By Will Estell
The Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation’s second annual Sip & Splash: An Aquatic Affair, took place May 20 at the Taj Renee Community Aquatic Center in the heart of Destin. Attended by more than 250 guests in support of the foundation’s mission, the top-tier event was sponsored by Tim Smith Acura, and kicked off with a wonderfully presented pool-side sunset cocktail hour that featured a list of spectacular craft cocktails, made from local spirit and craft beer brands, including: Distillery 98, Campesino Rum, Good Clean Wine, Palm Folly Seltzer, and Odd Pelican Beer Company, all served in event logoed cups sponsored by Hand, Arendall, Harrison, and Sale.
During cocktail hour, the 250-plus guests mingled while sipping on their signature beverages, and perusing the array of silent auction items, which included everything from lavish international trips to artworks. Additionally, attendees enjoyed watching local sushi master Yoshie of Camille’s create hand-rolled appetizers, while taking in the creation of live art by renowned local artist and gallery owner Maxine Orange.
Following the cocktail hour, guests were seated in the adjacent dining area, where they were served a six-course farm-to-table dinner, prepared by some of Northwest Florida’s most admired restaurants and catering companies. During the course of the dinner, guests were entertained by the always enthusiastic Al Alvarado, before hearing the encouraging stories of The Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation’s Kathi Heapy, Eglin Federal Credit Union’s Jerry Williams and others, as part of the Okaloosa Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame’s 2023 induction ceremony.
The event planning, coordination and marketing was handled by the uber-talented Jessica Bracken of Proffitt PR, with the proceeds received from guest admissions, silent auction items, donations and corporate sponsorships going toward funding the ongoing efforts and community enhancement of the Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation’s mission of competitive excellence for area adults and children in the fields of cycling, running and swimming.
If you haven’t attended this wonderful event for a fantastic cause, I definitely suggest putting it on your shortlist of fundraisers for next year. I can tell you first-hand that even as someone who is invited to, and tries to attend, quite the array of various worthwhile balls, parties and fundraising events, my wife, Laura, and I were immensely impressed with every aspect – from the multicourse meal to the signature drinks to the innate attention to detail of the setup, décor and service of this special night.
You can also find out more about Destin’s Taj Renee Community Aquatic Center, and Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation by visiting www.ecfitnessfoundation.org.
Will Estell is a writer, media entrepreneur, and coastal real estate professional with more than 600 published magazine features in an array of genres, from travel and tourism to automobiles, real estate and celebrity interview features. Over the past 25 years, Will has been instrumental in founding 12 magazines from concept to fruition, as well as serving as editor in chief for numerous others. Originally from the backwoods of rural Mississippi, Will and his wife, ABC 3 news anchor Laura Hussey, call Destin and Navarre home. Will is a regular contributor to Life Media, as well as other magazines, papers and websites regionally and nationally.
