Welcome to the Southern Resorts Blog. We want to share our experiences and upcoming activities on Florida's Panhandle along the Coast in Destin, Beaches of South Walton, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City Beach, Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe, Florida. Let us know what you think by commenting and sharing your experiences, too.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Beach Beats at WindMark Beach
Join WindMark Beach for this music infusion on Saturday, August 30th, 2008. With events beginning at 9:00 am eastern time and lasting until 11:00pm, Beach Beats will be an all day event. Have a blast by the beach listening to great music on the main stage by Dread Clampitt, J.C. Andersen, Latitude 29 and then finally Reed Waddle. You can get a sneak preview of Reed's music from our Southern Resorts' homepage. The bayside stage features Randy Stark and Bo Spring. This is a great time to explore the Forgotten Coast and all that WindMark Beach has to offer. Stay on property for the ultimate experience at Morning Glory and Turtle Glass lofts. Rates start at an incredibly low $118 a night. Or, stay just a mile away at the Barefoot Cottages in Port St Joe.
Hosted by the Emerald Coast Foundation, the 6th Annual Boat Week begins this Thursday, August 7th with a Pinch A Penny Texas Hold’em Tournament in Fort Walton Beach. This celebration of boating and life on the Emerald Coast continues through August 16th, with daily events, ending with the infamous Emerald Coast Poker Run and then Poker Run Party at our Emerald Coast Conference Center.
For more information and schedule of individual events visit here.850.243.3800
Next Friday, August 15th this Golf Course in Panama City Beach will host the Lend a Hand Open, a 4-Person Golf Scramble. This charitable event will benefit a number of charities including the Humane Society of Bay County, Bay County Habitat for Humanity and the Panama City Rescue Mission. If you are already have plans to visit Panama City Beach and like to play golf, this is an excellent opportunity to have some fun for a good cause. If you do not have plans, go ahead and make some and spend the weekend at the beach before school starts. Southern Resorts has wonderful beach front properties close by the Hombre Golf Course. Visit Ocean Villa or Grandview at Long Beachto be very close. For more information on the tournament call 850-763-0555.
If you have not already made plans to attend this charming small town festival, there is still time. Every year Port St. Joe, Florida celebrates scallop season with the PortSt. Joe Scallop Festivalfeaturing a wide range of activities and events for people of all ages as well as the much sought after scallop. In addition to enjoying the many ways to prepare this find, many local artists and craftsmen will display their works, and musicians will entertain.
This year the festival will be at Shipyard Cove, moving a little closer to the water and in a park shaded by stately trees, which will make it cooler. The festival has out grown previous venues such as Frank Pate Park. The festival begins at 10:00 a.m. and lasts until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Port St. Joe is less than a 2 hour drive east of Destin, Fl and an hour from Panama City Beach, too. It makes a great day trip from these locations! Most guests, however, visit from all over the country. So if you seek a wonderful weekend or week stay to the Forgotten Coast, Southern Resorts still has some availability this weekend. Visit our WindMark Beach vacation rentals at Turtle Glassand Morning Glory.
The Emerald Coast Conference Center on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach is the venue for the Annual Festa Italiana. This festival featuring authentic Italian cuisine has been held fro more years than I can remember. It begins today at 10am with opening ceremonies and continues throughout today and tomorrow. Not only will you be able to enjoy wonderful food, but also great entertainment including dancers, singers - even the Pensacola Opera. This year they are introducing karaoke! That should be interesting. It lasts until late afternoon with karaoke auditions beginning at 4pm. On Sunday, the hours are 11am - 6pm.
So, enjoy the wonderful beach and then come into the shade and enjoy the entertainment and dining that these great Italians provide.
The event is hosted by the local Sons of Italy. This not-for-profit fraternal organization has many fund-raising activities all for charitable causes, including scholarships to college-bound students from Okaloosa County. So please head to Fort Walton Beach and take advantage of this fun, delicious time, all while supporting a good cause. Our Emerald Coast Conference Center is located on Okaloosa Island, just minutes from our Fort Walton Beach vacation rentals and only 6 miles from the Destin bridge. It's close enough and large enough for visitors and locals alike! Viva Italiana!
Southern Resorts applauds theSilver Sands Factory Stores in Destin, Florida for partnering with the Destiny Worship Center and The Walton Sun newspaper for this annual “Backpack 2 School” drive. Last year’s drive provided supplies and clothing for more than 600 children and the goal this year is to assist at least 750 local children. With every $25 donation, the Backpack 2 School program can provide a backpack full of the required school supplies to children K-12 whose families have financial needs. Each child also receives a new pair of shoes and a haircut, along with certificates to purchase some new back-to-school clothing. What a wonderful cause.
But, 300 backpacks are still needed to fulfill this year’s requests and donations are due by July 25th. If you'd like to help, stop by Silver Sands Factory Stores!
Silver Sands Factory Stores is the nation’s largest designer outlet center located in Destin, FL. The Center currently features more than 100 designer factory stores with 465,200 square feet of retail space, and ultimately 700,000 planned for the ultimate shopping adventure. Visited by over seven million shoppers each year, Silver Sands was recently voted “Best Outlet” by Florida Travel & Life. Designer merchandise is available at up to 75 percent off retail prices. Visit online at silversandsoutlet.com.
Today is Tuesday and if you have not planned anything for tonight, I highly recommend going to Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin, just east of Destin, Florida. Every Tuesday night they have kids activities starting at 7PM with jumping "playgrounds and slides", boat riding, music activities and a very nice playground. Lexi, my 4 year old just loved it last week. We will definitely be back there. The end of a great evening is their fireworks. Unfortunately, we did not experience it since that was the ONLY thing my Lexi did not like. Hopefully that will change soon.
This Thursday, July 17th, begins a new art series at the Grand Boulevard in Sandestin, just east of Destin. An already wonderful place to shop, it now will feature a little evening life too. With the Beaches of South Walton already such a patron of the arts, it is only natural that this shopping center embraces it. From 5pm to 9pm, this new sidewalk art show will feature a variety of art mediums, with both artists and gallery staff available to discuss the pieces. Aptly held on Artisan Lane, the street between Gallery NU Fine Arts and The Orvis Company the series is free and open to the public. As an added highlight, guests can also enjoy refreshments from Cantina Laredo while enjoying the sounds of progressive funky jazz by Green Hit. It is sure to be a grand evening and the beginning of an even grander vision of supporting the Arts.
For more dates on this Art Series, visit Southern Resorts'event calendar.
What a beautiful day on the Emerald Coast over to the Forgotten Coast. The beach is packed along all the wonderful beach communities spanning the area newly referred to as The Beach. Vacationers from all over the southeast and even a little further have travelled to the beach for this Holiday celebration. We are so glad you are here!
With quite a few firework displays tonight and the perfect beach weather now, we hope it will be a wonderful 4th of July! Be safe.
Tonight's firework displays will be presented at the following locations.
Sunday Night Sight & Sound - The Films at Windmark Series begins tomorrow night at Windmark Beach in Port St. Joe, Florida. Live Music begins at 7:00 pm and the Movie plays at 9:00 pm. Admission is free. Bring your blanket, chairs & picnic baskets and enjoy a night under the stars on the lawn at Windmark Beach. Sunday, June 29 - I Am Legend (Action/Thriller) Sunday, July 13 - The Eye, (Horror) Sunday, August 10 - The Bucket List (Comedy) Sunday, August 24 - The Blues Brothers (Comedy/Musical) Contact 850-229-7989 for more information. Windmark Beach is a new development by the St. Joe Company. Located in the heart of Northwest Florida’s Forgotten Coast, Windmark Beach is a coastal community that recalls the beach community you enjoyed as a child. Southern Resorts is proud to represent vacation rental accommodations in the Morning Glory and Turtle Glass lofts at Windmark.
Head to the Village of Baytowne in Destin tonight and/or tomorrow night to witness the spectacular night time weigh-ins held at the Baytowne Marina for this annual bilfish tournament. The Emerald Coast Classic is a "modified release" tournament and led the Gulf Coast tournament circuit in setting high minimum lengths for blue marlin. Release points are awarded for blue marlin, in addition to white marlin, sailfish and spearfish. The three heaviest weighed blue marlin, dolphin, tuna and wahoo are eligible for cash awards, as are the top three teams entered in the All Release Division, and the top three Crews entered in the Crew Division. Seeing these magnificent fish big and small is always a lot of fun. The atmosphere surrounding the docks is exciting and the evening life at the Village presents something for everyone.
After a wonderful day in the sun on the Forgotten Coast in Port St. Joe, Mexico Beach or Cape San Blas, Florida, unwind in the evening at the Frank Pate Park on Hwy 98 in Port. St. Joe with movie night. Bring your blanket, chairs and picnic basket for a evening full of family fun. All movies begin at dark, which in the summer is typically 9 P.M. Eastern Time, so come early and pick your spot! Tonight's showing is Nancy Drew, PG. Other scheduled movies are: July 10- Enchanted, PG July 24- The bee movie, PG Aug 14- National Treasure 2, PG
For more information call the Gulf County Tourist Development Council @ 850-229-7800 or visit their site http://www.visitgulf.com/
Today is International Surf Day and to celebrate the Florida Panhandle Chapter Surfrider Foundationis hosting a family-friendly event on the beach behind Pompano Joe's in Miramar Beach, Destin, Florida from 6 pm-till. The event will include a paddle out, raffle prizes, silent auction, live music, food and a bonfire. Guests are encouraged to bring their own beverages. We will ride our bikes there tonight and check it out. If you are in the vicinity of Crystal Beach and Miramar beach stop by. There are not many bonfires on the beach anymore and they are so much fun!
I guess they have been celebrating the entire month of June with Paddle Board Races and Beach Clean-ups throughout Destin and the Beaches of South Walton. Check out the Panhandle Chapter's blog for images from both.
If you are interested in taking surfing lessons, visit Ride On Surf School, Destin's first and only surf school. It is located next to Pompano Joe's. People of all ages can learn. It is great fun and what an experience to take home and share! Our beautiful Gulf of Mexico is a wonderful place to learn.
Southern Resorts' Barefoot Cottages in Port St Joe will be host to three art workshops beginning on Friday, June 27, 2008 at the community building at The Green.
The workshops taught by artist Heather Parker will continue on Fridays, July 25th and August 29th. Running from 6:00pm - 9:00 pm, the classes will be small and specialize in a theme. The themes are "Sailboats,” "Beach Scene" and "Garden Flower," respectively.
The cost is $40 per person with refreshments included. I am thinking of bringing a friend for a great girl's night out at a beautiful location. Join us for an evening of art and fun! Acrylic Paints, all materials, and 16 x 20 canvas are provided– just bring yourself! All workshops require prepayment and space is limited so call soon! Call or email Heather for registration information. 850-249-9295 or 240-625-7195, painterparker@yahoo.com.
The Green at Barefoot Cottages is a wonderful venue for these events, weddings and reunions. In Port St. Joe, just east of Mexico Beach, it is a perfect location.
The 20th Big Bend Saltwater Classic is next weekend. I am sure there will be a lot on anglers celebrating Father's Day on the water with this fishing tournament begun in 1989 by The Organization for Artificial Reefs, Inc, (OAR), a private, non-profit, marine interest group based in Tallahassee. There are three weigh stations, Carrabelle, Panacea and Port St. Joe. Since 1990, the Tournament has been a three-day event set on Father's Day Weekend. It is a rodeo format featuring multiple species in three divisions for competitive fishing for Juniors to Pros. The format has proven itself productive and inviting to participants and their families. The Bend Saltwater Classic is the Fishing Family’s place to be on Father's Day Weekend in Northwest Florida. So come stay with Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals near one of the weighing stations in Port St. Joe at the Barefoot Cottages or in Mexico Beach at Starline.
After such a busy weekend with Billy Bowleggs festivities, Fort Walton Beach has yet another fun week planned.. Join us Thursday, June 12th at 7:30 in Fort Walton Beach at the Emerald Coast Conference Center for this great charity event benefiting the Desire Street Ministries and the YMCA. It promises to be an evening to remember while featuring Dancing with the Stars cast! Tony, Elaina, Max, Val, Valeriya, Fabian, Ilya and Nadia! For more information please visit http://www.desirestreet.org/. "The Desire Street Ministries exists to train and send leaders to revitalize impoverished neighborhoods through spiritual and community development."
It's Executive Director is Danny Wuerffel. Danny graduated as valedictorian of Fort Walton Beach High School here in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where as quarterback, he led the football team to the state championship. His football career continued at the University of Florida, leading the Gators to four SEC championships and a National title. Besides graduating with High Honors and a BA degree in Public Relations, Danny won the 1996 Heisman trophy, the Draddy award (for the nation’s top student-athlete) and set 17 NCAA and Univ. of FL football records. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1997, where he first learned of Desire Street Ministries.
Southern Resorts, a proud supporter of Fort Walton Beach High School, has many properties from which to choose on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton. Visit our site to see the beachfront vacation rentals available this summer.
Head over to Port St. Joe, Florida, just between Mexico Beach and Apalachicola on the Gulf Coast. Dockside Caféwill be having their first concert of the year June 12th at 8:30 pm EDT. Sauce Boss will be playin the blues and cookin up the gumbo! This will be a free concert at this fun waterfront restaurant at the Port St. Joe Marina. It is one of my favorite places to eat and just hang out. The Buffalo Shrimp is a favorite of mine, but everything is great!
Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals manages wonderful vacation beach homes and condos in the area. With the Barefoot Cottages in Port St Joe, Starline in Mexico Beach and now the Barnat Windmark Beach, we have something for every taste in this charming area coined the Forgotten Coast.
Also this weekend, the Destin Harbor will be busy with the new series: Summerfest on the Harbor. This series of events is hosted by the Destin Harbor Association (DHA) and Harbor businesses to showcase the uniqueness of the Destin Harbor. The festival is planned for Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and will feature live entertainment, fabulous dining, exciting art, and spectacular fireworks all in a family-friendly atmosphere. Most events are free to the public. For more details on specific events, visit Southern Resorts'Event Calendar or read more... here. For a list of participating restaurants, including some of Southern Resorts'favorite partners, click here.
The Destin Harbor Association is dedicated to the mission of increasing the public awareness of and preserving the heritage of the Destin and the Destin Fishing Fleet. Let's all support them in this endeavor by stopping by to enjoy the festivites.
If you are visiting, it takes place just over the Destin Bridge on the west end of Destin and only a few miles from Fort Walton Beach vacation rentals on Okaloosa Island.
This weekend, Fort Walton Beach's local theatre group, Stage Crafters, presents one of the most popular romantic comedies of the century, "Same Time Next Year." Remember this story of a love affair between two people who rendezvous once a year? Well come out to the Fort Walton Beach Municipal Auditorium and watch as they portray 25 years of manners, morals, and attitudes hilariously mirrored by the lovers. The stage at Fort Walton Beach is on the main road, Miracle Strip Parkway, close to Okaloosa Island here in Fort Walton Beach so guests staying at one of the beautiful beach condos are close by and can make a great evening of it. For information visit http://www.stagecrafters.com/ or contact 850.243.1101.
TheMattie Kelly Arts Foundation has begun its Summer Concert Series on the Event Lawn, Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, 4323 Commons Drive W., Destin. A favorite event for both locals and visitors to Destin, the venue is centrally located with easy access from surrounding beach communities. Bring your favorite lawn chair and picnic, relaxing to wonderful music and the natural beauty of the area on Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm. (admission is $5 for adults/kids under 12 are free). Tomorrow night join locals Clark & Company. Bring your dancing shoes as Clark & Company return with music to please all ages, all your favorites from fiddle tunes to Jimmy Buffet, the Drifters, ABBA & more. Ice cream available for purchase from Marble Slab Creamerywith a portion of each week's sales donated to Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals in downtown Destin and the Crystal Beach community are especially close to this location. Spend a day at the beach and end the evening under the stars listening to great music. For other summer concert series and events along the beach, visit our event calendar.
What a beautiful weekend for vacationers to Florida's panhandle and Northwest Gulf Coast. All of our beach communities including Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Beaches of South Walton, Panama City Beach and Port St Joe have witnessed perfect weather. We had a little rain shower yesterday and may get some today, but that is just proof that Summer is here. The light afternoon showers are common, yet brief, giving us plenty of pool and beach time. Did anyone head out to Baytowne Wharf in SanDestin for the fireworks last night? It was a great way to end the day and pay tribute to the fallen soldiers who fought for our wonderful nation and the freedoms we cherish and may even take for granted a little.
If you did not get a chance to get a way this weekend, there is plenty of summertime ahead of us. Let Southern Resorts help you find the ideal vacation beach home, cottage or condo for you. With the most competitive rates and kind service, you cannot go wrong! Visit the site http://www.southernresorts.com/ for specials and some great deals on already low rates.
Eglin Air Force Base's 23rd Annual Gate to Gate Run/Walk is set for this Monday, May 26th, starting at 7:30 a.m. The race is a premier event for race enthusiasts. In year's past, they have had jets fly over and sometimes even paratroopers drop in prior to the race. Every year flowers are given to each runner to drop at the Veterans' Memorial to honor fallen service members. The Memorial is along the course and bagpipes play as you run by. It is really a neat experience. The course is a hot 4.4 miles from one gate to the other, but all along the way are water stations and even a fire hose at one point showering runners with welcome relief. There will be a separate children's fun run after the Gate to Gate. Local bands and great food follow the races. It is a wonderful way to spend the Memorial Day morning. Registration information: 850.882.1482 or http://www.eglin.af.mil/
Come join the fun, bringing your blankets and lawn chairs to the Aaron Bessant Amphitheater, at Pier Park, in Panama City Beach. Their Summer Concert Series begins Thursday evenings, May 29- September 11, from 7-9 p.m. It is a FREE event for locals and visitors alike. So, come stay with Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals in Panama City Beach and enjoy an evening out at the newest, most exciting venue in Panama City Beach. Southern Resorts has many properties located on the west end of the beach so very close to Pier Park. Our newest, Aqua, is even within walking distance. Search other Panama City Beach condos here.
The Destin Harbor Accociation is hosting Summerfest on the Harbor beginning June 1 and run for 12 weeks through August 23. Thursday nights will be the "Red, White and Blue Celebration on the Harbor" and will honor one local military hero with a key to the city. The night will culminate in fireworks. Saturday nights will "Rock the Docks" with live music at harbor businesses and a chance to win a trip for two to the Budweiser Brewery in St. Louis. Sundays "Art on the Harbor" begins at 11:00 a.m. featuring watercolors, oil paintings, and much more, including an area featuring art projects for kids. See individual days from June 1-August 23 for more details. Information: www.destinharbor.org or 800.426.9670. This is an exciting series for locals and visitors to our beautiful Destin, Florida. The Harbor is developing as a focal point for everyone. Our local fishermen have always known of its beauty and significance. As the area grows, more can take advantage of the incredible views, dining, shopping and now events that will call it home. With properties all over Destin and just across the Destin bridge into Fort Walton and Okaloosa Island, Southern Resorts encourages tourists to explore the Harbor.
Join Royal Bs, one of Southern Resorts' favorite partners, for a new Ladies' Brunch series beginning Sunday, May 18th from 12:30pm - 2:00pm. Each month they will have a different theme, different door prizes from local area businesses and party favors to boot! This month's theme will be "In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips." So join Royal Bs for wonderful New Orleans cuisine, endless mimosas and great gifts. Share a touching story of friendship when you RSVP to ladieswhobrunch@gmail.com for a chance to win the Grand Prize. You can't find a brunch like this anywhere else in Destin and space is limited to 30 so hurry! The brunches are presented by the American Laser Center and Clark and Blake Brennan's Royal B restaurant, both of Destin, Florida.
Start this afternoon watching masterpieces being created on the Mexico Beach Pier and end it at Prickly Pears with a gourmet food and wine tasting with the artists and a "Plein Air" glass flame working demonstration by Russell Scaturro. Here's the schedule: Breathtaking Beach Vistas - 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. central time (at the end of 37th Street) Gather on Mexico Beach City Pier to watch Plein Air Artists paint. Meet the Artists, Glass Flame Working Demonstration and Wine Tasting 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. central time at Prickly Pears (corner of Hwy 98 and 36th Street) Prickly Pears is hosting a one of a kind afternoon. See the beautiful works of art created that day by Plein Air artists Gene Constanza,Lori Putnam and Martin Figlinski. You can also watch Russell Scaturro create a glass masterpiece all while enjoying a gourmet food and wine tasting and a drawing for 2 gift certificates for $50 each good towards the purchase of any of the Plein Air works on sale at this years wet room. No purchase necessary, just come by Prickly Pears today to enter. Drawing will be held at 7:00 p.m.
You can also view some of last years Plein Air paintings at The Grove (corner of Hwy 98 and 27th Street) and at Killer Seafood (802 Hwy 98). Check Out Mexico Beach's own Micheal Scoggins in plein air. These paintings will be on display through Sunday so make sure you stop by.
Prickly Pears also hosts painting workshops complete with instruction, materials, a glass of win and appetizers for $40. I will find out more about them, including a schedule if I can and share here. I think it sounds like a wonderful evening for would-be painters, like myself and a few girlfriends.
I spent all morning and into the afternoon in Panama City Beach, Florida, just 45 minutes from Destin watching the Gulf Coast Triathlon. It was incredible. My brother was competing in his first half Ironman. He traveled down last night from Georgia and stayed on Panama City Beach overlooking the rather tumultuous Gulf of Mexico. We got there at 7 :00 am as he entered the Gulf along with nearly 1,800 other competitors. It was a breathtaking sight seeing all the swimmers in the water. For those of you not familiar with a half Ironman, they swim 1.2 miles first, then bike 56 miles and finish with a 13.1 mile run. These athletes are really something to behold. All in all, they travel 70.3 miles. Panama City Beach is also host to the IRONMAN Florida race on November 1, 2008. If you are coming to participate or would just like to watch, visit Southern Resorts' website. With many properties on Panama City Beach and a few adjacent to the start and finish like Ocean Villa and Grandview at Long Beachyou'll find the perfect accommodations for you!
May is truly a great month for the arts on Florida's Northwest Coast! From May 8 to May 18, 2008, all along the Forgotten Coast, nationally recognized plein air artists will capture the allure of the Forgotten Coast with paint and canvas. Artists will be painting on the beach, across the marsh, beside the lakes and throughout the streets of waterfront towns from Carrabelle, Apalachicola, Indian Pass, Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe, Wewahitchka, and Mexico Beach. You are cordially invited to join us at this premier art exhibition and sale featuring on-location artists. Experience beauty through the eyes of America's finest plein air artists! For more information on the schedule of events, please visit their site http://www.pleinairfl.com/. For more information on other area cultural events visit the Gulf Alliance for the Arts. To experience for yourself, stay at the Barefoot Cottages in Port St. Joe, within a short bike ride to Windmark Beach, where the Artsfest will be held on May 10th. We are hoping an artist may stop by and paint the cottages or the new event venue, the Green at Barefoot Cottages.
While the official start date is tomorrow, May 1st, pre-event festivities for the Thunder Beach Spring Motorcycle Rally are underway in Panama City Beach! One of the fastest growing motorcycle rallies in the southeast, Thunder Beach, in beautiful Panama City Beach, Florida is widely known as "The Most Biker Friendly FREE Rally in the United States.” The Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally is held twice yearly in one of the most picturesque areas of North Florida. Bikers, vendors and exhibitors from around the country descend on Panama City Beach, Florida the first weekend in May and the last weekend in September, to share stories, see great bands and live entertainment, find the hottest custom motorcycles and motorcycle accessories available, and to experience a scenic ride on “The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches!” Each of Thunder Beach’s SEVEN OFFICIAL VENUES across Panama City Beach offers riders a different environment with unique amenities.
Presented by the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce's Forward group, the Pilot House at the Destin Fishing Museum will host its Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, tomorrow, Wednesday, April 30th from 3pm-5pm. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 3:15 p.m., followed by fun activities for children, refreshments, photos and more. The event will last until 5 p.m. Please call (850) 837-6241 for more information. The Destin Fishing Museum is dedicated to preserving and honoring the History of Destin.
Yesterday was the perfect day for the CFF Great Strides Walk. Early in the morning there was a light fog and overcast skies, but by the time the warm ups for the walk began, the clouds cleared for a perfect sunny Destin sky. The warm ups I mention were about as hard as walking the 6 miles projected. A professional trainer by the name of Cisco had all walkers stretching and working up our heart rates at pretty good speed. He is in incredible shape, making it look so easy at Destin's Village Baptist Church.
I was so proud of our team for coming out, walking and enjoying great music and a few laughs together.
Thanks so much to Southern Resorts' walkers, Nancy, Kari, Marcella, Lisa and Marie as well as our guest walkers, Marie's mom and daughter and my two of my daughters! Our team surpassed its goal in fundraising efforts and were proud to contribute to the incredible cause.
Southern Resorts' also donated several door prizes including stays in our condos.
HarborWalk Village will showcase the region’s local produce farmers, specialty products, seafood, charter fishing fleet, and other community organizations during the new Fish & Farmers Market which begins Saturday, May 3 and runs each Saturday until May 24 from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. The Market will be set up near the charter fishing fleet docks at HarborWalk Village, within walking distance to Southern Resorts'beautiful Emerald Grande accommodations. Located on Destin's Harbor, the views and amenities are spectacular. What better way to explore and celebrate Destin’s Harbor than stroll the docks during the HarborWalk Village Fish & Farmers Market!
Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals promotes the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and encourages other area businesses to do the same. This Saturday the Great Strides Walk will take place in Destin at the Village Baptist Church. Southern Resorts will have a team walking. It should be a wonderful day! If you are visiting, staying in Destin at a beach home or condo, this location is in the Crystal Beach area of Destin on Matthew Boulevard. Come by and support all of the walkers.
Last Saturday the Great Strides Walk was held in Panama City Beach. For more information on upcoming events and how to help CFF, visit their site http://www.cff.org/
My family and I went tonight to the Fort Walton Beach High School's musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It was fabulous! I knew that our high school's Drama Department was good, but I did not realize how good. It was so much fun to watch young local students perform as they did. They sang, acted and danced like professionals. The production was organized and very well done and the costumes were great, too. Everyone is our group from 7 year old to 76 year old enjoyed. Well, actually the 7 year old did mention something about too much singing, yet rarely took his eyes off the stage. I highly recommend attending one of the three performances remaining - Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 and Sunday at 2:00. Make an evening of it and try one of our favorite restaurants along the way - Mulhollow's Bistro right there on Miracle Strip Parkway in downtown Fort Walton Beach. It really was a great evening!
Oh, I am missing some wonderful events this weekend, not only in Destin, but also in Port St. Joe. The Kid's Win Fishing Tournament in Jetty Park at the Port St. Joe Marina begins on Friday, April 11th. This tournament has become one of Port St. Joe's most anticipated events. Kids from all around come for a day of fun on the water and in the sun. The Taste of the Coast - Art by the Bay also starts on the 11th. This two day art event in Port St. Joe includes a student art competition, restaurant tastings, silent and live auctions, and much more! For accommodations nearby, stay at The Barefoot Cottages. This weekend even kicks off Southern Resorts' 21% OFF special. Visit here for details.
The highly anticipated Sandestin Wine Festival begins this week in Destin, Florida. More than 600 domestic and international wines, hand-selected by Chan Cox of Chan’s Wine Worldand some of the Southeast’s most knowledgeable judges, will be available for tasting. And, it is in one of the most beautiful settings- the Village of Baytowne.
The weekend begins on Thursday the 10th and continues to Sunday with something each day. Apparently, this is the only event in the Southeast where you can sample and purchase this many quality wines from across the globe at once. My husband and I went last year and enjoyed it immensely. Unfortunately the dates this year coincide with the Atlanta Vacation Home Expoand I'll be heading to Georgia for that. So, make your plans now staying in a Southern Resorts'property in Destin or nearby Beaches of South Walton and have a wonderful time for me.
By the way, Chan's has locations throughout our Northwest Florida coast in Destin, Miramar, Sandestin and Panama City Beach.
Our area is offering some wonderful entertainment next week. If you love shows you will be excited to know of two productions around the Destin/Fort Walton Beach areas. The first is the Broadway Musical RENT on April8th. This Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical, written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, is coming to the Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Centerat Okaloosa-Walton College in Niceville, FL (just over the MidBay bridge, North of Destin) for ONE SHOW ONLY.850.729.6000
The second lasts Thursday April 10th - Sunday April13th... Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This family friendly musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice will be presented by Fort Walton Beach High School at the school. Performances will be April 10, 11, 12 at 7:00 pm and on 13 April there is a matinee performance at 2:00pm. For information contact Contact Christa Whittaker at 850.833.3300.
So, after a beautiful day at the beach or one of Southern Resorts' property pools, relax and be entertained. You will not be disappointed!
