Emerald Coast Events | July 2021

Enjoy summertime fun down at the beach and then take part in some local festivities this July! There are countless events happening this month, but we've rounded up some of the biggest ones. Check it out!

FESTIVALS & HAPPENINGS:

HarborWalk Village 4th of July Celebration

When: July 2-4th

Where: HarborWalk Village  

Description: Join HarborWalk Village for their 4th of July Celebration. Celebrate Independence Day with three days of festivities beginning Friday, July 2nd. Wearing your most festive attire, prepare yourself for a day of fun and great drink specials along the world-famous Destin Harbor. $10 On-site parking fee 

Friday, July 2nd 

7 PM | LIVE MUSIC with The Hoo Doos 

Saturday, July 3rd 

7 PM | LIVE MUSIC with 18 Miles Band 

Sunday, July 4th 

7 PM | LIVE MUSIC with The Manly Hero 

9 PM | Fireworks & Firespinning by Autumn Lyfe

24th Annual Rags to Riches Regatta

When: July 3rd

Where: Grayton Beach

Description: The 24th edition of the annual Rags To Riches Regatta returns to Grayton Beach on Saturday, July 3, 2021, in celebration of American Independence Day. The small catamaran race is a tradition among SoWal sailors, families, friends, and Grayton Beach lovers. Come out to watch the regatta take off from the shores of Grayton Beach as they race to Seagrove Beach and back to Grayton. Click here to register for this year’s race online, or you can download the registration form and email it to info@cratertrain.com. An entry fee of $45 per boat will be collected for each registration, with fees donated to support the South Walton Artificial Reef Association. 

Schedule of Events:

7:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Boats Transported onto the Beach by Official Permitted Vehicles

8:00 AM: On-site Race Registration

9:30 AM: Captain’s Meeting

10:30 AM: 24th Rags to Riches Regatta Race

1:00 PM: Awards Presentation

2:00 PM: Captain & Crew After-Party

Smoke on the Coast BBQ Fireworks & Festival

When: July 4th

Where: Destin Commons

Description: The Annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ & Fireworks Festival takes place Saturday, July 3 at Destin Commons and this year is expected to be better than ever! Family fun activities include entertainment, BBQ sampling, face painting, photo booth, and the highly anticipated, Independence Day firework extravaganza. Through the Destin Commons Coins for a Cause initiative, 15 area restaurants, and BBQ groups vote for their favorite as People's Choice winners with over $85,000 in donations benefiting local charities. 

Free Admission | $1 BBQ Samples 

Live music by: Tobacco Rd Band from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

Heritage Band from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Grayton Beach 4th of July Parade

When: July 4th

Where: The Red Bar | Grayton Beach

Description: Come join in the fun for the annual July 4th parade in the wonderful and funky town of Grayton Beach. Line up on Holtz Ave next to The Red Bar starting at 8:00am with the parade beginning at 8:30am. Decorate your cars, jeeps, boats, bikes, scooters, etc. No registration needed and everyone is welcome! 

It's a Grayton tradition in SoWal! You'll love this little parade with a lot of heart and spirit. Children wear their red, white, and blue and jump on their skateboards and bikes. Adults simply add some decor from the previous years to their car/jeep/truck, sometimes at the very last minute.. then roll down the road with families and friends. Visitors and neighbors are watching from front yards and it's all the very best of small-town fun. As the parade ends, some head straight for the Gulf for a well-needed dip in the cool surf. See you in line at The Red Bar location. Swimsuits, pajamas, and bloody marys optional. The Grayton Beach Neighborhood Association asks that you leave your water shooters at home and not engage in the usual battles from the back of the truck onto "innocent" bystanders along the parade route.

Seaside 4th of July

When: July 4th

Where: Central Square at Seaside

Description: This July 4th, Seaside is hosting a day of patriotic activities in Central Square, with storefronts decorated in red, white, and blue. While there will not be a parade along 30A, Seaside will feature second-line-style patriotic music performances around town throughout the day, with a special performance by the Rep Theatre. Think of it as a "reverse parade," with Merchants going all out with patriotic decor. All of this will culminate into what will be the largest fireworks shows not only in Seaside but along the entire Gulf Coast!

Red, White & Baytowne

When: July 4th

Where: The Village of Baytowne Wharf @ Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort

Description: Join Sandestin for its spectacular 4th of July Celebration. Enjoy a day of fun in the sun, then move the family over to The Village of Baytowne Wharf for an evening that lights up the sky and family activities at Red, White, and Baytowne from 6-9:15pm. Admission is free and open to the public. 

The Village of Baytowne Wharf will have a host of kids' activities, including crafts, face painting, and balloon sculpting. Live music will be performed on the Events Plaza Stage from 7pm-9:15pm featuring Donovan Keith. Grab your boogie shoes and join in the fun. Keep your eyes to the sky over the lagoon for the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration at 9:15 p.m. For additional details visit www.baytownewharf.com or call 850.267.8117.

4th of July Celebration @ Rosemary Beach

When: July 4th

Where: Rosemary Beach

Description: Rosemary Beach is celebrating Independence Day! Enjoy a star spangled fireworks display from the beach at 8:45PM. Blankets and Lawn Chairs are welcome. Bike enthusiasts are encouraged to join the virtual bike decorating contest. Pick up your decorating kit for a suggested donation of $5. All proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Club. Decorate your bike and post a picture to our Instagram! Judging will occur after 5 PM on July 4th.

Star-Spangled Spectacular Fireworks 

When: July 4th

Where: Pier Park | Panama City Beach

Description: Celebrate Independence Day with the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast. Each year there are dueling fireworks from the City (Russell-Fields) and County (MBMiller)Piers. Pier Park is a popular place to view the fireworks show starting at 9pm. Pier Park is located directly across from Russell Fields Pier. Grab a choice spot and enjoy the show! Head to the rooftop at The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House for a front-row seat. Or stroll the streets for a fun night of shopping, entertainment, cocktails, and dining at Pier Park located on Front Beach Road. The Russell Fields Pier is one of PCB's most popular tourist attractions. Be sure to tune in to Kickin 103.5 app for a choreographed music simulcast.

Red, White & Blues Pensacola Beach Airshow

When: July 7-10th

Description: Locals and visitors from all over look forward to the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show held in the summer. The show highlights our hometown heroes — the Blue Angels — the U. S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron stationed at Forrest Sherman Field aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. The Blues hold several practice sessions along the beach in the days leading up to the big event on show day. The National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola has a viewing area for visitors to watch the team practice.

July 7th - Circle and Arrivals 

July 8th - Dress Rehearsal 

July 9th - Full Dress Rehearsal 

July 10th - Air Show

WEEKLY EVENTS:

Summer on the Harbor @ HarborWalk Village

Mondays | Silent Disco Party

Tuesdays | Fat Tuesday Celebration | Concert & Parade

Thursdays | All American Thursday | Vintage Air Show & FIreworks

Saturdays | Rock the Docks

Lawn Games in Grand Park
Every Thursday, Friday & Saturday @ Grand Boulevard

Movie Night @ Alys Beach
Every Wednesday @ Alys Beach Amphitheater

July 7 | Lion King 

July 14 | Alice in Wonderland 

July 21 | How to Eat Fried Worms 

July 28 | Little Mermaid

Rosemary Beach Moonlight & Movies
Every Thursday @ Rosemary Beach Western Green

July 1 | The Secret Life of Pets 2 

July 8 | Toy Story 4 

July 15 | Moana 

July 22 | Sonic the Hedgehog

Baytowne Sunday Cinema
Every Sunday @ The Village of Baytowne Wharf

July 11 | Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation 

July 18 | Pete's Dragon 

July 25 | Sing

Farmer's Markets

Every Saturday @ Seaside & Grand Boulevard

Every Sunday @ Rosemary Beach

Planning to be in town? 

Let's Chat!

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Ah, summer is here! Yes, that means more beach days, pool days, and vacation days. But summer is also a great time to perform some maintenance tasks on the home that will save you potential headaches, money, and energy down the road. 

Summer Home Maintenace Checklist

Air Conditioner Maintenance. 

Now that the summer heat is coming for us, it's a great time to do some maintenance on the A/C unit. There are a couple of things that can help make sure you stay cool this summer. First, check and see if it's time to change the filter. As a general rule, it should be changed every 2-3 months. This will help in several ways. You'll have cleaner air providing seasonal allergy relief and it will help your A/C to run more efficiently. Second, check outside around the unit and make sure there's no brush overgrowth blocking off airflow. This can cause overheating issues and even a fire – so make sure there are at least two feet of clearance around the unit. Third, clean your air conditioner drain line with vinegar. This will prevent a build-up and save you the headache of dealing with overflow and water damage issues. Ideally, this should be done monthly but seasonally is better than nothing! If you start to crank your A/C and notice any strange sounds or it's not blowing cool air, it's time to call in the pros to have it serviced. Tip: Ask them to service the heating unit at the same time so you're ahead on the fall checklist! 

Wash Your Windows.  

Probably one of the most overlooked chores on our to-do list is washing the windows and inspecting the screens, but there are important reasons for doing it! First, it boosts curb appeal. Whether or not you're looking to sell your home you want it to look its best, and washing the windows gives it a crisp, clean look, especially with the pollen coating everything in the spring. You'll appreciate the clear views from inside the house too! Cleaning will also help prevent discoloration and the quality from degrading over time. This also provides the perfect time to inspect them for any mold or leaks that might cause issues down the road.  

Drain Your Water Heater. 

Over time, naturally occurring minerals in the water, as well as sand and grit flushed from municipal water lines, can settle in the bottom of the tank. This sediment buildup can potentially reduce the efficiency and capacity of your water heater. It can also plug the drain and interfere with ongoing maintenance, leading to early failure. Draining a water heater to remove sediments is an easy DIY that takes very little time and just a few basic tools. This goes without saying but the water that comes out of the hose will be extremely hot, so be careful.

Clean Out Your Gutters & Downspouts. 

Summer brings along with it the hurricane season and an increase of heavy rainstorms. The efficiency of gutters depends on the free flow of rainwater down and away from your roof and home. If you've got any kind of clog – think pine needles, leaves, bird nests, etc. – this can cause overflow and water damage. You'll want to do this seasonally, but especially so in summer with the increase of storm activity. 

Switch the Spin Direction of Your Ceiling Fans.

This is a simple way to get the most out of your ceiling fan. The ceiling fan direction in summer should be counterclockwise to help create a downdraft, which creates that direct, cooling breeze. Your fan direction in winter needs to be clockwise to create an updraft and circulate warm air around the room. How do you change the ceiling fan direction? It’s easy whether you use the ceiling fan switch, push-button control on the fan remote, or use voice commands with your smart fans.

Have Your Dryer Vent & Exhaust Duct Cleaned.

Clothes dryers can be a fire hazard if not properly maintained. Consider having a professional come out and clean out your vents and ducts. It's going to save you in energy and maintenance costs, and potentially save you from a fire as lint is a highly flammable material. If you're having issues with clothes taking longer to dry, clothes and the dryer getting very hot, a burning smell on the clothes, or the presence of debris around the dryer hose, then you may want to consider this service and maintenance. Depending on how large your family is, if you have pets, and what kind of laundry you do, you may want to have this done seasonally or biannually.     

Additional Home To-Do List This Summer

• Touch up the paint on the outside of your home.

• Powerwash the driveway and walkways.

• Give your grill a deep clean.

• Repair cracks in your driveway.

• Check your playground equipment. Make sure there are no hazards or needed repairs.

• Get your chimney cleaned. Since it's the slow season for this service, they won't be as busy! 

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in working order.

• Add a layer of mulch to your flower and plant beds. This will help fight off weeds and help retain soil moisture in the scorching summer months.

Are there any home maintenance tasks you like to tackle in the summer months? Leave a comment and let us know!

 

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May 2021 | Condo & Home Market Highlights

Here is your Emerald Coast monthly market update! We're still seeing determined buyers wishing to own a piece of paradise, and inventory remains historically low. Looking at the numbers year-over-year, we saw the number of properties sold increase by 132%. The sold volume also increased by 199%. We're seeing many people across the country making moves to our coast. Many are looking for fresh beginnings or fulfilling life-long dreams of owning near the coast. What better place than the Emerald Coast!

Now is a great time to look into the real estate market. If you'd like more detailed information on a particular area or community or if you're curious about the value of your property, feel free to reach out to us. We love sharing valuable info!

Check out the area sales highlights for May:

The highest-priced condo sold within the areas of Okaloosa Island, Destin, Sandestin, Miramar Beach, North Santa Rosa Beach, and 30A was:  

Viridian

30A East

3 Bed | 3.5 Bath

3,561 Square Feet

$2,470,000

The highest-priced home sold within the areas of Okaloosa Island, Destin, Sandestin, Miramar Beach, North Santa Rosa Beach, and 30A was:  

285 Twisted Pine Trail

Miramar Beach

6 Bed | 7.5 Bath

5,860 Square Feet 

$11,750,000

Now is a great time to perform some due diligence whether you're considering selling or purchasing property. With the current supply and demand, timing is crucial. You need a team who will help you make the right decisions, at the right time. If you feel unsure about your current real estate holdings, we're here to help guide you to make the best decision for you. 

Interested in buying or selling?

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Best Beach Tips & Must-Haves

School is out, summer is almost here, and the beach is calling your name! 

We're right on the brink of the summer beach season here along the Emerald Coast. Having lived here for decades, we've become pretty good at narrowing down the best beach items, tips, and tricks. So here's a list from us long-time locals that will make the most of your beach days! 

Beach Day Must-Haves

A good tote bag. 

We prefer to use canvas bags like this one. Any sand shakes right off, they last us season after season and can be thrown in the wash whenever needed, making them a more sustainable option. There are also highly rated mesh bags that allow sand to fall right through great for items that need rinsing like beach toys, snorkels, and masks. For families, wagons are a great investment to tote and transport beach gear – just make sure it has wide wheels to get through the sand!

Sunscreen. 

Of course, you'll need sunscreen! There are many options out there for sunscreens, but in the past few years we've switched over to reef-friendly ones. Why? Marine sanctuaries are home to some of the ocean’s most biologically diverse and culturally significant marine areas, and we need to ensure that these critical areas are protected from harmful chemicals. If you can, go for a mineral (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) based lotion sunscreen to reduce your impact on coral reefs, fish, and other marine life. Mineral sunscreens can be pricey but this is one area we splurge without thought. Anything to save our seas! Some of our favorite brands that we can snag at our local Whole Foods, Target, and Publix are Bare Republic, Badger, All Good, and California Baby.

Sunglasses. 

Invest in a good pair! This might seem like a no-brainer, but for years I either wore cheap ones or didn't bother to wear any at all. My eye doctor informed me I now have an eye freckle. Needless to say, I invested in a good polarized pair of Costas and I'll never go back to cheapies again! The extra bonus is they cut through the glare on the water and bring out the beautiful vibrant colors. 

A hat. 

My face is always the first to burn, no matter how much sunscreen I apply. Hats are beneficial for sun protection on your face and shade over your eyes. This can ease eye strain and keep potential headaches at bay. It can also protect your hair from sun damage! We like to shop local and grab a few fun mesh snapbacks, but this is a great unisex wide-brimmed hat to wear if you're really feeling the sun.    

Beach Towels. 

They don't have to be anything special, but we are liking Turkish towels recently. Sand shakes off them easily, they dry fast, and they're much thinner so they take up less space in your tote. If you're traveling to the beach by car, I would bring plush towels for the seats.

Cooler & Insulated Drink Tumbler. 

Ice melts fast and drinks warm up quickly on the beach. As long as you have a decent cooler, even a soft one, you will be good to go. The biggest trick we've found is to make sure and keep it in the shade. It helps tremendously! We also never go without our insulated tumblers. We use these daily for cold drinks and they keep ice for 24+ hours!

Waterproof speaker. 

There's nothing better than sipping a cold drink, with your toes in the sand, listening to some music to match the beach mood. You'd don't need a massive speaker to get the job done, but your phone doesn't quite cut it. This little speaker is perfect for on the go, and at its price point, you won't be afraid to put it to use at the beach. We've had it for a few years now and it's still going strong! 

A beach umbrella or canopy. 

One of the best parts about vacationing at the beach is getting that glowing tan, but trust us, you'll be so thankful you brought an umbrella or canopy for those breaks in the shade. Some umbrellas offer SPF protection, and it's loads cooler under there when the heat is really intense. If it's just the two of us we'll just pack the umbrella, but if we know we're meeting up with friends or family we'll bring along the big canopy. It can get pretty breezy by the beach, so make sure you're anchoring your umbrella or canopy correctly to avoid the wind carrying it away. We always anchor our umbrella deep, slightly leaned into the wind, and hang our tote on it to weigh it down so it's extra secure. 

A beach chair. 

You can either bring your own beach chairs and umbrella, or rent them from any of the local beach chair rental companies like La Dolce Vita, White Diamond Beach Service, or Sunset Beach Service. You can also grab your own from nearly any store – Publix to CVS, Alvin's Island, Walmart, or Target. Many perfectly good chairs end up as waste in dumpsters since visitors don't have any need for them back home. Consider offering them to other beachgoers on your last beach day!  

Beach Day Tips

• If your rental or home doesn't include deeded beach access, use this map to find the beach accesses in South Walton! The handy map will also let you know which accesses have public restrooms, bike racks, parking, and if they are ADA accessible. You can find a Destin Beach Access map here as well!

• If you want an easier day by the beach, choose a beachfront restaurant to set up near! Some of our favorites are Pompano Joe's, Whale's Tail, and Back Porch. You can go up and dine in the restaurant, or order to-go and enjoy your meal down on the beach. Pompano Joe's and Whale's Tail also have a beach bar making refreshments an easy grab.

• Bring a good book, beach games – we love Kubb and Cornhole, and if you plan on listening to music, have a playlist downloaded on your phone so you don't have to worry about cell service. 

• Stay or come back for the sunset if you can! When we beach we usually try to go all day, staying for the sunset. Over the years we've watched, season after season, that many beachgoers leave by late afternoon. They miss one of the best parts! Just before the sun dips below the horizon the air starts to cool, the sky fades to different colors, light beams dance around the clouds – it's magic. It is one of our favorite things to do and all of my best memories, from childhood to now, revolve around beach sunsets! 

Things to Remember

• Leave no trace! Don't forget to bring a trash bag. We always bring a small washable tote, or grocery bags with us and collect trash as the day goes. On our walk up to leave the beach we'll drop it in the public trash bins at the beach access entrance.

• If you're digging holes in the sand, don't forget to fill them in! People walking at dusk or night can fall into them and get injured. Sea turtles also come ashore at night and can become trapped.

• You can always bring just-in-case items, but leave them in the car. This might include a first aid kit, extra swimsuit, change of clothes, etc.    

• Enjoy the moment, be present, have fun, and make awesome memories! 

  

 

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