30A Beaches

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M&P by Farrington Foods Elevates American Cuisine with Homegrown Delights

It’s only been a few months since Will and Liz Farrington opened M&P, but they are busy serving up new menu items and special events for the 30A community. The customers have been lining up for Farrington’s stalwart commitment to their American menu that highlights ingredients and products sourced right here in the United States. “We’re committed to an Americana menu utilizing superior products like beef from Holstein cows, Magalista pork sourced from American farms, caviar from North Carolina, and more,” Elizabeth said.  Chef Farrington makes fennel sausage from that Magalista pork that rivals Spain’s celebrated Iberico. Originally bred for royalty in Hungary, Mangalitsa pig farms have grown rapidly on U.S. soil over the past twenty years. These wooly, fatty, pigs are pasture-raised with intense flavor and deep marbling and serve as the filling for chef Farrington’s tortellini which also features Calabrian chili and creamed corn with whipped ricotta and opal basil.  Then there’s the Pacifico Striped Bass Chowder, a hearty serving of miso-marinated Pacifico striped bass with guanciale, sherry cream chowder, shiitake mushrooms, gnocchi, and micro arugula.  Sourced just 70 miles off the coast of California, Pacifico Bass is the only 4-star certified Best Aquaculture Practices open ocean fish from North America.   Chef Farrington’s take on the unofficial dessert of Florida—key lime pie—celebrates the tartness of the key lime but serves it curd-style without sweetened condensed milk. It’s topped with toasted Italian meringue, graham cracker crumble, and house-made salted caramel ice cream. Florida in a glass. Elizabeth added, “We... Read More

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Bal Harbour’s Exclusive Summer Pop-Up at Grand Boulevard – May 24-July 19

The Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-Up Tour, the first-ever traveling luxury retail event, will be making its next stop in South Walton at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin for eight weeks from Friday, May 24-July 19, 2024. This will be the third time that the Bal Harbour-based luxury shopping location, a favorite celebrity-loved destination in the most northern tip of Miami Beach, has chosen to take its extremely coveted luxury experience on the road with previous stops in Raleigh, North Carolina and Sarasota, Florida. For the first four weeks of the Pop-Up, esteemed brands such as Assouline, Balmain, Cremieux, Dolce and Gabbana, Etro, Golden Goose, Santa Maria Novella, Silvia Tcherassi, Tiffany & Co., Veronica Beard, and Vilebrequin will be available to shop, while the last four weeks will feature brands including Addict, Balmain, Bonpoint, Eleventy, Golden Goose, Lanvin, Marie France Van Damme, Orlebar Brown, Scanlan Theodore, and Tiffany & Co. “We’re thrilled to bring the tropical luxury shopping and dining experience of Bal Harbour to Grand Boulevard in South Walton for the first time,” said Matthew Whitman Lazenby, President and Chief Executive Officer of Whitman Family Development, who also has a second home in South Walton. “With this roving Pop-up, we introduce a new and innovative solution at the crossroads of high-touch personal service and high-tech logistics to deliver on our mission and impact and impress our guests with our distinctive level of excellence.” The Bal Harbour Shops Access Pop-up features a fully designed and custom-built installation by LOT-EK spanning 17,000... Read More

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The Bachelor & The Beach: Lauren Lane’s Journey from Reality TV to Real-Life Happiness

Lauren Lane and her husband, acclaimed country musician Chris Lane, are starting to feel the fog of early parenthood lift. With two boys under three, they’ve been in the thick of it. “It felt like the first year of our second son’s life was spent just surviving in the trenches,” said Lauren. Her advice for parents in the same boat? Hold on. “At least for us, it was a short time,” she said. “And now I can see, yes, it does get easier.” At 34 years old, Lauren, who works full-time as an influencer, shares publicly the joys and challenges of marriage and raising young children. (Lauren and I – working moms who also stay at home with our kids – laughed when we realized we were both parked in our cars in our respective driveways to ensure we could focus on our phone interview with each other.) While it takes work and dedication, Lauren said building a family is the most important project of her life. From Idyllic Childhood to Reality TV Fame Lauren’s commitment to building a stable family began in childhood. She grew up in Portland, Oregon, the oldest of four kids in a close-knit family. Her mom cooked family dinner every night. The family genuinely enjoyed spending time together, playing cards and board games. She was close with her grandparents, who lived nearby. “We had a happy childhood that was really focused on family,” she said. They took one vacation a year, usually in June, often... Read More

Dine + Dive At Grand Boulevard In Support Of UMA May 1

 Join the community and Cultural Arts Alliance Of Walton County in Grand Boulevard Town Center on Wednesday, May 1 from 6 – 9 p.m. for Dine + Dive, a fusion of fine art, food and wine event igniting all of the senses to benefit the nation’s first Underwater Museum of Art.      https://sowal.com/story/dine-dive-at-grand-boulevard-in-support-of-uma-may-1 Read More

The Plan for Walton 2040 Charting Course For Walton County's Future

Locals have known for years that Walton County has it all – rich agricultural lands, untouched forests, serene waters, beautiful white sand beaches, unique historical significance, the highest point in Florida, top-notch schools, and more. The county is planning for the future and has many opportunities for citizens to participate. Visit www.planforwalton2040.com for more info.    https://sowal.com/story/the-plan-for-walton-2040-charting-course-for-walton-countys-future Read More


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11th Annual Longleaf Writers Conference Ft. Authors Adam Johnson and Maggie Smith – May 11-18

Longleaf Educational Services (501-3c)  recently announced the 11th annual Longleaf Writers Conference scheduled to take place May 11-18, 2024, in Seaside, Florida, as part of Art Week South Walton. The Longleaf Writers Conference includes a full week of intensive writing workshops, one-day seminars, agent consultations, school outreach programs and social events. The conference, which takes place at the Seaside Institute and other local venues in Seaside, Florida, provides an opportunity for beginning, intermediate, and advanced writers to celebrate writing, network, and hone their craft. Visiting authors Adam Johnson (The Orphan Master’s Son – Pulitzer Prize Winner, Fortune Smiles – National Book Award Winner) and poet Maggie Smith (Good Bones, Keep Moving, You Could Make This Place Beautiful) will each lead a seminar and a public reading while guest literary agents Anjali Singh (Ayeshe Pande Literary), Martha Wydysh (Trident Media Group), and two other agents to be named later, will offer seminars and one-on-one consultations with attendees. “We are fortunate to continue to attract high-caliber writers such as Adam Johnson and Maggie Smith,” said LWC co-founder and Creative Director Matt Bondurant (The Wettest County In The World, made into the film Lawless; The Night Swimmer; Oleander City). “And there is no other writers conference that allows you to step out of intimate workshops with national award-winning authors and agents directly onto the white sand of the Gulf of Mexico. Our writers love that, and they also appreciate the people and culture of the community.” Bondurant and conference co-founder and poet Seth... Read More

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The Best Things To Do on 30A This Week – Apr 22-28

This week on 30A, don’t miss the soulful tunes of Blues on the Beach, the sophisticated sips at the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, and the musical journey with Lauren Daigle at Kaleidoscope Beach Weekend. Plus, indulge in gourmet delights at the Low Country Boil and enjoy live music with Rafael Suárez. Join us for these unforgettable events along Scenic Highway 30A! 1. Blues on the Beach: A Sunset Serenade on 30A Experience an enchanting evening of live blues music at Red Fish Taco in Blue Mountain Beach, Florida, on Wednesday, April 24, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Enjoy soulful melodies by the sea as the sun sets on scenic Highway 30A. Blues on 30A / Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 6 p..m – 9 p.m. @ Red Fish Taco 2. Vintner’s Paradise: South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival 2024 Immerse yourself in the exquisite world of wines and spirits at the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, taking place from April 25 to April 28, 2024, at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin. With over 600 high-quality wines, craft spirits, and celebrated wine celebrities, this award-winning charity event offers an unparalleled tasting experience in Northwest Florida. Join in for a weekend of gourmet pairings, expert-led seminars, and exclusive tastings. Learn more HERE. 2024 South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival / Thursday, April 25, to Sunday, April 28, 2024, from 4 p.m. @ Grand Boulevard 3. Kaleidoscope Beach Weekend: Three Nights with Lauren Daigle Dive into... Read More

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From Bayou to Billboard: Lauren Daigle Brings Hymns of Happiness to Kaleidoscope Beach Weekend

Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle’s music has deep spiritual roots. Louisiana, known as the cradle of jazz, is also a fertile ground for gospel, rock and roll, country, and a myriad of genres that resonate with the state’s pioneering spirit. The Bayou State has given rise to a host of diverse and famed musicians, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Lil Wayne, Tim McGraw, The Revivalists, Jon Batiste, Britney Spears, Trombone Shorty, and Lucinda Williams. Daigle has been captivating audiences worldwide since her debut album How Can It Be in 2015, winning Grammys and hearts with her fervent songs and infectious zeal. This passion is evident in her latest, self-titled album, which made an impressive debut at No. 21 on the US Billboard 200 last year. One of the most uplifting tracks from that album, “These Are the Days,” is a spiritual rallying cry. No matter what your denomination may be, Daigle encourages the listener right away: People out there, people out there Let go of your cares Turn your cries into loud hallelujahs This is what we came for, oh yeah Leave all your worries behind We know the future’s burnin’ bright This is the great jubilation This is what He came for, what He came for Daigle’s musical palette, as colorful and varied as her home state, will be showcased at the Kaleidoscope Beach Weekend at Miramar Beach, Florida. This three-night event from April 25 to 27 features an impressive lineup, including Grammy winner Jon Batiste and... Read More

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Destin Shout-Out in New Taylor Swift Song

In her latest musical venture, Taylor Swift embarks on a soul-stirring journey through the sunny shores of Florida. From the upcoming album The Tortured Poets Department, Swift’s latest release, “Florida!!!,” not only captures the essence of the Sunshine State but also makes a pit-stop along Scenic Highway 30A’s immediate neighbor to the west, Destin, Florida: Little did you know your home’s really only A town you’re just a guest in So you work your life away just to pay For a time-share down in Destin This snippet captures the beauty and popularity of Destin, echoing the sentiments of many drawn to its shores. Over the weekend, Taylor Swift delighted her fans with additional insights into her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department. Sharing a video on Sunday via Twitter, Swift revealed to a crowd of 96,000 in Melbourne, Australia, why this new album holds such profound significance for her. Tortured Poets is an album — I think more than any of my albums that I’ve ever made — I needed to make it. It was really a lifeline for me,” she shared. “Florida!!!” itself serves as a vibrant exploration of escapism, self-discovery, and the darker undercurrents of hedonism, all tinged with the distinct influence of Florence + the Machine. Swift’s sharp lyricism vividly articulates the dichotomy of Florida as both paradise and pandemonium, where one can lose themselves or find themselves amidst its tempestuous nature. The collaboration with Florence + the Machine adds an extra layer of intensity, diving even... Read More