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

Mardi Gras on the Emerald Coast! Join the Celebration(s)!

Mardi Gras is in the Air

It’s that time of year again, folks. That’s right, it’s Mardi Gras time! Tis the season to don your beads and your feathered mask and hit the streets for good some old fashioned Louisiana-style fun! Throw on your best purple, green, and gold attire and head out to some of the area’s most spirited Mardi Gras celebrations. There’ll be no shortage of entertainment with festivities taking place all month long.

February 4^th

The Life's A Beach crew has been busy prepping the
van for the Mardi Gras Kick Off Parade.
It'll be even prettier come parade day.
Come out and give us a wave!
We'll be there with beads on, maybe we'll toss
some your way!

 Mardi Gras Kick Off Parade at Harborwalk Village. Enjoy dazzling floats, colorful costumes, street performers, and of course BEADS!!! The Life’s A Beach gang will be there, decked out in our Mardi Gras best and tossing our goodies. The parade starts at 2:00 P.M. Stay and enjoy live music at the Main Stage after the parade.

www.emeraldgrande.com

February 11^th

Mardi Gras on the Island is a lively festival on that takes place on Okaloosa Island. This event was chosen by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 Events for February. Come enjoy the carnival atmosphere with live music, costumes, and more. Parade starts at 11 a.m., come prepared to catch some beads.

www.fwbchamber.com

February 18^th

26^th Annual Mardi Gras Parade theme for 2012 is “United States Military” This year’s parade is dedicated to Pvt. Matthew Colin, who lost his life serving the USA. The parade begins at 1:00 p.m. on Grand Boulevard in Navarre Beach.

www.NavarreChamber.com

1^st Annual Mardi Gras Dog Parade at Hammock Bay in Freeport will kick off at 4:00 P.M. The theme this year is Beach Bound Hounds! Hammock Bay Trail will be filled with dogs dressed in beachy Mardi Gras attire and Hammock Bay’s Town square will be jiving with Mardi Gras jazz rhythm and hound dog bluz. Bring your chairs and cooler and stay for a movie in the park featuring Disney’s animated comedy Princess and the Frog set in the festive city of New Orleans.

http://www.waltonoutdoors.com/mardi-gras-dog-parade-and-festival-at-hammock-bay-feb-18/

3^rd Annual Mardi Gras Masquerade and Parade Event at the Destin Commons will take place from 3-5 P.M. Enjoy delicious seafood with AJ's at our traditional seafood boil! Watch live street dancing presented by ENCORE! The event will also feature live entertainment, arts and crafts, a parade and more!

www.destincommons.com

February 19^th

Mardi Gras Dog Parade at the Village of Baytowne Wharf is one of the premier canine events on the Emerald Coast with members of the four-pawed community coming far and wide to participate. Mardi Gras music will fill the air as the streets fill with costumed dogs, and their owners. This year’s theme is Cruisin' Canines: Fetch a Wave! Parade will begin at 2:00 P.M.

www.baytownewharf.com

February 21^st (FAT TUESDAY!)

HarborWalk Village Mardi Gras Celebration will take place from 6-8 P.M. Enjoy free red beans and rice from Poppy’s Crazy Lobster, street performers, and live music! March through the Harbor with your four-legged friends at the Party Animal Parade at 6:30. Join this wild and vibrant Fat Tuesday celebration!

www.emeraldgrande.com

10^th Annual Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade starts at 5:00 P.M. Let your hair down and let the good times roll as unique and colorful floats roll down the streets and marchers dressed up in their finest Mardi Gras swag shower parade-goers with a barrage of beads, moon pies, and other trinkets. 

www.baytownewharf.com

Life’s A Beach and the Emerald Coast – Why we love it!

At Life’s A Beach, we live and breathe the Emerald Coast. Our staff is local, and we all have one thing in common… An overwhelming passion for the area we call our home. There’s much to love along our shimmering shores, and here I hope today to give brief indication of what makes this area so special.

Of course there’s the obvious… The beaches! We have some of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see, complete with sparkling emerald green waters and extraordinary sugar-white sand. The water here has an amazing crystalline quality that is truly awe-inspiring, and the unique sand that covers our shores is actually comprised of Appalachian quartz crystals. This fine sand is cool to the touch even on the warmest and sunniest of days.

 Most any adventure you've ever dreamed of can become a reality on the Emerald Coast. Reel in excitement on a deep sea fishing excursion. This area is home to a wide variety of marine life, creating pure exhilaration with every cast out. Get out on the water in a pontoon boat, kayak, or wave runner. If you’d like someone else to do the driving, then hop aboard a sunset or dolphin cruise. Fly high above the water on a parasail chute, or dive in and explore the depths on a snorkel or scuba excursion. No matter how you envision enjoying the water, your Emerald Coast experience awaits.

What!? There’s more than just gorgeous beaches and awesome water sports!? Oh yes! It’s true! There’s a wealth of activities and attractions all throughout the Emerald Coast. The area boasts an impressive water park, museums, art, cultural events, concerts, nightlife, shopping, dining, parks, and so much more! Not to mention that the people you will meet here are among the friendliest, most kind-hearted, caring, and hard-working individuals you will ever have the pleasure of meeting.

These are just a few of the countless things that make this place a home to its residents, a destination for visitors, and a haven for many.

Life’s A Beach loves the Emerald Coast! To find out more about this Life’s A Beach and this magnificent region, keep reading our blog!