The Building Industry Association of Okaloosa & Walton Counties will hold its 43rd Annual Home Show at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island April 9 & 10, Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. If you’re interested in being an exhibitor, call the BIA office at 850-863-5107. Visit biaow.org for the official 2022 Home Show Rules and Entry form.
The Freeport Republicans will meet Tuesday, April 12 at the Hammock Bay Clubhouse, 1830 Great Hammock Bend. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m.; meeting 6-7 p.m. April’s speaker is Mr. Tim Norris, Walton County State Committeeman. He will present the highlights of the Florida Republican annual convention in March 2022 and discuss initiatives to move the party forward.
The Walton County Republican Executive Committee (REC) will meet Monday, April 18 at the Hammock Bay Clubhouse. Registration begins at 5:40 p.m.; meeting 6-7 p.m. These meetings are open to Republicans in Walton County. If you want to know what the various clubs in Walton County are doing, to include speakers and events, this is the place to find out. The REC meets monthly on the third Monday of each month at the same location and time.
The 35th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival will be held Thursday, April 7th – Sunday, April 10th—Friday 5-8 p.m. and Saturday 1-4 p.m.—at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Grand Tasting Dates: Friday, April 8th, 5-8 p.m. and Saturday, April 9th, 1-4 p.m. For more information and to buy tickets, visit SandestinWineFest.com.
The 15th Annual Rumblin’ for Hope Poker Run will be held April 9 beginning at 9:45 a.m. with registration and Blessing of the Bikes. A signature ride of VFW Post 4437 in DeFuniak Springs, the cost is $15 per Bike/$5 additional rider (includes your meal after ride). Extra hands will be available for $5. Plan for approximately a 75-100-mile ride. All proceeds benefit the local “Cancer Freeze” Program. “Cancer Freeze” is a non-profit organization that provides much needed financial assistance to Northwest Florida and South Alabama individuals battling cancer.
Join the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society for April Field Trips:
April 7, Presentation: Alaska – Birds Of The North Country. Malcolm Swan and Shannon Hobson will present recent videos and photographs of spectacular birds, Kodiak Bear cubs and sea mammals observed during their 2021 trip to Pt. Barrow, Nome, Kodiak Island, and Seward. The program will be held in Room 130 of the Student Services Center at NWFSC main campus in Niceville. Socializing begins at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m. Admission is Free.
April 9, Saturday Morning Field Trip to Veterans Park, Okaloosa Island with Malcolm Swan. Visit Bayshore, Barrier Island Woodland and five wetlands. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the NE corner of the Emerald Coast Convention Center parking lot. Wear closed-toed shoes, binoculars and/or camera and perhaps a hat.
April 23, Saturday Field Trip to Deer Lake.
E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is hosting a free, members only event on Saturday, April 2, featuring age divided egg hunts for kids up to 12 years old. At this Easter Eggstravaganza, kids will enjoy a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny! The Biophilia Center exhibits will be open to observe at your leisure. Biophilia Memberships are available at www.eowilsoncenter.org/become-a-bio-member.
Looking for an egg-citing happening on Easter Sunday? Bring the family and hop on over to LuLu’s to see the tropically clad Easter Bunny. He will be on hand for free photo ops with the kids on Sunday, April 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. The Easter Bunny will be visiting with boys and girls and giving them an Easter egg with a toy inside. LuLu’s is located in Destin at the foot of the Mid-Bay Bridge next to Legendary Marina. For more information, visit: www.lulubuffett.com/destin/.
The Niceville-Valparaiso Chamber Golf Classic will be held April 22 at Eglin Golf Course. Check-in: 11:15 a.m. Shotgun Start: Noon. If you’re interested in a team sponsorship, visit nicevillechamber.com or email events@nicevillechamber.com. Thank you to Corporate Sponsor, Okaloosa Gas District, Putting Sponsor, The Ryland/Morrow Allstate Agency, Golf Cart Sponsor. Florida Power & Light Company and Hole-in-One Sponsor, Niceville Insurance Agency for their support!
The 2022 Emerald Ball to benefit Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast will be held Saturday, April 30, at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Sandestin. The inaugural event in 2019 raised an amazing $217,631, thanks to the generosity of our community. This year’s proceeds are earmarked for a state-of-the-art CT scanner for the hospital’s pediatric and adult patients. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and dancing. Entertainment will include live music by Tribute Show Band of Mobile, Ala. Plans also include a bourbon and wine pull and a photo booth for guests to capture memories of the occasion. A highlight of the evening will be the opportunity to enter a drawing for a $5,000 shopping spree at McCaskill & Company. Tickets for this exclusive jewelry drawing will be available to purchase for $100 each and limited to 150 entries. Individual tickets for the Emerald Ball are available to purchase for $150 and include reserved seating, dinner and two drink tickets. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Join the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida for a 5K Run/Walk, Saturday, April 30, that will take you on a beautiful scenic route around Historic Valparaiso. Parking will be available in the open field next to the Museum at 115 Westview Ave, Valparaiso, 32580. The race will begin promptly at 8 a.m. and afterwards you can enjoy free refreshments in the Museum’s outdoor exhibit, the Paradise Gardens. All runners will receive a participation medal for completion. (shirt guaranteed for preregistered ONLY.) Cost: $25 Museum and NWFTC members (Before 13 April); $30 Non-member registration (Before 13 April); $35 Regular registration (After 13 April). Call 850-678-2615 to pay and register.
