Community Calendar Sept. 4 - 11

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Saturday, Sept. 4

Labor Day Cookout

A Freeport Fire fundraiser will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 4 at Food Depot in Freeport. Call 835-2192.

Kids Rock The Block

Bring the family for a rockin' night of fun from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 on the Western Green in Rosemary Beach. Moonwalks, face painting, airbrush tattoos, arts and crafts with Gigi's, hula hoops, bubble machine and more are featured at the free event sponsored by the Merchants of Rosemary Beach.

Alys Sound

In celebration of Labor Day weekend, Alys Beach, in conjunction with Escape to Create, will host ‘Alys Sound’ from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 4 along the pedestrian path. In addition, live jazz will be performed by Sean Dietrich from 5 to 8 p.m. at Caliza, with artwork by Steve Penley at Caliza Pool.

Sandestin Labor Day and the Baytowne Art Expo

Enjoy the Art Expo with music from 5 to10 p.m. Sept. 4-5 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Seaside Labor Day

The following events will be held Labor Day weekend.

•Seaside Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 4 at the Amphitheater. Get fresh produce, baked goods, dairy products and other unique offerings.

•Michael Warren concert at 6 p.m. Sept. 4.

•Roman Street jazz group at 6 p.m. Sept. 5.

Topsail tours

Learn about native frogs and toads at 7:30 p.m. at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. A $6 park entrance fee is required. Outside tours are canceled during severe weather. Call 267-8330.

Sunday, Sept. 5

A Musical Farewell to Summer

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin will present “A Musical Farewell to Summer —An Evening With David Seering” featuring the Joe Occhipinti Orchestra at 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at Grand Park in Grand Boulevard. Food and beverages will be available for purchase by Cantina Laredo in Grand Park. Admission is $10, children under 12 free. Tickets are on sale through the Beaches of South Walton Kiosk Center at Grand Boulevard. Chairs will be provided for ticketed patrons.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation will host a ticketed pre-concert reception at 6 p.m. at Cantina Laredo. To purchase reception tickets, contact the MKAF office at 650-2226.

Moonlight and Movies

Enjoy a Hollywood classic or new release under the stars at 8:15 p.m. Sept. 5 on the Western Green in Rosemary Beach. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Movies are free and open to the public. Concessions are available. Call 951-2148.

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.

Wednesday, Sept. 8

Wednesday Night Concerts

Enjoy a free concert from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8 in the Plaza on main stage at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin.

Centennial Celebration

The Santa Rosa Beach Club will offer complimentary champagne and special centennial menu features at lunch and dinner for the entire month.  

A Ladies and Gents Centennial Afternoon Tea will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 8. The price is $7.95, which includes tea sandwiches, scones, desserts and, of course, freshly and properly brewed tea.  A Centennial Steamboat Dinner, featuring an authentic menu from the Charles E. Cessna Steamboat, that transported future residents to the Santa Rosa Beach area from Mobile and Pensacola in 1910, will have seatings at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11. The price is $30 per person and includes dinner, a commemorative glass of champagne and entertainment by Bobby Van Deusen. Don some early 1900’s attire if you feel so inclined. Make reservations early, as seats are limited. 

Thursday, Sept. 9

Grit & Grace

Grit & Grace will present “A Box of 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. Tickets may be purchased at The Walton County Chamber of Commerce, Nook & Cranny Antique and Gift Shop and The DeFuniak Herald/Beach Breeze Newspaper in DeFuniak Springs; Miss Lucille's Gossip Parlor in Gulf Place; Sun Dogs in Seaside; Paxton City Hall in Paxton; or call 892-0872 or e-mail hinsonharmony@yahoo.com.

Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums

All performing and student bagpipers, former and current marching band snare, tenor, and bass drummers are welcome to join the Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties. The group meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays at First United Methodist Church in Niceville, 214 Partin Drive for beginner bagpiping classes and 6:30 p.m. for rehearsals for performing players. If interested, call 243-2879, 226-1700 or e-mail ecppesanddrums@cox.net.

Job seeker workshop

The Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties will sponsor workshops for job seekers Sept. 9 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center. The workshops will feature Monster.com career experts. The first session will run from 9 to 11 a.m. and include life skills, basic electronic job search and research, tips on choosing a career, resume review, and networking. The second session from 1:30 to 4 p.m. will include transitioning, detailed resumes, advanced job search, advanced research, networking, trade information, salary information and interviewing. You are not required to attend both sessions. There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is required. Register online at www.jobsplusonestop.com or call 651-2315, ext. 209.

Songwriter’s Festival

The first Panama City Beach Songwriter’s Festival will be held Sept. 9-11. The three-day festival will showcase live, original music performed by more than 20 top songwriters. The stages of Boatyard Restaurant, Breakers on the Beach, Schooners, and The Cantina will host concerts each evening followed by “one for the road” at Firefly. A special Saturday night jam session will take place at Aaron Bessant Park on Sept. 11 recognizing Wounded Warriors and their families as honored guests.

Friday, Sept. 10

Florida Literacy Month

To celebrate Florida Literacy Month, entrance to all of Florida’s state parks will be free Sept. 10-12 for visitors who bring a library card, library book or who donate a new or gently used family book. Join park rangers from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 11 in the clubhouse at Topsail Hill State Park in Santa Rosa Beach for a reading of Paul Lowery's Do You Know Where Sea Turtles Go?

Saturday, Sept. 11

Topsail tours

Ask the Rangers questions and read “Do You Know Where Sea Turtles Go” at 9 a.m. at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, or bring your own breakfast. Call 267-8330.

Yard sale

The Point Washington United Methodist Church Women's Group will have a yard sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 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.

Book sale

The Friends of the Library will hold a book sale from 9 a.m. to noon at the Walton County Fairgrounds. All proceeds go to help the DeFuniak Springs Library.

E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center Open House

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center at Nokuse Plantation will host its first Open House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11. The exhibit hall will be open, guided hikes will be available, scheduled films will be featured, and activities for all ages will be scheduled. Drop in or pack a lunch and stay a while. The public is welcome.

Florida Trail Association

Open House and short hikes beginning each hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport. Call 492-8258.

Picnic  

A special picnic honoring grandparents and active seniors will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at Eden State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. The event, a joint effort of Belvedere Commons of Fort Walton Beach and Belvedere Commons of Panama City Beach, is being held in recognition of Grandparents Day, Sept. 12, and Aging Activity Week, Sept. 20-26. Music will be provided by guitarist Mike Staggs. Food will be available.  There is a $5 per person charge to attend the picnic. In addition, Eden State Park has an entry fee of $4 per car. According to the Florida State Park website, correct change is required and there is a limit of eight people per vehicle. The park is shaded with picnic areas, fishing piers, walking trails and bat rooms. The grounds are handicap friendly. RSVP at 243-7735 or 236-0510.