Enjoy the SeaLight Festival at Seascape Resort
A dazzling world of light featuring more than 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns comes to the Panhandle following roaring success in New York City, Atlanta and Washington D.C. The SeaLight Festival is making its Florida debut following three consecutive years of sell-out runs in New York City, Atlanta and Washington D.C., where it welcomed more than 500,000 guests. On Thursdays – Sundays, now through March 31, Seascape Resort will undergo a breathtaking transformation into an extraordinary world of illumination. This captivating spectacle features over 1,000 handcrafted Chinese lanterns and lights, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience. Tickets, all ages, start from $17.99 children and $25.99 adults. Purchase at sealightfestival.com.
Sinfonia Crescendo! March 1 & 3
CRESCENDO! Main Event | Sunday, March 3rd at 11 a.m.
Crescendo!: A Cultural & Culinary Extravaganza benefits Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education and community engagement initiatives. Taking place March 3, this energy-infused experience will showcase world-class vintners, expert spirit purveyors, amazing auction items, and a special appearance by fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi who will perform his entertaining New York-style cabaret show. This year’s theme is Crescendo!: the New Noir. Channel your individual take on black, be it classic, vintage, edgy or embellished with a wisp of white or a pop of color.”
Vintner Dinners | Friday, March 1 at 6 p.m.
Carefully curated vintner dinners hosted in elegant homes and venues throughout the Emerald Coast. Go to sinfoniagulfcoast.org for a list of the Vintner Dinner venues.
Purchase Tickets: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=sgc
Wear Shades of Pink! Women United Brunch & Bubbly March 9
Join the ladies of Women United for Brunch and Bubbly presented by Florida Power & Light. Sat., March 9, at 10:30 a.m. located at The Venue at Beach Weekend, 109 Brooks St. SE, 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.
Soiree on the Bay: Act III for CVHN March 8 & 9
The good times will roll with fine wine, food and spirits at the Soiree on the Bay: Act III, benefiting Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN). In its third year, presented by the Dugas Family, the Soiree will take place on their stunning estate overlooking the Choctawhatchee Bay in Santa Rosa Beach, Friday, March 8th from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, March 9th from 2-7 p.m., Friday and Saturday’s events will feature indulgent cuisine by Cafe Thirty-A, and exclusive wine tastings by 20+ notable vintners from throughout the nation. Festivities begin Friday with an intimate evening under the stars where guests can walk the beautiful grounds while enjoying wine tastings, incredible cuisine, a live DJ, and an exciting live auction where attendees can bid on incredible prize packages like over-the-top wine experiences and unique travel. Saturday is a spirited daytime affair, kicking off at 2 p.m. with bocce ball, bubbly, wine samples and light bites. Back for the third year in a row, musical guest, The Tip Tops, will have guests on their feet, dancing to their favorite Motown hits.
Tickets, $1,000 per person, include Friday and Saturday’s festivities and can be purchased at cvhnkids.org/soiree-on-the-bay. Proceeds benefit CVHN’s mission to offer accessible and affordable healthcare and free dental services for children in need in Okaloosa and Walton counties. To purchase tickets, visit www.cvhnkids.org.
It’s Almost Here! 3-Day Paradise Music Festival March 8-10!
Paradise Promotions presents a three-day, indoor music festival at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center Friday-Sunday, March 8-10. Seven classic bands will perform, featuring four national, touring tribute bands and three Northwest Florida local bands on the Florida Power and Light Stage. The Friday lineup opens with Jessie Ritter and Jessica Heit, a country duo with Nashville roots and amazing talent. Following is the Paradise Bayou Band playing Classic Rock, Country, Motown and lively dance tunes.
Friday night’s headline band – back for a repeat performance from 2023 – is the 7 Bridges Eagles tribute band that will make sure you “TAKE IT EASY.” Rolling Stone magazine proclaimed 7 Bridges the Greatest Eagles tribute on Earth.
The Saturday lineup features two national touring tribute bands beginning with Departure from Atlanta, Ga., advising you to “DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’” with an incredible tribute to a favorite—Journey. Headlining is“STILL STANDING” with a tribute to Elton John. They’ll have you chanting, “SATURDAY, SATURDAY’ over and over again.
Sunday brings a tribute to the Man, the Myth, The Legend – Mr. Jimmy Buffett. Nashville with recording artist and Destin resident Chuck Lawson and Cheri Salvetti – the duo SHACK ‘N UP, will take you down memory lane as you are “WAISTING AWAY AGAIN IN MARGARITAVILLE” dressed in your favorite Parrot Head attire. And to keep the beach theme going, the show will close with the best Beach Boys tribute band on the planet known simply as ENDLESS SUMMER. You will be feeling many “GOOD VIBRATIONS” as you are dreaming of “SURFIN’ USA.”
Ticket start at $35 each night and can be purchased online from Eventbrite by visiting ParadisePromotionsFL.com. This event is sponsored in part by Life Media, Cox Media, Florida Power and Light, Omni Broadcasting, Fast Signs, T-Mobile and ZooGraphix Online.
ECCAC Presents its Signature Gala & Golf Events March 8 & 10
The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) presents its annual signature Gala & Golf events this year March 8 and 10. The Gala features a cocktail hour starting at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 8, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Guests will enjoy dinner and live entertainment by the popular Will Thompson Band and DJ Chris Henson; exciting live auction by famed auctioneer Dawn Marie Kotsonis, also known as The Gavel Girl; as well as a featured guest speaker.
The Gala proceeds 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 10, 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 shot gun start at noon. An Awards Ceremony will follow the tournament.
Tournament cost is $400, which includes two tickets to the Gala. Gala tickets only are $250 per couple. Please make reservations on-line at eccac.org. Sponsorships are still available. Contact Lee Curtis at 850-400-3488 or email Lee@eccac.org.
Mac & Cheese Festival at Destin Commons March 10
Join Bay Life at the Mac & Cheese Festival on Sunday, March 10 from noon – 3 p.m. benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. This family-friendly event will feature gourmet, chef-inspired twists on the South’s favorite comfort food. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-mac-and-cheese festivaltickets-769177820567. All proceeds from this event will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, which works in our community to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence through its programs focused on academic success, good character, citizenship and healthy lifestyles.
Florida Power and Light Economic Symposium March 5-6
The annual FPL Northwest Florida Economic Symposium will take place on March 5-6 at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. An annual signature event, the Symposium focuses on strengthening collaboration throughout Northwest Florida communities and fostering discussions and engagement in community and economic opportunities with challenging, thought-provoking speakers. Register at fplsymposium.com.
Annual Tea Fore Her March 10th
The 10th Annual “Tea Fore Her” fundraiser, hosted by Fore Her organization, will occur Sunday, March 10, at noon, at The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. This lively springtime event offers an opportunity to gather with friends and enjoy an afternoon of tea while raising funds to support breast cancer patients along the Emerald Coast. Fore Her is a nonprofit organization offering financial assistance, resources, hope, compassion, and education for all who are affected by breast cancer. Tickets are $65 per person; tables for eight guests are also available for purchase at www.foreher.org. A discounted ticket of $60 per person will be available for breast cancer survivors.
Forever Warriors Events
Forever Warriors, in collaboration with Step One Automotive Group, announces its involvement in a series of events designed to engage and support military personnel, their families and the broader community.
Upcoming March events include the following:
• United Way Field Day, March 1, Niceville
An opportunity for Forever Warriors volunteers to demonstrate dominance in camaraderie and sportsmanship, fostering a competitive yet friendly environment.
• Lightning CrossFit on Eglin: The Open 2024 CrossFit Games Season Launch March 1, 8 & 15, Eglin AFB, FL
Partnering with the Panhandle’s oldest CrossFit gym, this event welcomes 50 to 100 participants each Friday to kick off the CrossFit season, emphasizing the connection with the military community.
• Eggstravaganza, March 30, Hurlburt Field, FL
Aiming to support military and military family retention efforts, this family-friendly event is expected to welcome 1,500 attendees.
Come join the fun at the St. Puptricks Adoption event to be held at HorsePower Pavilion, March 16th, 11-3 p.m.
Rescue shelters, vendors and sponsors are participating. Rescue organizations and rescue shelters throughout the Panhandle will be showcasing their adoptable animals and, hopefully, many animals will find their forever homes. There will also be games, jumpy houses, inflatable axe throwing and vendors with merchandise.
Emerald Ball
Tickets are now on sale for the Sacred Heart Foundation’s 2024 Emerald Ball benefiting Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, April 6 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort Golf and Spa. Presented by Howard Group, Grand Boulevard,and Silver Sands Premium Outlets, proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. With more than 1,200 babies born prematurely in Walton and Okaloosa counties in the past three years, Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast continues to make significant investments by adding five new neonatal specialists to provide 24/7 coverage for sick and well newborns. Guests will enjoy live musical entertainment provided by the band Mr. Big and the Rhythm Sisters and a Lumi Pod photo booth sponsored by Emerald Coast Hospice Care. Guests can purchase tickets, $150, which includes reserved seating, a curated dinner and two drink tickets. For more information, tickets or sponsorship, contact Lisa Wainwright at lisa.wainwright@ascension.org or call (850) 278-3702. sacredheartemeraldball.com. Guests are encouraged to wear emerald shades for this elegant evening.
The Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction Returns April 26-28
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) will present the 19th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction April 26-28. All funds raised at the annual auction benefit children in need in Northwest Florida through the Foundation’s 17 partner children’s charities. In 2023, DCWAF donated $3.4 million to charity following one of its most successful auctions to date.
This year’s auction will feature an impressive line-up of celebrity chefs and vintners from throughout the world, hosted by philanthropic couples within the local community.
Patrons attending the Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family can expect a weekend filled with exclusive wines and excellent food from a variety of celebrity chefs beginning Friday, April 26 with the patron dinner experience. Each dinner features a nationally recognized chef paired with world-class vintners. Confirmed vintners and chefs are listed online at dcwaf.org/auction. More will be announced in the coming months as the auction approaches.
The Destin Charity Wine Auction is the main event of the weekend at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 27. The Reserve Tasting and Live Auction will be held under an air-conditioned tent at Grand Boulevard Sandestin Town Center and 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.
Hosted in conjunction with the South Walton Beaches Wine and Food Festival in Grand Boulevard Sandestin Town Center the same weekend, the Festival will showcase hundreds of premium wines along with a diverse selection of spirits and culinary creations. Auction attendees also have access to South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival’s Grand Tasting on Sunday, April 30 at 1 p.m. For sponsorship: info@dcwaf.org. Patron packages: dcwaf.org/tickets.
