10th Annual Bloody Mary Festival Oct 11

The Market Shops in Miramar Beach is hosting the 10th Annual Bloody Mary Festival, benefiting Habitat for Humanity Walton County, on Saturday, October 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The annual event will feature unlimited tastes of South Walton’s most creative and innovative bloody marys, served by the area’s best eateries, bars, catering companies and new this year, a grocery store.

Guests are invited to the shopping center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sip and sample 18 of the area’s most coveted bloody marys. Participants confirmed to compete for the 2025 title of “Best Bloody Mary” include Aja 30A, Bayside Cafe, Big Bad Breakfast, Cafe Nola, Cajun Corner, Cantina Laredo, Down Island Gulf Seafood Restaurant, Island Wing Company, Jackacuda’s Seafood & Sushi, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Louis Louis, Ovide, Ruby Slipper Cafe, Sandos, Signature Catering 30A, The Gulf Club, The Perfect Pig, The Red Bar, and Winn Dixie. 

“It’s remarkable to see how the Bloody Mary Festival has grown and evolved over the past ten years,” said Bob Duncan, managing partner of The Market Shops. “What began as a fun way to bring people together has become a signature event that draws both residents and visitors from near and far, all while making a meaningful impact in our community through Habitat for Humanity. We are honored to have hosted it here for the past decade and expect this year’s festival to be the best ever!”

Bloody Mary participants will compete for the highly coveted first-, second-, and third-place People’s Choice Award chosen by each guest in attendance, with votes tallied by Hill Coleman, CPA. A panel of local celebrities will also judge each bloody mary to select the winners for the most delicious “Judge’s Choice” award and most creative “Best Bloody Accoutrement” award. Awards will be handmade by local artist, Maxine Orange.

In addition to countless bloody marys, there will be plenty of food from a variety of restaurants located directly in The Market Shops, including Ben and Jerry’s, Hunter’s Chicken and Burgers, Jon Smith Subs, Maple Street Biscuit Company, Parlor Doughnuts, Pizza by the Sea, and Tuscany Italian Bistro, along with vendors including Edward Jones, Favori Boutique, Fit2Run, Foil + Pin Parlor, Naples Soap Company, as well as Sun, Surf, Sand Insurance.

For the non-bloody mary aficionado, Idyll Hounds Brewing Company will be pouring a variety of craft brews, along with spiked seltzer by Palm Folly, and waters provided by the BankPlus Hydration Station. Good Clean Wine rosé and sparkling wine will also be served from the Bubbly Bar courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, and the Hyatt Place by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard. Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast will also be providing a mocktail for guests to sip throughout the event. 

Jake’s Beach Service will be outfitting the main lawn lounge with additional seating so attendees can sit back, relax, and sing along to country music by Saltwater Revival, who will be headlining the main stage, courtesy of Action Audio Video. Various SEC football games will be live streaming on the big screen throughout the event so guests can keep up with their favorite teams, while DJ Dad will keep the music going in the courtyard, sponsored by Esteem Wealth Partners. Guests are encouraged to commemorate the afternoon in the interactive photobooth, courtesy of Legendary Marine, before picking up a cigar from Shore Thing Cigars. Hawley Hat Bar will also be popping up for guests to design a custom trucker hat with unique patches, including a complimentary special bloody mary patch to mark the festival’s 10th year.

Over the past nine years, the annual event has raised over $199,000 for local charities. Money raised during the tenth annual event will benefit Habitat for Humanity – Walton County, a local nonprofit housing organization that works toward building and improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live. 

“We are deeply honored to be the beneficiary of this year’s Bloody Mary Festival,” said Teresa Jones, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, FL., Inc. “The Market Shops and the incredible community that gathers for this event help make the dream of homeownership a reality for hardworking families in Walton County. Every ticket purchased and every sip enjoyed directly supports building safe, decent, and affordable homes for our neighbors. Together, we are not just raising glasses — we are raising walls and hope for families who need it most.”  

Tickets are currently on sale through Eventbrite for the pre-sale price of $60 or can be purchased the day of the event at the door for $75. For guests traveling from out of town, there will be special room rates available by the festival’s official lodging sponsor, the Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard. To learn more about exclusive room rates, tickets, volunteer opportunities, and sponsorship, visit www.themarketshops.com/bloody-mary-festival. 

Parking will be available at The Market Shops on the day of the festival but is expected to fill up fast. Additional parking will be available at The Beach House, located on the south side of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, and a complimentary shuttle provided by Emerald Coast Luxury Transportation, will travel to and from the festival from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. 

Special thanks to additional sponsors including 30A, 30AEats, 30A Girls Who Eat, 30A Television, 850 Foodie, 850 Magazine, Auralum Signs, Buffalo Rock, Coast 93.3, Destin The Beautiful, Emerald Coast Magazine, Get the Coast, Good Grit Agency, Good Grit Magazine, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, Herring Design Co., HWY 331, Life Media Group, Mingle, Proffitt PR, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Scarlett Magazine, The Scout Guide, SoWal.com, Tallahassee Magazine, To Do In Destin, VIP 30A Magazine, VIP Destin Magazine, Visit South Walton, and Z96.