Mardi Gras 5K Fun Run & Walk March 1
Christ Our Redeemer Church, Niceville, presents its second annual Mardi Gras 5k Fun Run & Walk on March 1 for a 5k and children’s fun run. There will be live music, food trucks and a 50/50 raffle along with fun games provided by Cub Scouts Pack 553. Mardi Gras inspired costumes are encouraged! The course is flat and fast with views of the Bay. Strollers welcome.
The 5k begins at 9 a.m. with children’s fun race following at 10 a.m. Registration and details at https://corcatholic.org/5k. Registration before day of is $30. Day of registration by 8 a.m. is $35. Packet pick-up begins Friday, February 28, 4-6 p.m. at Christ Our Redeemer. Proceeds benefit the Christ Our Redeemer Building Community fund for construction of a new building and renovation of the current parish hall.
Food Trucks For Birds March 6
Choctawhatchee Audubon presents Food Trucks for Birds by Tricia Keffer, founder of an innovative approach to connect people with birds and native plants. Her independent study titled Food Trucks For Birds On The Migration Highway was launched from her Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture. It’s a blend of education and a horticulture workshop with fun activities for all ages. This Audubon program will take place Thursday, March 6th and is free and open to the public as well as Audubon members. Refreshments are served at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m., Room 800, 2nd floor of the Chandler Center (NW door of 519 Helms St.), Crosspoint Church, Niceville. For bird walk locations and dates visit https://www.choctawhatcheeaudubon.org/ or Facebook.
ECTC to Host Signature Event, “La Vie En Rouge” March 7
Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) will host its spectacular signature fundraising event titled “La Vie En Rouge” on Friday, March 7 from 6-9 p.m! The non-profit theater company will be transformed into a 19th-century Parisian cabaret with decor sponsored by Hilton Sandestin. The signature fundraising event, “La Vie En Rouge,” will feature exhilarating live performances, dazzling costumes, and a vibrant atmosphere inspired by the hit musical, Moulin Rouge all thanks to Presenting Sponsor Blue Water Oral Surgery Center. Guests will be greeted upon arrival by the strolling Champagne Dress Lady. The Cabaret Lounge will host additional craft cocktails. Patrons will indulge in gourmet bites prepared by local chefs from Bijoux, Swiftly Catered, Fish On, Cantina Laredo, Tommy Bahama and more.
Throughout the evening guests can expect surprise pop-up performances and atmosphere entertainment from ECTC’s talented performers. There will also be an extensive silent auction and a special finale dessert.
All funds raised through ticket sales, donations, and silent auction purchases benefit ECTC and its continued mission to enrich and entertain the Emerald Coast community through professional and educational theatre. Tickets are $150 per person (reserved table seating) and $125 general admission. Purchase online at emeraldcoasttheatre.org. Cocktail attire is suggested. Email Trenton@emeraldcoasttheatre.org to learn more.
SeaLight Festival Is Here! Thursdays to Sundays, Now – April 13, 2025
Kaleido Entertainment presents a dazzling wonderland of light and Chinese culture, running January 30 through April 13, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., with last entrance at 8:30 p.m. at Seascape Golf, Beach & Tennis Resort in Miramar Beach. Tickets start at $24.99 for adults and $17.99 for children ages 12 and under. Purchase at sealightfestival.com. For more information, visit www.sealightfestival.com/destin.
Emerald Coast Quilt Show March 7-8
Flying Needles Quilt Guild of Niceville presents Emerald Coast Quilt Show 2025, Friday, March 7 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, March 8 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, 1958 Lewis Turner Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach.
Quilt Entry Categories include: Large Pierced, Medium Pierced, Small Pierced, Applique, Modern and Mixed Techniques.
Show theme is Gulf of Dreams. Attendees will also experience mini-demonstrations, vendors, boutique, quilter’s Walk and Quilt of Valor Block Party. For more information, visit flyingneedlesquiltguild.org.
NFB’s Cinderella!
NFB returns to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center to conclude Season 55 on Sat., March 8, at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., March 9, at 2:30 p.m. with Cinderella. With live music by the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra led by NFB Music Director and Conductor David Ott, this beloved classic features the choreography of NFB Artistic Director Todd Eric Allen and the music of Sergei Prokofiev. Presented in three acts, Cinderella brings to life a cavalcade of enchanting characters, brilliant dancing, vibrant costumes and magical scenery sure to hold you under its spell. Box office prices for NFB’s Cinderella are $48 for adults and $22 for children 12 and under. Visit https://www.nfballet.org/cinderella or call 850-729-6000 to learn more or purchase your tickets.
ECCAC’s Signature Gala & Golf Events March 8-9
The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC)’s annual signature Gala & Golf event is presented by Peggy and Jerry Swanson. The Gala features a cocktail hour starting at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Guests will enjoy dinner and live entertainment; an exciting 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, also to benefit ECCAC, will take place on Sunday, March 9, at Kelly Plantation Golf Club with registration and a cookout meal from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. to be ready for a tournament shotgun start at noon. An Awards Ceremony follows. Teams of four players are $1,000. Gala tickets are $250 per individual and $500 per couple. Please make reservations on-line at eccac.org. Sponsorships are still available.
Wear Shades of Pink! Women United Brunch & Bubbly March 8
Join the ladies of Women United for Brunch and Bubbly presented by Eglin Federal Credit Union Sat., March 8, at 10:30 a.m. and hosted by Home 2 Suites by Hilton, 1930 Lewis Turner Blvd., Fort Walton Beach. Contributions support the work of United Way Emerald Coast and Women United to provide mental health resources, access, and education to local women and girls. Tickets available for purchase at united-way.org/womenunited.
Knights of Columbus To Serve Irish Food at 3rd Planet’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration March 15
For the fourth consecutive year, the Knights of Columbus will be serving traditional Irish food at 3rd Planet’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at on Saturday, March 15th in Niceville.
Prepared by the Christ Our Redeemer and Holy Name of Jesus Knights of Columbus Councils, food will be available from 4-9 p.m. The highly popular event will feature traditional Irish dishes such as a corned beef dinner, shepherd’s pie and Irish stew. Food may be purchased by cash or credit card for eating at 3rd Planet or take-out. In addition, a variety of home baked sweets, provided by the Christ Our Redeemer Council of Catholic Women, will also be available for a donation. Music will be provided by DJ Ross. An Irish Step Dancing troupe will perform at 4:30 p.m. and there’s always the potential for a bagpiper. All net proceeds from food sales and tips will be donated to non-profit charities.
DCWAF Celebrates 20 years Benefitting Area Children April 25-26
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) will celebrate the 20th Anniversary Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family April 25-26, 2025! All funds raised at the annual auction benefit children in need in Northwest Florida through the Foundation’s 17 partner children’s charities. Patron packages are on sale now at dcwaf.org/tickets. In 2024, DCWAF donated $3 million to charity following one of its most successful auctions to date.
A limited number of patron packages are on sale now at dcwaf.org/tickets. Sponsorships for the event are also available by contacting the DCWAF staff at info@dcwaf.org.
This year’s auction will feature an impressive line-up of celebrity chefs and vintners from around the world, hosted by philanthropic couples within the local community. This year’s vintner line-up includes owners and winemakers from AXR Napa Valley, Domaine Serene, Verité, Jarvis Estate, Memento Mori, Pahlmeyer, Lando Wines, Roy Estate, Seven Apart, Thompson 31Fifty, Dakota Shy, Perchance Estates, Innumero Wines, William Cole Winery, Chateau Montelena, Fisher Vineyards, Nysa, and many more.
Patrons can expect a weekend filled with exclusive wines and excellent food from a variety of celebrity chefs beginning Friday, April 25 with the patron dinner experience. Each dinner features a nationally recognized chef paired with world-class vintners. Each dinner benefits one of DCWAF’s 17 partner children’s charities. All confirmed vintners and chefs are listed online at dcwaf.org/auction.
The Destin Charity Wine Auction is the main event of the weekend, beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. The Reserve Tasting and Live Auction will be held under an air-conditioned tent at Grand Boulevard Sandestin Town Center. The event will feature distinctive wines from internationally acclaimed vintners poured and paired with cuisine curated by a selection of the area’s top restaurants. The event culminates with a high-energy, live auction boasting rare and distinctive wines, spectacular trips and other incredible one-of-a-kind items.
The Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family is hosted each year in conjunction with the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival, which also takes place in Grand Boulevard Sandestin Town Center the same weekend. South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival will showcase hundreds of premium wines along with a diverse selection of spirits and culinary creations that deliver a world class experience to each guest throughout the weekend. Auction attendees also have access to South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting on Sunday, April 27 beginning at 1 p.m.
