Will Fort Walton Beach be overrun, or will Mayor Mike Anderson and his loyal pirate allies successfully defend the city from the dastardly Billy Bowlegs and his motley Krewe?
That’s the question guaranteed to bring the crowds to Fort Walton Beach’s annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, to be held this year from May 31 to June 2. Started in 1953 as a water skiing festival whose pirate theme was inspired by the notorious William Augustus Bowles, Billy Bowlegs has grown into one of the premier festivals of its kind in the country.
Sponsored by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and area businesses, this year’s festival kicks off on Friday, May 31, with the Pirate Walk in downtown Fort Walton Beach from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The festivities open officially at The Landing Park at 6 p.m. Friday evening. Admission is free.
Captain Billy and his Krewe of Bowlegs come ashore for their traditional “scouting” trip on Friday (although rumor has it that they may try to sneak in on Thursday night, too), followed by their attempt to wrest the city from the mayor and his supporters on Saturday afternoon.
In addition to the pirate escapades, the festival offers plenty for landlubbers to do, with food and drink, music, and vendors selling glass art, jewelry, clothing, and other wares. There will be lots of kid activities, too, with a Bounce House, Euro Bungee, Hamster Water Ride, Rock Climb, airbrush, and interactive games. Tickets for the kid stuff will be available at the festival.
Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers band will be playing throughout the festival. Friday night festival-goers will have a special treat, with Cabo Rock performing from 8 to 10 p.m. Billed as “The Gulf Coast’s Hottest Rock and Roll Band,” this six-piece band from Destin has a repertoire of songs by rock greats such as Journey, REO Speedwagon, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Boston, Kansas, Styx, and Pink Floyd.
For more information on the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival and a complete schedule of events, go to www.billybowlegspiratefestival.com or contact events director Marcia Bunge at 850-244-8191 or Marcia@fwbchamber.org.
For places to stay in Fort Walton Beach or nearby Destin, check out our Beachguide.com listings for Fort Walton Beach vacation rentals and Destin vacation rentals. For restaurants and other things to do, click on the following links: Destin restaurants, Fort Walton Beach restaurants, Destin recreation, and Fort Walton Beach recreation.
Riders in the 2012 Sandestin Beach Bicycle Tour will have the satisfaction of knowing they’re supporting a great cause while having fun on Florida’s Emerald Coast. The 2012 tour, which runs from Friday, May 18, through Sunday, May 20, benefits Alaqua Animal Refuge, a non-profit shelter that promotes the general welfare and humane treatment of animals.
Bikers can choose from three options – a 15-mile, 30-mile, or 60-mile ride – which means riders at all skill levels can participate. “What makes this event so much fun is that it’s intended for everyone,” said Shawna Harris, events director for Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.
All three rides begin at Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina. The 30- and 60-mile rides are scheduled for Saturday. Participants in the 30-mile ride stop in Grayton Beach for a rest at Grayton Coffee House and then return to Sandestin. After the rest stop, those doing the 60-mile ride will continue to just past Rosemary Beach before returning to Sandestin. Riders on Sunday’s 15-mile route will head west to Scenic Highway 98 before looping back to Sandestin. The routes are all flat and include views of the Gulf.
All three rides will start at 8 a.m., with pre-tour instructions beginning at 7:30 a.m. Packet pick-up is on Friday night from 4 – 7 p.m. at Robin’s Bikes and Fitness.
In conjunction with the bike tour, Sandestin’s Marina Bar and Grill will host Dine for the Dogs from 6 – 9 p.m. on Saturday. The restaurant will donate a percentage of the night’s proceeds to Alaqua Animal Refuge. Housed on a 10-acre farm, the no-kill refuge is entirely dependent on private donations for operating costs, which average around $50,000 per month.
For more information on the Sandestin Beach Bicycle Tour, go to sandestinbicycletour.com.
For reservations in Destin, the best place to start is right here at Beachguide.com. Just click on our listings for Destin Florida Vacation rentals. Restaurant listings and other things to do can be found at Destin restaurants and Destin attractions.
With summer just around the corner, it seems like everyone’s getting out on the water to enjoy the warm, sunny days. 
And because boating safety is so important to summertime fun, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Destin urges everyone to participate in National Boating Safety Week, May 19 – 25.
As part of the week’s activities, the Auxiliary will be stationed at a different location every day with their Mobile Education Trailer. Auxiliary volunteers will offer guidance in life jacket use (wearing a life jacket is the most effective boating safety strategy), free boating safety information, free vessel safety checks, and more.
The vessel safety checks, which can be conducted whether the vessel is on a trailer or in the water, ensure that a boat has all the safety equipment required by law. Vessels that pass receive a decal to display on board. They may also be eligible for a discount on insurance. The owners of boats that don’t pass will be given a list of things that need to be corrected.
USCG Destin Station
Following are the trailer locations, plus information about the Auxiliary’s Boating Safety Class and other National Boating Safety Week activities:
- Saturday, May 19: Boating Safety Class, Fort Walton Yacht Club, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., $35; Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, Bass Pro Destin, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., free.
- Sunday, May 20: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, HarborWalk Village Destin, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., free.
- Monday, May 21: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, Joe’s Bayou Boat Ramp Destin, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., free.
- Tuesday, May 22: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., free.
- Wednesday, May 23: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, Fort Walton Yacht Club, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., free; Night Flare Demonstration, Fort Walton Yacht Club, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., free.
- Thursday, May 24: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, Ben’s Lake Marina, Eglin AFB, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., free; Red, White, and Blue Hero Celebration, HarborWalk Village Destin, 6 – 9 p.m., free.
- Friday, May 25: Mobile Education Trailer and Vessel Safety Checks, North Light Yacht Club and Marina, Niceville, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., free.
- Saturday, May 26: USCG Station Destin Open House, 1 – 4 p.m., free. Guests will meet the local active-duty USCG personnel (Guardians), see where they live and work, and view and board some of their boats. A highlight of the Open House will be tours of the 24-foot and 25-foot response boats and 41-foot patrol boats. Auxiliary members will also be on hand to answer questions, demonstrate life jacket use, distribute educational material, and offer hands-on demonstrations.
For more information and to sign up for the Boating Safety Class, contact John Ryan at ryanjohnj@hotmail.com or 623-980-8782.
Steinhatchee River leads out to the Gulf of Mexico.
Most of the year, the tiny town of Steinhatchee (pronounced “steen,” not “stein,”) is a peaceful backwater, a remnant of Old Florida, visited mostly by anglers. But come July 1, it really starts hopping, and the action continues nonstop until September 10. That’s because these dates mark the start and end of scalloping season – and Steinhatchee just happens to be one of the best spots in the state to harvest these succulent bay bivalves.
One of the reasons scalloping draws such a crowd is that it requires no expensive equipment. And because scallops are easily accessible, it’s a suitable sport for the whole family.
“You’ll find the scallops anywhere from waist deep to 15 to 20 feet,” said BeachGuide spokesman John Taliaferro, who also happens to love to scallop and fish. However, scallops are hard to spot because their natural coloring allows them to camouflage themselves. Experts advise starting your search in the shallow water of the grass flats, where scallops tend to congregate.
- Speckled trout is a favorite catch for many anglers in Steinhatchee.
For scalloping in the shallows (around waist deep), following are the things you’ll need:
- Saltwater fishing license (available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at myfwc.com/license/)
- Dip net for catching scallops
- Mesh bag to hold the scallops
- Five-gallon bucket (mark it in two-gallon increments, and you’ll know when you’ve reached your legal limit – detailed below)
- Scallop/clam/oyster knife for cleaning scallops
- Sunscreen
If you plan to go by boat into deeper water, you’ll also need a Diver Down flag to display on the boat while you’re scalloping, plus a snorkel, mask, and fins. A cooler with ice will keep your catch fresh while you’re looking for more.
You’re on vacation, you say, and this all sounds like a lot of work. Not to worry. The Steinhatchee area is home to plenty of guide services who offer scalloping expeditions for a reasonable fee. Guide services provide all equipment, plus the fi
shing license. Better still, the guides know the spots where scallops are most likely to lurk, and they’ll also clean your catch at the end of the day.
Legal Limits
Because scallops have almost disappeared from many parts of Florida, there are limits imposed on how many can be harvested. Individuals are limited to two gallons of whole scallops per person; boats with five or more people can harvest ten gallons. The maximum number of cleaned scallops is one pint per person and one-half-gallon per boat.
Not-So-Trivial Truths About Scallops
- Scallops have about 60 eyes lining the mantle of the shell. The eyes, a brilliant blue color, allow them to detect light, dark, and motion. So while they can’t see you, they know you’re there.
- Scallops can – and will – swim away, backwards or up, when you try to catch them. Fortunately for you, but not for them, they can’t swim very fast.
- Scallops pinch, so don’t be tempted to store your catch in a pocket or in your swimsuit.
Scalloping is part snorkeling, part treasure hunting, and part fishing, so it’s a challenge for teens and adults as well as tots. It’s also a great way to get to know more about the rest of the underwater wildlife in the Steinhatchee area.
Happy scalloping!
For places to stay and dine in the Steinhatchee area, go to Steinhatchee vacation rentals and Steinhatchee restaurants, right here at BeachGuide.com.
The picture-perfect town of Seaside, Florida, is the setting for the 24th annual ArtsQuest. Started in 1989 as the Grayton Beach Fine Arts Festival, ArtsQuest has evolved into a juried event that regularly attracts around 5,000 visitors.
More than 130 artists, producing works in categories ranging from ceramics to photography, will participate in ArtsQuest 2012. In addition to the art show, there will be plenty of activities for all ages – art demonstrations, workshops, storytelling, and interactive projects, to name a few.
Live music daily will include Songs on the Lawn, an outdoor concert at Ruskin Park featuring Michelle Malone and David Ryan Harris. Proceeds from this ticketed event, which takes place Friday, May 11, go to the Cultural Arts Alliance, which produces ArtsQuest.
The festival will kick off on the evening of Wednesday, May 9, with Back to Grayton Beach, a gathering of friends of the event at the Hibiscus Café in Grayton Beach. The action continues through the weekend, rain or shine.
ArtsQuest has become a Mother’s Day tradition along Highway 30-A. A lot of festival-goers believe there’s no better way to entertain Mom – and let her pick out her own piece of original artwork as a present.
For more information about ArtsQuest, visit www.ArtsQuestFlorida.com or call 850-622-5970. ArtsQuest is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArtsQuestArtsandMusicFestival.
Aside from ArtsQuest, Seaside is worth a visit on its own. Even though it’s a relatively new planned community, its picket fences, pastel cottages, and quaint businesses give visitors authentic glimpses of what life must have been like in Old Florida.
For places to stay in Seaside, Grayton Beach, and the other beach communities along Highway 30-A, check out the listings right here at BeachGuide.com for Highway 30-A condo rentals and Highway 30-A beach homes. For restaurants and other things to do, click on Things to do on Highway 30-A and Highway 30-A restaurants.
Orange Beach Welcomes Waves of Wine
Looking for something fun to do this coming weekend? There’s still time to come on down to Orange Beach for the Waves of Wine Festival at Caribe Resort. Festival-goers will be sampling dozens of varietals from more than 100 vineyards on Saturday, May 5, from noon to 5 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres will be served as well, and local musicians will provide live entertainment.
Outcast Charters is offering hourly wine cruises, so you can enjoy a trip around the bay while tasting wines from featured vineyards. An arts and crafts fair will feature blown glass, paintings, sculpture, and jewelry by local artists, and there will be a tent where you can buy the wines you like by the bottle or the case. Keeping in mind that Mother’s Day is May 13, the festival offers some great opportunities to pick up a one-of-a-kind gift for Mom.
Sunday brings another round of fun with an elegant champagne brunch hosted by Cobalt Restaurant. The brunch, which runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., features more live entertainment and is a great way to wrap up a festive weekend at the beach.
Tickets for Saturday’s festival are $45 each. Cost of the champagne brunch is $35 per person. Tickets for both events cost $80. Tickets are available online at www.wavesofwine.com or on location at the event’s sponsors: Caribe Resort, Cobalt, Sunset Corkroom, and Outcast Charters.
Learn more about Orange Beach Vacation rentals, including Orange Beach condos and Orange Beach hotels on BeachGuide.com. For other nearby places to stay, click on our Gulf Shores rentals and Perdido Key vacation rentals.
The fun starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, when Pepito’s Crab Island Cantina kicks off a daylong Cinco de Mayo celebration. The restaurant, at Destin’s HarborWalk Village, is headquarters for the event, which features live Latin music, contests, food, dancing, and more.
Guests can vie for goodies at three piñata breakings – scheduled for 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 – taking time out to walk over to the HarborWalk Village stage for the Macho Nacho Eating Contest at 6 p.m.
Guests will also enjoy cheering on the Roller Dirby Girls during the first HarborWalk Village “Running of the Bulls” from the HarborWalk Village stage to Crab Island Cantina.
Capping off the evening is a live concert at the cantina by Sal Salaz Caribbean Project from 7 – 10 p.m.
Need reservations for the big day? Check out the listings right here at BeachGuide.com for Destin condos, Destin hotels and Destin beach house rentals. For more places to eat and things to do, click on Destin attractions and Destin restaurants.
Hangout Music Fest 2012
There’s a great big beach party coming to Gulf Shores in May. Really big. It’s The Hangout Music Festival. Held in front of The Hangout restaurant, directly on the beach, the three-year-old festival is a freewheeling extravaganza offering an eclectic mix of musical sounds, everything from jam bands to punk rock, and even a little rap.
Headliners for this year’s festival, which takes place May 18, 19, and 20, include Dave Matthews Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Jack White. The Flaming Lips return this year playing Pink Floyd’s album, The Dark Side of the Moon. Also in the 2012 lineup are the Grammy-winning Skrillex, Alabama Shakes, The String Cheese Incident, Steve Winwood, and Randy Newman. With such a stellar lineup, this year’s event just has to be a winner.
Last year’s festival, featuring a rare appearance by Paul Simon, drew a whopping 35,000 fans per night and was named best of the year at the annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards. This year, with what festival organizers describe as an expanded and improved site, the event is expected to be even bigger.
Not surprisingly, the General Admission tickets are long gone, but there’s still hope for those who read this and want to go. Gulf Shores area property management companies still have packages available that include tickets.
The best place to start your search for a good package deal is on BeachGuide.com, with our Gulf Shores condos and hotels, Orange Beach vacation rentals, and Perdido Key vacation rentals. For places to eat and other things to do in the area, check out our listings of Gulf Shores restaurants and attractions, Orange Beach restaurants and attractions, and Perdido Key restaurants and attractions.
There are no fences, no gates, no admission charges, and no parking fees at the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally. In fact, all of the fun – five days of nonstop activity set at eight venues around Panama City Beach – is absolutely free.
This is the 14th year for the event, billed as “the most biker-friendly free motorcycle rally in the United States.”
Activities for the spring rally (there’s another one coming up in the fall) include two kickoff parties, a bike parade, poker runs, bike shows, and exhibits. There’s a Miss Thunder Beach Pageant, a tattoo contest, and live music.
The spring rally, which generally draws around 80,000 people, is scheduled for May 2 – 6. The Official Show Magazine, available at each venue, includes a map of all the venues and other local points of interest. The map, plus more information about the event, is also posted on the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally Facebook page.
If you’re getting ready to ride down to Panama City for Thunder Beach, there’s no better spot to plan your trip than right here at Beachguide.com. For accommodations and places to eat, check out our Panama City Beach vacation rentals, Panama City beach condos and hotels, and Panama City Beach restaurants. Also see our Panama City Attractions info.
Knowing the Rules Means Safer Water Fun
A little knowledge goes a long way toward making sure that fun on the water is also safe. That’s why the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Fort Walton Beach is offering a boating safety course, to be held at the Fort Walton Yacht Club on Saturday, May 19. This is an approved boater safety course, which means that it satisfies Florida law regarding who can legally operate a vessel in the state.
Cost of the course, which covers types of boats, navigation, safety equipment, and coping with boating emergencies, is $35. Included in the price are an exam, a Florida Wildlife Commission safe boating identification card, lunch, and a line handling/knots tying demonstration.
To sign up, contact John Ryan at 623-980-8782 or ryanjohnj@hotmail.com. Registration for the course, which runs 
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., begins at 8:15 a.m. Pre-registration is required by May 14. The Fort Walton Yacht Club is at 180 Ferry Road Northeast.
Planning to visit the Destin/Fort Walton area soon? The best place to start organizing your trip is right here at BeachGuide.com. Check out our Destin Florida vacation rentals, Destin restaurants, Fort Walton Beach condo rentals and hotels, Fort Walton restaurants, and other helpful links.
For information on pontoon boat rentals, kayaks and Waverunners, see Things to do in Destin or Fort Walton Beach Attractions.
BeachGuide is excited to announce our Spring Break 2012 Photo Contest. We want to give you cash for your Gulf Coast Spring Break photos! All photos must be family-friendly and must be taken along the Alabama or Florida Gulf Coast. One entry allowed per person. And please make sure your photo is in .jpg or .gif or .png format and is less than 4MB in size.
Just upload your favorite shot taken at the Florida or Alabama Gulf Coast from Spring Break 2012 and we’ll post it on our Facebook page. We upload the photos in batches 2 or 3 times a week, so it might take a couple of days to see your photo online. The photo getting the most “Likes” wins $100. We’ll announce the winner on May 15!!
Thank you for sharing your memories of your good times at the beach with us!
If you think a mullet is just a bad haircut, you probably haven’t heard about the Flora-Bama Lounge’s Annual Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party. Centerpiece of the Perdido Key event is a three-day competition that involves tossing a mullet – a small fish found in abundance in local waters – from a 10-foot circle on the beach in Alabama across the state line into Florida. Tosses of more than 150 feet have been recorded for the winners. At the event’s end, organizers feed the mullets to the seagulls.
Over the years, the competition has evolved into a weeklong party, complete with live music, beach games, food, and a bikini contest. This year’s Interstate Mullet Toss kicks off on Saturday, April 21, with the Flora-Bama Mullet Man Triathlon. It continues on Wednesday, April 25, with the Flora-Bama Mullet Swing Golf Classic. The actual mullet toss begins at noon on Friday, April 27, and at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Proceeds from the Annual Interstate Mullet Toss, which average around $20,000 each year, are donated to local youth charities.
For more information about the Annual Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party, visit www.florabama.com/about-us/mullet-toss
Need a place to stay? Find nearby Gulf Shores vacation rentals, Perdido Key vacation rentals, and Pensacola vacation rentals right here at BeachGuide.com!
Looks like the Early Birds Get The Rooms
Procrastinators beware. If you don’t call and book your Gulf Shores, AL or Northwest Florida vacation soon, you may be out of luck. So far, 2012 is shaping up to be a record year for resorts in these areas, which include Destin, Panama City Beach, and the towns along Highway 30A.
Many resort are already booked for peak summer and during festivals such as The Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, AL.
Read more details online in our recent article, Early Birds Get the Rooms This Summer at Gulf Coast Beaches.
Good wine, good food, and live music take center stage again this year at the annual Sandestin Wine Festival. Set against the backdrop of Florida’s Emerald Coast, the festival, which attracts thousands each year, is affectionately called the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals.”
This year’s festival, to be held at The Village of Baytown Wharf in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, boasts an expanded list of culinary offerings.
Beginning April 26, leading Village restaurants will offer special wine dinners, pairing delicious culinary options with complementary wines. On Friday, April 27, guests can experience seminars offering one-of-a-kind wines paired with cheese. These seminars include one on Biodynamic Wines from a top producer in Alsace with a guest appearance by Amelie Buecher. Another on Bordeaux features a guest appearance by Francoise Lannoye.
Grand Wine Tastings will be held at The Village of Baytowne Wharf on Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. Wine connoisseurs and novices alike will enjoy sampling more than 600 different wines.
New this year will be an expanded Culinary Pavilion with a Mediterranean theme, available to all guests with a paid wine festival ticket. Wine festival guests will be served cuisine from this region, including paella, cassoulet, cheeses, and other specialties. Other additions this year are special culinary and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, including Tim Creehan of Cuvee Bistro; Johnny Earles, founder of Criolla’s; Irv Miller of Jackson’s; and Jim Richard of Stinky’s Fish Camp. Scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29, these special sessions will be moderated by Julia Rutland, senior food editor of Coastal Living magazine.
Also new for 2012 is a special Sandestin Wine Festival VIP ticket, which includes valet parking, a catered lunch by Marlin Grill, a specialty Reidel glass, a reception at the Amenities Terrace, and access to rare and distinct wines not available at the Grand Wine Tasting.
After a full day of sampling wines and finding new favorites during the festival, guests can purchase and transport wines sampled that day.
To best enjoy the events surrounding the Sandestin Wine Festival, guests might opt to stay at one of the many Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s beautiful units. Special rates for accommodations are available with complimentary amenities, including tennis court time and fitness center access. Guests are encouraged to reserve accommodations early for this year’s spectacular event. Call 866-91-BEACH or visit Beachguide.com/SandestinGolfBeachResort for rates and links to the official website for booking.
For more information about the Sandestin Wine Festival at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, ticket prices, and other details, visit www.sandestinwinefestival.com. For added savings, purchase tickets online prior to the event. Group discounts are also available.
Beach Vacation Giveaway
Random drawing will be held at the end of March
BeachGuide.com is giving away a free 2-night stay valued around $500 at your choice of hundreds of resorts along the Gulf Coast at the end of March. All you have to do is subscribe to our Gulf Coast Vacation Deals newsletter, if you haven’t already, and forward the newsletter to your friends and colleagues — everybody loves a great deal on a beach vacation, so share the awesome email deals with your friends and you’ll have a great chance to win a free vacation. For every friend you forward to, you’ll be entered in our random drawing. Forward to 20 friends, and you’ll have 20 chances to win!
Your friends will have an opportunity to also subscribe to our newsletter, but they won’t be added without their permission. All we keep is a record of how many friends you have forwarded the newsletter to, which we will use for our random drawing. You can enter every week if you choose and there is no limit to how many friends you forward the email to. You must use the ‘Forward to a Friend’ link to be entered. We will notify the winner via email and will also announce the winner on our facebook page in a few short weeks.
Besides great deals on beach vacation rentals, our newsletters include information on upcoming concerts, festivals and other fun events at the beach. We also include links to restaurant, fishing, golf and attractions for your favorite beach destinations.
Click here to sign up for our Gulf Coast Vacation Deals if you haven’t already. We appreciate our email subscribers!
Many happy vacations!
BeachGuide.com
So When is Spring Break?
Want to know when students will be on the loose for Spring Break 2012?
Here’s a list of spring break dates 2012 for colleges and universities across the South. All of the beaches in Northwest Florida are popular Spring Break destinations for families and college students across the Southeast. This year is no exception, as resort managers all along the Gulf Coast are reporting record early bookings this year. Be sure to check our list of the best Spring Break Deals at over 20 popular beach resorts for 2012.
ALABAMA
March 5-9
University of Mobile
March 12-16
Auburn University
University of Alabama
Troy State University
University of South Alabama
University of Alabama-Birmingham
March 19-23
Samford University
University of Alabama-Huntsville
March 26-March 30
University of North Alabama
ARKANSAS
March 5-9
Harding University
March 19-23
University of Central Arkansas
Southern Arkansas University
University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University
FLORIDA
February 27-March 2
Nova Southeastern University
March 5-9
Florida A & M
Florida State University
Valencia Community College
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
Florida Atlantic University
March 12-16
University Miami
University of North Florida
Santa Fe Community College
University of South Florida
GEORGIA
February 27-March 2
Georgia State University
March 5-9
Kennesaw State University
Columbus State University
March 12-16
Emory University
Georgia Southern University
University of Georgia
Valdosta State University
March 19-23
University of West Georgia
Georgia Institute of Technology
April 2-6
Augusta State University
KENTUCKY
March 5-9
Eastern Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
March 12-16
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
LOUISIANA
March 12-16
Tulane University
April 2-6
McNeese State University
University of New Orleans
Loyola University
April 5-9
Louisiana Tech University
April 9-13
Louisiana State University
April 23-27
Southeastern Louisiana University
MISSISSIPPI
March 12-16
Mississippi State University
University of Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
MISSOURI
March 12-16
Southeast Missouri State University
Missouri State University
Webster University
St Louis University
March 19-23
University of Central Missouri
March 26-March 30
University of Missouri-Columbis
NORTH CAROLINA
March 5-9
Duke University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
East Carolina University
North Carolina State University
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
SOUTH CAROLINA
March 5-9
College of Charleston
Winthrop University
University of South Carolina-Columbia
March 19-23
Clemson University
TENNESSEE
March 5-9
Vanderbilt University
Tennessee Tech University
East Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University
University of Memphis
March 12-16
Middle Tennessee State University
March 19-23
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
TEXAS
March 12-16
Texas Tech University
Sam Houston State University
Texas A & M University
Texas State University-San Marco
University of Texas at Arlington
University of Houston
University of Texas at Austin
Collin College
Tarrant County College
March 19-23
Houston Community College
Also be sure to check for spring break deals on BeachGuide.com. All of the deals and vacation rentals are also listed on the FREE Beachguide iPhone App. Download it before you go to also find nearby restaurants, attractions and more!!
I’m not a golfer, but for one of my best friends, a good round of golf is practically a religious experience (He claims that a big bucket of gently used golf balls was one of the best presents I ever gave him.) So when I saw the great packages being offered for 2012 at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s championship courses, I was quick to pass the information on.
Here’s the scoop: three packages ranging in price from $99 to $191 (depending on the season). Each includes play on two of the resort’s four courses – Burnt Pine Golf Club (designed by Rees Trent Jones), Raven Golf Club (designed by Robert Trent Jones ll), Baytowne Golf Club, and The Links Course. Rates are based on a two-night stay and include carts, unlimited use of Sandestin’s practice facility, and range balls.
And even if you’re like me and don’t know an iron from a putter, the 2,400-acre resort on Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast has plenty to offer. In addition to seven miles of beautiful white-sand beaches, amenities include a marina, 19 swimming pools, 15 tennis courts, and a fitness center and spa. A pedestrian village is packed with shops, restaurants, and night spots. So even if your spouse or significant other is a golfer and you’re not, you won’t be bored. Just send him or her out to the links and get ready to enjoy your vacation your own way. That’s what I intend to do.
____________
More info on Destin Golf
Just a Little Beach Lovin’
I welcome each month as if it were a new beginning and in particular, February. Why, you ask? Well, it’s the month of love!! For those of you that criticize Valentine’s Day as being a Hallmark-holiday, steer clear of me because on this day, and pretty much for the next week and a half, I will be wearing pink, tying heart bows in my daughter’s hair, making heart shaped pancakes and chocolate souffle, and….if I was forty years older, would crochet myself a sweater (or should I say, tank top. After all, this is Florida!) with a big, red heart on it!
Here are upcoming Valentine Day Events and Specials for the Beaches of South Walton area:
First Note Music Hall- a new and exciting venue on hwy 30a in Blue Mountain Beach (Redfish Village). Nothing like a great menu and live music. Call 850-622-0221 for reservations.
The Village of Baytowne Wharf- Valentine Dinner for two and a flight of wine. Anytime I hear flight of wine, I’m there!
The Village of Baytowne Wharf- Solaris Yacht. A three course dinner for two, live music, champagne, and a cruise around the bay in a yacht. Yes, champagne and a yacht. I could get used to that!
The 2012 Valentine Tour of Homes -So this may not be as romantic but certainly a fun way to spend a Saturday. Plus it comes four days after Valentines. So technically, you can get a 2 V-day dates in one week! Saturday, February 18, 10:00am – 4:00pm, showcasing some of South Walton’s most beautiful and unique homes.
The proceeds from the self-guided annual Tour benefit the CAA’s Educational Giving Program, which provides over $20,000 in grants to Walton County teachers and scholarships for students to participate in supplemental and continuing art education.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event.
http://www.culturalartsalliance.com/
The Wine Bar at Grand Blvd, Sandestin- A great way to kick off Valentine’s Week! A tasting of fine chocolate and champagne. Who needs food after this decadence?! Feb 12, 2012 from 2-4pm. Call 850.982.9761 for details.
Remember, all you need is love. And a comfy pair of flip-flops!
Wish you were here!
-The Hometown Tourist
Interested in staying in for Valentine’s and snuggling with your pookey? Check out more specials on Beachguide.com/Deals!
Hooks, Lines, and Singers
It’s back and bigger and better than ever! The 30a Songwriters Festival will host over 300 musical performances and 125 artists during the weekend of January 13-15. I really enjoy music but I feel a little insecure about my music knowledge (or shall I say, lack-there-of). That said, I recognized one of the groups on the lineup and couldn’t be more giddy….the Bangles! That’s right, a little flashback to the ’80′s Walk Like and Egyptian. With music genres including folk, country, and rock, there’s something for everyone to enjoy (even me!). Have I mentioned that it will be sunny and in the ’60′s?! Where else can you sit back, listen to some tunes, and look at the Gulf of Mexico (hint: nowhere!!). Interested??? Download the schedule here and stay with us at your favorite 30-A Vacation Rental. Be sure to track the festival on the website, facebook page, or download the 30ASWF app free for Androids and iPhones,. Venues and concert times are subject to change.
Wish you were here!
-The Hometown Tourist
BeachGuide’s Performing Arts Guide
Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College: Broadway Series, Artist Series, and Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. A collection of professional and student productions. You won’t believe this venue and the incredible works of art.
Sinfonia Gulf Coast- Just celebrating it’s 5th season, Sinfonia Gulf Coast combines traditional orchestral with modern and imaginative techniques. It’s unlike any symphony I’ve ever experienced, meaning it’s no snore-fest. I once attended a Sinfonia concert where the audience participated in the performance using our cell phones. The conductor would cue the audience to use cell phones to produces sounds and lights. It was entertaining and engaging.
Seaside Repertory Theatre- A fun-for-the-whole-family theatre. Whether performing outdoors and integrating the audience or performing at their venue in Seaside, they have a myriad of shows for all ages.
Saengar Theatre- A venue originally built in 1925 and underwent a $15 million renovation. I literally have about five shows I need to attend this season including Elvis Lives, My Fair Lady, Riverdance, and Young Frankenstein. I wish I lived closer. I’ve really gotta work on getting that private jet!!
