Nature festival a weekend of outdoor fun

Join the South Walton Community Council for a fun weekend of nature based activities Oct. 15-17. The Back to Nature Festival offers visitors and locals an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Walton County.

Kayak the dune lakes, take a river safari, go on an ecology walk, or bring the family to Seaside for a day of family fun.

Most events are about two hours long and cost $10 unless otherwise noted. Events will be closed after maximum participant limits are reached so register early! Registration will begin in mid-September. To register, Click here

Friday, Oct. 15

6 p.m. – Welcome Night at Bud and Alley’s - Come to the welcome night for the 9th Annual Back to Nature Festival at Bud and Alley’s Restaurant in Seaside!  Enjoy a strolling dinner with complimentary house selected wine or beer and cash bar.  You will have the opportunity to meet event leaders and fellow nature enthusiasts, register for events, and preview selected items for our silent auction to be held on Saturday.  All proceeds from the silent auction and a percentage of proceeds from the strolling dinner go to benefit the mission of the SWCC, to preserve and protect our natural environment.  $25 per person. ::MAP:: Read More…

Posted under Biking, Birding, Eco tourism adventure, Kayak/Canoe, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, paddle/surf/boat

Ponce DeLeon Springs. ©Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Enjoy a free lunch and a swim at the springs

Time: 10  a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park, along with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department and the Holmes County School System, will be sponsoring the 14th annual Picnic in the Park. As a way of saying “Thank you” to all visitors, free lunch will be served to everyone. This will be a fun event for all ages.
Fees: Entrance fees to the park will be waived for the duration of the event.
Contact: (850) 836-4281
Directions: Ponce de Leon Springs State Park Area is located one-half mile south of U.S. 90 on County Road 181A. ::MAP::

To learn more about Ponce de Leon Springs State Park Click here

Posted under Eco tourism adventure, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks

Celebrate Literacy Sept. 7 and 8

Time: 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Eden Gardens State Park is sponsoring a fun-filled afternoon of reading events, including The Great Word Hunt in which the students will search the gardens for letters and then utilize those letters to create words; the team creating the greatest number of words will win a small prize. The day will be finished off with reading time facilitated by different costumed characters reading to the children at various locations within the park.
Participation Requirements
Fees: Park entrance fees will be waived to participants.
Contact: (850) 267-8322
Directions: Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395.

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, Parks

Catch a big one this October!

Established in 1948, The Destin Fishing Rodeo is the ultimate fishing tournament for saltwater anglers of all ages.

• Open Everyday – October 1st through October 31st
• The Rodeo is FREE to angler’s fishing aboard a registered boat in the Rodeo. to contact a registered boat go to: www.destinfishingrodeo.org/registeredboats.html
• Weigh-ins everyday on the docks at A.J.’s Seafood & Oyster Bar from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
• Open to Private and Charter Boats
• FREE entry for Pier, Bridge, Jetty & Surf Fishing
• Over 30,000 anglers compete throughout the month of October
• Over $100,000 awarded in cash and prizes
• Daily, weekly and overall prizes.
• Junior, Teen, Ladies and Senior Divisions.
• Virtually every gamefish is recognized with awards during the Rodeo. Whether you’re trolling inshore for King Mackerel, offshore for Marlin and Sailfish, or fishing the deep bottoms for Red Snapper and Grouper, you’ll be in the running for prizes. Click here for more information on tournament

Located on Destin Harbor.
1/4 mile East of the Destin Bridge. ::MAP::

Posted under Eco tourism adventure, Fishing, Outdoor Family Fun

Rib-bit!

Location/time: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park  – 7:30 p.m.

Come and join the folks at Topsail  for a program on native frogs and toads of northwest Florida. Learn all about these noisy yet elusive creatures. Discover where they might be found, how to distinguish species by their unique calls, and their adaptations for survival in this fun and informative outdoor slideshow presentation.  Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the outdoor amphitheater.

All programs require a $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park.

::MAP::

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun

GRAMMY-winner Vince Gill will headline a free outdoor “Back to the Beach” concert Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, at The Links Golf Course driving range at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The gates will open at 4 p.m. and the concert starts at 6 p.m. Bring your own blankets to sit on the open lawn.

The show will be a ticketed event and tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Limit 10 tickets per person. To acquire tickets, go to: beachesofsouthwalton.com/backtothebeach2010
Ample parking at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will be available for concert goers.

Gill is one of the most popular and most recorded country singers of the past quarter-century. He has sold more than 26 million albums and has received 20 GRAMMY awards throughout his career. For more information on Vince Gill, visit www.VinceGill.com.

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun

New ATV/motor cross track is one of the new features at Vortex. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Enhancements to include racetrack, airstrip, new lodging

Lowell Kelly, owner of Vortex Spring, has big plans for the popular diving and swimming facility located in Ponce de Leon. New enhancements to the park include an ATV/motor cross racetrack, paintball course and a 3,000 ft. airstrip located on newly acquired acreage adjacent to the facility.

“People will be able to fly in, take scuba lessons and stay at Vortex,” Kelly said.

Future plans to the park include upgraded lodging and expansion of the educational facilities. Read More…

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, Parks

Posted under Fishing, Outdoor Family Fun

Photo by Chandler Williams of Modus Photography

If you have seen the exciting action here is your last chance for the season

The final race of the 2010 YOLO Board Stand-Up Paddle Series kicks off at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19 at the WaterColor BoatHouse off of 30A in South Walton.

This year’s series includes 14 Women’s teams, 11 Men’s teams and 4 Elite teams. Join the fun and watch the 29 teams compete in the finale event to determine who receives the champion title “YOLO Board Cup Series” in the Men’s, Women’s and Elite Divisions.  Champions will be awarded following the last race. The family friendly event is free and open to the public.

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, paddle/surf/boat

Florida Trail Association – Choctawhatchee and Western Gate Chapters

Activities August/September 2010

Courtesy http://choctaw.floridatrail.org

Activity Participants Please note: Contact the activity leader well in advance for more information and/or to reserve your place (Space is limited.) Unless instructed otherwise by the activity leader, each participant should bring: day pack, plenty of water (recommended minimum, 2 quarts), sun protection (hat, glasses, screen), insect repellent, lunch and or snacks, adequate clothing for the forecast, and comfortable, sturdy close toed shoes with socks. Long pants, work gloves, and extra water are recommended for work hikes. Activity leaders may deny participation to anyone who is inadequately prepared.

The Western Gate Chapter (western area) and Choctawhatchee Chapter (eastern area) span a longitude difference greater than 80 miles. All activities are open to the public unless noted otherwise. Read More…

Posted under Kayak/Canoe, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking