Independence Day is tomorrow and many of us are contemplating what we should do next weekend after an amazing July 4th holiday.  You could check out the Blue Angels performing in Pensacola Beach on July 11th at 12:00 pm in Pensacola Beach and book your vacation with Southern Resorts.  However, you may want something a little more relaxed and pleasant to the ear.

Pop and country music star LeAnn Rimes will perform at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on July 11th at 7:00 pm.  There are only 1,890 seats available and three different kinds of tickets priced from $30-$45.  My wife and I can’t wait to see her perform at this smaller venue for such a great price.

Book your vacation at www.southernresorts.com and make your ticket reservations here.  The Emerald Coast Convention Center is located on Okaloosa Island which is about 5 miles west of Destin and 1 mile East of Fort Walton Beach.  Come check out our stunningly white beaches and relax Saturday night as you see LeAnn Rimes in concert

Every Tuesday night at the Village of Baytowne, Kid’s Mini Mardi Gras is celebrated with fun activities, culminating in an incredible fireworks display.

What a fantastic mix of events and activities offered there. One minute we were in a cozy setting listening to the acoustic sounds of Matt and the next we were at a huge, fun party. Everyone  appeared to be having a great evening. Restaurants were busy, including one of Southern Resorts’ favorite partners - the Marlin Grill.

Everyone cheered as the last fireworks soared through the air. I only captured a few minutes of the show that went on for quite some time.

If you plan on spending your beach vacation in Destin or the Beaches of South Walton, you have so much right here. It is even worth the drive from Fort Walton Beach! Schedule Tuesdays at Baytowne!

If you’re like me and need to make vacation plans in the nick of time for the 4th of July there are great last minute Independence Day specials @ Southern Resorts.  However, those of you coming the following weekend are in for an amazing show that will leave you breathless.
   
The Blue Angels, officially known as the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, are preparing for their July 11th show in Pensacola beginning at 12:00pm.  Based out of Pensacola, the talented and fearless pilots spend most of the year performing across the U.S. in amazing shows featuring unbelievable stunts that are sure to impress the young and the young at heart.  You can find your perfect vacation spot to put you near the air show and the beach at Southern Resorts.

What better place to spend your 4th of July than at the Beach? Incredible fireworks shows are planned all up and down the beach from Pensacola Beach to Port St. Joe. Most of them over the water, either the Gulf of Mexico or Bay or Harbor as in Destin. Spectacular sights as the lights reflect off the water and thousand of people gather to celebrate our country’s independence. Here is a schedule of some of the Fireworks Shows along the Beach.

If you have not planned your beach vacation, there is actually still time. With a little availability still in our beach homes, cottages and condos, you can really get a Hot Deal. Call Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals today and let us find the perfect spot for you!

Pensacola Beach - One of the biggest events at the Beach, this family-oriented, patriotic celebration is the largest Fourth of July celebration on the entire Florida Gulf Coast. The day-long activities begin at 10 a.m. in Seville Square and culminate in a huge fireworks display over Pensacola Bay at 9pm

Fort Walton Beach - Spend the 4th at the Fort Walton Beach Landing, Brooks Street, Fort Walton Beach and  enjoy food and vendor booths, children’s activities, live entertainment, and 4th of July fireworks.

Destin - The City of Destin’s Annual 4th of July fireworks celebration will begin promptly at 9pm and is sure dazzle you! Enjoy FM 105.5’s “The Wolf” broadcasting the soundtrack for this year’s fireworks.

Panama City Beach - Join us at the new and exciting Pier Park for a live concert and fireworks display!

The Forgotten Coast - Protect yourself from pirates as they attack passing ships in the waters off Frank Pate Park in Port St. Joe. Make this Independence Day one to remember with the fun-in-the-park party moves to Port St. Joe Marina for a fireworks display, live band and party.

Get HisTOURical in Okaloosa County from Shawna Osborn on Vimeo.

Upon entering, I was amazed with an exhibition of the inaugural gowns worn by First Ladies from years past. Moving through the gallery, the full size replica of the White House Oval Office was impressive. I could envision the President there.  Even better, you can sit behind yet another replica and take the Oath of Office and be sworn in as President before getting your photo taken behind the desk. Being a plane lover, I enjoyed boarding the full-scale replica of the fuselage of Air Force One. There was so much to see and do. I breezed through there wishing I had more time.  Next time I will bring my children and make an afternoon of it. It has been so sunny and hot (I am not complaining!!), that some time spent inside and learning would do us all good. What a great thing to do on vacation, too. With the Emerald Coast Conference Center being on Okaloosa Island, visitors to both Destin and Fort Walton Beach are within a short drive.
Spend your Fort Walton Beach and Destin vacation with Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals.

This year our trip will have to wait until the first of August, but we have family going over there to kick off scallop season next week. We hope to have a video to post and some great shots, too. Our trip will coincide with the 13th Annual Scallop Festival August 1st and 2nd. I have yet to attend, but hear it is a funfilled weekend! Only a 1.5 - 2 hour drive from Destin, Florida and with Southern Resorts offering locals discounts of up to 20%,  it is so worth the trip!

If you have not planned your getaway to the Forgotten Coast, visit www.SouthernResorts.com to find your perfect place to stay. We are almost full for the first weekend in July, but have availbility here and there throughout July and August. For charming cottages stay at the Barefoot Cottages in Port St. Joe. For chic loft accommodations and beautiful beach homes, WindMark Beach is your spot. For delightful vacation condos in Mexico Beach, visit Sail-A-Way (with boat dock), Summerhouse or Starline.

There is still time to plan your next beach vacation. With over 600 properties in Destin, Ft Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Panama City Beach, the Beaches of South Walton and the Forgotten Coast, Southern Resorts has the beach covered.

This week, Patti “rambled” on about kayaking to cool off, approaching scallop season on July 1st and which fish are jumping. New t-shirts are in at the restaurant too. She also gives a play by play of each day’s specials. Some of the dreamy dishes are:  Soft Shell Crab BLT with Fried Green Tomatoes, Curried Chicken Salad on Croissant,  Fish Ruebens, Oyster and Artichoke soup and so much more. Fresh fish is always at the top of the list.
Sunset Coastal Grill  is open 7 days a week – Lunch 11am – 3pm and Dinner 5pm – 10pm.

I highly recommend stopping by there whenever in the Forgotten Coast, including Mexico Beach, WindMark Beach, Port ST. Joe and Cape San Blas. And, if you need a place to stay, while you are there, visit our Northwest Florida vacation rentals at www.SouthernResorts.com/bre

To sign up for the e-newsletter from Sunset Grille, visit here http://www.sunsetcoastalgrill.com/signup.cfm

Shakespeare by the Bay presents Shakespeare in the Park, free performances in several locations along the coast and all open to the public. This show is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and begins tomorrow night, June 19th at the Gulf Coast Community College Amelia Center Theatre. It plays there again Saturday, the 20th and moves to Carillon Beach in the Carillon Market Square on the Wednesday June 24th. Carillon is a beautiful community where Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals manages the Dreamcatcher home.

Completing the series are shows in the Pier Park Amphitheatre in Panama City Beach, Florida on June 26th and 27th. If you are in Panama City Beach for vacation, you really should stop by Pier Park to see the performance. It is a lovely venue with so much for everyone in the family.