More than 500 of the finest wines and spirits, and local cuisine will be tasted and enjoyed at the  South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. Attendees can sip and satiate at the 12th annual event during the weekend of April 25-28.

The festival spans across Grand Boulevard’s Town Center, merging winemakers, chefs, distillers and brewers for four days of events that include wine tastings, educational seminars, culinary stations, entertainment, a charity component and more.

The festival begins on Thursday with a Winemakers & Shakers event. Friday includes a VIP wine tasting followed by the Craft Beer & Spirits Jam. The Grand Tasting main events will occur Saturday from 3–6 p.m. and Sunday from 1–4 p.m.

This year’s event will include more activations than ever before, allowing guests to interact with ambassadors from wineries, distilleries, breweries and eateries in convivial and engaging settings.

At the Grand Tasting, guests can sample from hundreds of varieties of wines from throughout the world, many of which stem from rare and impressive collections.

This year, the festival will have a focus on the increasingly popular Willamette Valley, Oregon, wines. The region is home to over 500 wineries with a unique focus on some of the world’s best Pinot Noirs.

More than a dozen Willamette Valley wineries and industry renowned winemakers will be pouring the best of Oregon wines for guests to experience in the featured Grand Tasting tent.

Additionally, Jackson Family Wines, a notable crowd favorite from the 2023 lineup, will be returning with an even larger presence at the Culinary Village and will be paired with care and finesse with a menu from the Wine World Restaurants.

“The wines poured are not your everyday wines, nor are the spirits,” said Stacey Brady, executive director of South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival. “We hope you experience something new, something you haven’t tasted before or always wanted to try. We hope you find your next repeat, go-to bottle for every day or a special occasion.”

The 2024 event will include four total seminars throughout the Saturday and Sunday Grand Tasting. The tasting seminars are presented by seasoned winemakers, chefs and distillers who impart their expert knowledge and samplings of unique flavor profiles.

“The seminars are immensely popular because they are an exciting, yet informative way to learn something new and taste something you’ve never experienced before,” Brady said.

Throughout the Grand Tasting days, guests can visit the Savor South Walton Culinary Village, which presents a pairing menu of delights from the Wine World restaurants. Additionally, Nosh Pavilions are located throughout the festival grounds, offering samplings from renowned restaurants throughout South Walton and Destin.

Musical performances will be provided by the Casey Kearney band and the Nashville Songwriters Showcase brought in by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.

Brady recommends attendees peruse the tasting program, released two weeks before the event to the SoWalWine.com website, to plan for tastings, activations and seminars they want to attend.

All events during the weekend raise funds for the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, benefiting children’s charities located throughout Northwest Florida.

“Coming off of the 2023 event, we received such amazing feedback from attendees and industry professionals that we feel like we’ve hit our stride in terms of executing an amazing, world-class event,” Brady said. “We look forward to continuing that momentum while exceeding expectations in 2024.”

To purchase tickets and learn the latest, visit Sowalwine.com.

585 Grand Blvd, Miramar Beach | (850) 837-3099 ext. 203

Fort Walton Beach, FL – September 22, 2023 – United Way Emerald Coast (UWEC) hosted its third annual 40 Under 40 Awards with an inspiring evening at Shoreline Church. The night kicked off with an exclusive VIP Event uniting past honorees with the current recipients.

The program featured a keynote address by former 40 Under 40 honoree, Bobby Parker. Bernard Johnson, representing Florida Power & Light Light, highlighted the significance of sponsoring this event as well as the valuable contributions of this emerging generation.

Just before the award presentations, Dr. Michael Mosely from Rocky Bayou Christian Church offered a toast to the entire class.

The 40 Under 40 Awards shines a spotlight on the accomplishments of young professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication to Okaloosa and Walton counties. These individuals have not only achieved significant career milestones but have also made a lasting impact on their communities through their philanthropic efforts and community involvment.

The honorees were nominated by friends, family members, or peers and asked to complete a thorough application. A committee of established community leaders reviewed these applications, focusing on the nominee’s professional achievements, leadership qualities and commitment to making a difference. The final list of honorees represents a diverse range of industries, from non-profit organizations to publishers to entrepreneurs.

“United Way Emerald Coast is truly honored to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of these young professionals,” said Kelly Jasen, President & CEO, United Way Emerald Coast. “I hope their hard work, determination and community spirit serve as an inspiration to others. Congrats to all who have been recognized!”

The 40 Under 40 Awards was possible thanks to the generous support of Presenting Sponsor Florida Power & Light and additional sponsors including All In Credit Union, Eglin Federal Credit Union, Tap the Coast, Rocky Bayou Christian School, Ace50 Media, CCB Community Bank, Capital City Bank, Cox Media and Publix. Their commitment to recognizing the achievements of young leaders making a difference in our region made the celebration extra special.

For more information about the 40 Under 40 Awards, please visit united-way.org/emergingleaders or contact Aubrey Robbie at emergingleaders@united-way.org or 850-812-3386.

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United Way Emerald Coast is a local, volunteer-governed organization that works with hundreds of partners to fight for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Okaloosa and Walton counties. To drive positive change, United Way Emerald Coast evaluates our community’s diverse needs, mobilizes the caring power of the community, and directs resources to the areas that will have the most positive impact in our community.

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County will bring together art and water, two things that Emerald Coast residents are passionate about, at the fifth annual “Under The Sea” Underwater Museum of Art Gala.

On Thursday, May 11, from 6-9 p.m. at Grand Boulevard’s Town Center, attendees will dive into a night of fundraising while celebrating the kick-off of Art Month Walton County and the unveiling of two of the Underwater Museum of Art’s latest additions.

The Underwater Museum of Art is the first permanent underwater sculpture garden in the United States and is located in the Gulf of Mexico a little less than a mile off the Walton County shoreline. Sculptures lie in 58 feet of water. The museum is a project of the CAA’s Art in Public Spaces program created in partnership with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association.

“Not only are the art structures stunning to view underwater, but they have made a huge impact on the marine ecosystem,” said Allie Anderson, events director for the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. “The museum is fortunate to have a village of talented people in our community behind it, between the artists, logistical team specializing in deployment, the county, our staff and volunteers – it’s truly incredible what we all have done to make it happen.”

Commissioned sculptures are added to the garden each year. The sculptures not only attract art lovers, but also morph into a living reef, providing habitat for marine life.

The 2023 sculptures are: “Cetacean Remains” by Pat Mclain, “Madam Nature” by Andrew Luy, “One Tree” by Ann Moeller Steverson, “Opus” by Allison Wickey, “Quantum Reef” by Chris Chubb, “Space Nest” by Frank Henderson and “Welcome Home” by Zachary Long.

“We have beautiful new sculptures by two artists, Allison Wickey and Zachary Long, that will be on site for viewing at Under the Sea,”  Anderson said. “Each sculpture weighs over 1,800 pounds, is about six feet high and will be placed in the Underwater Museum of Art this year. This is your chance to see these sculptures on land before they are immersed offshore.”

Those attending the gala will be treated to art, live music, great food and unique cocktails. An opening act, Stormfolk, will give way to The Cleverys, who provide a blend of comedy and music. The Cleverlys have performed at some of the nation’s largest festivals including Stagecoach, Telluride and the CMA Music Fest.

Some of the area’s favorite chefs will be preparing food for the evening. Cocktails will be available throughout the event at cash bars.

Event proceeds will be used for next year’s Underwater Art Museum installation. Tickets are on sale at CulturalArtsAlliance.com/upcoming-events for $60. Day-of-the-event tickets, if available, will sell for $75.

We are giving away two tickets to this year’s Under the Sea fundraiser as well as a one-night stay at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa! Enter to win here.

William Loiry has for years organized and conducted summits related to leadership and opportunities for business contractors, but that’s not to say he doesn’t get excited when a new event enjoys a successful first year.

The inaugural Northwest Florida Economic Summit took place in October 2022 at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. Positive feedback and enthusiastic attendance led to plans for a 2023 edition of the event, which will take place in early November 2023.

The 2022 event included U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, who represents Florida’s 2nd Congressional District, and Jennifer Conoley, president and CEO of Florida’s Great Northwest, as keynote speakers. Rowland Publishing editor Steve Bornhoft and associate publisher McKenzie Burleigh joined on a panel focused on technology that featured the insights of Steve Millaway, founder/CEO of TechFarms Capital; Vincent Mayfield, CEO of Bit-Wizards; and Keith Bowers, director of the Leon County/Tallahassee Office of Economic Vitality.

Highly popular were the matchmaking sessions where attendees had the opportunity to meet with local, state and federal officials who administer grants and award contracts. In many cases, those initial meetings resulted in plans for continuing conversations.

Loiry was particularly excited by plans among participants on a Northwest Florida leadership roundtable, who emerged from that discussion resolved to get together throughout the year to strategize about ways to diversify the regional economy.

“The summit and the leadership roundtable exist because many are concerned about too much tourism or out-of-control growth,” Loiry said. “We intend to alleviate some of this anxiety with a roadmap for healthy economic diversification in this region.”

The 2023 event, like the first conference, will include speakers, matchmaking sessions, panels and opportunities to network with business leaders and influential agencies.

“A major focus for the 2023 event will be the expansion of tech in Northwest Florida as a growing economic sector,” Loiry said. “And we will increase the number of local, state, and federal agencies to coincide with the interests of audience members who are helping Northwest Florida develop in positive ways.”

Each year, the summit will change locations to spread the positive economic impact it generates throughout the region. Updates will be posted at NorthwestFloridaLeadershipForum.org and usdlf.org.

» Want to Go? Find out about more Defense Leadership Forum initiatives, as well as all upcoming summit and networking events, by visiting usdlf.org.

Springtime Tallahassee is excited to announce that the 54th annual festival will be back in downtown Tallahassee April 1-2, 2022. Also returning this year will be the Grand Parade along Monroe Street.

“We are pleased to have all events back downtown in their usual location as previous years,” said Trey Faulkner, Springtime Tallahassee’s President. “We look forward to a fun filled weekend and hope everyone will plan to join us.” 

The MusicFest on Kleman Plaza will be held on Friday Night, kicking off at 6pm featuring nationally known entertainment. The Grand Parade will march down Monroe Street starting at 10:30am Saturday morning and is sure to bring back that traditional Springtime Tallahassee feel. The Jubilee in the Park is scheduled to begin at 9am and run to 5pm featuring a children’s park, arts and crafts, food and boutique vendors in addition two entertainment stages. 

“I am super excited to bring our Festival back home this year to its traditional spot in Downtown Tallahassee,” shared Becky Scaringe, this year’s General Chair. “I love being able to showcase the history of our beautiful city through our organization, not only to our local residents but to our out-of-town guests from all over the southeast area.” 

Springtime Tallahassee Festival’s kick-off event will be on March 9th with the newly revised “Breakfast on The Moon” at The Moon from 7am-10am. For a complete listing of festival events and updates please visit our website at  www.springtimetallahassee.com. or for more information, contact the Springtime Tallahassee office 850-583-9613. 

Springtime Tallahassee is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting all of Tallahassee’s assets as the capital of Florida through nonpartisan events and service activities.

A dazzling roster of celebrity winemakers, mixologists and chefs will converge April 21-24, 2022 in idyllic South Walton’s Grand Boulevard Town Center to wine, dine, educate and entertain guests as part of the four-day celebration of wine, spirits, food, music, fun and goodwill.

Celebrating 10 years in 2022, the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival — an award-winning, nationally ranked event — draws wine and food industry icons such as Peter Mondavi, Jr., Marc Perrin, Don Hartford, Cristina Mariani-May, Jean-Charles Boissett, Norman Van Aken and South Walton’s own Chef Emeril Lagasse and many more. Given the caliber of A-list participants, it’s no wonder USA Today touted it as “one of the South’s standout food and beverage festivals.”

Here, we provide a personal “tour” of the highly anticipated highlights planned for the ninth year of this popular charity event.

The Festival kicks off in fine wine fashion in the Culinary Village with a VIP Wine Tasting on Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Delivering the ultimate wine experience, limited tickets are sold to this exclusive event which gathers you with fellow wine lovers and top wine celebrities. Whether an aficionado or novice, you will sip rare and collectible wines from your commemorative XL Riedel glass and savor high-end food tastings created by the chefs of Grand Boulevard and South Walton’s rave restaurants. Relax; your VIP status gives you express entry into Friday’s Craft Beer & Spirits Jam as well as Saturday’s and Sunday’s Grand Tastings.

Keep the party going at the best block party of the year in the Town Center and Grand Park with Friday night’s Craft Beer & Spirits Jam from 6 to 9 p.m. Taste and enjoy specialty craft beers and spirits from the hottest breweries and distilleries in the country. Meet the makers of these lively libations, and chat up master mixologists as they craft creative cocktails. Nosh on fantastic food all along EATS Street, and jam to live music.

Before, you swirl a single wine at the Grand Tastings (Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.), take a moment to download the Festival wine list from the newly refreshed Sowalwine.com website. Create your own custom wine tour by mapping out the tent locations of favorite “friends” and a few you’d like to “meet.” Having a plan is wise when there are more than 600 domestic and imported wines to discover. But wine isn’t all there is to drink in. Included in your ticket price are Savor South Walton Culinary Village, Tasting Seminars, Rosé All Day Garden, Spirits Row, chef demos and the Nashville Songwriters Showcase. Cheers to that!

Each year, wine A-listers come to showcase trending wines, which infuse the event with fresh excitement. A must-not-miss this year is Château Minuty, the global leader in luxury Cotes de Provence Rosé, which will be making a special appearance. Château Minuty abounds in leading beach clubs, restaurants and luxury retailers from Saint-Tropez to Monaco and beyond. Join in the celebration of the French Riviera lifestyle, personified by these luxury rosé wines. Sample the Château Minuty wines with pairings by top local proprietor/chefs along with the VINTUS wine team. Master Sommelier Craig Collins will be presenting exciting educational seminars in Grand Park.   

Wine is best shared and paired. Food is in the name of this Festival for good reason. Top chefs from near and far gather at the Festival to present their artfully curated creations designed to pair with the wines being poured. Foodies will delight in the delicious dishes artfully orchestrated by local Festival Culinary Director Scott Plumley throughout the Savor South Walton Culinary Village and peppered along EATS Street — the feast of flavors will satisfy and surprise.

What pairs with good food and wine? Great music! Amplifying the atmosphere is the Great Florida Event’s Nashville Songwriters Showcase, creating a sensational live “soundtrack” of the Music City’s top talent.

The toast of the event is surely Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF), the beneficiary of this charity event. The Festival works in concert with DCWAF — of the nation’s Top Charity Wine Auctions in the U.S. — to raise funds for children in need in Northwest Florida.

Whether your tasting tour has led you to an old flame or a new love, you can purchase your favorite wine discovery in the Retail Wine Tent located on-site.

To purchase tickets and learn the latest, visit Sowalwine.com.

495 Grand Blvd, Miramar Beach, FL 32550  |  (850) 837-3099 ext. 203  |  SoWalWine.com