Bud & Alley's Opens New Location in Panama City Beach with Bell Ringing Ceremony

Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant staff, loyal local patrons and foodie fans from far and wide are invited to parade in a motorcade processional from Bud & Alley’s in Seaside to deliver the “ceremonial sunset bell” to the new sister location on Grand Lagoon in Panama City Beach. Owner Dave Rauschkolb will lead the way. and once at the new restaurant make remarks and ring the restaurant’s old, storied bell signaling the beginning of a new tradition at the newly remodeled restaurant and officially claiming that Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant & Marina Rooftop Bar is open for business.

WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 2014
3 p.m. Processional departs Bud & Alley’s on 30A in Seaside (2236 E. County Road 30A)
4 p.m. Processional parade arrives in at Bud & Alley’s in Panama City Beach (5323 N. Lagoon Drive)
4:30 p.m. Bell Ringing Ceremony and Photo Opp
5:30 p.m. Bud & Alley’s officially opens for business

Processional will begin at Bud & Alley’s in Seaside at 2236 E. County Road 30A in Santa Rosa Beach and ends at Bud & Alley’s in Panama City Beach, located at 5323 N. Lagoon Drive.

Reporters, photographers and news assignment TV film and broadcast crews are welcome to attend and cover the event. Call (850) 218-8805 or email info@wordplayink.com to confirm you can cover the event and if you have any questions.

ABOUT THE CEREMONIAL BELL
This ceremonial bell was repurposed from a locomotive from the prominent Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company, which was chartered in 1947. The 7,000-mile Rock Island connected large cities like Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, Houston, and Kansas City. The bell was presented as a gift to Downing B. Jenks, who served as president of the railroad from 1956-1961. The line's abandonment in 1980 ranks as the longest and most complicated in U.S. railroad history. The bell is 16 inches at the base and weighs 200 pounds.

ABOUT BUD & ALLEY'S WATERFRONT RESTAURANT & MARINA CLUB ROOFTOP BAR
The new Bud & Alley’s restaurant is located in the heart of the working waterfront just steps from the Lighthouse Marina, which is situated along the north shore of Grand Lagoon — a protected body of water connecting the Gulf of Mexico by West Pass just minutes from the marina by boat. Now, local and visiting foodies, boaters, water lovers and anglers will have that much more to enjoy when they venture to the East End of Panama City Beach. Whether you come by land or by sea, you won’t want to miss the restaurant’s famous daily bell ringing ceremony signaling the setting of the sun into the Gulf of Mexico.

Bud & Alley’s has been a leader on the Northwest Florida culinary scene pioneering the fish- and farm-to-table food revolution in Seaside and along Scenic 30A. The menu embraces the seafood of the North Florida coastal lowlands serving only the freshest locally available ingredients. Bud & Alley's renditions of Gulf coast classics paired with a personal take on classic Southern cuisine have been the hallmark of nearly 30 years of menus. The menu boasts a variety of fresh seafood including famous jumbo lump blue crab cakes, grilled whole fish of the day or Seaside shrimp. Bud & Alley's also offers Naples-style wood-fired pizza served from a pizza bar and a full menu of antipasti and Mediterranean dishes for sharing.

Whether dining in our open-air roof deck, air-conditioned dining room or comfortable Marina Club bar, every seat has a view. Just like in Seaside, Bud & Alley's is the favorite gathering place for the daily bell ringing and sunset celebration. It's a local ritual to enjoy the Happy Hour prices at dusk and watch the boats come in and display their catch. After dinner, Bud & Alley's Marina Club Rooftop Bar features excellent live entertainment and DJs for open-air late night dancing and fun.

ABOUT BUD & ALLEY’S
Founded in 1986 in Seaside, FL, Bud & Alley's original restaurant, owned and operated by local Dave Rauschkolb, operates with one simple mantra: Good Food. Good People. Good Times. Now Bud & Alley’s is proud to celebrate one legacy tradition in two incomparable waterfront locations. Bud & Alley’s sister restaurant located near the Lighthouse Marina overlooking the Historic Grand Lagoon in Panama City Beach. Serving award-winning menus with the freshest regional seafood as well as a Naples-style wood-fired pizza bar, patrons enjoy daily sunset celebrations during Happy Hour and the best of DJs and late night entertainment. Known for its quality food and exceptional service, Bud & Alley’s is a Top 20 Florida Restaurant and a Florida Trend magazine’s Golden Spoon Hall of Fame award winner.