Summer, Fall Busy Tourist Season for Destin, Florida
Joe Godar is the CEO of the
website DestinFlorida.com. He says the number one thing the area is known for is its white sandy beaches and emerald green water.
He says it was founded as a fishing village.
We have hundreds and hundreds of charter boats that go out in the bay and near shore and off shore, so getting a fishing charter any time of the year is very easy and accessible.
Godar says after you ve spent the day on the water, Destin has a pretty active nightlife.
We have Harborwalk Village, it s a big area where all the boats are, there s a lot of shopping, there s restaurants available, bars and nightlife. There s also Baytowne Warf, which is another shopping and restaurant district that s on the bay.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Jan. 23
Walton Sun
Mardi Gras Parade
The Krewe de Yak’s 7th Annual Mardi Gras Parade and Festival will be held Jan. 23 on Circle Drive in DeFuniak Spring. The Street fair and Car Show will begin at 11 a.m. and GrasFest will once again be the place to be for food, fun, and family-friendly entertainment celebrating the Carnival season. The Grand Parade will roll at 3 p.m. For more information, call 850-419-5977 or emailtkrewedeyak@gmail.com.
ECTC: Florida Girls
Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) presents Florida Girls at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, 28-30 and at 2 p.m. Jan. 24 at ECTC’s space upstairs at 560 Grand Boulevard in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin in Miramar Beach. Purchase tickets at https://tickets.vendini.com.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Jan. 16
Walton Sun
Camp Helen Virtual Americana Music at the Lodge
American Music at the Lodge is the 2021 series of unique concerts featuring American roots musicians performing in the lodge at Camp Helen State Park from 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 16 with Rupert Wates. With this new year comes new rules, but still great music in the safest environment.. Camp Helen State Park will provide, free of charge, music videos of their performers this season. Sit back in the comfort of your home and listen to some of the finest music in America today. Concerts will be available online at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfCampHelenStatePark. For more information, call 850-233-5059, visit www.friendsofcamphelen.org, like on Facebook, or email camphelenfriends@gmail.com.
New Year s events in Okaloosa and Walton counties
From staff reports
2020 is finally giving us something to celebrate: the start of 2021.
There are plenty of options to ring in the new year from fireworks displays, to live music, to a New Year s Day dip in the Gulf of Mexico.
Check out the list of events below:
The following events are scheduled for New Year s Eve:
BAYTOWNE COUNTDOWN NYE: 5 p.m.- 1 a.m. at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, 9300 Baytowne Wharf Blvd., Miramar Beach. Family-friendly events from 5-8 p.m. include face painting, kids activities and live music on the Baytowne LIVE stage with DJ 30A from 5-7 p.m. and first fireworks display at 8 p.m. Dance with live music from GROOVY 7 from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m., featured on the events plaza stage. End the night with a midnight fireworks show. Must be age 21 and older after 10 p.m. unless accompanied by legal guardian. Details: BaytowneWharf.com
Panama City Beach says goodbye to 2020 with fireworks
PANAMA CITY BEACH Residents and visitors are invited to ring in the New Year in Panama City Beach with the first Visit Panama City Beach New Year’s Eve Fireworks celebration on Dec. 31 to close out 2020.
Although the annual New Year s Eve Beach Ball Drop in Pier Park was canceled this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, the fireworks will remain. The display has grown to feature three fireworks shows set off simultaneously at midnight from Schooners, 5121 Gulf Drive, the Russell-Fields City Pier, 16201 Front Beach Road, and the M.B. Miller County Pier, 12213 Front Beach Road.