By Christopher Manson Celebrating its 35th year this month, the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County’s ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival is one of the organization’s signature – and biggest – events. In recent years, the CAA has expanded this into Art Month, with visual, performing, and literary arts programming in diverse formats at various venues throughout Walton County. Additional Art Month events and programs include Under the Sea, a fundraiser for the CAA’s Underwater Museum of Art; the Longleaf Writers Conference, formerly the Seaside Writers Conference, a gathering of creative writers from across the nation, featuring award-winning scribes from the worlds of poetry, fiction and screenwriting offering workshops and seminars; Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach, a unique “projection art” festival employing digital technologies; “Sinfonia Goes Pop!,” a free concert at the Alys Beach Amphitheatre; performances by the Emerald Coast Theatre Company; and, of course, gallery events. Find the complete Art Month schedule at culturalartsalliance.com. CAA Events Director Allie Anderson says patrons can expect new twists for May 13 and 14’s ArtsQuest festival at Grand Boulevard Town Center. “Things are different with the layout,” she says. “We’re expecting around 5,000 people over the weekend.” This year’s festival includes adult art classes with the likes of Justin Gaffrey, non-stop live entertainment and new sponsors. “The other events are happening almost every day throughout May,” says Ms. Anderson. “We support and promote them all and want people to go to as many as they can.” Ms. Anderson handles all of the... Read More

  For Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast La Luna Children’s Boutique, located in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®, raised $5,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast during their Inaugural Spring Fashion Show and Tea Party, held on Saturday, April 1. Presented by The Spears Group and Emerald Coast Magazine, the event welcomed over 100 families to Grand Boulevard’s North Lawn for a kid’s fashion show, sponsored by John Lee Nissan. Over 30 local models, ages 2-12, walked the runway, courtesy of Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®, showcasing the boutique’s latest spring and summer arrivals. Following the show, guests entered the springtime Tea Party, sponsored by Vacayzen, featuring light bites from Charcuterie by Shelli, pop up shops from local vendors, a DJ, and Easter-themed arts and crafts activities. The Easter Bunny made a special appearance during the tea party and greeted the crowd of children before sitting down to take family photos, courtesy of Meltdown 30A and Jenna Kaye Photography. “We are humbled by the generosity of our customers and this community,” said La Luna owner, Karoline Kellogg. “We are also wowed by the generosity of the Boys and Girls Club, who are obviously invested in this nation’s future. As they afford children from our community a safe and positive environment to express themselves and enjoy their youth, we are honored to have been able to support their wonderful work.” Throughout the afternoon, La Luna also raffled off a variety of items including gift cards, vacation... Read More

  Pensacola Beach- Join the Pensacola Beach Advocates, Island Times, the Santa Rosa Island Authority and the Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce for our annual Sea Turtle Baby Shower on June 3, 2023 from 9 am until Noon at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. It’s free so load up the families and kick off your summer fun on beautiful Pensacola Beach as we educate visitors and locals about the nesting habits of sea turtles. Learn the “do’s and don’ts” and how we can help nesting sea turtles as they return home to our beaches this nesting season. Learn about the beach ecosystem and other animals who call the beach their home at this “hands on” sea turtle baby shower featuring 20 exhibitors. PBA President Rhonda Dorfman said, “This event is going to be ‘turtleriffic! Nesting season begins May 1st and we have so much to share with you. Bring the family to the beach early so they won’t miss Dan in the Sand make something special for this festival. You don’t have to bring a gift to this shower, but you will take home some great goodies after you have learned all about our ecosystem.” Arrive early and take the sea turtle oath. Water bottle refills available at the ECUA water truck. Pick up your activity booklet and visit exhibitors. Learn about sea turtles, freshwater fish, manatees and more! Healthy Gulf will educate us about our seashells, marine life and the Gulf. Get stamped and ice your own sea... Read More