Upcoming Events and Entertainment

MARCH

 

Farmers Market

The Seaside Farmers Market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the Amphitheater behind Raw & Juicy. Find fresh produce, baked goods and other unique offerings, and enjoy local specialties, cooking demos and activities.

 

Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook

The United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties is gathering information on children’s summer programs for the “2010 Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook,” designed to help parents find safe, fun and educational daytime summer activities for children. Programs offered must be for youth ages 4 through 18 and held during June, July and August. If your agency/business offers such summer programs, send a general description of the programs to have listed including dates, times, cost and any items the children may need to bring. Send information to United Way, Attn: 2010 Summer Fun Guidebook, by mail: 112 Tupelo Avenue, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; fax: 243-6625 or e-mail events@united-way.org.  Deadline is April 9. The Guidebook will be available the first week of May. Call 243-0315 to request a copy or download it at www.united-way.org.

 

Topsail tours

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach will hold the following tours. A $6 park entrance fee is required, except for Breakfast with a Ranger. Outside tours are canceled during severe weather. For information, call 267-8330.

•A Step-Up Florida tracking animals walk will be held at 9 a.m. March 20. An outdoor interpretive will focus on tracking animals and finding out how many are in an area. Be sure to wear sunscreen and boot and be ready to hike at lest two miles. 

•Learn the basics and tricks of the trade on catching bait, fish identification, and how to fish in the surf at 10 a.m. April 3. Bring your poles.

•Ask the Rangers questions at breakfast at 9 a.m. April 10. To cover the cost of food, bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park, or bring your own breakfast.

•Second Annual Earthday Celebration and 5K Race from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 17 with music, food, educational games and activities for youth of all ages. Environmental and governmental agencies will provide educational displays and local artists will be displaying and selling their work. 5K run and walk race begins at 8:00 a.m.

•Ask the Rangers questions at breakfast at 9 a.m. April 24. To cover the cost of food, bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park, or bring your own breakfast.

•The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge’s Owls and other Critters features their rehabilitated wildlife at 11:30 a.m. April 30.  Learn about the fascinating critters that are right here in the park and in Okaloosa and Walton County as they teach you what they eat, where they live and how they survive in the wild.

•Find out about the bull sharks that feed off the Florida Panhandle at 1:30 p.m. May 6.

•Ask the Rangers questions at breakfast at 9 a.m. May 8. To cover the cost of food, bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park, or bring your own breakfast.

•Ask the Rangers questions at breakfast at 9 a.m. May 15. To cover the cost of food, bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park, or bring your own breakfast. Saturday, May 15, 2010, 2010 Breakfast with a Ranger 9AM

•The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge’s Owls and other Critters features their rehabilitated wildlife at 11:30 a.m. May 22.  Learn about the fascinating critters that are right here in the park and in Okaloosa and Walton County as they teach you what they eat, where they live and how they survive in the wild.

•Learn the facts about common Sea Turtles at Topsail at 1:30 p.m. May 27.  Be a part of an enlightening program and see what you can do to help preserve these awe-inspiring creatures of the sea.

 

Florida Trail Association

The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate. floridatrail.org or call the listed number. 

•March 20: A 3-, 6-, or 8-mile hike in the Cimarron section at 8 a.m. Eglin permit required. Call 682-6098.

•March 23: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Bayou Blues Restaurant in Niceville. Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.

•March 26–28: Annual Conference and Hiking Festival in Haines City, Fla. Call 877-HIKE-FLA.

•March 27: Kid’s Hike & Interactive Experience at 9 a.m. at the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center. Call 974-2078.

•March 27: Hike on the Dunes Trail at 9 a.m. Call 932-546.

•April 2-10: Panhandle Trace nine-day hike begins at 7 a.m. Do all nine days or part. Call 723-7924

•April 2: Hike on Pensacola Beach at 6 p.m. with dinner afterwards. Call 723-7924 .

•April 3: Seven-mile hike on Eglin from JR Walton Pond to Hwy 85 at 9 a.m. Eglin permit required. Call 683-0803.

•April 10: A 10 mile hike on Eglin in the Alaqua section at 8 a.m. Eglin permit required. Call 682-6098.

April 16-18: Camping and hiking at Pine Log State Forest. Call 492-8258.

•April 23: Hike on Eglin from JR Walton Pond to Hwy 285 at 8 a.m. Eglin permit required. Call 682-6098.

•April 24-25: Backpack hike from Bear Lake to Blackwater River State Park at 8 a.m. Call 484-9111.

•April 27: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Bayou Blues Restaurant in Niceville. Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.

 

Groovin’ On The Green

The Carillon Beach Institute presents a free concert with Jones and Company from 7 to 9 p.m. March 22 on the Village Green in Carillon Beach. Bring chairs or blankets, a cooler and snacks. Call 234-7819.

•March 29: Sticks and Stone

•April 5: Tidewater

•April 12: Emerald County Line

•April 19:Todd Sparks & The Shrimp Boat Cowboys

•May 30: The Conch Republic        

•June 7: John Calongne Band

•June 14: Jones and Company

•June 21: Sticks and Stone

•June 28: The Beach Mice

•July 5: Latitude29

•July 12: Tidewater

•July 19: Heat & The Zydeco Gents

•July 26: Return To Zero

•Aug. 2: Jones and Company

•Aug. 9: The Conch Republic

•Sept. 5: Emerald County Line

 

Stories by the Sea

Join the Seaside Repertory Theatre as they present a one-of-a-kind storytelling experience for children of all ages at 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, through March 31 and April 1-9. Each day will offer a new story and there might even be opportunities for participation

 

Torchlight Film Series

The Torchlight Film Series reconvenes next week with a series of conversations between Torchlight Director Paul Cohen and celebrity guest Stephen Baldwin. The first conversation will be at 7:30 p.m. March 23 at the WaterColor Boathouse, accompanied by a screening of “The Flyboys”.

The conversation continues at 7:30 March 25 in the Lyceum Meeting Room, 42 Smolian Circle, Floor 2, in Seaside.

The final conversation will be presented with a screening of “Midnight Clear,” based on the short story by best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins, at 7:30 p.m. March 26 at the Rosemary Beach Town Hall, 48 S. Barrett Square.

Torchlight will present a special sneak preview of a work in progress, “Thespians,” followed by a conversation with the filmmaker at 7:30 p.m. April 6 at the Alys Beach Amphitheatre.

Attendance is free, no tickets required, and all four programs are open to the public.

 

Spring Fling Family Fun Night

Get ready for giant games, like Twister, Scrabble and Jenga, music and lots of family fun from 5 to 7 p.m. March 23 and 30 on the Western Green in Rosemary Beach. Sign up for the Guitar Hero competition that starts at 7 p.m.

Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a great night of live music from 6 to 8 p.m. March 18 and 25 on North Barrett Square. All events are free.

 

Turtle lighting workshop

There will be an informational workshop from 10 a.m. to noon March 23 at the South Walton Extension Office to discuss different lights and fixtures that are appropriate for wildlife friendly lighting compliance.  Assistance will be available to help property owners and managers to ensure installation of proper wildlife friendly lights.The lighting trailer will also be available to view during the workshop to get an idea of various light and fixture options.

 

Shop for a Job festivals

Silver Sands Factory Stores will host a “Shop for a Job” festival from 1 to 6 p.m. March 24, 31 and April 7 at Shopper Services, near Michael Kors and laoste. High school and college student are encouraged to attend to apply for summer jobs.

On March 24, 31 and April 7, the JobsPlus 40-foot Mobile One-Stop vehicle will be stationed at Silver Sands from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to facilitate the hiring process by allowing applicants to go online to corporate Web sites and apply for jobs at Silver Sands.

 

Seaside Repertory Theatre

Tickets are on sale for the reprisal of the hit musical play, Always…Patsy Cline, which will run at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays through April 10, in the Seaside Meeting Hall Theatre on Quincy Circle in Seaside. Tickets are $29, and $25 for members and can be purchased at SeasideRep.org or call 231-0733.

A pre-show 10th anniversary season celebration will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. March 20, featuring live music by Dread Clampitt, food, beer, wine and fun.

 

Ensembles: An Adventure in Chamber Music

The Arsenal Trio – violinist Benjamin Sung, cellist Hrant Parsamian and pianist Jihye Chang – will take audiences on a musical journey at 7 p.m. March 20 in Town Hall at Rosemary Beach. The event is free.

 

Art in the Park

A variety of artists and vendors will exhibit their works at The WaterColor Community Association’s Fifth Annual Art in the Park from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 20 in WaterColor’s Town Center and Cerulean Park.

The Association is seeking interested artists to feature mediums including, but not limited to, oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, charcoal, chalk, pastel and color pencil drawings, photography, printmaking, digital art, glass art, jewelry, fabric art, pottery, woodwork and fashion design,

 

 

Scoops for a Cause

Get ice cream all day, with 10 percent of proceeds going to the South Walton Relay for Life, from 11 a.m. to 10 pm. March 21 at Kilwin’s Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream in Grand Boulevard. Band members will distribute information as well as decorate and sell luminaries.

 

Northwest Florida Ballet

An E. T. A. Hoffman tale takes center stage in the spring when the NFB performs Dr. Coppelius’ Magic Toy Shoppe at 7:30 p.m. March 20 and 2:30 p.m. March 21 at the Arts Center. A Tutu Couture party for girls will be held in conjunction with this event at Toy Magic in Uptown Station. Call NFB for more information and to purchase tickets.

The season concludes with NFB’s free outdoor Starlight Ballet performances at Rosemary Beach. Call ballet’s offices for further dates and times.

 

Art in the Park

A variety of artists and vendors will exhibit their works at The WaterColor Community Association’s Fifth Annual Art in the Park from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 20 in WaterColor’s Town Center and Cerulean Park.

The Association is seeking interested artists to feature mediums including, but not limited to, oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, charcoal, chalk, pastel and color pencil drawings, photography, printmaking, digital art, glass art, jewelry, fabric art, pottery, woodwork and fashion design,

To participate as an artist or vendor, e-mail info@monarkevents.com or call 728-9476. This event is free and open to the public. Friends, family, pets, picnics, music and food are welcome.

 

Purple Passion Gala & Auction

Shelter House will host the Seventh Annual Purple Passion Gala and Auction from 7 to 11 p.m. March 20 at the Linkside Center at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Fundraiser includes dinner, dancing, musical entertainment Jones & Company and a live and silent auction.

Tickets are $75 per person and $100 at the door. Purchase tickets at www.shelterhousenwfl.org.

 

Auction items and corporate sponsorships are now being accepted! See this year's sponsors:

St. Rita Preschool culinary challenge

The St. Rita Preschool Cook-off is from 7 to 9 p.m. March 20 at Fonville Press at Alys Beach.

 

Trunk show

Roxy Lentz, jeweler from Indiana, will be the guest artist at Newbill Collection By The Sea, 309 Ruskin Place in Ruskin Place Artist Colony in Seaside, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20. The jewelry trunk show, “Uncommon Adornments Made from Metals with a History” will include one-of-a-kind necklaces, bracelets, earrings and brooches made from recycled copper, silver plate and brass.

 

US Census test dates

Test dates for the US Census are 9:30 a.m. March 23 and 30 at the South Walton Utilities. Applicants need to bring proper id: Passport, drivers license in conjunction with SS card, or birth certificate.

 

Wildlife Lighting workshop

The Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, University of Florida Extension Office, and the South Walton Turtle Watch will offer a 2-hour workshop on Wildlife Lighting along the beachfront from 10 a.m. to noon March 23 at the South Walton Extension Office, 70 Logan Lane in Grayton Beach. Participants will learn about threatened and endangered sea turtles that nest in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. They will also see how different types of lights affect the turtles, and what lights work best for sea turtles and people.  In addition, the workshop will include examples of different lights appropriate for beachfront development, and how property owners and managers can change or install the lights. Wildlife Lighting certification exams will also be available upon request. RSVP at 892-8172.

 

Public forum

“The Queen of Trees” will be the featured documentary at the public forum sponsored by the South Walton Community Council from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 24 at the Seaside Repertory Theater in Seaside. The event is free.

 

Spring Concert Series

Seaside presents free concerts from 6 to 8 p.m. in Central Square on Scenic Hwy. 30-A. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Call 428-0825.

Performers include:

•March 24: Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes.

•March 31: Hightide Blues.

•April 7: Sam Thacker.

•April 14: Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe.

 

Easter Egg Hunt

The Friends of the Coastal Branch Library will sponsor an Easter Egg Hunt from 11 a.m. to noon March 25 at 437 Greenway Trail behind the government center on Highway 331 South. Children will meet in the story time area of the library before the Egg Hunt. Party with refreshments will follow. Call 267-2809.

 

 

Cinema Friday

Grab your blankets and head to the Amphitheater for movies under the stars at 7:30 p.m. March 26, April 2 and 6 in Central Square.

 

Florida Scenic Highway Day

Walton County’s Scenic 30-A corridor will celebrate its natural, cultural, historic, recreational, archeological, and scenic resources during Florida Scenic Highway Day. An opening ceremony will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. March 26 at the Walton County District 5 office, 70 Logan Lane in Santa Rosa Beach.

That evening and the following day, visitors can stop by the office to pick up brochures, educational materials and other information about Scenic Highway 30-A. On Saturday March 27, visitors can tour the Scenic Highway on buses that will depart from the office.

 

Antique and Vintage Car Show

Join antique and vintage car collectors, clubs and owners as they gather on the lawns of Rosemary Beach for the Ninth Annual Rt. 30A Antique and Vintage Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 27.

The event will include entertainment throughout the day, demonstrations, a People's Choice award, and a chance to see automotive history. This event is free and open to the public.

Applications are now being accepted for automobiles manufactured before 1970. Entry fee is $20 per vehicle in advance and $25 the day of the show, with proceeds going to the recovery and rebuilding funds for the earthquake victims of Haiti.

For more information or registration, call Hilltop Productions at 951-2148 or visit www.hilltopproductionsinc.com.

 

Biophilia Center open house

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center at Nokuse Plantation will host “Creating a Garden with Children” Open House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 27. The exhibit hall will be open, guided hikes will be available, scheduled films will be featured and Master Gardeners will be on hand to assist children in planting seedlings in the Center’s new vegetable garden. Public is welcome. Call 835-1824.

 

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society Fieldtrip

Take a fieldtrip to Ft. Morgan, Ala., for spring bird banding on March 27. Call trip leader Don Ware at 862-6582 for details.

 

Rummage sale

The Chautauqua porcelain artists rummage sale will be held beginning at 8 a.m. March 27 at the Life Enrichment Senior Center, 312 College Ave. in Defuniak Springs.

 

30-A Martini contest

The Great 30-A martini contest to be held from 4 to 7 p.m. March 28 at the Santa Rosa Beach Club on Hwy. 30-A in South Walton. The first martini is free, and then $5 each. Live entertainment will be provided by Redd Vizard and every hour a drawing will be held for prizes. All professional bar tender contestants will receive a free T-shirt that shows they participated in the Martini Olympics. The first place winner will receive a certificate for a $500 Zoom Teeth Whiting from the Destin Center of Cosmetic Dentistry.

 

APRIL

 

Art in Public Places

The works of artist and poet Sarah Stewart will be featured during April at The Walton County Tourist Development Council and Friends of Coastal Branch Library Art in Public Places exhibit at the Coastal Branch Library. Call 267-1216.

 

Guitar Hero Tournament

The Second Annual Guitar Hero Tournament will be held April 9. Anyone interested in participating will sign up prior to the event. Qualifying rounds will be held in the Seaside Meeting Hall and finalists will perform in front of a large audience in the Amphitheater. Sign up at seasiderep.org.

 

Artists at Gulf Place

The following events will be held through April 10 at Artists at Gulf Place, Corner of 393 and 30-A in Santa Rosa Beach. Call 622-0400.

•Recycled Art Workshop, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Monday.

•Jewelry Making, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and 2 to 4:30 p.m. every Thursday.

•The Dye Workshop, 3 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.

•Kids Art Workshop, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday.

•Happy Sign Painting with Wendy, 2 to 5 p.m. every Wednesday.

 

First Friday

The First Friday ArtWalk will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. April 2 at Ruskin Place & Central Square. Enjoy live music and view works of art and artist demos at the galleries and shops. The cost is $20, but the fee has been waived for residents and business owners in Walton County. Registration deadline is April 6. Call 892-4859.

 

Business Finance workshop

The Walton County Economic Development Alliance will hold a Business Finance workshop from 10 a.m. to noon April 9 at the Northwest Florida State College South Walton Center, 109 Greenway Trail. Representatives from the UWF Small Business Development Center will provide information dealing with sector/government financing programs available or businesses and a bankers’ panel will explain how they evaluate business lending requests.

 

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra at Northwest Florida State College, under the baton of Jeffrey Rink, announces its 2009-10 concert season and the availability of season tickets. The 23rd season of the region’s professional orchestra will include five concerts, special events and new benefits for season subscribers, award-winning guest artists, the premiere of a new work written for the NFSO, collaborative performances with the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorus and more.

Regular season subscriptions for the 2009-10 series of five NFSO concerts are now available for $100. NFSO season tickets are available for purchase in-person or by phone from the college’s Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box office at (850) 729-6000 or online at www.nfsymphony.org.

Conductor’s Circle memberships, for subscribers who make a tax deductible gift of at least $250 to the symphony in addition to their purchase of the $100 season subscription, are also available.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Center is on the Niceville campus of Northwest Florida State College at 100 College Blvd.

•April 10: “European Masters” features the Northwest Florida Symphony Chorus and orchestra.

 

Walton County Earth Day Festival

The Walton County Earth Day Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 17 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. The free event includes interactive educational displays, guided hikes, storytellers, animal encounters, cooking demonstrations and more.

 

Outdoor concert

Sinfonia Gulf Coast and Playground Swing will hold a free outdoor musical concert and dancing exhibitions of swinging proportions at 7 p.m. April 17 in Grand Park in Grand Bouleard’s Town Center. Light food and drinks are available for purchase at the event from Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar.

Before the concert, Sinfonia’s bravo! will hold a reception at Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar. The cost is $20 and includes appetizers and drink ticket. Reception tickets may be purchased in advance online at sinfoniagulfcoast.org or call 269-7129.

MAY

 

Trash to Treasures Yard Sale

The Walton Education Foundation will hold its first Trash to Treasures Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to noon May 1 at Hammock Bay in Freeport for all of Walton County. Tables/spaces are available for crafts/art/yard sale items and donations are being accepted. Cal 892-1100, Ext. 4382 or 865- 5719.

 

West Indies Markets

Applications are being accepted for the 2010 West Indies Market to take place May 8 and 9, June 12 and 13 and July 10 and 11 at Rosemary Beach. The markets are open to all vendors who have hand-crafted or fine arts and crafts in the media of pottery, yard art, stained glass, hand-crafted jewelry, handmade furniture, watercolor, oil or pastel paintings, metal sculpture, or anything handmade by the artists.

For information or for a vendor application, call Hilltop Productions at 951-2148, or visit www.hilltopproductionsinc.com.