Category: Dining

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF), one of the nation’s premier fundraising organizations, is pleased to announce the return of Harvest Wine & Food Festival to South Walton on the new dates of Oct. 13-16.

Tickets to all 2022 festival events are on sale now at HarvestWineandFood.com. Proceeds from the festival benefit DCWAF’s mission of helping children in need in Northwest Florida. DCWAF supports 15 children’s charities working to tackle homelessness, food insecurity, medical care, and more in the local community.

The 2022 festival weekend will open with two nights of wine and spirits dinners held in private homes and restaurants throughout South Walton. The festival’s signature event, the Grand Tasting will be held Saturday, Oct. 15, on WaterColor’s Cerulean Park. Guests will be welcomed to WaterColor for an afternoon of epicurean excellence, featuring tasting stations from world-class wineries, as well as culinary stations manned by celebrity chefs from some of the best restaurants along the Gulf Coast and throughout the Southeast.

The weekend concludes with a lively cocktail brunch hosted by the men behind the Agave Road Trip podcast. Guests are invited to join Lou Banks as he leads them on a journey through agave spirits. Hosted in a private 360 Blue home in WaterColor, guests will take part in a short tequila-tasting seminar before enjoying delicious brunch fare by Chef Phil McDonald of Black Bear Bread Company, along with craft cocktail pairings by Better Together Beverage and 818 Tequila.

A silent auction boasting rare wines, luxury trips and staycations will be available virtually Thursday, Oct. 13, at 9 a.m. through Sunday, Oct. 16 at noon. A full list of this year’s headliners and schedule of events can be found at www.harvestwineandfood.com. Tickets to all festival events are on sale now at HarvestWineandFood.com.

Two new organizations will be added to DCWAF’s lineup of supported Northwest Florida children’s charities: Point Washington Medical Clinic (PWMC) and the Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation, joining 15 local children’s charities supported annually.

The Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation is one of the Emerald Coast’s newest nonprofits, created after local philanthropists Doug and Merrisa Ingram tragically lost their 9-year-old son last October. The Foundation will offer scholarships to teens who have been helped by one of DCWAF’s charities over the course of his or her life.

“While we lost Ellison way too early in his young life, with the additional funding from DCWAF, we will be able to see Ellison’s bright eyes and smile in the faces of all those who will benefit through the awarding of scholarships for continuing education opportunities,” Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation Board President Paul Barcus said.

Point Washington Medical Clinic is a free primary care medical clinic, operating as a pop-up clinic in Walton County. Currently in the process of building their first facility, the support provided by DCWAF will fund the clinic’s pediatric room.

“The Point Washington Medical Clinic is so excited to be selected as a charity partner and become part of the DCWAF family,” PWMC Executive Director and Co-Founder Hillary Glenn said. “This is truly a major milestone for our organization and, most importantly, our patients. We are very grateful to everyone involved and look forward to the impact we will be able to make together for the children and families in our community.”

Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation now supports 17 Northwest Florida charities, all of which help children in need by providing services for a variety of critical needs such as homelessness, food insecurity, mental health and more. DCWAF distributed more than $3 million raised at the 17th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction, presented by the Jumonville Family to its current 15 benefiting charities Aug. 31

The 18th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family, the Foundation’s signature fundraising event, is set for April 28-29. Learn more at http://www.DCWAF.org.

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The Emerald Coast’s official Big Green Egg cooking competition, Eggs on the Beach, is returning to Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach this Oct. 15. Presented by Bay Breeze Patio, the family-friendly event celebrates the delicious results of cooking on the Big Green Egg while benefitting two local charities—the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast and Food for Thought. Cook team registration is now open and grilling enthusiasts are encouraged to enter a team for a chance to win a Big Green Egg, Judge’s Trophy, and/or cash toward their favorite non-profit organization.

The cook-friendly competition is open to any six-person team, including backyard grilling enthusiasts, restaurant teams, corporate teams, and teams benefitting a non-profit organization. Each team will prepare the recipe of their choice and present samples to earn taster votes. From meats and seafood to veggies and desserts, each recipe aims to showcase best in class recipes for cooking on a Big Green Egg.

Competing in a variety of categories, cook teams strive to earn “People’s Choice” votes in an effort to earn bragging rights and win a brand new Big Green Egg as well as a coveted Judge’s Award Trophy. Non-profit cook teams will compete for a donation toward their cause. Last year, four local non-profit cook teams, including Healing Paws for Warriors, South Walton Academy, Sinfonia Gulf Coast and Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, earned the most taster votes and cash toward their cause.

The new location, the deck at the Seascape Towne Center, provides more space for tasters along with a full bar and flat screen TV’s airing the top college football games. For cook teams, the new location allows for individual tents and more space to prepare bites. In addition, the Tiki bar, public restrooms and access to Seascape Towne Center businesses provide added convenience and enjoyment.

Visit eggsonthebeach.com for more information.

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Now in its 44th year, the three-day Destin Seafood Fest attracts more than 60,000 locals and visitors to our beautiful and historic Destin Harbor and the Harbor Board Walk on Harbor Blvd. during the weekend. With a sampling of Destin’s finest, you’ll find freshly caught local varieties of grouper, shrimp, lobster, crab cakes, gumbo, sides and even crawfish all provided by local eateries and restaurants.

Happening Fri. through Sun., Oct. 7-9, the Festival kicks off October’s month-long Destin Fishing Rodeo. You need no ticket to attend and you’ll get the opportunity to take in some of the best local and coastal musicians at the beach with four stages beckoning you to a variety of live rock, reggae, country, tropical tunes and more. Local Destin restaurants and eateries will be serving up their scrumptious seafood specialties on the docks and along the Harbor Boardwalk. Cold drinks, including beer and wine, are available and will keep you cooled off while you take it all in. You can stroll along the Destin Harbor enjoying the arts and crafts where artists and vendors display their jewelry, clothing, sculpture, glass, watercolors, oil paintings, designs and more.

** New for 2022! The Call To Chef – A Local Seafood Experience brings back the flare of local seafood to our Destin Seafood Festival. Located inside the larger festival, the Call to Chef will require a paid ticket to browse the local restaurant tents, sample their flavors and vote for your favorites. Chefs, bring your best app, entrée or dessert for attendees to sample, and win up to $5000 in prizes! The winning chefs will be invited to/honored at a Village Supper at a later date.

Learn more: https://www.destinseafoodfest.com/local-seafood-experience.

The Festival’s Roots
All of the yum and fun began in 1978 when the Destin Charter Boat Ladies Auxiliary decided to establish a festival to celebrate local fishermen. Now a Destin tradition, it used to be only a one-day festival on “Kelly’s Hill,” a unique and beautiful location where folks could overlook the Destin Harbor, the current site of HarborWalk Village. It has always been held in conjunction with the Destin Fishing Rodeo during October.

To this day, portions of the proceeds are donated to the Destin Fisherman’s Fund to help those in need and today is hosted by area businesses in conjunction with sponsors and countless volunteers. While the festival has grown into its new home on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, the Destin Seafood Festival remains the primary fundraiser for the non-profit, Destin Charter Boat Association formed in 1954.

Tips for your best experience:
To Listen: This year’s musical entertainment, with four different stages, will have you singing, tapping and swaying to the beat. Harborwalk Village, Boathouse Oyster, AJs, and Harbor Tavern will all host local bands playing and entertaining throughout the festival. Harbor restaurants and bars will offer a full line-up of local favorites as well performing throughout the day and evening. You can bring a chair and chill or don your dancing shoes! Bands and schedule can be found online at DestinSeafoodFest.com.

To Play (For the Kids): There are Kids Zones for all ages. The East Pass Marina Kids Zone will have an array of kids vendors. There is a seating tent nearby so that you can take a break and cool down while the kids play. The HarborWalk Kids Fun Zone has Hamster balls, a rock-climbing wall and a zip line. There is a seating tent nearby also. Kids will delight in face-painting and tattoos as well.

To Park: Parking will be available at Heron Harbor, the HarborWalk Village, the Destin Community Center, the Destin Fishing Museum as well as all local public parking lots in the area. There will also be a shuttle running through town. More information on times / routes available online.

To Attend: Admission to the Destin Seafood Festival is totally free! You will want some “moolah,” however, for all of the mouthwatering food and drinks you’ll find. Or, purchase tickets to the *new* Call To Chef event inside the East Pass Marina Parking Lot where you can sample a variety of food from local vendors for your ticket price and vote on your favorite!

Hours are Friday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

For a site map, to participate as a chef, become a vendor and other information, visit DestinSeafoodFest.com. Email info@destinseafoodfest.com. And no matter what you do, just get to the Destin Seafood Festival for some great feasting, frolicking and fun!

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Proceeds to benefit Habitat for Humanity – Walton County 

On Saturday, October 22, The Market Shops will host its Seventh Annual Bloody Mary Festival benefiting Habitat for Humanity – Walton County. The annual event, powered by Step One Automotive Group, will feature unlimited tastes of South Walton’s most creative and innovative bloody marys made with Distillery 98’s Dune Laker Vodka and served by the finest restaurants and bars on the Emerald Coast.

For a $60 donation, guests are invited from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy up to 20 of South Walton’s most coveted bloody marys served in specialty cups provided by Compass Builders of Florida. Restaurants confirmed to compete for the 2022 title of “Best Bloody Mary in South Walton” include Auston’s on 98, The Beach House, Camille’s at Crystal Beach, Cannery Lane Cantina, Chanticleer Eatery, Chiringo, Harry T’s, The Henderson, Louis Louis, Ovide, Red Bar, The Ruby Slipper Café, Signature Catering of 30A, Sunset Bay Café, SunQuest Cruises, and more. A panel of select food critics and local celebrities will judge each bloody mary to select the winners for the most delicious and most creative. New this year, each bloody mary will be scored on their creative toppings for the “Best Bloody Accoutrement” award. There will also be a highly coveted first-, second-, and third-place People’s Choice Award that is selected by each guest in attendance with votes tallied by Hill Coleman, CPA.

Apart from the bloody marys, there will also be plenty of food from the various restaurants located directly in The Market Shops, including Ben & Jerrys, Chicago Hot Dogs, Clean Juice, Hunter’s Chicken and Burgers, Parlor Doughnuts, Pizza by the Sea, and Tuscany Italian Bistro along with shopping opportunities from merchants, including Mountain High Outfitters.

For the non-bloody mary aficionado, there will be local craft brews served by Idyll Hounds Brewing Company along with champagne, provided by Hey Mama Wines, from the Bubbly Bar sponsored by Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, and the Hyatt Place by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard. Guests will be able to cool off at the hydration station sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty. A lounge area with additional seating and cornhole games provided by Vacayzen will be set up on the main lawn, along with SEC football streaming on the big screen courtesy of Insurance Zone.

While sipping bloody marys, guests can enjoy an interactive Epic Photo Co. photo booth courtesy of Legendary Marine, music by DJ Dad, a cigar bar by Shore Thing Cigars, and exclusive shopping opportunities from The Market Shops merchants. Headlining the event will be a live performance from the Luke Langford Band on the main stage brought to you by Carter & Company CPA, LLC.

Parking will be available at The Market Shops on the day of the festival but is expected to fill up fast. There will be additional parking available at The Beach House located in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and a complimentary shuttle, provided by Emerald Coast Luxury Transportation courtesy of Beachworx, will travel to and from the festival from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Tickets are currently on sale through 850Tix for the pre-sale price of $60 or can be purchased the day of the event at the door for $75. To learn more about The Market Shops Bloody Mary Festival and to buy tickets, visit www.themarketshops.com. If you would like to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity on the day of the event, please email volunteer@waltoncountyhabitat.org.

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The Destin Seafood Festival is back and better than ever for 2022! October 7-9 | Friday 4 pm – 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

One of the locals’ favorite times of year is the Destin Seafood Festival, now in its 44th year! So popular is this exciting, delicious, delectable event that more than 60,000 locals and visitors are expected to walk through Destin Harbor and the Harbor Boardwalk on Harbor Boulevard (Hwy. 98) during the weekend. The 2019 Festival included more than 110 food and craft vendors, in addition to local restaurants.

Happening Friday through Sunday, Oct. 7-9, the Festival kicks off October’s month-long Destin Fishing Rodeo. You need no ticket to attend and you’ll get the opportunity to take in some of the best local and coastal musicians at the beach with four stages beckoning you to a variety of live rock, reggae, country, tropical tunes and more. Local Destin restaurants and eateries will serve up their scrumptious seafood specialties on the docks and along the new, pedestrian-friendly Harbor Boardwalk. Cold drinks, including beer and wine, are available and will keep you cooled off while you take it all in. You can stroll along the Destin Harbor enjoying the arts and crafts where artists and vendors display their jewelry, clothing, sculpture, glass, watercolors, oil paintings, designs and more. And don’t forget your seafood festival T-shirt!

New for 2022 is the Call To Chef – A local seafood experience that brings back the flare of local seafood to our Destin Seafood Festival. Located inside the larger festival, the Call to Chef will require a paid ticket to browse the local restaurant tents, sample their flavors and vote for your favorites. The winning chefs will be invited to/honored at a village supper at a later date.

For more information on participating as a chef or being a sponsor for this great event, email info@destinseafoodfest.com.

All the yum and fun began in 1978 when the Destin Charter Boat Ladies Auxiliary decided to establish a festival to celebrate local fishermen. Now a Destin tradition, it used to be only a one-day festival on “Kelly’s Hill,” where folks could overlook the Destin Harbor, the current site of HarborWalk Village. It has always been held in conjunction with the Destin Fishing Rodeo during October.

Portions of the proceeds are donated to the Destin Fisherman’s Fund to help those in need and today is hosted by area businesses in conjunction with sponsors and countless volunteers. While the festival has grown into its new home on the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, the Destin Seafood Festival remains the primary fundraiser for the non-profit, Destin Charter Boat Association formed in 1954.

This year’s musical entertainment, with four different stages, will feature local bands playing throughout the festival. Harbor restaurants and bars will offer a full lineup of local favorites as well, performing throughout the day and evening. You can bring a chair and chill or don your dancing shoes! Bands and schedule TBA. Visit DestinSeafoodFestival.com.
There are Kids Zones for all ages. The East Pass Marina Kids Zone has pony rides, a petting zoo and kids’ games geared towards younger kids and toddlers. There is a seating tent nearby so you can take a break and cool down while the kids play. The HarborWalk Kids Fun Zone has Hamster balls, a rock-climbing wall and a zip line. There is a seating tent nearby also. Kids will delight in face-painting and tattoos as well.

Parking will be available at Heron Harbor, the HarborWalk Village, the Destin Community Center and the Destin Fishing Museum.

Admission is totally free or you can go as a VIP with passes that include a private VIP seating area that overlooks the Destin City Stage, complimentary unlimited food and refreshments that include a variety of seafood, gumbos and catered treats, soft drinks and bottled water. To purchase a VIP pass, visit the official Destin Seafood Festival website.
For a site map, to become a vendor and other information, visit DestinSeafoodFestival.com.
Email info@destinseafoodfest.com.

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