South Walton county, Florida & Scenic Hwy 30A - SouthWaltonScene.com™

Check it out --> Hip Happenings at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin

All events will be held at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin [MAP]
Questions?  850.837.3099

On the Coast Magazine’s Spring Inspire Fest
Date: Sunday, April 3, 2011
Time: Noon – 5 p.m.

Description: A family fun day filled with activities, demonstrations, entertainment, bounce houses and more! Inspiring families to be active, healthy, creative, adventurous and to be great!

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2011 Creative Ambitions Night of Fashion
Date: Saturday, April 9, 2011
Time: Seating begins at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m.

Check it out --> March Events at Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin

Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin [MAP]

"Waggin' Tails & Yappy Trails" Mardi Gras Dog Parade
March 6; 2pm

The streets will be filled with costumed dogs, in their boots and cowboys hats, and their humans throwing a myriad of throws, beads, and parade favors. Themed convertibles, small floats (especially pulled by masters), golf carts, bicycles, and decorated wagons will be everywhere and Mardi Gras music will fill the air!  Proceeds from this event will benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge.

Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade
March 8; 5pm

“Laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll) with the 9th annual Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade rolling through Sandestin. Yell “throw me something mister” as unique and colorful floats, golf carts, and pick-up trucks roll down the streets and marchers dressed up in all their Mardi Gras best shower parade-goers with a barrage of beads, moon pies, and other trinkets.

22nd Sandestin Gumbo Festival happening February 18 & 19 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf

Northwest Florida’s favorite food event is back with a few tasteful changes. The Sandestin, Florida Gumbo Festival is moving to The Village of Baytowne Wharf [MAP] and President’s Day Weekend February 18-19, 2011. The 22nd annual event has been expanded to include an entire weekend of fun, food and live entertainment.

[Friday, February 18]
The weekend will kick-off with the first ever “Taste of the Village” on Friday, February 18th where Village merchants offer a sampling of the region’s finest cuisine available for purchase. Live music will be featured in the Events Plaza from 6-8pm.

More information online --> HERE

[Saturday, Februrary 19]

Congrats to Kevin Moran of Seagar's Prime Steaks & Seafood in Sandestin!

Kevin Moran, general manager of Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, located at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, was recently awarded the designation of Certified Wine Specialist by the Society of Wine Educators.

Prior to receiving the certification, Moran was tested by the society for his academic knowledge and mastery of key elements regarding wine. The society reports only 51 percent of those who take the exam receive a score that merits certification.

"We're honored to have Kevin at the helm of our award-winning restaurant and are tremendously proud of his accomplishments in the industry," said Robert Kamm, president and CEO of Sandcastle Resorts & Hotels, which manages the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. "There are only 3,600 individuals in the world who hold the Certified Wine Specialist distinction. Kevin’s inclusion in this elite professional group provides yet another testament to the excellence in service for which Seagar's is known."

Junior Marvin TONIGHT at The Village Door in Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Walton County!

ONE NIGHT ONLY - A rare chance to see Junior Marvin, lead vocalist/guitarist for the Original Wailers reggae band. Junior sang alongside Bob Marley until Marley’s death in 1981. He continues to tour worldwide with the original Wailers.

Junior played on the critically acclaimed album Exodus – which was voted Time Magazines “Best Album of the 20th Century”.

Junior will be in town recording at Donnie Sundal’s Neptone Recording Studio in Destin and has graciously consented to do a charity event at John Wehner’s
VILLAGE DOOR in the Village of Baytowne Wharf in the Sandestin Resort on Friday, December 17th.

The New Orleans Soul & Funk Band Boukou Groove will be joining Junior for the show. Featuring home town favorite Donnie Sundal and critically acclaimed New Orlean’s guitar player Big-D Perkins who has been featured on HBO’s Treme and played with Bonnie Raitt and John Cleary. Joining them as a special guest drummer is New Orlean’s Jeff Mills who has toured with Bonerama and Chris Thomas King.

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Christmas cheer and charity are coming to Grand Boulevard at Sandestin in December

Get into the Christmas spirit at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin [MAP] at these upcoming events.  Questions?  850-654-5929

Photo with Santa
Saturday December 4, 11 & 18
2-3PM at Learning Express Toys
3-4PM at Pretty Please Children's Boutique (both in Grand Boulevard)
Cost: Free

Pet Photos with Santa
to benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge
Saturday, December 4 from noon - 3PM at Orvis Company in Grand Boulevard
Cost: $5 (all proceeds to Alaqua Animal Refuge)

12 Days of Christmas Trees Contest for Charity
Friday December 10 - 21
A Christams tree decorating contest among local non-profit organizations to win cash just in time for the holidays.  View and vote for your favorite tree until 7PM daily through December 17 and through 1PM on December 18.  Winners will be announced December 18 @2PM.

Northwest Florida Songwriter's {free} Series coming to Grand Boulevard at Sandestin Saturday, November 20

Award Winning Country and Pop Songwriters and Singers coming to Grand Boulevard at Sandestin November 20 at Northwest Florida Songwriter’s Series The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) is hosting The Northwest Florida Songwriter’s Series event November 20, 2010.  This event is FREE and open to the public.  Thirteen talented songwriters from country and pop music will tell stories about their songwriting and perform their music and acoustic sets throughout the day and into the evening at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin’s Town Center in Miramar Beach and the HarborWalk Village in Destin.

These award-winning songwriters are a who's who of songwriters of country music and have written for and collaborated with such stars as Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill, Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Vince Gill and many, many more. The songwriters will entertain audiences with their collective talents for three shows at the two locations. 

The event is free and open to the public and sponsored by FRLA’s "Back to the Beach - Fall Back into Summer" marketing campaign established to speed the economic recovery for Florida’s hospitality industry in Northwest Florida.

[schedule] 

Songwriter’s Series at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin’s Town Center: 600 Grand Boulevard, Miramar Beach, Florida 32550 [MAP]; Questions? 850.654.5929

• 1:00 p.m. - Bobby Tomberlin/Candi Carpenter, Bill LaBounty, Aaron Barker, Jeff Cohen
• 3:30 p.m. - Alissa Moreno, Rodney Clawson, Charlie Worsham, Tim James
• 6:00 p.m. - Scotty Emerick, Bridgette Tatum, Danny Myrick, Brent Cobb

Songwriter’s Series at The HarborWalk Village: 10 Harbor Blvd., Destin, Florida 32541 [MAP]; Questions? 850.424.0600

• 1:30 p.m. - Scotty Emerick, Bridgette Tatum, Danny Myrick and Brent Cobb
• 4:30 p.m. - Bobby Tomberlin/Candi Carpenter, Bill LaBounty, Aaron Barker and Jeff Cohen 
• 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. - Tim James, Rodney Clawson, Charlie Worsham and Alissa Moreno

Note schedules may be subject to change. Shows are approximately 2 hours, unless otherwise noted.

A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock “N Roll, and a Whole Lotta Sunshine - Inaugural Sandestin Music Festival August 13 – 14

On the weekend of August 13 – 14, 2010, the Inaugural Sandestin Music Festival will bring country and rock legends together for great music and a great time.  This weekend-long event combines some of the biggest names in the music industry including Delbert McClinton; Steve Cropper; James Slater; Larry White and Lee Roy Parnell.

Entry to the Sandestin Music Festival is FREE for the public with a printed ticket from the Web site http://www.sandestinmusicfestival.com/.

The Sandestin Music Festival kicks off Friday, August 13 at 6 p.m. in The Village of Baytowne Wharf. The schedule includes:

6 p.m. at Hammerhead’s Bar and Grill- Performance by Marty Dodson, a song writer for stars such as Rascal Flats, Kenny Chesney and Billy Currington, and Kree Harrison, one of country music’s fastest rising stars.

8 p.m. at Rum Runners- James Slater, a Grammy-nominated, piano-playing, bilingual singer-songwriter will perform with Grammy winner, and Broadway performer Lari White during an after-dinner extravaganza showcasing the chart-toppers’s biggest hits. 

10 p.m. to midnight at Graffiti & The Funky Blues Shack, the party really gets cookin with some of the greatest names in the blues industry including Bob DiPiero, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and writer of 14 chart-toppers; Delbert McClinton, a member of the Ron-Dels, Grammy winner and harmonica teacher to a young John Lennon, and Jeffery Steele, Nashville songwriter to the stars including Rascal Flats, Tim McGraw and Trace Adkins, and named Songwriter of the year three times.

Saturday, from 7-10 p.m. at The Village of Baytowne Wharf legendary BMI musicians and songwriters will perform at the events center. Performers include:

Steve Cropper, guitarist, A & R man, engineer, producer, songwriting partner of Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd and a dozen others. Cropper is also a founding member of both Booker T. and the MG's and The Mar-Keys, and was literally involved in virtually every record issued by Stax Records from the fall of 1961 through year end 1970.

Delbert McClinton, Grammy winning songwriter extraordinaire.

Lee Roy Parnell has enjoyed a run of success on the country charts. In addition to being a music publisher, Lee Roy is currently producing and writing with some of the most influential songwriters and recording artists nationwide.

The Sandestin Music Festival is sponsored by BMI, TrustCore, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Baytowne Wharf, Sunquest Cruises and Southwest Airlines.

From the FOODIE Scene - 24th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival

Date: Grand Tastings: Saturday, April 24 from 12:00-4:00 PM & Sunday, April 25 from 1:00-5:00 PM

Visit the >> website for more information and pricing on additional special events and seminars on Thursday, April 22, Friday, April 23 and throughout the weekend.

Location: Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin [MAP]

Cost: $80/day or $120/both days

Details: The Sandestin Wine Festival at Baytowne Wharf brings an opportunity for discovery. Representatives from across the globe will pour more than 600 domestic and international wines. Vintners will be on site to answer questions and speak with tasters, offering a rare opportunity to learn about the finest appellations from all major producing countries in all varieties, styles, and price ranges. (CONTINUED AFTER THE JUMP)

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Wine novices are able to learn more about wines and sample from a comprehensive selection including the finest appellations from all major producing countries in all varieties, styles and price ranges. Wine aficionados enjoy meeting winemakers, asking detailed questions and acquiring hard-to-get selections.

All wines tasted are available at special event pricing at the Retail Wine Tent on Saturday and Sunday.

Entry into the Culinary Pavilion is included in ticket price. Celebrate the flavors of the season at the Culinary Pavilion--featuring a unique selection of meats, cheeses, and a variety of tempting fare. Stay within steps of the action with festival accommodation packages at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Online: SandestinWineFestival.com; BaytowneWharf.com

"Le Grand Cirque" is coming to Grand Boulevard this Summer

**NEW - Le Grand Cirque - Destin on Facebook >> HERE.  See video, show dates and times and more.

Visitors and residents of Northwest Florida will now be able to enjoy an international entertainment attraction unlike any other offered in the region. The positive economic news for the area continues to grow with the news that “Le Grand Cirque”, a highly popular live entertainment attraction, is premiering in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and will play throughout the summer and possibly beyond.

SCHEDULE (as of March 30, 2010)
May 25 - August 16, 2010
Tues:     8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Wed - Thurs:     2:00 pm - 4:00 pm; 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fri - Sat:   8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sun:   2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

“The introduction of the world class production ‘Le Grand Cirque’ to our region will take our area to another level by providing a much needed quality entertainment attraction that will complement the most beautiful beaches in the world. It will provide another reason to visit, live, work and play in Walton County,” said John Heiser, executive vice president for Howard Group.

Miramar Beach-based Howard Group developed Grand Boulevard, the Town Center which includes two Marriott hotels and is located at the entrance to Sandestin® Golf and Beach Resort.