Santa Rosa Beach to celebrate 100 years this weekend

The Santa Rosa Beach Centennial Celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from noon until 6 p.m. Sunday at Gulf Place at the intersection of Scenic Highway 30A and County Road 393.

Julia Edwards, a server at Miss Lucille’s Gossip Parlor, said the best part of the 100 years is that the area is still close to being a small beach town.

“I hope in the next 100 years in stays how it is,” the 21-year-old said. “It’s pretty amazing that it’s gone on this way. I’d like us to be able to keep it as natural and scenic as it is.”

Edwards said she anticipates a long day working at the event. Vendors throughout South Walton will set up booths to celebrate the occasion. There also will be artists, food and entertainment.

Johndra Culp, executive director of the Centennial Celebration, said the event marks everything the area has endured through the years.

“This is a milestone,” Culp said. “You need to understand, we’ve gone through hurricanes, economic problems and all kinds of other things.

“To go through the things this place has gone through and come out on top is huge,” she added. “This celebration is because we’re still standing. We’re still here.”

After 33 years of vacationing in the area, photographer John Holland moved to Santa Rosa Beach with his family six years ago. He said trading corporate shoes for flip-flops was the best choice.

“We were looking for more of a beach community and that’s what we have here,” Holland said. “This is a slower, more causal way of life. The great thing, I think, is that it gets better every year. I hope that continues in the next 100 years.

“We’re so lucky to be in this little piece of paradise,” Holland added. “I want my grandchildren’s grandchildren’s grandchildren to enjoy this, hopefully just like I am enjoying it.”

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Saturday, Sept. 11

Centennial Celebration

Enjoy a weekend of history, live music food dancing, arts and crafts. Come and enjoy a fun celebration at Gulf Place Sept. 11-12 as the community of Santa Rosa Beach celebrates 100 years. Events are as follows:

SATURDAY

10 a.m.: Festival opens

11-11:30: Grit & Grace: Walton County's Official Folk Life Production

Noon-12:45: Mike Whitty & The Yellow Flies

1-1:45: Blackwater

2-3: Cadillac Willy

3:15-4:15: Duke Bardwell, Washboard Jackson & Friends

4:30-5:30: Suzi Ragsdale, Marc Harris & Bryan Kennedy

5:45-5:55: Moment of Silence & National Anthem by Casey Kearney

6-9: Emmy-winner Greg Barnhill & The Nashville A-Team, featuring some of the Music City's hottest talents, including: Joanna Cotten, Bryan Kennedy, Suzi Ragsdale, Myers Brothers Band and Travis Thibedoux

SUNDAY

Noon: "God Bless America" Performed by Redd

12:15-2 p.m.: The Steenos

2:15-3:30: Marc Harris, Kelsey Anna & Matt Miller

3:45-4:30: Sonya Cunningham

4:45-6: Tennessee Firearms