The Market Shops Sixth Annual Bloody Mary Festival Oct 23

On Saturday, October 23, The Market Shops will host the Sixth Annual Bloody Mary Festival, benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Walton County.

Local establishments, including Alys Beach, Bijoux Restaurant + Spirits, Bitterroot, Camille’s at Crystal Beach, Cannery Lane Cantina, Emeril’s Coastal, The Henderson, Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi, La Crema Tapas & Chocolate, Local Catch, Old Florida Fish House, Ovide, Signature Catering of 30A, Stinky’s Fish Camp, The Beach House, The Chef’s Table Catering, The Grove, The Henderson, and The Perfect Pig, will create their own spin on the classic bloody mary, made with Distillery 98’s Dune Laker Vodka. Each participating restaurant will have their own 10x10 tent, allowing for social distancing in an open-air setting and access to The Market Shops merchants, providing convenience and enjoyment for vendors and tasters.

A panel of select food critics and local celebrities will judge each bloody mary to select the winners for the most delicious and most creative. There will also be a highly coveted first-, second-, and third-place People’s Choice Award that is selected by each guest in attendance whose votes will be tallied by Hill Coleman, CPA.

For a $40 donation to attend, guests are invited from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy all 18 variations of bloody marys served in specialty cups provided by Compass Builders of Florida and Frillseekers Gifts. In addition to the bloody marys, there will also be plenty of food from the various restaurants located directly in The Market Shops, including Ben & Jerrys, Bijoux Restaurants + Spirits, Clean Juice, Jon Smith Subs, Maple Street Biscuit Company, Parlor Doughnuts and Pizza by the Sea. Idyll Hounds will be serving craft brews while the Bubbly Bar will be serving champagne, provided by Hey Mama Wines and sponsored by 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. Guests will be able to cool off with alcohol-infused popsicles provided by Swell Pops and a hydration station by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty. A lounge area with additional seating and cornhole games provided by Vacayzen will be set up on the main lawn, along with SEC football streaming on the big screen courtesy of Insurance Zone. 

While sipping bloody marys, guests can enjoy a commemorative photo booth by Epic Photo Co. courtesy of Legendary Marine, music by DJ Dad, a cigar bar by Shore Thing Cigars, and exclusive shopping opportunities from The Market Shops merchants. Headlining the event will be a live performance from Dread Clampitt on the main stage brought to you by Carter & Company CPA, LLC.

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

For guests traveling from out of town, there are special room rates available through the festival’s official lodging sponsors including the Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, The Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, and The Hyatt Place Sandestin. To book your room, visit www.themarketshops.com to learn more.

Tickets are currently on sale through 850Tix for the pre-sale price of $40 or can be purchased the day of the event at the door for $60. To learn more about The Market Shops Bloody Mary Festival and to buy tickets, visit www.themarketshops.com. If you would like to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity on the day of the event, please email volunteer@waltoncountyhabitat.org.