32nd Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival Brings Steaming-good Fun to Florida’s Emerald Coast
12/16/2020
Warming up in winter is synonymous in these parts with sitting down to a steaming bowl of delicious gumbo, so it makes sense that winter would be the perfect time to host a festival for this celebrated Creole dish. On February 19-20, 2021, the Sandestin Gumbo Festival returns for its 32
nd year along Florida’s Emerald Coast, giving New Orleanians the perfect excuse for a weekend trip to the beach and The Village of Baytowne Wharf.
The event kicks off on Friday, February 19, with a Seafood Boil Kick-off Party at Hammerhead’s Bar & Grille, where all your favorite shellfish will be piled high right out of the pot. On Saturday, February 20, the main event takes over the Village of Baytowne Wharf, where visitors can expect around 15-20 different gumbos for tasting and rating – dark and light roux renditions stocked with chicken, sausage, or seafood. Celebrity judges will nam
NEW YEAR S EVENTS: See what s going on from Panama City to South Walton
Staff Report
Thursday, Dec. 31
NEW YEAR S EVE MENU/SUSHI MENU: 8:30 p.m.- 1.a.m Old Florida Fish House, 33 Heron s Watch Way, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Live music and heaters provided at certain locations. Reservations: 850-534-3045
NEW YEAR S EVE MENU: 5-10 p.m. at TIDES Restaurant & Lounge at the Sheraton Panama City Beach Golf & Spa Resort, 4114 Jan Cooley Drive, Panama City Beach. Reservations required: 850-236-6033
NEW YEAR S EVE MENU: 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. seatings at Saltwater Grill, 11040 Hutchison Blvd., in Panama City Beach. Chef Chris Joyner has put together a special a la carte menu with items such as Lobster Spring Rolls, Soy Braised Pork Belly, Lobster Bisque, Grouper Imperial, and a Surf and Turf dinner. Reservations: 850-230-2739
CHRISTMAS IN WALTON COUNTY 2020 (Dec. 19)
Walton Sun
Winter Wonderland
The Village of Baytowne Wharf s Event Plaza is turning into a Winter Wonderland full of real snow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 19. Slide down the ice slide, make snow angels, and enjoy a day of frosty fun for the whole family.
Breakfast with Santa
Join Santa for Breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 19, or 20 in the Grande Ballroom at Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village. Enjoy a buffet breakfast, a Santa letter writing station, build your own hot chocolate station, and visits with Santa. Kids are $18 and adults $25 plus tax & gratuity. Reservations recommended at 850-424-0622.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Dec. 19
Walton Sun
Market Shops Blood Drive
The Market Shops will host the OneBlood Big Red Bus for a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 18. All donors will receive a complimentary COVID-19 Antibody Test in addition to the regularly administered wellness checkup.
Sunday Matinee Series
The Florida Chautauqua Theater in Downtown DeFuniak Springs will host a Sunday Matinee Series at 3 p.m.Dec. 20 showing “A Christmas Story.” Tickets are available for purchase in advance at fcweb.org. Cost is $10/adults and $6/children 12 and under. Remaining tickets will be available at the theater box office, 848 Baldwin Avenue, prior to the start of the show.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Dec. 12
Walton Sun
Cornhole Tournament at Grayton Beer Brewpub
A beer-friendly Cornhole Tournament at the Grayton Beer Brewpub, in the heart of Grayton Beach on Scenic Highway 30A, will be held Dec. 12. Tournament takes place every second Saturday. 2-man team signup begins at 1:30 p.m. and the tournament begins at 2 p.m.
Sunday Matinee Series
The Florida Chautauqua Theater in Downtown DeFuniak Springs will host a Sunday Matinee Series at 3 p.m.Dec. 13 showing “The Grinch.” Tickets are available for purchase in advance at fcweb.org. Cost is $10/adults and $6/children 12 and under. Remaining tickets will be available at the theater box office, 848 Baldwin Avenue, prior to the start of the show.