Thursday, September 20, 2012

Fall in Love with the Emerald Coast


Sunset Boat Emerald Coast
Looking Forward to an Eventful Fall Season!

If you’ve been wanting to visit the always lovely Emerald Coast all summer long, and haven’t yet made it down, don’t worry! You haven’t missed your chance. The first official day of fall is this Saturday, September 22, and it is a wonderful time to plan an escape to this magical area.

Life's A Beach Fall/Winter CoverThere are a ton of things to look forward to throughout this lively season. One of my personal favorites of course is that the fall/winter edition of Life’s A Beach will be hitting the stands throughout the region. (We in fact, just received this edition from the printer this morning, so look for it at a location near you!) This means new artwork, photos, coupons, articles, events and more for our readers. How sweet is that!?

Another favorite is the weather. Fall weather on the Emerald Coast is ideal for almost any activity you can imagine. It’s still great for spending a day at the beach, or out on the water, and it’s fantastic if you just want to get out there and experience the beauty and wonder of Mother Nature in a comfortable setting. The slightly cooler evenings are awesome for a stroll on the beach, or for cuddling up with that special someone. If you enjoy camping, this is an optimal time of year for sleeping out under the stars and roasting marshmallows by the fire.

During the fall, the whole area comes alive with the vibrance of the season. There is always something happening, and there is so much to see and do you will never be bored. Let’s take a brief look at some of the things that will be happening throughout this magical season.

Rodeo Weigh-In Miss Destin
Throughout the entire month of October, spend a little time at the Destin Harbor, and enjoy the festivities of the 64th Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo. There will be tons of cash and prizes awarded to anglers from all over the country. Best of all, participation in the Rodeo is FREE to when you fish aboard any boat registered in the Rodeo. Even if you’re not fishing, you can still enjoy the merriment of the daily weigh-ins held on the docks. Don’t miss Shark Saturdays!

Seafood Fest
The 34th Annual Destin Seafood Festival will be entertaining thousands October 5-7. This tribute to the rich history of the Destin Harbor will feature 3 days of fun-filled activities for the whole family. There will be over 10 stages, and over 60 shows of amazing live music, kid’s activities, arts and crafts vendors, delicious food, beer, and much, much more! This event is also free and open to the public, however donations are accepted.

Beer MugThe Destin Beer Festival on October 13 will be held along the main street of Destin Commons. This event will feature an afternoon of specialty brews, eclectic cuisine, live entertainment, a merchandise booth and more! Event proceeds will benefit The Children’s Neighborhood of Children in Crisis, Inc. Come out and enjoy some great beer for a great cause!

Enjoy even more beer October 19-20 at the 5th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival. The event will feature over 40 onsite craft brewers, over 100 domestic and international beers, seminars and samplings, and live music.

Niceville Mullet Festival
Make your way to Niceville October 19-20 for the 36th Annual Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival. (Don’t worry folks, that’s mullet as in fish, not the popular 80’s hairstyle that’s business in the front and a party in the back!) The festival always promises a great time for the entire family with big-name entertainment, the highest quality fine art and home hand-crafts, numerous exhibits and a staggering array of food concessions. Don’t miss other special events throughout the festival such as the Mullet Toss!

A Celebration of Dogs
If you are a dog lover, you will not want to miss Dog Daze on October 20 at Liza Jackson Park in Fort Walton Beach. This canine-centered event featuring doggie arts and crafts, informational booths, lots of freebies and giveaways, a dog parade, wiener races and more! Come out for a day of fun focused around man’s best friend. Dog Daze benefits Alaqua Animal Refuge, RUFF (Rescue Unwanted Furry Friends), and PAWS (Panhandle Animal Welfare Society).

Henderson Beach State ParkIf there’s art in your heart you will not want to miss the 17th Annual Destin Festival of the Arts sponsored by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. The festival will be held October 27-28 at Henderson Beach State Park. The event will feature over 100 artists from across the United States in a vast variety of mediums. There will be kid’s events, live music and lots of fun.

November 1-4 grab your glass and head to Seaside for the Seeing Red Wine Festival. This for day event is choc-full of decades of southern tradition, and is sure to satisfy your taste for wine… and the beach! An extensive array of tasting tents will be onsite with wine samples from around the world.

The Great Golf Coast Arts Festival is a juried art show that takes place in Seville Square in Downtown Pensacola November 2-4. Over 250,000 visitors flock to the area to enjoy this event every year.

Destin Harbor Blues, Brews, & BBQ
On November 10 head down to the Destin Harbor for the Blues, Brews & BBQ event. Local restaurants will be firing up the frills and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Northwest Florida chapter will be onsite hosting a craft beer tasting and creative BBQ competition.

These are just a few of the many events you can enjoy this fall. Other things you may want to check out include touring shows, orchestra performances, Halloween festivities including multiple haunted houses and more! Check back with us often for more information on these and other upcoming events in addition to your regular Emerald Coast connection.

Until next time, enjoy the fruits of the season and remember to send us your Emerald Coast vacation photos!


Kids Activities Destin Fishing Rodeo


Thursday, September 6, 2012

What Are You Doing This Weekend? September 7-9


What’s happening on the Emerald Coast this weekend?

Well friends, it’s Thursday, and we all know what that means; it’s almost Friday, the start of the weekend. The long holiday weekend last week has allowed this to come to us a little more quickly this week, so that’s a nice bonus. The only downfall is that this allows it to sneak up on you a little bit. There you sit, reading this blog thinking, ‘Oh no! It IS almost the weekend and I’ve made NO plans! Whatever will I do?’ Not to worry, we’re here to help! Check out this list of fantastic events happening this very weekend. There’s a ton of great stuff to choose from, so you’re plan-less weekend problems are solved!
Kayaking on the Gulf Coast

REMINDER:
Remember, friends and readers, there is nothing we here at Life’s A Beach love more than seeing folks out there enjoying the spectacular Emerald Coast. If you’d like to share your photos with us (and have them considered for future publications) upload those amazing shots here: Life's A Beach Photo Upload




Multi-day Events

Arts and Crafts in Destin, FL
The 4h Annual Fall Flair Arts and Crafts Festival will be bigger and better than ever this year! This event will be held at Destin United Methodist Church Life Center Friday, September 7 from 9am – 5pm and Saturday, September 8 from 9am – 3pm. Art vendors will come from near and far to showcase their finest handcrafted items from artwork to furniture.  A bake sale will offer a variety of homemade goodies you just can’t pass up, and the Soul Café will be open if you’d like to grab a delicious lunch. Bonus! This event is FREE and open to the public.
850.837.2021
Free Home Show Fort Walton Beach 
The Emerald Coast Home Show will be held at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island September 8-9. Over 90 vendors from the home and health industries will be on site offering super discounted specials and more. Heath care evaluations will include chair and back massages, dental and sleep evaluations, chiropractic evaluations, vitamin, nutrition, and weight loss advice, skin cancer spot checks and more. Over $10,000 in door prizes and freebies will be given away at this event, which is FREE and open to the public. 



Friday, September 7

"Inspired by Peter Max" Opening Reception and Gallery Show at the Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach will be held at the gallery from 6-8pm. The exhibition of art, in any medium, is based on the works of Peter Max, known for his iconic bright posters and art in the 1960's and '70's. Admission to the reception and the gallery is FREE and open to the public. If you miss the reception, the show began September 4 and will run through September 29.
Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach




Saturday, September 8

Heritage Park and Cultural Center Fort Walton Beach
The Camp Walton School House will be having its 100th Birthday Party this year! Everyone is invited to join the celebration. The theme of the day is the time period in which the structure functioned as a school: 1912 – 1936. There will be an old-fashioned party with decorations, cake and ice cream! There will also be live music, games such as 3 legged races, educational exhibits on inventions, toys and newspaper headlines from the time period. Antique cars will be on Heritage Park grounds, and there will be old-fashioned photo opportunities and shopping for schoolhouse-related items. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet Fort Walton Beach’s founding families whose ancestors attended the school and learn about the past. Admission to all museums at Heritage Park and Cultural Center will be FREE this day.




Fort Walton Beach Gospel ConcertSunday, September 9

The Gulf Coast Gospel Extravaganza, hosted by Gayla Jones-Singleton will feature performances by God’s Child, Chevon Corlew-Coleman, Lady Cossie Crosswhite, Williams Brothers & Company, Brothers United, and Funny Man-Squaretite Mike. The concert will be held at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Center. Doors open at 4:30pm and the show starts at 5pm.
850.624.1752






As always, have a fun-filled, sun-filled and BEACHY weekend! After all, Life’s A Beach!
          -The Life’s A Beach crew

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Kick Off the Labor Day Weekend! August 31 - September 3


Girl on Beach
What’s happening on the Emerald Coast this Labor Day weekend?

Happy Labor Day weekend friends! It’s been a wonderful summer here on the Emerald Coast hasn't it? But, as we all know, all good things must come to an end. Not to worry, the area offers a variety of fun year-round, and we look forward to another amazing summer next year. In the meantime, why not celebrate the unofficial close of the season with some of these spirited Labor Day Weekend festivities?

REMINDER:
Remember, friends and readers, there is nothing we here at Life’s A Beach love more than seeing folks out there enjoying the spectacular Emerald Coast. If you’d like to share your photos with us (and have them considered for future publications) upload those amazing shots here: Life's A Beach Photo Upload




The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Multi-day Events

Join the Village of Baytowne Wharf this weekend as they welcome the fall season with their Baytowne Art Walk from 5-10pm, August 31-September 2. This event will showcase exceptional artists from some of the Southeast’s leading galleries. Stroll the streets as you enjoy live music from local musicians and browse a variety of art from these talented regional artists.

The Emerald Coast Convention Center will be hosting the annual Greek Festival from August 31-September 2. Experience the sights, sounds, and flavor of Greece with a wide variety of homemade Greek foods, traditional dance performances, and live entertainment.

Guitar Player
Rock your way through the holiday weekend at HarborWalk Village as they celebrate with the Endless Summer Music Fest August 31-September 2. The weekend starts and ends with a dazzling fireworks display over the Destin Harbor on Thursday and Sunday night! The lineup is as follows:
          Friday, August 31:
                        HarborWalk Village Main Stage
                                    6pm - Alissa Moreno, Aaron Barker, Bridgette Tatum
                                    7pm – James Slater, Jeff Cohen, Danny Myrick
                        Harry T’s
                                    7pm – Kendall Marvel, Tim James
                        Crab Island Cantina
                                    7pm – LaBounty, Candi Carpenter
                        Tightlines
                                    7pm – Bobby Tomberli, Will Rabmeaux
                        Poppy’s Crazy Lobster
                                    7pm – Sherri Austin, Aaron Barker
Andy Velo Performs            Saturday, September 1:
                   HarborWalk Village Main Stage
                                    5:30pm – James Slater, Jeff Cohen, Sherrie Austin
                                    7pm – Tim James, Kendal Marvel, Bridgette Tatum
                                    9pm – The Andy Velo Band
                        Harry T’s
                                    7pm – Bobby Tomberlin, Candi Carpenter
                        Crab Island Cantina
                                    7pm – Alissa Moreno, Aaron Barker
                        Tightlines
                                    7pm – Bill LaBounty, Trent Summar
                        Poppy’s Crazy Lobster
                                    7pm – Danny Myrick, Will Rambeaux
          Sunday, September 2:
                   HarborWalk Village Main Stage
                                    6pm – Bobby Tomberlin, Candi Carpenter, Trent Summar
                                    9pm – Danny Myrick, Bridgett Tatum, James Slater
                        Harry T’s
                                    7pm – Will Rambeaux, Sherrie Austin
                        Crab Island Cantina
                                    7pm – Jeff Cohen, Alissa Moreno
                        Tightlines
                                    7pm – Tim James, Aaron Barker
                        Poppy’s Crazy Lobster
                                    7pm Kendall Marvel, Bill LaBounty




Friday, August 31

Relax!




Heart RunnerSaturday, September 1

There’s still time to register for this Saturday’s Okaloosa Have A Heart 5k Run/Walk. The course will begin at the 911 Emergency Operations Center and loop around the Northwest Florida State College campus in Niceville. T-shirts will be presented to the first 200 entrants. Download your registration form at OkaloosaFl.com or visit Active.com.




Sunday, September 2

The Village Green of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation will be rockin’ and rollin’ with The Best of Rock n’ Roll Labor Day Weekend Concert. Opening the concert will be the popular Emerald Gold band with vocalists Olivia Slater and Amanda Holmes. They will be performing rock n’ roll and Mowtown from the 1950’s to today. Headliner Ron Adams is up next, paying tribute to the King of Rock n’ Roll himself, Elvis Presley. Bring your comfy lawn chair and picnic or purchase dinner onsite prepared by Jim N’ Nicks Bar-B-Q. Admission is $10 per adult and children under 12 are free.





Monday, September 3

 Happy Labor Day! You work hard...
Take the Day Off








As always, have a fun-filled, sun-filled and BEACHY Labor Day weekend! After all, Life’s A Beach!
          -The Life’s A Beach crew
Sunshine and Palm Tree

Thursday, August 16, 2012

No weekend plans? We can help! August 17-19


Emerald Coast
What’s happening on the Emerald Coast this weekend?

Hello there friends! I hope that everyone is enjoying time spent on the always lovely Emerald Coast. (I know I enjoy every minute of my time here.) I know that thoughts of fall are starting to pop up in everyone’s minds as we draw near the first day of school, and several other landmarks in time that tell us that cooler weather is on the way. Before you break out your sweaters and oh-so-cute knee-high boots, enjoy this beautiful summer! After all, there’s just something about sweet, sweet summertime that sends the “ahhhhhh” vibes through us. Get out there and savor the summer Emerald Coast style, with these exciting events.
Emerald Coast Fireworks 
Also, check out these Emerald Coast Weekly Summer Events, to find out what happens here EVERY week!

REMINDER:
Remember, friends and readers, there is nothing we here at Life’s A Beach love more than seeing folks out there enjoying the spectacular Emerald Coast. If you’d like to share your photos with us (and have them considered for future publications) upload those amazing shots here: Life's A Beach Photo Upload




Multi-day Events

Calling all fitness enthusiasts! You won’t want to miss the Max Fit Nutrition – Emerald Coast Power Expo this Friday and Saturday, August 17-18. Get out to the Emerald Coast Convention Center for this power-packed event.




Friday, August 17

It’s that time of the month again folks… by which I mean Art Walk time of course! Head to Downtown Fort Walton Beach for this free, open-air bizarre. Visitors can stroll the streets of this historic district where artists of all types will be displaying their creations. Enjoy the live music, art demonstrations, shopping and dining as you stroll. The evening will conclude with the presentation of a surf movie on the lawn behind Fired Up. (5:30-8:30pm)




Stand Up Paddle Board Race
Saturday, August 18

Be a part of history when you participate in the FIRST EVER Paddle at the Porch – Destin SUP Cup. This exciting event will begin in the beautiful emerald green waters behind the iconic Destin restaurant, The Back Porch. The event will feature a 3 mile recreational race and a six mile elite race. After the race there will be awards, food and fun!

Murder Mystery Theater
A tasty 3-course meal, a little comedy, a little MURDER… sounds like a good time right? Head to Christopher’s Uncorked in Crestview this Saturday as Act4Murder presents KNOCK ‘EM DEAD, a hilarious murder/mystery that will have you laughing at the edge of your seat over a delicious dinner. 

The African American Student Association (AASA) of Northwest Florida State College will host a benefit Gospel Concert, “An Evening with Le’Andria Johnson,” at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. The evening will feature BET’s Sunday Best™ Season 3 Titleholder and Grammy© award-winning gospel artist, Le’Andria Johnson. Concert proceeds will benefit the NWFSC Pacesetter Scholarship Program. Special guest host will be Linda “Sonshine” Moorer, the Mid-Day Diva of Magic 106.1 radio. Included local performers are Believer’s Life Center Dance Ministry of Pensacola, and Spirit and Truth Ensemble of Love & Faith Community Church of Tallahassee.




Sunday, August 19

Destin Harbor District









As always, have a sun-filled, fun-filled and BEACHY weekend! After all, Life’s A Beach!
        -The Life’s A Beach crew

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

“An Evening in Margaritaville” Presented by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation


What: “An Evening in Margaritaville,” a pop-up dining event
When: August 23rd - 5:30-8:30pm
Where: Still a mystery at this time

Mystery, intrigue, food, entertainment and oh yeah, did I mention MYSTERY!? If you’ve been following the progress of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s pop-up dining event, “An Evening in Margaritaville,” you know what I’m talking about. If not, that’s ok, allow me to fill you in a little… as much as I can at least.

I first heard about this event a few weeks ago, and I have to admit, I was intrigued. The whole concept casts an air of mystery and excitement upon the occasion. This enigmatic event has followers and interested parties eagerly checking their email and Facebook accounts to see if the latest details have been released. I know I’m sucked in! I guess that’s the beauty of these pop-up dining experiences; you know that it could take place anywhere – a rooftop, and airport hangar, an old warehouse, a restaurant – who knows! Food and entertainment could include any wealth of options. Details of the event have been kept secret and are being revealed as the event grows near. So, let me tell you what I know so far.

Photo courtesy of SoWal.com
I know that a portion of the entertainment will be in an art demonstration by the talented mixed-media artist, Andy Saczynski. Andy’s usual “junk into funk” style typically uses reclaimed materials and found objects to create original (and not to mention sensational) pieces of art. The product of Saczynski’s live demonstration will be auctioned off at the event, along with a few other pieces that the artist will have on display.

Photo Courtesy of Legendary Inc.
Alright, so we know we can expect an amazing art demonstration by a gifted artist, what else? I’ll tell you what else! It has been announced that the meal will be prepared by none other than Legendary Inc.’s Executive Chef, Jimmy McManus. YUM! You KNOW that’s going to be one delicious meal! With his impeccable skills, and vast knowledge and experience, McManus has received much praise and many honors for his culinary genius. The menu will feature beef empanadas and coconut lobster tartlets during the cocktail hour. This will be followed by a sumptuous buffet with salads, grilled swordfish, roast pork tenderloin, rice, vegetables and a delectable selection of desserts.

Last, the most recent detail revealed that patrons can expect to be entertained by the musical stylings of the Trop Rock sensation Coconut Radio. This dynamic duo is comprised of award-winning violinist extraordinaire, Susan Kittredge and singer/songwriter Steve Reeths. The music of Coconut Radio is meant to share those feelings/emotions one feels when sharing a cold one with friends at the tiki bar or watching a beautiful sunset. I think our friends at The Beachcomber put it best when they said “(Coconut Radio's release 'Gone Bamboo') is the perfect soundtrack for your spring                                                                           and summer."

So far, that is pretty much the sum of everything I know about this event at this time. I know there’s more to come so I will continue to follow the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation on Facebook, for the latest updates about this event’s details. If you’d like to do the same, follow this link to their page: Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation on Facebook

Also, if you haven’t got your ticket yet, call the Foundation today at 850-650-2226 to reserve your place at the table. I understand that seating is limited to 100 people and tickets are selling very quickly.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

There's A Great Weekend Ahead! How Will You Spend It? August 3-5

What’s happening on the Emerald Coast this weekend?

We’re back! It’s been a couple of weeks since we were last able to get a post up. We have been so busy with tons of great projects (including starting on our fall/winter edition of Life’s A Beach) that we haven’t had a chance to come back here and share with everyone.

It looks like August is here! July wrapped with a rainy finish, but we are high and dry (and absolutely beautiful) as I write this today. It’s it definitely a great day for the beach… or really any outdoor activity. Luckily for you, there are tons of fantastic things going on this weekend (in addition to the regularly scheduled Emerald Coast Weekly Summer Events) to make a good weekend a great weekend. Check it out!

REMINDER:
Remember, friends and readers, there is nothing we here at Life’s A Beach love more than seeing folks out there enjoying the spectacular Emerald Coast. If you’d like to share your photos with us (and have them considered for future publications) upload those amazing shots here: Life's A Beach Photo Upload



Multi-day Events

All weekend long (August 3-5) enjoy the tax-free benefits of the Sales Tax Holiday. During this period, no Florida sales tax or local option tax will be collected on sales of clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $75 or less per item, or on certain school supplies selling for $15 or less per item. Seems like a great time to check out some of the already amazing deals at Silver Sands Factory Oultets.

Have a blast at the USABMX Multi-Point Weekend Racing event at the Emerald Coast Dirt and Vert in Fort Walton Beach. This event will feature a full weekend of races, including double and triple point events for all USABMXers chasing year-end district points.





Friday, August 3

Get a birds-eye view of this stunning area...





Saturday, August 4


Photo: IslandDanceParty.com
This Saturday, the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island will be THE place to dance the night away. The Island Dance Party – Dirty Bird Reunion will be featuring a live performance from the local favorite, Emerald Gold. Performances will include some of your favorite old school Classic Rock from the 70s and 80s. Dance Party proceeds will be aiding the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Party starts at 7pm. Get your tickets now!

Photo: Chautauqua Wine Vineyards
Wine AND art. It doesn’t get much better than that. Join Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery in Defuniak Springs this Saturday starting at 10am for the Chautauqua Paint Party. No experience needed! Rachel with Southern Strokes Art says 90% of people who attend her parties have never picked up a paint brush before. Call the winery at 850.892.5887 if you’re interested in painting!







Sunday, August 5

Want to really make the most of your time on the Emerald Coast? Pick up the latest issue of Life’s A Beach for information on shopping, dining, attractions, and more! Don’t miss the COUPONS section in the back!








As always, have a sun-filled, fun-filled and BEACHY weekend! After all, Life’s A Beach!
            -The Life’s A Beach crew