Events

Planning is underway for Taste of the Beach 2012 kick off event, "Vine to Wine - A Wine Preview" on Aug. 24th, 2012. This year the event is being held in the former Victoria's Secret space at Grand Boulevard. Right now, it's just an empty building, but with help of Monark Events, it will transform into a super chic event space!

Friday, August 24th | 6pm ~ 8pm

We had a blast reading your answers last summer and we're asking all SoWal beach lovers to send us more of your good stuff by completing the thought, "You're So SoWal If . . . "

We want to hear from you about what it means to be addicted to South Walton Beaches. What's unique? What's quirky? What's beautiful? What's funny? What's that smell? (the seabreeze of course!)

We love a good fun run, even though a few of our staff at SoWal.com would prefer to drive. The team at Alys Beach wants everyone young and old to grab their running shoes and join in a brand-new event.

On Sunday, Sept. 2 we'll kickoff the inaugural Alys Beach 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run.  Alys Beach is such a dynamite place for family vacations and Labor Day weekend will be packed with fun in SoWal.

Are you ready for fantastic food and wine in October at Rosemary Beach? How about free tickets?

Guests of the Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company (CRC) who make a two-night reservation at the newly renovated Pensione Inn, or a three-night reservation in any carriage house, loft or flat will receive two free tickets to SoWal.com-sponsored Rosemary Beach Uncorked on October 20, 2012, a $150 value. 

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has something for everyone and has hosted families from all over the globe in recent decades. Many people who stay in Sandestin never leave the boundaries of the resort, and feel no need, with awesome beach fun, every cuisine imaginable, award-winning golf, and accommodations ranging the spectrum.

Here are a few insider tips from the SoWal Staff, we'd love to hear your tips for Sandestin!
 

Jolie Island between Baytowne Wharf and Baytowne Marina is a great place to explore for kids of all ages.

Rosemary Beach is bringing back one of our favorite events, the third annual “Rosemary Beach Uncorked,” a culinary and wine pairing event on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.  It's likely to sell out early so get your tickets now.

Net proceeds from the event will benefit Caring and Sharing of South Walton, a volunteer group which provides food and assistance to locals in need, and Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center.

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.