Gumbo Anyone? Pursue the Roux at the 35th Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival!
Friday, Feb. 23, 5 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 24, 12-4 p.m.

Kick-off the Party at Hammerhead’s Bar & Grille Friday, Feb. 23, 5-7 p.m.
Mark your calendar for the official kick-off of the Sandestin Gumbo Festival weekend with a low-country shrimp boil at Hammerhead’s Bar & Grille and live music starting at 4 p.m. Hammerhead’s Bar & Grille will serve fresh gulf shrimp, corn on the cob, sausage, boiled potatoes, and a cup of gumbo ya ya. Tickets: $35 meal only; $50 with beer and wine.

Then tantalize your taste buds at the Sandestin Gumbo Festival! This foodies’ favorite Gumbo winter festival is celebrating three and a half decades as the Best Gumbo Cook-Off on the Emerald Coast! Yum! Yum! Known as one of the largest and most popular winter food events in our region, Gulf Coast restaurants will feature their top-secret gumbo recipes and compete for your vote. Sample the variety of gumbos and vote for your favorite as the “People’s Choice” winner. Dark or light roux? Chicken, sausage or seafood?

Celebrity judges will name the “Area’s Best.” This festival’s atmosphere is filled with fun—live music from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe while you taste, free kids’ activities and restaurants from all over our area vying for your coveted vote.

And, the popular Bloody Mary competition is back again this year, featuring the best Bloody Marys at the beach! Taste some of the finest local bars’ and restaurants’ Bloody Marys and you get to judge those, too. Vote for your favorite and help contestants win the title of “Best Bloody Mary at The Beach.”

Visit www.SandestinGumboFestival.com for tickets and details, including a daily schedule of events and entertainment. General admission tickets are $45 before Feb. 23 and allow tastings of all gumbo and Bloody Marys; $55 day of. If you’re interested in entering the event, visit baytownewharf.com. The event will happen rain or shine.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! Mark Your Calendar for the Annual Mardi Gras Parade!

Sunday, Feb. 11, 2 p.m.
No Cost to Attend
Mardi Gras is bigger and better than ever at The Village of Baytowne Wharf! Again, this year, the Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade and the Mardi Gras Dog Parade will join forces for one festive event. The Village streets will be filled with costumed dogs and their humans along with unique and colorful floats, golf carts, vehicles, pick-up trucks and Mardi Gras cheer. Let the good times roll with dressed-up marchers in their Mardi Gras best and Mardi Gras music filling the air as four-pawed friends and parade participants shower parade-goers with a barrage of beads, moon pies and other trinkets.

Baytowne is looking for Krewes to join in the Mardi Gras festivities. To participate, register by Friday, Feb. 9, at 5 p.m. at baytownewharf.com. Participants who register by Feb. 5 will receive five points added to their score.

Baytowne Mardi Gras Street Pardi

Tues. Feb. 13, 6-8 p.m.
No Cost to Attend
Break out the beads and get ready for a night to remember at the Baytowne Mardi Street Pardi. Starting at 6 p.m., join the Village of Baytowne Wharf for a festive Fat Tuesday celebration complete with music from Boukou Groove, street performers, entertainers and more. The post-pardi celebration continues into the night with parties at various Baytowne establishments.

There’s still time to have your Winter Fun at Baytowne On Ice

Now a family tradition, lace up those skates and continue the magical winter spirit at The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Baytowne on Ice. For locals and visitors who miss the cold and ice, Baytowne’s seasonal ice rink is the perfect opportunity to share some of your favorite winter traditions. The ice rink is open through Sunday, Feb. 4. Hours vary daily. $13 for a 90-minute skate; $3 skate rentals. Rent the rink for private parties and functions starting at $300. Call (850) 428-2736 or visit baytownewharf.com for more information.

Additional January events include Bubbly Baytowne and the Pink Walk & 5K:
On Thursday, Jan. 18, 5 p.m., join Baytowne Wharf for an evening full of free champagne and shopping during its Bubbly Baytowne. Sip and shop through the Village streets. Stop in various retail merchants as you enjoy a selection of premium champagnes.
* This event is free and for 21 and up only. The village will be open to the public during this event.

Walk or run with friends and family at the Pink Walk & 5K Benefiting Fore Her on Saturday, Jan. 26, at 8:30 a.m. Wear your pink and have fun while raising funds for breast cancer patients in financial need. Register at www.foreher.org/pinkwalk5k.

The post Celebrate Mardi Gras and 35 Years of Gumbo at The Village of Baytowne Wharf! appeared first on South Walton Connections.