visit south walton

30a.news

Visit South Walton Named Tourism Office of the Year

Visit South Walton Named Tourism Office of the Year Visit South Walton was honored as Tourism Office of the Year for organizations with budgets of more than $2 million by the Southeast Tourism Society (STS). The award was announced at the 2019 Shining Example Award Presentation during the Southeast Tourism Society’s annual Connections conference March […] Read More

30a.news

“Theo” Inspires Local Artist – Clint Eagar

August 10, 2018 – Santa Rosa Beach, FL By South Walton Life Local Artist Clint Eagar got into the “Theo” spirit recently by painting a new rendition of Theo. Theo hopes to become the conscience of the Friends of South… Read More Read More

30a.news

TDC Collects $5m Bed Tax

June Tourism Numbers Set New Record in Walton County WALTON COUNTY, Fla. — Tourist Development Tax collection showed an impressive 17.75-percent increase in South Walton for June 2018, compared with the previous year. Walton County recorded approximately $5,421,242 in Tourist Development taxes in June, an increase of approximately $817,073 and the highest ever recorded number […] Read More

30a.news

South Walton to Add Three New Public Beach Accesses

Visit South Walton and the Walton County Board of County Commissioners recently purchased three beachfront parcels and a 7.35 acre inland property with the goal of preserving public beach access and reduce traffic congestion in South Walton County. In less than a year, the county has used funds from Tourism Development Taxes (a 4-percent “bed […] Read More

30a.news

South Walton Art Week Kicks Off With ArtsQuest, Theater Fest + More

Art Week South Walton, an initiative led by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and presented by Visit South Walton, kicks off this coming Thursday, May 11, with the Grand Opening of The Foster Gallery in its Grand Boulevard new location followed by many other events, including the Northwest Florida Theatre Festival, ArtsQuest Fine Arts […] Read More

30a.news

NOW PLAYING: Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)

Back for its seventh year of sidesplitting production, The REP Theatre of Seaside, Florida, presents their smash-hit holiday comedy Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some!). The panhandle’s premier professional theatre reimagines the script every year, providing fresh jokes and spectacle each holiday season, making Every Christmas Story a must-see for locals and visitors. Grab […] Read More

30a.news

THIS WEEKEND: South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Fest at Grand Boulevard

A dazzling roster of more than a dozen celebrity winemakers, brew masters, distillers, chefs and entertainers, will converge in Miramar Beach, Florida, for the four-day celebration of the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. The festival, which features over 800 wines for tasting, kicks off Thursday and runs through Sunday at Grand Boulevard at […] Read More



30a.news

THIS WEEKEND: Seeing Red Wine Fest – Nov 3-6

In just five weeks, wine enthusiasts can see red, white, and rosé in the beautiful, award-winning town of Seaside, Florida. The Seeing Red Wine Festival, produced in partnership with the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, will celebrate it’s 26th year from November 3 – 6, 2016. The four-day festival, which has been recognized as one of the ‘Top 10 Can’t-Miss Fall Wine Festivals’ by Fodor’s Travel, will feature some of the world’s premier vintners, proprietors and beloved local chefs. Attendees can walk around Central Square while sipping on delectable wines in the iconic beach town of Seaside. Grab tickets before the event sells out! This year, The 30A Company is honored to be included in the festival and we will be featuring our new 30A Red Blend and 30A Chardonnay at the Grand Tasting on Sunday and the Charity Wine Auction Walkabout and Walkabout on Sunday. Please stop by and see us! Will Mercer, owner of Mercer Estates, the esteemed Washington-state winery where our 30A Wines are produced, will also be making an appearance at a special vintner dinner to kick off the festival Thursday night. Check out this 30A Radio interview highlighting the festival. Guests include Chef Jim Shirley, Bud & Alley’s owner Dave Rauschkolb, Kevin Boyle with updates on fall SEASIDE events and John Russell with the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. Check out this video from the 2015 festival: “We are absolutely honored to partner with Seaside to produce this long-standing event,” said John Russell, president of Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. “Many of these vintners have become our friends as we have been fundraising for children in need in Northwest Florida for 11 years. Building on the festival’s long-standing history coupled with the reputation of the Foundation, we’ve been able to include exclusive wines and rare varietals.” The four days of festivities include reserve wine tastings, dinners and a brunch with featured guest winemakers. Several of Seaside’s well-known restaurants showcase their farm-to-fork and Gulf-to-table offerings, which pair beautifully with the featured wines. The celebration kicks off Thursday, November 3, at 7 p.m. with the Vintner’s Dinner at the famed Bud & Alley’s restaurant. Executive Chef David Bishop has created a special menu in collaboration with Will Mercer of Mercer Winery, the featured vintner. A limited number of reservations are available, and reservations can be made by calling the restaurant. On Friday, November 4, the Al Fresco Reserve Tasting, from 6 to 8 p.m., is an elegant evening showcasing an incredible selection of library wines, featuring vintages that have been cellared to be uncorked at just the right time. An array of hors d’oeuvres will pair perfectly with the featured wines, in addition to Southern Artisan Chocolates made by Olive and Sinclair Co. The evening is complemented by live music under twinkling lights on Seaside’s Lyceum Lawn. The price per ticket for the Al Fresco Reserve Tasting is $250. A limited number of tickets are available. The Grand Tasting, from 1 to 4 p.m., on Saturday, November 5, is the main event and features more than 250 wines for tasting. Guests will spend the afternoon strolling through Seaside’s Central Square sipping an extensive array of highly sought after wines from around the world, while enjoying live music, light bites from South Walton’s leading local restaurants, and the opportunity to purchase wine on-site. General admission tickets are available at $175. VIP Grand Tasting ticket holders will receive early admission to the Grand Tasting at 12:30 p.m. for the first taste of the day as well as access to the VIP lounge at beginning at noon, which is furnished with local fare, an exclusive library of wines and libations. The VIP lounge will also feature a “meet and greet” with wine celebrities personally signing bottles of their premium wines featured at the festival. In addition, VIP check-in attendees will receive a Seeing Red Wine Festival cooler bag with festival merchandise. The price of VIP tickets is $325. On Sunday, November 6, the weekend wraps up with a Celebration of Bubbles, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Great Southern Café in Seaside, followed by the Charity Wine Auction & Walkabout, from 1 – 4 p.m. in Seaside on Lyceum Lawn. The Celebration of Bubbles features sparkling wines, including Champagne, Cava, and Prosecco, among others, which will be complemented by delectable brunch items. Live music and new friends make for a fun, festival morning on the coast. To reserve your spot, call Great Southern after November 1. From 1 – 4 p.m., the Fall Walkabout & Charity Auction will feature wines, food stations, live music and our famous “Hangover Station” with Bloody Marys and mimosas. The event is enhanced by a silent auction, featuring items such as rare wines, exclusive dinners, vacation packages, and artwork. This is truly a local’s favorite. Proceeds from the Seeing Red Wine Festival will be presented to the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which supports 14 local non-profits, serving children in need in Northwest Florida. The Foundation’s signature event, the Destin Charity Wine Auction, is held annually the last weekend of April at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. In 2016, the auction raised $2.65 million for children in need and has been ranked among the top 10 charity wine auctions in the country by Wine Spectator Magazine for the last four consecutive years. Presenting sponsors for the 26th Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival include Coastal Living, The Merchants of Seaside, The Seaside Style, and 45 Central Wine Bar in Seaside. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided from the Publix at WaterColor Crossings on County Road 395. To purchase tickets and book special lodging packages, visit Seeing Red Wine Festival. Read More