With the approval of the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC), District 1 Commissioner Brannon recently submitted a grant application for the 57-mile-long Choctawhatchee River Paddle Trail. The canoe/kayak trail would link three river landings with stops at other trail head locations, including Morrison Springs and Black Creek.
June 13, 2011 by SoWal Staff
Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach is hot. Really HOT! The 2011 edition featured more interactive displays, more people, and a bigger party at Caliza Pool with dueling DJs set on platforms extending out over the pool.
If you haven't been to this SoWal-sponsored event you've got to go. It's very unique. It's the world's first projection art festival, with artists from all over the globe projecting their original works onto the town's white walls. Every year there are new surprises.
June 6, 2011 by SoWal Staff
The stunning E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is now open to the public thanks to a public-private partnership between the Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC) and the center's visionary, M.C. Davis. Take a short trip off the beach to explore this gem!
Nestled within 49,000 of some of the most bio-diverse acres in the continental U.S., the state-of-the-art educational facility offers visitors the unique opportunity to observe and interact with native species as a means of encouraging conservation, preservation and restoration.
June 2, 2011 by SoWal Staff
The 2011 YOLO Board Mileage Builder Series kicked off on May 28th, 2011 at Baytowne Marina in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The race event consists of a series of four endurance-building races: May 28 -- one mile course, June 24th -- two mile course, July 23rd -- three
mile course, and August 13th -- four mile course.
May 31, 2011 by SoWal Staff
On May 26, 2011 the WaterColor BoatHouse on Western Lake came alive with disco fever for the seventies-themed YOLO race in WaterColor, Florida. Furious paddles were flying fast as lightning as racers and spectators of all ages, shapes and sizes came together for fun, fitness, and competition at the kickoff event.
May 26, 2011 by SoWal Staff
Kids of all ages enjoyed a beautiful morning on Grayton Beach during the Fifth Annual Grayton Beach Kids' Fishing Tournament, sponsored by the Coastal Conservation Association.
The tournament is intended to promote the responsible use of our marine resources through recreational fishing. With a $5 entry fee, each child receives a free rod and reel, full tackle box, beach rod holder, bait and pompano rigs and weights and a T-shirt.
It's a popular and important program with the goal of saving lives. And with 26 miles of beach and lifeguards stationed at only eight public beach accesses (click to see the list of eight), Beach Safety Director Gary Wise knows there are many long stretches of beach that go unguarded.
The 13th year was lucky for the Seabreeze Jazz Festival held April 13 – 17 at Pier Park in Panama City Beach. Attendance at the festival was up about 25% with over 7,500 happy Jazz fans jamming over three days.
Even the anticipated rain managed to hold off until after midnight, long after concertgoers had headed home. 
“We own a radio station, but generally that is not the people who put on a jazz festival. We are learning as we build on past experiences,” Mark Carter said.
La Vie Est Belle says, "we believe that Moms are precious and one of a kind, like our pearls. This Mother’s Day one mother will receive a gorgeous, one of a kind pearl bracelet. To win, go to our Facebook page and like us. Be sure to post a favorite memory of your mother, whether it be a story or a photo."
Also be sure to like SoWal facebook to receive exlusive updates and chances to win!
We wanna know - LOVE WINE? Get lucky and win two tickets to the Sandestin Wine Festival for Sunday May 1!
*BONUS* - you'll also get a smashing 25th anniversary print from this year's festival artist, Donna Burgess.
