30A St. Patrick's Day Parade

Better begin preparing now for the St. Patrick’s parade that will take place on Friday, March 16th at 3:oo P.M. The parade will form on 30A near the Preserve in Blue Mountain Beach and will end at Gulf Place. The parade began in 2008 and has grown each year. The event now has a festival with green beer and lots for everyone to do and enjoy! Guiness will sponsor banners, music, entertainment and lots of fun.

Jac McTighe will be this year’s Grand Marshal. He has also been the Grand Marshal of the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade.  It is expected that the Green at Gulf Place will be packed, so you should plan to arrive early and bring a lawn chair. There will be a Best in Parade award again this year. Businesses are encouraged to enter their decorated cars, trucks or floats and compete to see who wins the award. The judges table will be situated in Blue Mountain Beach at the halfway point of the parade route. The Best in Parade award will be given to the winner at Gulf Place.

There will be lots to do at Gulf Place after the parade. There wil be face painting, food, drinks, vendors, Irish dancers, and a Celtic band. Also three gold Celtic necklaces will be thrown to the crowd during the parade and two more at Gulf Place during the entertainment.  Drake Irish Dancers will  be joined by Mickle-A-Do for some music and jigging.

Head to Miss Lucille’s Gossip Parlor for some of that famous green beer that makes St. Patrick’s Day so special. So, why not decorate your vehicle and register for the parade? You can register online at www.30aparade.com. Wouldn’t it be great if you won the award? Even if you don’t win the actual award, you’ll win a fantastic time! See you there!

The Friends have several main objectives on which they focus:

Implementing a five year plan for redesign of public areas of the park, including more acreage where possible.

Achieve growth in membership and attendance.

The addition of paid staff.

There are many special events that happen annually at the park. Check the buletin board at the Fig Leaf Gift Shop to  stay current. Each year, shortly before Christmas there is the Christmas Candlelight Open House and it is something you really should not miss. The Wesley House is open for free tours and each room is decorated for the holidays by a different organization. Tour guides are dressed in Civil War era clothes and are very informative and pleasant.The grounds are filled with thousands of luminaria and are a sight to behold. The evening is very impressive and lots of people have made the tour a part of their family’s Christmas tradition to attend.

I am looking forward to the park’s Easter Egghunt. The gardens will be lovely, with so much in bloom to create a wonderful setting for the egghunt. Everyone leaves the event filled with joy and with goodies! Every now and then there is live music on the bandstand, the Bayou Americana Festival, bar-b-ques, arts festivals, and lots of weddings and private events as well. The park is well enjoyed by so many people and I hope you are one of them.

If you are visiting 30A and  spending time roaming around Seaside or Rosemary Beach,

Eden gardens State Park

 why not take a morning or afternoon and swing by Eden Gardens? Consider becoming a Friend of Eden.

The Wesley House was built in1897 as a residence for Mr. Wesley’s family and was considered to be quite grand. The house has had two other owners, with the last owner donating the house and grounds to the state of Florida. Today the house is filled with antiques and is beautifully decorated with the second largest colletion of Louis XVI furniture in the U.S. The house is open for guided tours and the guides are very informative and helpful.

The gardens are a huge draw for visitors to the area, filled with moss draped oaks and the well tended flower gardens found throughout the park’s acreage. In fact, the gardens and trees provide the natural settings for many weddings throughout the year.The Fiends of Eden are responsible for bringing all the gardens to their present state and are responsible for all the upkeep needed for the gardens. Thanks to these folks we may enjoy rose gardens, butterfly gardens,camelias, gardenias, azaleas,  hydrangeas and magnolias. They also operate a small gift shop and visitor center. You are welcome to pack a lunch and enjoy it at the picnic area at Tucker Bayou.

Tucker Bayou

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You can rent the park for a special event such as a wedding, a family reunion or company picnic. Imagine how grand an event would be set in this lovely location! No need to decorate-nature has done it for you!The park has a new pavillion with additional restrooms and space for 150 to comfortably dine. There is a bandstand at the foot of Tucker Bayou and a reflecting pool   filled with fish.

Consider becoming a member of The Friends of Eden and becoming a contributer of some of your spare time to work in this lovely place.

30A's Blue Wave Beaches

“. And that is pretty impressive. Everyone knows that our beaches are among the most beautiful in the world, but you might not have known that they are also some of the cleanest in the country and have been certified by the Clean Beaches Council.

The Clean Beaches Council is based in Washington D.C. and was formed in 1998 in an effort to sustain America’s beaches. The Council’s mission is to promote public awareness and ensure clean beaches for all future generations. The Blue Wave campaign is America’s first environmental beach certification program to declare a beach as Blue Wave if the beach meets the “certified clean beach” set of guidelines.

“A certified clean beach is a Blue Wave designated beach that is managed responsibly, with a focus on protection of human health and the environment. Blue Wave beaches voluntarily pledge to uphold the following responsible beach management practices:

water quality

beach and intertidal conditions

hazards

services

habitat conservation

public information/education

erosion management

Participating beaches proudly fly the Blue Wave flag-the symbol of responsible beach management.”

What can you do to help keep our beaches beautiful and healthy? you can” Leave No Trace.” If you carry it to the beach, you carry it out.. You should always use public restrooms and help keep the water clean. Never walk on the dunes to help  prevent erosion. Use the walkovers.Please show respect for the native habitats which include both animals and plants. If you take your dog to the beach, keep an eye out and keep the sand sanitary. You are encouraged to get involved by joining one of the many organizations that work to keep 30A‘s beaches the best in the world! All this beach talk makes me think I’ll be walking to Blue Mountain Beach tonight and watch the stars!

Feel like shopping and being outside while you do it? Then head to Seaside each Saturday and get your fresh and healthy goods at the farmer’s market in the Seaside Ampitheater .All food sold at the market is locally grown which benefits our community. The vendors at the market offer fresh eggs, vegetables, fruit, breads, honey,cheeses, milk, cookies, organic chickens and broth, jewelry, soaps and much more. It’s also a great way to meet people and make some new friends!

The E.O.Wilson Biophilia Center is hosting a birding field trip on Feb.18. Walt Spence, a noted nature photographer, is leading the adventure with a birding and photography walk on the nature trails od the Center at Nokuse Plantation near Feeport. Participants should meet at Freeport City Hall at 7:30A.M. or at the actual center at 8:00A.M. and prepare to have a great time!

If you have the fortitude, learn about native snakes at Topsail on Feb.18 at 1:30 P.M.. Learn about the differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes and how they help the environment.

Dread Clamipitt will perform in concert at Seaside Ampitheater on Feb. 19 from 4 -6P.M. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the band as they play some funky bluegrass music for you.

Eden Gardens State Park is hosting a Camellia Fest and Heritage Day on Feb. 25 from 10A.M. until 2P.M. There will be talks given on Camellia identification and maintainance and pest control for these lovely flowering plants .Living history presenters will be there to  demonstrate the skills of past generations in the making of candles, playing old time games, period cooking , toys and historical talks.

Looks like February is a busy month here on 30A, and I’m not just talking about the beach!

Seasid Farmer's Market

Love comes from your family in the little, everyday things that they do for you. This is a day to appreciate them and really take notice of them and thank them for their love. You might not realize it, but all that you do for them is noticed  by them – even though you might not hear them tell you as often as you’d like them to. Today would be a good day to do a little something special for someone in your family – maybe a stroll around Rosemary Beach

Happy Valentine's Day!

with a stop into one of the many fine places for dinner or a favorite treat.

The Gulf of Mexico is particularly majestic today with lots of powerful waves cresting a clear white over the beautiful blue water. It is thrilling to see and is a wonderful way to spend some time with your loved ones. What could be nicer than a walk on the clean sand, enjoying the energizing breezes and  the sounds of the crashing waves? Love the fact that you are here and are fortunate enough to have all this magnificence at your fingertips . Revel in the splendor that surrounds you.

Most of all, on this Valentine’s Day, I hope you’ll realize how important it is that you love yourself. Loving oneself is the basis for loving others and everything around you. It is one of the most important things you can do to make a difference in your life and the lives of all those around you.So, I’m wishing you the happiest  of Valentine’s Days and hope you’re spending it here on 30A!

There are a few choices for the ceremony location and it would be difficult to choose from among them.Vows could be said in the Rosemary Beach Town Hall, on the beach for a sunset ceremony, or on one of  the town’s lavish greens. The Town Hall is a public meeting space that blends perfectly with its beach environment. The hall has a large room and a smaller room and can be configured many different ways to fit the occasion. Outside the hall  is a grassy courtyard which can be tented or left open for receptions. The common greens are also wonderful places for weddings and receptions. Western and Eastern Greens are beachside and provide amazing Gulf views and scenery. Space may also be rented at any of the four well -appointed pools .

Rosemary Beach weddings  offer a small town feel and provide a relaxing place to spend time with those you love. There are so many superb dining options  - Paridis for an elegant evening dinner and cocktails, La Crema for tapas and wine, Cowgirl Kitchen

Rosemary Beach

for healthy sandwiches and soups. Wedding guests might want to rent bikes and spend some time exploring the beach towns that dot 30A. They might decide to do some hikng in the natural wetlands and forests that are so close to Rosemary Beach. Or, maybe they’ll choose to simply spend their time enjoying a good book at the beach or at one of Rosemary’s beautiful pools.

There is something for everyone here at Rosemary Beach, making it a wise choice for your very special day!

Fishing on 30A

What could be better than a family vacation on 30A? The beaches will thrill the kids, Mom will love the unique shops and fantastic restaurants and Dad will enjoy…fishing!!! There are lots of fishing options along the Emerald Coast and there are many fishing businesses that are just waiting to make your angling experience a pleasant one.

Destiny Unbound Angling is located in Santa Rosa Beach because their location places them so close to many different fishing venues. Redfish are waiting to be caught in the turtle grass covered flats. Saltwater fly fishing is considered to be very challenging and also very rewarding. Tarpon fishing along the beach is a big thrill, as is fishing for bonito and jack crevalle.

About 90% of the fishing the guys from Destiny Unbound do with visitors is shallow water sight fishing, with a fly or with conventional tackle. They understand the thrill anglers feel when they see a bunch of fish fighting one another to get at the lure first. They also understand  that every fisherman never really can predict what will happen on the water that day. Could be a big day, could be a day you’d rather forget. No need to worry about any of that if you go out with the guys from Destiny Unbound. They can guarentee that your day will be positiveand fun. Your guide will have a relaxed and patient attitude and look out for your safety. They are happy to give you on the water casting instructions to help you become a better angler.

Oh, and if Dad has a great day on the water, maybe he’ll be in the mood to take the family to Cafe 30A for dinner.There’s a chance he’ll get his wife a little something from one of the Shops at Ruskin in Seaside. Yes, fishing is a god thing. A very good thing!

Whether you are a wine aficionado, a wine collector, or simply someone who enjoys excellent wine paired with superb cuisine, you won’t want to miss this event! The festival will include seminars with world renowned vintners ,a wine symposium and tastings, wine walk – about with more than 60 exquisite wines. Participants will enjoy food pairings  from local restaurants such as Cafe 30A, Borago, and Caliza

Alys Beach Home

followed by live music and dancing. All these events will take place at Alys Beach, so you just know it will be a lovely evening.

The fun continues on Sunday morning with a brunch and champagne tasting, set to live music. Brunch will be provided by V Seagrove and George’s at Alys Beach. Guests will go home with goodie bags filled with fabulous surprises and an etched Reidel wine glass.

I do sincerely hope you consider becoming a part of the fun at the 30A Wine festival. It will be your chance to have a fabulous time, sip the very best wines, eat fantastic food, dance, meet people, learn from the seminars, and, most importantly, contribute to area children who are in need of medical help. And, you get to do all of these wonderful things in Alys Beach.!

This year there is something to add to your list of things to look forward to around Valentine’s Day – the Valentine Tour of Homes! The event is sponsored by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County and they are very busy putting the finishing touches on the event. The tours will take place on February 18 from 10:00A.M. until 4:00P.M. and will showcase several of South Walton’s most stunning and unique residences. The homes on the tour will be announced  February 3.

The tour gives people the chance to peek into beautiful homes while contributing to a worthwhile mission – the CAA’s Educational Giving Program. The program contributes $20,000 each year in grants to Walton County teachers and scholarships to students in need. The homes are carefully selected and are homes that are diverse in age, architectural style and interior design. The public is able to see the inside of homes that they would ordinarily only see on the pages of glossy magazines.

This year, as a little bonus, attendees can visit Studio A in Grayton Beach

Beach Home on 30A

and talk with Allison Craft, South Walton’s  2012 Artisit of the Year. Ms. Craft specializes in pearl and leather jewelry and attendees can use their ticket stubs to enter a drawing to win an original artwork by Ms. Craft! The winner wil be announced on February 20. 

Tickets for the event are only $20 if they are purchased in advance. They may be purchased online at CulturalArtsAlliance.com and you will also be able to download a map for the tour. I hope to see you there!