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The temperatures are dropping. The sun is setting over the Gulf.  And best of all, most of the tourists have migrated north for the winter.  It’s time to celebrate our own favorite SoWal Season.

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, Festivus or even Christmas… nothing says “The Holidays” like a SoWal giveaway. Whether it’s a three-night stay in a luxurious beach condo or an autographed copy of 30A Style, the definitive coffee-table book on the gracious homes of South Walton, everybody loves a winner. 

Win this amazing Christmas mixed-media piece by artist Mary Hong from SoWal.com and our partner Beau Interiors. It's a colorful 10”x20” creation valued at $295.

Mary uses all recycled and reclaimed materials with glass and shells in her work. The finished piece is preserved and polished by covering with a resin finish. We'll choose a random winner on Thursday, December 20, 2012.

Click here to enter!

Dogs and owners rendezvous on Dec. 9 from 1-4pm for the 2nd Annual Rosemary Beach Unleashed Community Festival, sponsored by SoWal.com. Attendance is FREE, so come join in a fun-filled afternoon on St. Augustine Green at an event that will keep the entire family entertained.

Seaside Repertory Theatre presents their popular mainstage production of "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)". Join in the fun and laughter in celebration of the holiday season in this can't miss performance, directed by Brook Stetler.

Bring the whole family and get in the holiday spirit. Meghan Bode, Alan Daugherty and Brook Stetler take you through all the holiday classics, as they entertain with stories, jingles, and even a little dancing!

This show at Rosemary Beach looks like a good one and one we're looking forward to. We love live music in SoWal and it's a treat when we get musicians of quality traveling to our area.

This Friday at 7:30pm at the Rosemary Beach Town Hall join us as we welcome Canadian musicians and co-founders of the animal rescue group Ladybird Animal Sanctuary. They'll be sharing their music for the benefit of animals in need.  

Free Golf with Donation, Efforts Benefit Children and Families in Need

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort today announced its very popular event, “Tee Off for Toys,” to support children and families in need this holiday season.

On Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9, Sandestin will offer FREE green fees at all three of its public championship courses, Raven Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club and Links Golf Club, for only a donation and the golf cart fee.

This Thanksgiving Harbor Docks, with the help of community support, their amazingly hard-working staff, over 200 volunteers, and dedication of Charles Morgan, was able to feed 1,674 people a free Thanksgiving dinner. Proceeds from the day broke the record of the most successful Thanksgiving hosted by Harbor Docks to date, raising $19,488 for the Okaloosa County Habitat for Humanity and Destin Harvest.

We have some wonderful holiday traditions in SoWal, and the Merchants of Seaside have started a new one. They plan each year to stage a free performance of the Nutcracker ballet.

The first performance of the new annual tradition features the Alpharetta Dance Theatre and the Dance Academy of Seaside Neighborhood School. The one-night performance is free on Dec. 8 at 5pm in the Seaside Amphitheater. 

Sinfonia Gulf Coast presents D'Vine at Emerald Grande's Harborwalk Village Ballroom, December 2 at 11:30am. The sophisticated vocals and rich harmonies of international Gospel trio D’Vine have inspired audiences around the world.

Randy Wise Homes, Inc. and First Florida Bank will hold a fundraiser to benefit Building Homes for Heroes. This benefit will help to provide two local wounded veterans, Army Staff Sergeant Aaron Hale and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Deslauriers with new homes. Attendees will enjoy dinner, a silent auction and a presentation by Building Homes for Heroes.