Walmart opens with fanfare and more

At 7:30 a.m., few people are bright-eyed and bushy tailed. But, at the new Walmart in Santa Rosa Beach drummers were drumming, people were cheering, and Walmart employees were joyfully singing at the June 15 opening.

Walmart Manager Taelynn Thompson pumped up the crowd and her employees before opening the doors, thanking visiting associates, contractors, visitors, family, friends and all of those who helped put the store together. Thompson stood upon a large stage in front of her associate managers and encouraged the crowd to look forward to Walton County’s new Walmart.

Associates clapped, cheered, and chanted while Thompson spelled "Walmart" and yelled, "What store’s number one?"

"5872!" the crowd of associates returned, referring to the store number.

It seemed more like a party than a ribbon cutting, with a large cake, music, speeches, and members of the South Walton band present, it was the place to be Wednesday morning with the temperatures in the mid-80s.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce were present for the ribbon cutting. Also there were recipients of the $12,500 Walmart grant checks. Coca Cola also gave $4,000 to Walmart for distribution. They divided the grants into $500, $1,000, and $2,000 checks.

Recipients of $500 checks includeCaring and Sharing of South Walton, Children's Volunteer Health Network, Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center, Freeport Elementary School, Freeport Middle School, Freeport High School, Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Van R. Butler Elementary School's S.P.I.C.E. program, Van R. Butler Elementary School, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.

Those who received $1,000 from Walmart include March of Dimes, Destin Harvest House, Walton County Sherriff’s Office, the South Walton Fire Department, Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast and Habitat for Humanity. The Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity received an extra $2,000 each from the money given to Walmart for donation from Coca Cola.

"I am so proud of my 197 associates," Thompson said to the crowd after grant recipients left the center stage. "We raised $3,370 in three weeks!"

After the speeches were over, hundreds rushed to the doors awaiting the opening of South Walton’s first Walmart. People were packed together, carts in hand and a look of determination in their eyes to explore the new store.

Upon entrance, those present received a free $5 gift card. Vendors of various products were also present to give out free samples. The new Walmart is now up and running and is located off of U.S. Highway 98 and West Hewett Road.