Plant seedlings, tour exhibit hall, take a guided hike and view a film

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center at Nokuse Plantation will be hosting a “Creating a Garden with Children” open house event on Sat. Mar. 27, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  The exhibit hall will be open, guided hikes will be available, scheduled films will be featured and Master Gardeners will be on hand to assist children in planting seedlings in the center’s new vegetable garden.  Public is welcome.

Come see first hand the facility and staff in action and get a glimpse of what the center offers the students in your county.

For more information, please visit the E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center website at www.eowilsoncenter.org or call (850)835-1824.

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

Ever dream of becoming a rock star?

The Merchants of Seaside and the Seaside Repertory Theatre presents Seaside Rocks tournaments March 19 and April 9 at the Seaside Amphitheater.  The two separate tournaments give amateurs and experts alike the chance to show off their skill and originality as they compete to win a grand prize of a gift certificate at Best Buy. The tournament is open to players over the age of 13, and there is a $10 registration fee to enter. The final rounds of the tournament will be open to the public in the Seaside Amphitheater at 7:00 p.m., and will conclude with an audience vote to decide the winner. A maximum of 100 contestants may enter for each week. Anyone interested in signing up for the event can visit www.seasiderep.org or call 850-231-0733.
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Posted under Outdoor Family Fun

This outdoor interpretive will focus on tracking animals and finding out how many are in an area any what type with avid tracker Mike Townsend. Meet at the Day-Use parking lot off Hwy 30A and be sure to wear sunscreen and boots.  Be ready to hike at least 2 miles. $6.00 entry admission into the park

Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A.

Call (850) 267-8330 for more details. Located in Santa Rosa Beach, the park is located 1/4 mi. south of U.S. Hwy 98 on western end of Scenic Hwy. 30A.  ::MAP::

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

Learn about park wildlife at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A, Santa Rosa Beach

Saturday, March 13 – 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Come and join the Rangers of Topsail Hill and ask them all the questions you can think of about park wildlife.  To cover the cost of food please bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park or bring your own breakfast. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.
Contact: (850) 267-0299. ::MAP::

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun

3000 runners will be participating in the Seaside School half marathon race along Scenic Hwy. 30A.

Help keep the runners safe by observing the following road closures along Scenic Highway 30A:

•    The eastbound lane of 30-A will be closed from 6:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. from Seaside to Highway 393 at Gulf Place.
•    Both lanes of Highway 30-A will be closed from Western Lake Dr. at Watercolor to Dogwood Street in Old Seagrove from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
•    The westbound lane of Highway 30-A will be closed from Seaside to Grayton Beach (Highway 283) from 6:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
•    Both lanes of 30-A from Gulf Place to Village Boulevard (just west of Highway 83) will be closed from around 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun

Events in Santa Rosa Beach include presentation Mar. 26 and tours of Scenic 30A Mar. 27

Almost two years after being designated as a Florida Scenic Highway, Walton County’s Scenic 30-A corridor is more vibrant than ever. After officially earning designation as a Florida Scenic Highway in May of 2008, Scenic 30-A has continued to work towards improving the overall traveling experience along the corridor. With continuous support and assistance from local residents, state and local government representatives, business owners, and community organizations, this 28.5 mile corridor will celebrate its natural, cultural, historic, recreational, archeological, and scenic resources during Florida Scenic Highway Day.

In celebration of this exceptional corridor the Friends of Scenic 30-A will be hosting an opening ceremony for Scenic Highway Day, Friday evening March 26, 2010 at the Walton County District 5 office located at 70 Logan Lane in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m (CST). During this opening ceremony, a short documentary on Coastal Dune Lakes will be shown following a brief presentation about the Florida Scenic Highway Program. That evening and the following day, visitors can stop by the office to pick up brochures, educational materials, and other information about Scenic
Highway 30-A.
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Posted under Outdoor Family Fun

Irish dancers in Seaside. Photo courtesy brandanbabineax.com

Dance an Irish jig at the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Seaside

The Merchants of Seaside invite everyone to all things Irish during their 2nd annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Enjoy the sounds of Irish/Celtic music, and to accompany the live music will be The Drake Irish Dancers of Fort Walton Beach who will be performing a variety of jigs and reels. The school has produced 2 Open Champions and one qualifier for the World Championship Competition. The dancers range in age from as young as 5 to adult. The dancers will take to the stage in the Amphitheater at 6:00 p.m.

If Celtic music is your pleasure, you will not want to miss Mithril taking the stage at 7:00 p.m. Mithril is fast becoming one of the most sought after Celtic/World music groups on the concert series scene. The band’s unique progressive style has its roots in traditional Celtic music but moves far beyond that, weaving such diverse influences as American folk, classical, and Middle Eastern melodies into their full tapestry of sound. Mithril continues to push at the boundaries, taking audiences of all ages on an exotic musical journey to Ireland, Scotland, and beyond.

And keep your eye out for our celebrated, special guest. The Seaside resident Leprechaun will make an appearance throughout the evening with her pot o’ gold.

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun

Waterfall at the base of the steephead at Shoal Sanctuary. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Trails, sculptures and serenity await the nature lover in Mossy Head

Tucked away off the beaten path in north Walton County there is a unique outdoor experience for nature lovers called the Shoal Sanctuary.

Located on 50 acres of trails, sculptures and serene vistas, proprietors Robert and Chris Larson welcome visitors to their retreat dedicated to sharing the beauty of the outdoor experience and appreciation of Mother Nature’s gifts.

Recorded history dates back to the 1830s. The property is believed to of been along the path of the “Trail Of Tears.” After the U.S. government’s “Indian Removal Act,” Cherokee, Seminole, Creek, Timuquan, Muskhogean, and Apalachee were forced migrate west,  and lore sites a leg of that journey along the old Indian footpath now called Crowder Chapel Road near the retreat. Local Native Americans have said that Shoal Sanctuary was once a ceremonial gathering place.

In 2000, the Larson’s acquired 35 acres of land adjacent to their existing 16-acre property, and began a reforestation project blazing trails and developed the retreat along their Shoal river property. Long-leaf pine, ash magnolia, Torreya pine and other native trees have been planted to restore the land as the Larson’s participate in Florida’s Forest Stewardship program.

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Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

Sand dunes along the outfall on Camp Creek Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Recreational activities abound on these rare coastal dune lakes

Walton County Florida is well known for its beautiful beaches and great fishing. Less known to those that have never visited the area, are the unique and scenic coastal dune lakes that dot the coastline along the area’s beach dune systems.

Nestled along Scenic Highway 30A, Walton county’s coastal dune lakes are rare geological features that only occur in the Florida Panhandle, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and the northern Pacific coast of the United States.

Streams, groundwater seepage and rain are the sources that feed the coastal dune lakes. Storm surge creates intermittent connections to the Gulf of Mexico, called outfalls. This periodic connection empties lake water into the Gulf, and, depending on tides and weather, salt water and organisms from the Gulf flow back into the lakes. Read More…

Posted under Fishing, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks, paddle/surf/boat

Fun for everyone in store as New Heights Wrestling entertains in the ring

Red Bay Grocery in Bruce is hosting a wrestling match with New Heights Wrestling on Mar. 27. Show starts at 3 p.m.

“Last years event was so much fun they are going to do it again,” says Katie Barrineau, general manager of Red Bay Grocery.

Admission is free, bring your own lawn chair. Red Bay Grocery has everything else you need: BBQ, beer, snacks, and more

Red Bay Grocery
8704 Highway 81 S
Red Bay, Florida 32455
Phone: 850.836.2220
For more information, go to www.redbaygrocery.com

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun