The Market Shops Eighth Annual Bloody Mary Festival Raises $41,000 for Habitat for Humanity – Walton County The Market Shops Eighth Annual Bloody Mary Festival, powered by Step One Automotive Group, was held on Saturday, October 14 and raised $41,000 for Habitat for Humanity – Walton County. The shopping center was once again transformed into a bustling festival ground to host and welcome over 1,000 attendees. Festive tomato-themed balloon décor, courtesy of Mingle and the Good Grit Agency, greeted guests as they entered the lively courtyard and grand lawn, each full of restaurants, vendors, and merchants from The Market Shops. Event goers made their way around the tents sampling each Bloody Mary, complete with over-the-top accoutrements, and served in specialty cups sponsored by Compass Builders of Florida. The sold-out event showcased 15 of the finest restaurants and bars on the Emerald Coast, each serving unlimited tastes of their most creative and innovative bloody marys, made with Distillery 98’s local Half Shell Vodka. Participating restaurants included Auston’s on 98, The Beach House, Big Bad Breakfast, Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer, Camille’s at Crystal Beach, Chanticleer Eatery, Chef’s Bistro 30A, Chiringo, The Henderson, Louis Louis/ The Red Bar, Outcast Bar and Grill, Ovide, Ruby Slipper Café, The Shrimp Basket, and Soleil. Upon check-in, guests received a token to vote for the coveted People’s Choice Awards for the “Best Bloody Mary.” At the end of the event, votes were counted by Hill Coleman, CPA and the following local restaurants were chosen as... Read More

  Saltwater Restaurants, Inc. is excited to announce that several of its popular dining establishments will be open on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023. These restaurants offer a range of festive dining experiences, from traditional Thanksgiving meals to unique seafood options, ensuring a memorable holiday for all guests. The Surf Hut, Destin Location: 551 Scenic Gulf Dr, Destin, FL 32550 Contact: (850) 460-7750 Offering: “Blessings on the Beach” with seating from 11am – 7pm on a first come-first serve basis. Traditional Thanksgiving Plated Dinner (Adults: $38.99, Children: $16.99) along with a limited regular menu. More info at surfhutdestin.com. The Crab Trap, Destin Location: 3500 Scenic Hwy 98 E, Destin, FL 32541 Contact: (850) 654-2722 Offering: “Thanksgiving on the Beach” from 11am – 7pm. Traditional Thanksgiving Plated Dinner (Adults: $38.99, Children: $16.99) and a limited Crab Trap menu. Details at crabtrapflorida.com. The Crab Trap, Fort Walton Beach Location: 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Contact: (850) 301-0959 Offering: “Thanksgiving on the Island” with seating from 11am – 7pm. Traditional Thanksgiving Plated Dinner (Adults: $36.99, Children: $15.99) and limited regular menu. Visit crabtrapflorida.com for more. The Crab Trap, Perdido Key Location: 16495 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507 Contact: (850) 492-8888 Offering: “Thanksgiving on Perdido Key” from 11am – 6pm. Serving The Crab Trap’s Regular Menu, with reservations and walk-ins welcome. Visit crabtrapflorida.com for details. Nick’s Boathouse, Pensacola Location: 455 W Main St, Pensacola, FL 32502 Contact: (850) 912-8775 Offering: “Thanksgiving on Pensacola Bay” from 11am – 7pm.... Read More

  FEATURING HEADLINERS JEFF TWEEDY, ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS, ROSANNE CASH, KT TUNSTALL, and NEWLY CONFIRMED GRACE POTTER and RODNEY CROWELL, plus 170 additional artists to perform January 12 – 15, 2024 along Highway 30A in South Walton, Florida “30A made its debut in 2010 and has become the biggest, most prestigious songwriters’ festival in the southeast. In previous years, it has hosted such greats as Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Indigo Girls, Graham Nash, Jason Isbell, and Lucinda Williams.” — Yahoo.com Santa Rosa Beach, FL – For the past 15 years, the 30A Songwriters Festival has attracted thousands of dedicated live music fans from around the world to hear original songwriters spanning multiple genres perform their songs. As No Depression wrote, “perhaps the best thing about the 30A Songwriters Festival (called simply ‘Songwriters’ by locals) is that it seems to recognize that some people who write great songs are quite famous, but not every great songwriter is a household name.” Dedicated to celebrating the iconic voices of our time, as well as the best in up and coming and career artists, 30A Songwriters Festival has hosted John Prine, Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Indigo Girls, Leon Russell, Emmylou Harris and many more since its inception. One of the festival’s main attractions is the intimacy of the venues and the camaraderie among concertgoers and musicians, many who kick off their year with a performance at the fest. The festival is also a fundraiser for the Cultural Arts Alliance of... Read More

  According to a report published in the VisitSouthWalton newsletter, Tourist Development Tax collections showed a 6.6 percent decrease in South Walton for August 2023 compared with the previous year. Total collections for August 2023 in South Walton were $5,433,317.90. The Tourist Development Tax, or bed tax, is a 5-percent tax collected on hotels, condos, and other short-term rentals south of Choctawhatchee Bay. It is the best way to gauge visitation and demand trends in South Walton. The revenue supports tourism marketing and beach operations efforts, including cleaning and maintaining beaches, lifeguards, destination improvements, and preservation initiatives. While the numbers may be down somewhat, Tourism Director Matt Algarin explained that the report does not tell the whole story. Director Algarin noted that the latest figures are being compared to 2021-2022 but said the trends during those years were unnaturally inflated. “Those high numbers in 2021-2022 were greater than traditional demands seen in 2018-2019 and were likely in response to several factors – Covid mandates and restrictions were still being enforced in many other states, so vacation options in many places were extremely limited. Thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida remained open as a beach destination,” said Algarin. “People were driven by a strong desire to get out of the house, to be outside, and they felt comfortable coming here. We were very grateful for that, but it created a very unnatural trend.” The drop was also seen in North Walton County. Bed-tax collection figures on short-term rental accommodations north of... Read More

  DESTIN, FLA – As the holiday season approaches, Destin Commons is excited to announce an array of festivities and holiday happenings that will bring the spirit of the season to life for all ages. To kick off the start of the holiday season is Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting on November 17, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM CST, promising an evening of merriment for all. Santa Claus will make a grand entrance at Destin Commons on November 17, accompanied by a lively procession down the main street, a fireworks display, and the cheer of holiday parade participants. Families and friends are invited to join this magical 2-hour event, offering the perfect start to the holiday season. Visitors can indulge in sweet sips of hot cocoa, showcase their creativity with festive face painting, and capture cherished memories at the photo booth. Throughout the holiday season, Santa will be stationed at Bass Pro Shops, ready to listen to wishes and pose for memorable photographs. Your furry friends can even come by to snap a picture with Santa. The holiday spirit continues with the Jolly Jubilee, featuring musical performances at Center Plaza every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the holiday season. The festivities will kick into high gear after Thanksgiving, providing a backdrop to seasonal shopping and gatherings. “We are thrilled to welcome Santa and kick off the holiday season with a night of magic and excitement at Destin Commons,” said Brooke Johnson, Director of Marketing at Destin Commons.” Our aim is... Read More

  Beginning October 30, 2023, CR30A will be inaccessible at Deer Lake due to the construction of a new bridge. The project encompasses relocating utilities, removing the current box culvert, installing a new precast concrete bridge, realigning the road and multiuse path, and setting up drainage facilities. Anticipated to last 180 days, the contract is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2024.       The post SCENC 30A CLOSURE AT DEER LAKE BRIDGE appeared first on #30ATV.   Read More

  A Theatre for Young Audiences Performance Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) presents Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus, December 1 – December 9, 2023. Two compelling stories come together in this heartwarming play inspired by the famous editorial Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, in New York City, eight-year-old Virginia is left pondering whether or not Santa really exists after a series of unhappy events. Meanwhile, a young newspaper editor also struggles against tough holiday times as he is faced with losing his job if he can’t find his writer’s voice by morning. Even though they don’t know each other, the spirit of Christmas is about to bring these people together, creating in the process an unforgettable and cherished part of classic Christmas folklore. Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus will be performed by ECTC’s talented teen Junior Company players and staged in ECTC’s main space located on the second floor of 560 Grand Boulevard in Grand Boulevard Town Center in Miramar Beach. The Junior Company high school troupe is part of ECTC’s Rising Stars educational program. Public Performances: Saturday, December 2 – 9.30am Sunday, December 3 – 2.30pm & 4.30pm Saturday, December 9 – 9.30am Director: Anna Fisher Costume Designer: Taylor Walker Set & Lighting Designer: Rebeca Lake Prop Designer: Ora Wolfgram Stage Manager: Leya Bathula Alicia Jurek- Assistant Stage Manager Cast: Alex Koehler…………………………………………………………………………..Francis Church Arianna Malai…………………………. Samantha O’Hanlon, Martha the soup lady, Magical Elf Aubrie Porter………………………………… Mother O’Hanlon, Postperson, Homeless Woman... Read More