2012 Calendar of Events

Welcome to the 34th annual Destin Seafood Festival. After many years, the festival has returned to its original home on the Destin Harbor. The location puts the festival right in the heart of the action along the harbor and the 63rd Destin Fishing Rodeo. This is so much more than a festival to us. It is a tribute to the rich history of the Destin Harbor.  The Festival is brought to you by the local business community who sponsor the weekend and who support this much loved community tradition.

Come join us along the Boardwalk for a great weekend. More than 60,000 locals and visitors are expected to attend and we are ecstatic to be a part of this event. This three day festival will be full of arts, crafts, music, food, entertainment, fireworks, and excitement for all!  No Admission Charge – Donations Accepted at the Door

• Friday, October 5th, 3 pm – 10 pm
• Saturday, October 6th, 10 am – 10 pm
• Sunday, October 7th,11 am – 5 pm

Seaside Community Yard Sale~October 6

The Merchants of Seaside host this semi-annual Community Yard Sale, held in the Seaside Amphitheater, along Scenic Highway 30A. The event features nearly 100 vendors from across the country with a variety of unique offerings. Entertainment will be provided by 30A Radio, your community radio station. All guest parking will be at the WaterColor Crossings Shopping Center on 395 and the free shuttle service will drop off in the heart of Seaside. 8:00AM-2:00PM  Seaside Amphitheater.

Habitrot for Humanity Half Marathon and 5K~October 6

Sandestin invites running enthusiasts this fall to enjoy the mild, sunny weather and scenic trails all throughout the beautiful 2,400 acre resort. From the beach to the bay, runners will be able to soak in views of the resort including the: Gulf of Mexico, Choctawhatchee Bay, beautifully manicured golf courses, ponds, nature and so much more.  Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Broadway Rox~October 11

Six of Broadway’s hottest performers and a 5-piece rock band come together in Broadway Rox – a visually amazing production that celebrates the contemporary musicals of Broadway from the pop and rock genres, bridging the gap between traditional Broadway musicals and a full-blown Rock Show! Those familiar with GLEE and SMASH will love the awesome mash-ups of their favorite Broadway songs, from shows like Wicked, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia, Rent, Rock of Ages, and many more! And, the Northwest Florida State College Soundsations Showchoir takes the stage alongside Broadway’s brightest stars for a New York and Niceville mix! Don’t miss this celebration of youth, energy, humor and great music. Tickets are $35 each | October 11, 2012 – 7:30PM |  Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville | Mainstage |  Purchase tickets online at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center ticketing website

Best of the Emerald Coast Awards Ceremony~October 13

Each year Emerald Coast Magazine holds their annual Reader’s Choice Poll for the best restaurants, shopping, services, entertainment and businesses along the Emerald Coast. The ballots are in! Join us at the 2012 winners will be on display along Grand Boulevard. The public is invited for an evening of food, fun, fashion and entertainment – including food and drinks from the winning restaurants. The event benefits the Junior League of the Emerald Coast.

This fantastic event taks place Saturday, October 13, 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. along the boulevard of the Town Center in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin^®

Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 the day of the event. They can be purchased at www.jlec.org and at these ticket outlets: Silver Sands Factory Stores Shopper Services kiosk, Regions Bank branches in Grand Boulevard, Destin on Main Street and Kelly Plantation, Sarah K’s, Today’s Fashions, McCaskill’s, Sporty Lady and Not Just Bagels. Grand Boulevard at Sandestin® is located at the entrance to Sandestin^® Golf and Beach Resort.

Vetts at the Village ~ October 13

Area corvette clubs bring “America’s Sports Car” to the Village Events Plaza. Corvettes will be shined to the max as these automotive icons zoom into the Village streets. Noon-5PM

5th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival~October 19- 20

This popular festival features 40 on-site craft brewers, over 100 domestic and international beers, seminars and samplings and live music. Beer novices to beer lovers will be able to sample domestic and international options, including specialty, seasonal and not-yet-released beers. For the most up to date information and to purchase tickets visit baytownewharfbeerfestival.com.

Grand & Exotic Car Show~October 27

Along the Boulevard of the Town Center in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin^® – Presented by Motorfest Magazine and featuring the Destin Car Club and Smith Motorworks, more than 100 of the finest and most exotic cars around including Porsches, Lamborghinis, Lotus, Ferraris and Maseratis will line the boulevard of the Town Center. Admission is free. Proceeds from this event benefit Children in Crisis. For more information about the event or to register your car, visit www.MotorfestMagazine.com | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m

17th Annual Destin Festival of the Arts~October 27-28

Recognized as one of Northwest Florida’s premier fine art shows, over 100 juried artists from around the United States will dot the beachscape to compete for $9,000 in cash prizes. Explore a world of art ranging in a diverse palette ranging in acrylic, clay, collage, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, mosaic, oil, pen and ink, photography, digital art, pastel, pottery, sculpture, fiber, textile, wood to watercolor. Meet the artists and add to your own art collection for your home or office.

Other festival amenities feature live musical entertainment, a bistro-style food court, Kid’s ArtStop and festival merchandise. A
Collaborative Art Exhibit showcases over 40 community artists representing students and adults.

Saturday, October 27 – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday, October 28 – 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM $3 Donation/Adult and children under 12 free For more information: http://mattiekellyartsfoundation.org/destin-festival-of-the-arts/

No onsite parking is available; however, convenient parking with a free continuous shuttle is available at Emerald Coast Centre located near Beall’s Department store across from Henderson Beach State Park. Board air-conditioned motor coaches that will deliver you directly to the festival entrance. Henderson Beach State Park provides onsite handicap parking and is A.D.A. accessible. Visit www.FloridaStateParks.org/HendersonBeach for park amenities and detailed information.

Halloween Festivities ~ October 31

Store-to-Store Trick-or-Treating at Silver Sands 5-7PM

Halloween fun for the entire family!
Children are invited to dress up in their ghoulish costumes for a spooktacular trick-or-treating event from store-to-store on Halloween! Phone: (850) 654-9771 | Email:info@silversandsoutlet.com

Trick-or-Treat Street at Baytowne Wharf

Friends, fireworks, and frights! Come experience this family friendly Halloween event. Trick or treat through the Village streets and visit merchants as they provide you with some of your favorite Halloween treats from 6 – 8:00 p.m. The DJ will play frighteningly good tunes on the events plaza stage and be sure not to miss Spooky Storytime. Then, to end the evening fireworks will light up the sky! Phone: 850-267-8000 | Email:contact@baytownewharf.com

Baytowne on Ice~November 2 through January 27

For those visitors who miss the cold and ice, the ice skating rink at The Village of Baytowne Wharf is the perfect opportunity to get into the winter spirit. The seasonal ice skating rink has become a local holiday favorite. For $10 guests can skate for an hour and a half. Skate rental is available for $2. The first hour of each day is reserved for “kids skate” for youths 12 and under. The Ice Rink is available for private functions. 4:00PM-10:00PM

22nd Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival at Seaside~November 3

One of the area’s most highly anticipated events. Decades of southern tradition in this charming beach town are complimented by a wonderful afternoon event sure to satisfy your taste for wine…and the beach! Seaside offers an extensive array of tasting tents with wines sampled from around the world and with Seaside being the host site for the retail wine tent, you are just steps away from purchasing your favorites to take home. Guests are sure to enjoy the wine, music and southern hospitality of this featured event.  Seaside is the place that embraces the luxury of simplicity. It is the classic American beach town, yet a place like no other.  Located in the heart of Scenic Highway 30A, along the beautiful Beaches of South Walton. 1-5PM | Tickets $120 | More information http://seeingredwinefestival.com/

Drumline Live~November 7

Kicking off its fourth packed-house USA tour, DRUMLINE Live brings an explosive energy and athleticism to an eclectic mix of sounds – from the hottest contemporary hip hop, R&B, and classic Motown tunes to the rousing sounds of the great brass tradition. The energetic cast has honed its precision with years of training in marching band programs across the southern USA where the tradition of the show style marching band was born. With its “boisterous brass, perfectly precise percussion syncopation, and sassy dance numbers [that] fly off the stage and into the audience,” The Clarion hails DRUMLINE Live as “a definite crowd pleaser…a must see!” Tickets are $35 each | November 7, 2012 – 7:30PM | Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville | Mainstage |  Purchase tickets online at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center ticketing website

Blues, Brews & BBQ~November 10

Local restaurants will be firing up the grills for a good time and a good cause at HarborWalk Village. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Northwest Florida chapter will host a craft beer tasting and creative BBQ competition. All proceeds benefit FRLA Educational Foundation, supporting the next generation of hospitality professionals. 12:00-4:00 PM | For more information contact: info@harborwalk-destin.com 850-424-0600

Beaujolais Nouveau Goes Graffitti~November 15

Silver Sands 8th Annual Evening of Giving ~ November 18

Festival of Trees in Grand Boulevard~November 20 through Christmas

The public is invited to attend the free kick-off on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. as all of the trees are “turned on” while enjoying Christmas music. The trees remain on display day and night and the public can vote once a day for their favorite tree at the Visitor Services Kiosk located atGrandPark. On Saturday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m., the contest winners will be announced inGrandPark hot chocolate and cookies are served. The public is invited to attend these free events. Daily 10a.m.-9p.m.

There will also be photos with Santa Claus every Saturday 2 p.m. – 4 p.m in Grand Park. The trees will remain on display through Christmas atGrandParkinGrand Boulevard.