will be hosted by Aimee Schaffer. All proceeds benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s musical and educational initiatives throughout the community and its Arts in Medicine collaboration with Sacred Heart Hospital. The cost is $30 per person. To register online, visit www.SinfoniaGulfCoast.org. For more information, please call 850.269.7229.

Sunday, May 11, 2014:

Share Mother’s Day at Beach Walk Café

Beach Walk Henderson Park

2700 Scenic Highway 98

Destin

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Celebrate the special woman in your life this Mother’s Day at Beach Walk Café. Browse their menu ahead of time and make your reservations today! www.BeachWalkCafe.com.

Mother’s Day Lunch Cruise on the SOLARIS Yacht

SunQuest Cruises

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort/Baytowne Marina

9300 Emerald Coast Parkway

Miramar Beach

Time: 1-3 p.m.

Show your Mom how special she is to you with an experience she will never forget onboard the SOLARIS! Embark on the 125-foot SOLARIS Yacht in Sandestin for a day of cruising and coastal cuisines. After taking in the fresh breezes on the open-air sky deck and cruising the local waters, indulge in a three-course, chef-prepared meal that begins with freshly baked Artisan rolls with garlic and herbs, infused with oil. Your cruise continues with a delectable three-course meal and dessert. Reservations are required online at www.SunQuestCruises.com or by calling 850.650.2519.

Get Lucky in Destin!

If you are in Destin for St. Patty's Day weekend, you're in LUCK! On Saturday, March 16th the city of Destin's Parks and Recreation Department  will once again host the 13th Annual Run with the Dogs 5k. Registration for the Run/Walk is open until Friday, March 15th. All dogs are welcome, and there will be awards for both two-legged and 4 four legged participants. For more information or to register, call 850.650.1241.

Sunday, March 17th, from  12-11 p.m. you don't want to miss the festivities at he 5th Annual HarborWalk Village Grogg Games & Irish Street Festival. Enjoy live Irish music by authentic bag pipers Irish dancers, classic Irish fare and authentic Irish beers. Crafts and activities for children too! Fun for the whole family! For more information visit EmeraldGrande.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf will also be celebrating the luck of the Irish Saturday, March 17, 6-9 p.m., enjoy the beautiful scenery, live traditional Celtic music in the events plaza, sponsored by Henri’s Notions.  For more information visit, BaytowneWharf.

So get out there and enjoy all of wonderful festivities the Emerald Coast has to offer! For more information about local restaurants,dining, attractions,shopping,events,maps,coupons and MORE pick up a copy of Life's A Beach Spring issue. We are THE Visitor's Guide to the Emerald Coast. Be sure to LIKE us on FACEBOOK for you chance to WIN the Life's A Beach Spring Giveaway! 

The Sandestin Wine Festival is Just Around the Corner!

What: The 26th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival

When: April 26-29

Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf 

Image from SandestinWineFestival.com

The Sandestin Wine Festival is a picture perfect event complete with white tents, flowing wine, gourmet food, ladies strolling in hats, live music, and more. Each year, the Village of Baytowne Wharf, the heart and soul of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, transforms itself into the South of France with a four day event providing patrons with an atmosphere to enjoy fine wine that is both entertaining and enlightening.

Image from SandestinWineFestival.com

The festival’s bounty of unique events open up a wide range of experiences from attending private dinners, participating in auctions for rare and distinctive wines, and taking part in wine tastings that showcase an unprecedented 800 wines. Wine novices are able to learn more about wines and sample from a comprehensive selection in all varieties, styles, and price ranges. Seasoned wine connoisseurs can enjoy meeting winemakers, asking detailed questions, and acquiring hard-to-get selections. As an added bonus, participants have the opportunity to immediately purchase their favorite selections from the retail tent at discounted prices.

Image from SandestinWineFestival.com

If you’re ready for an event that combines a great time with some of the best food and wine from around the globe, mark your calendar for April 26-29 and attend this year’s Sandestin Wine Festival. For more detailed information, visit their website at SandestinWineFestival.com.