Events

This year's Rags To Riches Regatta takes place on Grayton Beach on Sunday, July 1, with registration at 8AM. It's a colorful and action-packed SoWalcom-sponsored tradition residents and visitors love to take part in and make memories.

“Everyone in Grayton Beach thought of themselves as poor,” Charlie Thornton recalls, “and they went by ‘rags.’  The folks in Seagrove were all better off, so they went by ‘riches.’  So that year we called it the Rags to Riches Regatta.  The next year we sailed from Seagrove to Grayton, and would call it Riches to Rags."

There's nothing better on the 4th of July than to head down to the beach. You can usually see fireworks up and down the coast. It's quite a sight to behold. The following fireworks displays are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. 

Hilton Sandestin Beach -9pm
The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa presents a fireworks Show begins at 9pm, with beach chair rentals available for a fee. Seating for the show begins at 7:30pm. More info at www.sandestinbeachhilton.com.

The South Walton Community Council (SWCC) and South Walton’s Tourist Development Council (TDC) invite locals and visitors to participate in SWCC’s annual July 5th beach cleanup in South Walton. Locations included are Blue Mountain, Van Ness Butler Beach Access between Seaside and Watercolor, Dune Allen, Ed Walline, Grayton Beach, Inlet Beach, Miramar Beach, Rosemary Beach, and Seagrove Beach.

The Seaside Repertory Theatre kicks off their summer main stage production of "The 39 Steps" on June 21.  The evening begins with a pre- party at Pizitz Home and Cottage at 6:30pm with complementary champagne.  At 7:30pm the party moves next door to the opening night performance of "The 39 Steps" at The Rep theatre. After the play, the celebration continues a couple doors down at "Great Southern Restaurant."

Enjoy an improv theater performance following the show at 10PM on Friday and Saturday nights. Improv begins June 28 thru July 28. Tickets are $10. 

The Seaside Repertory Theatre Presents "The Bryan Kennedy Show"! Bryan is a well-known singer/songwriter with Nashville-music roots and several hit songs by country music mega-star Garth Brooks ("Honky Tonk Bar Association," "Beaches of Cheyenne," and more).

The Emerald Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, is stoked to announce the first ever running of the- Kid’s Surf Classic.  It's a surfing contest just for kids.  For many it will be a first-time surfing experience,  and for some, a chance to show off their skills.  For parents and children alike it will surely be a great time on the beach.

Alys Beach, Florida is one of the newest "new urban" towns in South Walton and it is perhaps the most visually unique because of its distinct blend of mediterranean and island style. Take a stroll down the center of town along the stone-lined pedestrian path and feel yourself transported to another world.

Here are a few of our favorite things to do and places to see in Alys Beach:

The Alys Beach Amphitheater is the perfect place for families to enjoy outdoor concerts, movies and children's plays!

It's been a beautiful and exciting spring here in SoWal and the YOLO Board crew kicked it up a notch last Thursday at the WaterColor BoatHouse on Western Lake! Our hats are off to another exciting event from our partner. As a race sponsor, we're thrilled to be a part of such a fun South Walton tradition.

South Walton locals and visitors have learned over the past few years that some of the best music available anywhere plays right in the heart of SoWal during the Seaside Summer Concert Series.

This year's series returns to the Seaside Amphitheater on Wednesdays beginning June 6th through August 15th. The concerts are free and open to all, and a great way to experience some of today’s up-and-coming artists in a beautiful setting.

Summer comes alive in South Walton around the time school lets out, or the annual YOLO Race Series starts, whichever comes first. This year the start of the race series coincides with the end of school on Thursday May 24.

Alice Cooper was visiting SoWal a couple of weeks ago. Somebody needs to tell the YOLO crew to kickoff the first race this year with his iconic anthem from 1972, "School's Out" (for Summer!).