Play Golf for the Heritage Museum
Call the Heritage Museum today to register for the 7th Annual Heritage Museum Mardi Gras Golf Scramble. (850) 678-2615, or visit heritage-museum.org to register. Registration deadline is Wed., Feb. 15. Included will be a buffet lunch, door prizes, raffles, silent auction and the chance to win a car! Tee off will take place Sun., Feb. 26, 8:30 a.m., at Regatta Bay Golf Course. 465 Regatta Bay Blvd., Destin.
Can Your Table of Detectives Solve a Murder?
The Air Force Armament Museum presents “Bepopped at the Sock Hop,” Murder Mystery Dinner, Saturday, February 4, at 6 p.m. Tickets ($50 each) are available at the Museum Gift Shop at (850) 651-1808. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., cash bar 6 p.m. and seating at 6:45 p.m.
Don’t miss the fun but don’t forget, someone is going to DIE! Will you and your table of detectives win a prize for guessing whodunnit? Proceeds benefit the Air Force Armament Museum Foundation (a non-profit 501(c) (3) fundraising organization) to help fund the museum’s expansion project.
Are You an Art and Food Lover?
Make plans to attend Blue Dog benefiting Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation at Bijoux on Thurs., Feb. 9 at 11:30 a.m. This one-day-only creative event includes the culinary masterpieces of Chef Jack McGuckin of Bijoux Restaurant + Spirits in Miramar Beach. Purchase Tickets at mkaf.org. Also, See George Rodrigue’s Blue Dog paintings like never before in this mini-exhibition of rarely seen original artworks from the artist’s private collection, shared by his widow, Wendy Rodrigue. This unique experience benefits the ongoing partnership between MKAF and Wendy’s Life & Legacy Foundation, engaging students of all ages through storytelling and the arts.
Renew Your Vows for Valentine’s Day!
Looking for a romantic Valentine’s Day present for your spouse? Celebrate your love and commitment by officially renewing your wedding vows at LuLu’s Tropical Re-Union, 2 p.m., Sat., Feb. 11. Couples can pre-register anytime at the restaurant or at LuLu’s website to be LuLu’s will have Certificates of Reunion ready for each couple. There will be complimentary champagne toasts, wedding cake, flowers for the “brides” and photos for the couples. Prizes will be awarded to the couples who were married the longest, shortest, and who are dressed the most festively. LuLu’s Destin is located at the foot of the Mid Bay Bridge, next to Legendary Marina. To register or for more information, visit www.LulusFunFoodMusic.com/destin or call (850) 710-5858.
Help Purchase A New CT Scanner for Sacred Heart
Attend the Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation’s 2023 Emerald Ball to benefit Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, Saturday, February 4 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort Golf and Spa. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, proceeds will go toward purchasing a new computerized tomography (CT) scanner. Tickets are $150 which includes reserved seating, dinner, two drinks, live music and dancing. Visit sacredheartemeraldball.com.
Run for the Wild
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge (ECWR) is excited to host the 2nd Annual Wild at Heart Beach Run presented by Coastal Sunrise Animal Hospital on February 11 at the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, 41 Pickens Rd., with the first run starting at 9 a.m. There will be a Fun Run, 5k & 10K Valentine Run options. All proceeds benefit the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge and Marine Mammal Stranding Team. To register, visit www.emeraldcoastwildliferefuge.org/beachrun.
Celebrate Mardi Gras In Niceville
New Orleans-style food, a great band and fun for the whole family will highlight a Mardi Gras celebration 5- 9 p.m., Sat., Feb. 11, at 3rd Planet Brewery in Niceville. Sponsored by the Northwest Florida Symphony Guild, a non-profit organization, the fundraiser will support the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra (NFSO) and the Symphony’s youth programs. Featured New Orleans-style cuisine provided by Niceville’s Café Bienville will include chicken or shrimp gumbo, red beans and rice and muffuletta sandwiches for $5 per item. A food truck will also be available. The band “Purple Monkey” will entertain from 6 to 9 p.m. Join your neighbors and friends at this fun-filled family-friendly event that will include free face painting for children along with various games.
Do You Love Football and Dogs?
Join Dog-Harmony for Love & Football: A Dog Promenade from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Grand Boulevard. Fur parents are encouraged to dress up their pups in a uniform of their favorite football team or a Valentine’s Day theme. The event will feature Gulf Coast gourmet from JC’s Gourmet, hot dogs served by the Residence Inn by Courtyard, as well as beer and wine offered for donations. The $15 entry fee includes a professional digital photo of your doggie celebrity sponsored by Mills Photo Design and the chance to win fabulous prizes! Prizes will be awarded in two weight categories for Best Dressed, Most Creative and Most Enthusiastic pups. Visit dog-harmony.org to learn more, volunteer, donate or adopt.
Enjoy the Beauty of Camellias
The Friends of Eden Gardens State Park invite you to the annual Camellia Festival Saturday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Eden Gardens State Park. Stroll through amazing gardens full of unique Camellias, see displays and demonstrations, historic reenactments, and learn about Camellia propagating and growing. Camellias will be available for a donation from the nursery. Attendance is free with paid park admission ($4 per car). Additional parking for the event will be at Bay School with tram service to the park.
Tour Beautiful Homes for CAA
Valentine’s weekend typically means romantic dinners and flowers for most, but for locals and visitors alike, it also signals the highly anticipated annual Valentine Tour of Homes. You will enjoy a two-day self-guided tour through some of South Walton’s most unique homes representing diverse architectural styles, beautiful interior design, historic significance and fine art collections. And, you’ll be helping to raise funds for the CAA’s “Art For All” Program. To volunteer, visit culturalartsalliance.com/volunteer. All tickets are valid for the entire weekend with one entry per house. Please note that as most of these homes are private residences, they cannot be guaranteed as ADA compliant.
The CAA is committed to ensuring access for all to its programs, including for people with disabilities or limited mobility. Please notify the CAA office in advance for questions regarding access, and best efforts will be made for accommodations. Hours February 11, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.; February 12, 12– 4 p.m. Tickets: culturalartsalliance.com/valentine-tour-of-homes. Call 850-622-5970 or visit culturalartsalliance.com.
It’s Almost Time for ECCAC’s Gala in the Garden and Golf Weekend
The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) is hosting its annual signature Gala in the Garden and Golf Weekend, this year presented by George and Janice Hendricks. The Gala features a cocktail hour starting at 5:30 p.m., with dinner being served at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 10, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Guests will enjoy dinner and live entertainment by popular local musicians, The Will Thompson Band, live auction, as well as a featured guest speaker. The Gala is an energetic, yet important ECCAC fundraiser to benefit children by providing services at no cost to help identify, treat and support child victims in abusive situations.
The Golf Tournament will take place on Sunday, March 12, at Kelly Plantation Golf Club with registration and a cookout meal from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. for a tournament shot gun start at 12 p.m. Tournament cost is $400, which includes two tickets to the Gala. Gala tickets only are $250 per couple. Please make reservations on-line at eccac.org. Sponsorships are still available. Contact Lee Curtis at 850-684-4422 or email her at Lee@eccac.org.
The International Festival Will Be Here in March
Make plans to attend the 5th Annual International Festival Sunday, March 19 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Fort Walton Beach Landing Park. To benefit One Hopeful Place, the festival kicks off our beautiful spring season displaying the multiculturalism of our region. It offers top-quality live and DJ music, food, folklore and art from more than 60 nations and participants travel from as far as Tallahassee, Panama City and the states of Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama.
The festival will launch a series of events, led by Conexión Media Group and partners, that will comprise the “Emerald Coast International Week” celebration in our area March 12-19.
Conexión Media Group is currently accepting many types of sponsorships—deadline for sponsors is March 15. For more information, contact David Triana at 850.368.3505 or via conexionflorida@gmail.com
