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The 19th edition of the annual Rags To Riches Regatta returns to Grayton Beach on July 4, 2015 in celebration of American Independence Day. The small catamaran race is a tradition among SoWal sailors, families, friends, and Grayton Beach lovers.

Read about the history of the race >

Race registration begins at 8 A.M. on the beach at the mani Grayton Beach access behind the Red Bar with a Captains' meeting at 11 A.M. and the race beginning soon after that.

An outdoor concert on the green on a warm summer night is a sweet part of SoWal beach life. And what a perfect way to end the weekend. Gulf Place Sunday Concert Series for Summer 2015 is underway for the season and the lineup is looking hotter than ever.

“You probably need to put on about 3,000 miles to find all of this in Europe,” said Dom Damiano, owner of Mama Clemenza’s European Breakfast. 

I sat staring in awe at the Pastry Platter piled with high with the best things in life - carbs. Gracing the platter: a blueberry muffin made with pancake batter; sfogliatelle; chocolate and butter croissants; cranberry and chocolate goat-cheese medallions; and shaved prosciutto and parmesan.
 

The Seaside Repertory Theatre presents the 2015 summer production of Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself). The play runs June-Sept. on the main stage at the Seaside Meeting Hall Theatre. If you enjoy watching   live productions, you'll love the excellent professional theater experience here in South Walton, Florida.

As part of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF)’s 20th Anniversary celebration, the first annual Bluegrass at the Beach one-day music festival will be held at the MKAF Cultural Arts Village in Destin, Sept. 12 from 11 am - 10 pm.        

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is a wonderful place to explore any day of the year. You'll love taking advantage of some of the weekly events at the park this summer. What a great way to get out and explore one of SoWal's most beautiful spots. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park admission fees are waived for Summer 2015.

Kick up your heels at the 4th Annual Walk Her Way in Rosemary Beach on June 12 at 6:30 pm. Men, women and children of all ages are invited to put on high heels and follow the New Orleans style brass band through Rosemary Beach to raise awareness of domestic violence.
 

After a bit of a bumpy start, both weather-wise and the bite, we have settled in to some easy fishing with great limit catches of Red Snappers. The Amberjacks are STILL up in shore and we were chasing them after a snapper limit until they closed on June 1st.

Even though I have been staying away from the spots that hold big schools of 'em we still get surprised about everyday by a stray 'Jack biting a snapper bait. The groupers that had seemed to be in hiding most of the Spring suddenly started biting hot on this full moon phase.

The Friends of Camp Helen State Park and Lake Powell Community Alliance will show a film about coastal dune lakes at 6:30 p.m. on June 19, 2015, at the Park’s Lodge.  The film “Coastal Dune Lakes: Jewels of Florida’s Emerald Coast” by Elam Stoltzfus and the Live Oak Production

Group focuses on the dune lakes of Northwest Florida, a project for which Stoltzfus spent the last year and a half.  The event is free and open to the public.  State Park entrance fees are waived.  Elam Stoltzfus will be present to discuss the film.

EmeraldCoastKids.org provides locals and visitors with a one-stop shop of the most up-to-date information on all things kids, teens and families. The website, founded by Kellyanne Bartleson, is an online family resource guide serving Okaloosa and Walton Counties.