WALTON COUNTY CHRISTMAS
Holiday happenings in and around Walton County include:
12 Days of Christmas Trees
The Christmas tree decorating contest, “12 Days of Christmas Trees,” takes place through Dec. 21 at Grand Park in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin as area non-profit organizations vie to win cash prizes for Best of Show and People’s Choice awards. The public can vote for their favorite tree at the Visitor Services Kiosk located at Grand Park.
The participating organizations are Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Seaside Neighborhood School, Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, American Cancer Society, South Walton Montessori Academy, Shelter House, Children in Crisis, Okaloosa AIDS Support and Information Services and Alaqua Animal Refuge.
The contest winners will be announced at 2 p.m. Dec. 18 in Grand Park while Canterbury Brass plays Christmas music and hot chocolate and cookies are served.
Every Christmas Story Ever Told
Seaside Repertory Theatre will wrap up its 10th anniversary season with the madcap holiday romp, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18-30 at Seaside Meeting Hall Theatre.
Tickets are $25 and available online at seasiderep.org, by phone at 231-0733 or may be purchased in person at Amavida Coffee in Seaside or Rosemary Beach. Discounted tickets are available for Rep Members, students, military with ID, and for groups of six or more. For this performance only, opening weekend tickets are just $20 at the door.
Candlelight Open House
The Friends of Eden invite the public to the annual Eden Gardens State Park Christmas Candlelight Open House from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Enjoy the traditional walk through the luminaries to the Historic Wesley House and its beautifully seasonally decorated rooms. Inside, visitors will be greeted by Civil War re-enactors. Refreshments will be served in the Pavilion. Eden Gardens State Park is in historic Point Washington, north of U.S. 98. Call 267-8320.
Christmas concert
The Freeport Presbyterian Church Christmas Musical Concert will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 19. The service will include instrumental and choir music by members and friends of the church. It is free and open to the public.
Transportation
Sunshine Shuttle and limousine will offer transportation to and from the DeFuniak Springs Annual Christmas Reflections for $25/person through Dec. 31. Sedans, vans, buses and limousines are offered. Call 650-6333 or e-mail info@sunshineshuttle.com.
Charity Gift Wrap
Sinfonia Gulf Coast has been chosen for the fifth year as the recipient of Silver Sands’ Annual Charity Gift Wrap through Dec. 24. Volunteers will wrap presents for donations ranging from $2 to $15 from 12 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 23; 12 to 6 p.m. Sundays; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve.
Santa visit
Santa will vacation on the beaches of South Walton and will visit Kilwin’s and Johnny Rockets in Grand Boulevard from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 30 and Jan. 1 and from 12 to 3 p.m. Jan. 2. Candid pictures may be taken and Santa will pass out coupons and extra gifts.
Countdown Seaside
A New Year’s Eve Celebration, a family-friendly party featuring live entertainment, kid’s art projects, street performers and a fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico, begins at 7 p.m. New Year’s Eve and lasts until 12 a.m. New Year’s Day.
The celebration kicks off in the Amphitheater with a performance by Dawes at 7 p.m., followed by Truth & Salvage Co. at 9:30 p.m. Abrakadoodle will offer unique art projects from 7 to 11 p.m. These projects will be free and include making celebratory party hats, snow globes and even a time capsule where families will be able to place New Year’s wishes and resolutions.
