The 6th Annual Wagon Parade, sponsored by AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar, kicks off the 2013 Destin Fishing Rodeo on Saturday, September 28th. This family-friendly event encourages families and youth groups to design, build, and decorate wagons and floats. Open to kids ages 12 and younger and their families, the Wagon parade is a much-loved Destin tradition. Judging begins at 1:00 p.m., and everyone entering will be recognized for their efforts. Additional prizes will be given to entries deemed “The Best Theme,” “Most Creative,” “WOW,” and “Best In Show.” This

Award winning local favorite Bud & Alley’s is hosting the 9th Annual Hurricane Party on Friday, September 27th, from 7:00-10:00. Featuring great music, great food, and a live and silent auction, the proceeds from the event benefit the Children’s Volunteer Health Network. Bud & Alley’s owners Dave and Carol Rauscholb told the Northwest Daily News, “We are so pleased to be hosting the Hurricane Party benefiting CVHN again this year at Bud & Alley’s. We are drawn to this cause because the heart of this organization is about enriching children’s

Did you know that the Florida Panhandle is a major stopover for migratory butterflies? The Butterfly and Moth Society of North America has recognized and verified more than 100 species of butterflies in Okaloosa County, including the well-recognized black-and-orange Monarch butterfly, which will be using the local flowers as a rest stop on the way to Mexico over the next few weeks. The Henderson Beach State Park nature trail, The Destin Library, and Eden Garden State Park are great places to see beautiful butterfly gardens and catch a glimpse of

All eyes may have been on New York Fashion Week recently, but come the weekend of October 11-13, South Walton’s emerging fashion scene will take center stage (or runway). South Walton Fashion Week, presented by Visit South Walton in conjunction with Monark Events, Grand Boulevard, and the Cultural Arts Alliance, celebrates high fashion, rising designers, and local boutiques with a weekend full of fashion shows, parties, and VIP shopping opportunities. Held at the Town Center at Grand Boulevard, South Walton Fashion Week benefits the Arts in Education Program of the

Known as “the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin celebrates its history and heritage every October during the annual Fishing Rodeo. One of the Southeast’s premiere events, The Fishing Rodeo draws thousands of anglers to the Emerald Green Waters of the Gulf of Mexico for a chance at cash, prizes, and bragging rights. For more than 35 years, the un-official kickoff to Destin’s signature event has been the Destin Seafood Festival. Traditionally held during the first week in October, The Destin Seafood Festival is three days of food, music, and lots

Santa Rosa Golf and Beach Club will host the Inaugural 30A Charity Golf Tournament, presented by Five Star Beach Properties and Deliver My Wine. Proceeds from the golf tournament will be donated to Shelter House, Okaloosa and Walton County’s domestic violence family shelter, and Off the Mat and Into the World, an international organization dedicated to harnessing the power of yoga to inspire consciousness, create sustainable activism, and initiate social change at the grass roots level. All proceeds from the event will be divided between these two worthy organizations. The

The cat is definitely out of the bag. USA Today recently identified the Emerald Coast’s Santa Rosa Beach as one of the ten best kept secret beaches in Florida. Noting the brilliant green waters and sugar white sand, the reporter wondered whether she was actually in the Bahamas, and not in Northwest Florida. While Santa Rosa Beach tends to generate a little less buzz than its neighbors to the east and west, it is home to a number of upscale, fine dining restaurants, plenty of beach, Eden Gardens State Park

Join The Forest Williams Band on September 20th for Sacred Heart Hospital of The Emerald Coast’s Arts in Medicine “Backyard Boogie” Fundraiser. Spend the evening with one of the Emerald Coast’s favorite and most energetic bands, the Forest Williams Band, in an effort to raise money for the hospital’s Arts in Medicine Program. The Arts in Medicine Program integrates performing and visual arts into a clinical and therapeutic environment to promote both healing and community wellness. Numerous studies indicate arts and music promote healing and a speedy recovery. The Arts

While wine may still be the drink of choice for many — and swanky, retro inspired cocktails are making a comeback — trend watchers are betting that craft and micro- brew beers will be the “next big thing” in adult beverages. Always on trend, Chan Cox has created the Destin Beer Festival to help “elevate” the craft beer movement. On September 28th you can enjoy small batch microbrews and craft beer from more than 40 different breweries. Local favorites like Grayton Beer and the Pensacola Bay Brewery will be represented,

The Toronto Star recently named Florida as the number one state for golfers. With more than 1200 courses, the Sunshine State has a golf course for someone at any level. The article mentioned courses in Palm Beach, Orlando, and Ponte Vedra Beach, but left out the beautiful courses found on The Emerald Coast. According to many golfers who regularly play along the Emerald Coast, the Toronto Star may have shanked their reviews of the best places to golf in Florida and their exclusion of Destin courses, and here’s why: List

Grayton BeachIf you’re looking for fun, funky, Florida Style, Grayton Beach is the perfect community for you. One of the Emerald Coast’s oldest neighborhoods, Grayton Beach is home to art galleries, restaurants, and high-end boutiques. Featuring laid back, casual elegance, Grayton Beach is an architectural blend of both Florida cottages and modern homes. In addition to miles of sugar white sand beaches, Grayton Beach is also home to Grayton Beach State Park, which is of the most popular parks in Florida. The area is filled with winding trails for hiking,

Paddle to the PorchWhile college football may be the spectator sport of the moment, The Destin Area Chamber of Commerce is doing its part to get visitors and locals off the couch and onto their paddle boards with the Second Annual Paddle To the Porch Race-Destin SUP Cup. Originally scheduled for the middle of August, the race was postponed due to bad weather. Organizers extended registration, allowing more paddlers to get involved in this great race. Whether you are a beginner or elite racer, this race is designed for optimal