The Market Shops 10th Annual Bloody Mary Festival, powered by Step One Automotive Group, was held on Saturday, October 11 and raised $28,000 for Habitat for Humanity – Walton County.
The shopping center was transformed into a vibrant festival venue, welcoming more than 800 attendees and a diverse selection of local vendors. Festive tomato-themed balloon décor, provided by Mingle and The Good Grit Agency, adorned the courtyard and grand lawn, creating a lively and inviting atmosphere. Both areas featured restaurants, vendors, and participating food and shopping merchants from the shopping center. Guests enjoyed sampling inventive Bloody Mary creations from each tent, complete with elaborate garnishes and served in custom cups sponsored by Compass Builders of Florida.
The sold-out event showcased a record-breaking number of competitors, each serving unlimited tastes of their most creative, original Bloody Marys made with Distillery 98’s Half Shell Vodka. Eighteen local eateries, bars, in addition to a grocery store participated in the 10th annual event, including Bayside Cafe, Big Bad Breakfast, Cafe Nola, Cajun Corner, Cantina Laredo, Down Island, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa, Island Wing Company, Jackacudas, Lola, Ovide, Red Bar and Louis Louis, Ruby Slipper, Sandos Beachside, The Perfect Pig, and Winn Dixie.
Upon check-in, guests received a token to vote for the coveted People’s Choice Awards for the “Best Bloody Mary.” At the end of the event, votes were tabulated by Hill Coleman, CPA and the following local restaurants were chosen as the winners:
1st Place People’s Choice Award – Café Nola
2nd Place People’s Choice Award – Down Island
3rd Place People’s Choice Award – The Gulf Club
A panel of select food critics and regional media also judged each Bloody Mary and selected the following winner as the most delicious and most creative. Along with their pick for the “Best Accoutrement” award.
Judge’s Choice Award – The Perfect Pig
Best Accoutrement – Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa
All awards were custom-made by local artist, Maxine Orange.
In addition to the Bloody Marys, guests sipped on local craft brews served by Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, sponsored by Winn Dixie, along with spiked seltzer from Palm Folly and champagne from Good Clean Wine at the Bubbly Bar, courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, Hyatt Place Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, and Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard. There was also a Hydration Station serving cold water throughout the afternoon, courtesy of BankPlus.
Festival attendees also enjoyed a variety of culinary offerings from the restaurants located within The Market Shops, and the Grand Lawn was transformed into the ultimate tailgating experience, courtesy of Jake’s Beach Service and Shofar Productions, with lounge seating and a jumbo screen live-streaming college football, sponsored by Eventure. Throughout the event, guests sampled cigars from Shore Thing Cigars, took photos in the interactive photobooth sponsored by Legendary Marine, and crafted personalized trucker hats at the Hawley Hat Bar with unique patches, including a complimentary Bloody Mary patch to commemorate the festival’s 10th anniversary. Entertainment included a performance by local country band Saltwater Revival on the main stage, sponsored by Action Audio Video, while DJ Dad kept the energy high in the courtyard, sponsored by Esteem Wealth Partners.
“Our 10th anniversary festival was the best one yet,” said Bob Duncan, managing partner of The Market Shops. “We were thrilled to see such an incredible turnout of neighbors, visitors, and local businesses all coming together to celebrate and support the meaningful work of Habitat for Humanity in Walton County.”
Since its inception, The Market Shops Bloody Mary Festival has raised over $278,600 for various local charities. For the past eight years, Habitat for Humanity – Walton County has been the beneficiary of the annual event. The money raised through ticket sales, donations, and sponsorship from the 10th annual festival will go directly toward Habitat for Humanity – Walton County’s efforts to build and provide homes for working families in the area.
