By Kay Phalen, courtesy Emerald Coast CVB
Emerald Coast
Destin, Fort Walton and Okaloosa Island feature 24 miles of white sand beaches and emerald-green waters. The water gets its trademark color by reflecting off the area’s distinctive Appalachian quartz sand that covers the shoreline.
With such stunning scenery, it’s no surprise that vacationers flock to the area almost year-round. For groups, a calendar full of festivals and special events adds more reasons to visit the region.
Destin’s HarborWalk Village buzzes with activity in summer months. The Red, White and Blue Celebration takes place every Thursday with live music and fireworks over the water.
HarborWalk Village holds a free parade every Tuesday night with floats, the Village Brass Band, stilt walkers, jugglers and more.
From mid-May to early July, the Dugas Pavilion hosts a 10-week concert series featuring R&B, jazz, classical and modern rock performers. Groups can picnic before the show, and affordable fare is also prepared onsite by a featured local restaurant.
Volleyball nets stretch as far as the eye can see during weeklong volleyball tournaments in fall and spring. Players hail mainly from the Southeast, and although they are not professionals, the level of play is quite good as teams compete for prizes and bragging rights. The Destin Seafood Festival, held early October along the Harbor boardwalk, offers three days of fun and the freshest seafood possible. More than 35 local vendors offer festival food such as shrimp kebabs, fish sandwiches and hush puppies. Live music at six locations, arts and crafts, and fireworks round out this event.
The Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, in its 58th year at Fort Walton Beach, celebrates the pirates that once sailed the Gulf. Thursday night’s Billy Bowlegs Torchlight Parade is followed by Friday’s water landing of the Krewe of Bowlegs, who try to woo support from festivalgoers with beads, trinkets and coins. A pirate skirmish ensues as they attempt to take over Fort Walton Beach, but the pirates typically retreat. Afterward, the city celebrates with fireworks.
On Saturday, the pirates land again, hoping for success. A mock battle ensues between the pirates and the mayor of Fort Walton Beach, who defends the city with his militia. In years past, the pirates have prevailed, and they hoist the Jolly Roger flag to signify the city’s surrender.
“This event, at the end of May, is one of our most popular festivals of the year,” said spokeswoman Katherine LeBlanc. “There’s even a two-hour pirate cruise that sails daily with a family-friendly show.”
Sword fighting, water gun battles, dancing, storytelling and treasure hunting are all part of the Buccaneer pirate cruise. The 100-foot pirate ship, built in 2012, sails from Destin Harbor to Choctawhatchee Bay and includes a hot dog meal.
