Upcoming Events and Entertainment 8-7

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Rock the Beach 2

The iconic Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform live for the Rock the Beach 2 concert at 6 p.m. Aug. 15 on the Boardwalk at Okaloosa Island. Bring a beach chair. Ride the free shuttle from Fort Walton Beach or Destin and be eligible to win a prize.

Painting classes

Susan Lucas will offer classes in acrylic painting from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 17, 24 and 31 at her studio in Santa Rosa Beach. The fee for the three class series is $90. Classes will also be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 29 and 26. The fee is $50/day or $100/both days. Attendees bring a brown-bag lunch. Call 2

Potted Plant Workshop

The Walton County Master Gardeners will conduct a Potted Plant Workshop at 10 a.m. Aug. 18 at the Walton Extension Office at 732 N 9th Street in DeFuniak Springs. Light refreshments will be served. Call 834-3724 or 892-8172. 

Food donations

Shelter House is collecting donations of unopened, canned and non-perishable food items that summer tourists may have left over after their stay on the Emerald Coast. Food donations will be used to feed the women and children who stay in the emergency shelter. Donations may be dropped off at 102 Buck Drive in Fort Walton Beach or 78 Lynn Drive in Santa Rosa Beach.

Florida Trail Association

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

•Aug. 18: Hike in downtown Pensacola at 6 p.m. with dinner following. Call 207-7390. 
•Aug. 22: Bring your canoe or kayak for a float trip on Blackwater River from
Kennedy Bridge to Peaden Bridge at 9 a.m. Call 484-9111.
•Aug. 24:  Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at Perry's Legendary Seafood & Steaks in Niceville. Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.
•Aug. 25: Hike in downtown Pensacola at 6 p.m. with dinner following. Call 207-7390. 

•Aug. 28: A three -mile hike on the Jackson Trail to Peaden bridge at 8 a.m. followed by a swim in the river. Lunch afterwards at the Gator Café in Baker. Call 776-5147.

Stories by the Sea
The Seaside Repertory Theatre presents one-of-a-kind storytelling experiences for children of all ages at 4 p.m. Monday through Fridays in the Lyceum Gateway Arch in Central Square.

Wednesday Night Concerts

Enjoy a free concert with Grady Champion from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 18 in the Plaza on main stage at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin.

•Aug. 25: The Shrimpboat Cowboys

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.

•Ask the Rangers questions at breakfast at 9 a.m. Aug. 14. 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.

•Learn the differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes and how they help the environment at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 19. 

•Join a Beach Mouse interpretive program and learn about their habitat and behavior at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 26.

Celebrity Waiter Dinner

The Fourth Annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The Red Carpet Reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for $75 per person. Corporate tables may also be purchased for $1,000. To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorships, call the Chamber at 850-267-0683. 

Auditions: Schola Cantorum

Auditions will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 23 and 30 in the music wing of the Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center, Bldg. J, Room 312 on the NWFSC Niceville Campus for additional members for Northwest Florida State College’s Schola Cantorum. Auditions can be arranged by calling the director, John Leatherwood, at 830-2062. Individuals interested in auditioning should be able to read music. Previous experience reading music and singing in choral groups is desired.

Le Grand Cirque

Featuring more than 40 champion acrobats and performers from Brazil, Canada, Russia, Mongolia, Europe and China, Le Grand Cirque at Grand Boulevard in Miramar Beach will continue throughout the summer. Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and matinees are at 2 p.m. Visit www.cirquedestin.com for days, times and ticket prices or call 866-973-9610.

Sandestin Labor Day and the Baytowne Art Expo.
Enjoy the Art Expo with music from 5-10 p.m. Sept. 3-5 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf.

A Musical Farewell to Summer

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation presents “A Musical Farewell to Summer” at 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at Grand Park in Grand Boulevard. Enjoy an evening of live music with David Seering featuring The Joe Occhipinti Orchestra. Food and beverages will be available for purchase by Cantina Laredo in Grand Park. Admission is $10, children under 12 free. Visit www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.com or call 650-2226.

Grit & Grace

“A Box of Grace” will be presented by Grit & Grace at 7 p.m. Sept. 9-11 and 2 p.m. Sept. 12 at Walton High School in DeFuniak Springs. Admission is $10/adults and $5/students. For tickets, call 892-0872 or e-mail hinsonharmony@yahoo.com.

Car Show

Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and the Destin Porsche Club will host the Fifth Annual Charity Car Show organized by the North Florida Region of the Porsche Club of America from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11. More than 100 cars, including Porsches, Lamborghinis, Lotus, Ferraris and BMWs, will line the boulevard of the Town Center. Admission is free and will include live music from Cheryl Jones. Call 654-5929. To register your car, contact Scott Roberts at 850-974-6060 or scottandjan@cox.net.

Yard sale

The Point Washington United Methodist Church Women's Group will have a yard sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 11 at the church, 1290 N. Hwy. 395. Proceeds will go to the new garden. Anyone wanting to donate good useable items can bring them to church after 3 p.m. Sept. 9 and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 10.

Via Colori

The 13th Annual Via Colori will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin Town Center. All proceeds benefit Seaside Neighborhood School. Enjoy live music as artists paint on the streets. To participate, call 231-0396. Art supplies, lunch and goodies are provided for artists.

Taste of Home Cooking School

A night of fun can be had at the Taste of Home Cooking School show at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at South Walton High School. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. During this interactive two-hour event, watch culinary expert Michelle Roberts demonstrate 10 new recipes, from a sweet and zesty Apricot Beef Stir Fry to Cookie Dough Truffles and more. A gift bag will include an assortment of products and coupons, including two Taste of Home magazines.

Tickets are $10 and will be available at the studios of WZEP AM 1460 Radio Station in DeFuniak Springs or on line at www.wzep1460.com or TasteofHome.com. Call 892-5130.

Groovin’ On The Green

The Carillon Beach Institute presents a free concert with Emerald County Line from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 5 on the Village Green in Carillon Beach. Bring chairs or blankets, a cooler and snacks. Call 234-7819.

Fifth Annual Camp Helen Park Ghost Walk and History Tour

Ghosts, spooks, pirates and witches will hang out at Camp Helen State Park from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 for an adventuresome evening of continuous storytelling and historic re-enactment.

The Fifth Annual Ghost Walk and History Tour, hosted by the Friends of Camp Helen, is suitable for children. Costumes are encouraged and flashlights are recommended. Tickets are $5/adults and $3/children 12 and under.

Camp Helen State Park is at 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway near the Walton/Bay County line. Call 215-4651 or e-mail lcherry@cdc-s.com.

Craft fair

The Point Washington United Methodist Church annual craft fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16 in the new gymnasium.

Blue Angels Air Show

The Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will close the 2010 season at their annual Homecoming Air Show aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola Nov. 11-13. Prior to the Blue Angels F/A 18 Hornet performances, the Blues’ C-130 Hercules transport known as “Fat Albert” will perform short field take-off and low level passes. Civilian and military aircraft will perform aerobatics throughout the day with the gates opening at 8 a.m. and shows starting at 10 a.m. A night show will begin at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 11 as aircraft light up the sky with full afterburner and pyrotechnics.

Admission and parking for all shows is free. Areas will be reserved for the physically challenged. Food and memorabilia will be available at numerous concession stands. Call 452-3100, ext. 1534 and 1539.