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Destin, FL
Special Events
BEACH BASHES TO PIRATE PARTIES
From peg-legged, patch-eyed pirate parties to fantastic,
fishing tournaments -- Destin · Fort Walton Beach · Okaloosa Island feature
a continuous calendar of festival fun. Whether it's tantalizing taste buds
with deep-water delectables, taming the winds with a multi-colored medley
of sails or reeling in the really big ones from the "World's Luckiest
Fishing Village," beach town bashes are a Northern Gulf coast specialty.
| SPRING SPLASH 2002 |
MARCH - MAY |
Celebrate the spring with a collection of frivolous
festivities for families, couples and beach-bound spring splashers.
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| WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COBIA TOURNAMENT |
MARCH - APRIL |
As thousands of cobia from the Caribbean travel to upper
Gulf waters to spawn, they come closest to shore in the shallow emerald
waters. Over a two-month span, 15,000 fishing fanatics enjoy the best sport
fishing in the country while spectators watch weigh-ins in amazement.
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| FOUR-PLAYER VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENTS |
APRIL |
Get "set" for one of the largest four-player beach
volleyball tournaments in the United States -- more than 1,200 players bump
and spike on the sugar white shores as sunglass-donned supporters scatter
the beach for sun bronzing and big scores.
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| SUMMER BEACH BALL BLAST 2002 |
JUNE - AUGUST |
A bounty of beach options for adventurers seeking a world
of surf, sand and summer fun for kids of all ages.
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| BILLY BOWLEGS FESTIVAL |
JUNE |
Ruffian pirates aboard 300 flag-flying fleets invade the
harbor to "capture" the Emerald Coast in honor of local pirate legend Billy
Bowlegs. The week-long buccaneer bash features the largest fireworks
display in Northwest Florida, Moonlit Ironman Triathlon, Sundown Kiddie
Triathlon, coastal treasure hunts, torchlight parades and more!
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| TWIN CITIES SALUTE OF AMERICA |
JULY |
From dusk to dawn the day is full of patriotic activities
starting with the annual 500 meter/5K biathlon. Fourth of July in the sun
follows at Lincoln Park with lakeside picnics, children's games and a
fireworks extravaganza over the Boggy Bayou.
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| DOG DAYS OPEN BILLFISH TOURNAMENT |
AUGUST |
Sights are set on intense competition as game fish buffs
gather in the "Billfish Capital of the World." Boatloads of big blues,
white marlin, sailfish and festivities are reeled in daily.
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| INDIAN SUMMER 2002 |
SEPT. - DEC. |
Land and sea lovers alike discover the special fall colors
of the Emerald Coast, while tempting temperatures and gentle autumn breezes
bring seashore solitude.
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| RACE AROUND THE ISLAND |
SEPTEMBER |
Smooth sailing as top notch competitors set course for a
head-to-head marathon around beautiful Okaloosa Island. More than 100
participants race a multitude of gloriously colored sailboats during the
21st annual event. Spectators gather in watchful suspense on local bridges
and gulf side piers to view the 100 mile endurance event.
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| DESTIN FISHING RODEO |
OCTOBER |
The 52-year tradition of the "World's Luckiest Fishing
Village" attracts thousands of eager anglers around the world to comb
inshore, offshore, bays and bayous for a month-long fishing frenzy. The
tourney offers more than 450 awards and giant dock parties with thrills for
first-time fishermen as well as seasoned "old salts."
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| DESTIN SEAFOOD FESTIVAL |
OCTOBER |
To kick off the world-renowned Fishing Rodeo, more than
50,000 seafood aficionados savor every deep-water dish imaginable, from
shark-kabobs and barbecued shrimp to fried alligator and crawfish cheese
bread. Overlooking the harbor and Gulf in Destin, toe-tapping
entertainment, crafts and curiosities fill the playful weekend.
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| THE INTERNATIONAL INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT |
OCTOBER |
The famed links of Bluewater Bay entice a select 190
invitees from 35 nations -- from England to Egypt. Although more entrants
sport handicaps above 20 than below, the unusual invitational boasts a
prestigious roster with world renowned sports stars like German super
golfer Willi Hofman.
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| NORTHWEST FLORIDA FAIR |
OCTOBER |
The 35th annual boot-scootin' boogie festival features live
country and western favorites, livestock judging, antique car displays and
art exhibits. Rip-roaring rides and whimsical attractions amuse all ages.
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| HOLIDAY LIGHTS |
DECEMBER |
Holiday cheer and celebration abound at the Gulf Breeze Zoo
with merry visits from Santa Claus, a revelry of twinkling Christmas lights
and a New Year's Eve winter wonderland with fantasy snow.
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| CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE |
DECEMBER |
Starring the largest charter fleet in Florida, a sparkling
procession of festively bedecked boats parade through Destin harbor as
mesmerized celebrants observe merrily from beaches, harbors, bridges, decks
and docks.
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SUMMER BEACH BALL BLAST ON FLORIDA'S EMERALD COAST
BEST BEACH IN THE SOUTH HOSTS SUMMER-LONG SPECTACLE OF EVENTS
Celebrating Northwest Florida's sun-kissed summers, the Emerald
Coast's SUMMER BEACH BALL BLAST 2004 -- May through September -- hosts a sunny
spectacle of seaside festivals, competitions and special events along the
sun-bronzed 24 miles of sugar white sands and brilliant green waters of Destin,
Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island on Florida's upper Gulf coast.
Voted "Best Beach in the South" and one of the top five "Favorite Family
Vacation Destinations" for eight years in a row by readers of Southern Living,
the Emerald Coast's Beach Ball Blast list of summer events promises plenty of
sun-blazed adventure and water-splashed action for "kids" of all ages. From
popular Fourth of July parades, including musical tributes and fireworks
displays overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico to Emerald Coast Boat Week
showcasing why the Emerald Coast is the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village." the
Summer Beach Ball Blast 2004 fills the days with endless excitement, outdoor
culture and sunset-dazed summer memories.
The summertime provides lively festivities for families, couples and beach-bound
spring splashers -- whether they are just watching or playing to win along the
dazzling beaches of the Emerald Coast.
Here is a sampling of activities to enjoy:
Destin * Fort Walton Beach * Okaloosa Island, where the only castles are made
of white sand and the most razzle is the dazzling jewel tone of the Gulf,
simplicity is celebrated with nothing fancy, just fun "flip-flop" museums,
aerial and aqua acrobatics, and the purest of pleasures. . . dancing dolphins,
sand dollars and postcard perfect sunrises and sunsets.
THE BEACHES AND THE WATERS
Whether likened to fine sugar or powdery snow, pearls, chalk or porcelain, the
shores stretch like miles of ribboning white satin and are simply sensational --
perhaps even shockingly, sun-bleached white. Acclaimed as the "Number One Beach
in the South" by readers of Southern Living for the sixth year in a row,
the water is illuminated brilliant green by the near-blinding whiteness,
creating a collaboration which is undeniably the star "attraction." Continuing
to surpass expectations -- the coupling showcases both sunrises and sunsets.
THE SHALLOWS
Dancing dolphins display mesmerizing grace and unabashed playfulness as they
tumble and twirl within the breeding ground of the shallows along the Santa Rosa
Sound and Destin Harbor. Daily duneside seating is compliments of Mother Nature.
GULFARIUM - (850) 244-5169
One of America's original marine parks (1955), it hosts Atlantic bottlenose
dolphins, California sea lions, Peruvian penguins, Ridley turtles and more in 14
fascinating Gulf-edged exhibits. Dolphin stars Princess, Panama and Delilah
delight with feats from comedic soccer games to 18-foot (540cm) leaps toward the
clouds.
U.S. AIR FORCE ARMAMENT MUSEUM - (850) 882-4062
Riddled with bombs, one of only three U.S. museums dedicated to the display of
Air Force armament is "protected" by 25 reconnaissance, fighter and bomber
planes such as the B-17 Flying Fortress and SR-71 Blackbird Spy Plane. Four wars
-- WWII, Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf -- are spanned through a fighter
cockpit simulator, thousands of weapons, war films, photography exhibits and
more.
INDIAN TEMPLE MOUND AND MUSEUM - (850) 833-9595
The 6,000-piece exhibit, showcasing America's largest collection of Southeastern
Indian ceramic artifacts, journeys through 10,000 years of four prehistoric
tribes. The largest Indian mound discovered along saltwater (1400 A.D.) stands
guard beside the museum.
EMERALD COAST SCIENCE CENTER - (850) 664-1261
A child's fantasy museum of science, it stimulates the imagination with
interactional fun and great kids' stuff like a reflecting Castle of Mirrors,
"adult-sized" bubble makers, a literally hair-raising Vandergraph generator, an
electrifying Illuma Storm and more.
THE ZOO (GULF BREEZE) - (850) 932-2229
Colossus, one of the world's largest gorillas, reigns as "king" over a 700 beast
jungle -- hosting towering giraffes to white Bengal tigers -- with a 50-acre
African veldt, petting zoo, pachyderm rides, reptile demonstrations and
face-to-face giraffe feedings.
FLORIDA CAVERNS (MARIANNA) - (850) 482-9598
Dripping with stalagmites and stalactites, Florida's only limestone caverns wind
through underground depths for fascinating public tours.
EDEN STATE GARDENS (POINT WASHINGTON) - (850) 231-4214
An 1895 Greek revival estate, surrounded by a Southern spread of immense
moss-draped oaks and resplendent gardens of camellias and azaleas, overlooks the
picturesque Choctawhatchee Bay with the charming character of days gone by.
Some Content Courtesy
Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau
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