Upcoming Events

Where to find the Easter eggs in north and south Walton

Enjoy an Easter egg hunt at a variety of locations and dates in north and south Walton this 2024 Easter season.

March 26 – Walton County Coastal Branch Library Santa Rosa Beach Easter Egg Hunt – Join the Easter Egg Hunt for kids at Coastal Branch Library on Tuesday, March 26 starting at 10 a.m. Great for kids of all ages. This event is sponsored and fully supported by the Friends Group of Coastal Branch Library. Please bring your egg basket and your friends to the Coastal Branch Library for this outdoors event. Address: 437 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach. Phone: (850) 267-2809

March 30 – Camp Helen State Park Easter egg scavenger hunt will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sat., March 30, 2024. Families may check-in any time throughout the posted event time at the park, grab a designated age group egg hunt card and enjoy a color-coded hike which will take them on an educational journey through the park. Once all 6 colors have been collected, participants return the cards and eggs to the volunteers at the tables on the porch of the Historic Lodge for a special prize. The Easter Bunny will be there.
Attendees can also enjoy Gelato Love food truck, a silent auction of local gifts, a merchandise table, and kayak rentals on Lake Powell, the Largest Coastal Dune Lake in the northern hemisphere.
Park Fees
There is an honor entrance station. The fee is $4.00 per vehicle and $1.00 per bicyclist or pedestrian. Click here for park website.
Driving Directions
Camp Helen is located at 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, FL, just west of the Phillips Inlet bridge on the Bay and Walton County line. The entrance is south of U.S. Hwy 98. ::MAP::

March 30 – Celebrate an Easter egg hunt Eggstravaganza and Spring Festival at Freeport Regional Sports Complex from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on March 30, 2024.
Sponsored by the Freeport Town Planters Society, the event will feature pony rides, crafts, arts, touch tank, and food trucks.
Easter eggs that fall from the sky sponsored by Destiny Worship.
Times are:
Toddlers 0-3 at 10:00 a.m.
Ages 4-7 at 10:30 a.m.
Ages 8-11 at 11:30 a.m.
Freeport Regional Sports Complex is located at 563 Hammock Trail East, Freeport, Florida 32439

March 30 – Baytowne Wharf Easter Explosion – Bounce on over to the Village of Baytowne Wharf for an Easter Explosion, Saturday, March 30 from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy a day filled with face-painting, arts, crafts and more. Also, don’t forget to get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny. Address: 147 Tupelo Courtyard, Miramar Beach. Phone: (850) 267-8110

March 31 – First Methodist Church DeFuniak Springs Easter celebration and hunt – Get ready for a joy-filled morning of family fun and fellowship on Sunday, March 31 at 10:15 a.m. as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Children of all ages are invited to join us for an egg hunt on the front lawn of First Methodist Church. After the egg hunt, stick around for refreshments and goody bags for all participants. Address: 88 Circle Dr., DeFuniak Springs. Phone: (850) 892-5332

March 31 – Seaside Easter Celebration – Celebrate Easter in Seaside with the Easter Bunny at the amphitheater. There will be plenty of fun activities for guests of all ages beginning at 11 a.m. including face painting, an Easter egg hunt and photos with the bunny. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Address: Central Square, Seaside. Phone: (877) 508-9411

March 31 – Easter Egg Hunt at Heritage Church of Freeport – Come out and enjoy the egg hunt at the Heritage Church of Freeport at 12 Noon. Over 3,000 eggs and lots of prizes. Best decorated Easter bonnet and most eggs. Prize eggs. Heritage Church is located at 926 County Hwy. 83A, Freeport.

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Charity bass tournament in Freeport March 30

DeFuniak Springs Kiwanis is hosting a charity bass tournament at Black Creek Lodge in Freeport March 30, 2024. The tournament will begin at first safe light with 2 p.m. weigh in. Prizes are $2,000 1st, $750 2nd and $250 3rd place (1-29 80/20 payout 30 boats guaranteed). Entry fee is $100 per boat, $20 big fish.

Food will be available to purchase at registration at weigh in. Proceeds benefit Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches, Purpose One:27, and Removing Barriers Initiative For more information contact Rob Neale at 850-978-6480.

Black Creek Lodge is located at 710 Black Creek Lodge Rd., Freeport.

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Grand opening of 30A Trailhead April 2

Outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers are invited to celebrate the grand opening of the much anticipated 30A Trailhead on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM CST. Situated amidst the breathtaking scenery of Point Washington State Forest, this new trailhead promises to be a hub for adventure seekers and families alike.

The parking area and trailhead is located at 4695 E. Co. Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach just east of The Lodge Hotel and behind YOLO Board and Bike.

Learn more about this new trail here: https://waltonoutdoors.com/new-trailhead-in-point-washington-state-forest-opens-in-seagrove/

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Raised bed vegetable garden lecture in Santa Rosa Beach April 3

Horticulture UF/IFAS Extension agent Evan Anderson will inform and inspire your spring vegetable gardening with this highly sought subject on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 10 am.
The lecture will be at the Walton County Master Gardeners Coastal Branch, 70 Logan Lane, Santa Rosa Beach.

Reservations are required for this free event which is open to the public; email waltonctymg@gmail.com and indicate whether you will attend in person or via zoom. For more information, call 850-892-8172.

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Ranger led nature hike at Camp Helen State Park April 4

Enjoy a ranger-led nature hike at Camp Helen State Park on Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 10 – 11 a.m.

Join in for a ranger-guided nature hike. Camp Helen boasts nine distinct natural communities throughout the park with varied flora and fauna. Learn about our rare coastal dune lake, Lake Powell, as well as the park wildlife. Hike is suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather; water and bug spray are recommended.

The Friends of Camp Helen are excited to be open for kayak and SUP rentals 7 days a week from 9 am – 5 pm. Reservations can be made online at www.friendsofcamphelen.org or by calling (850) 238-1900. Walk ins are also welcome.

Park Fees
There is an honor entrance station. The fee is $4.00 per vehicle and $1.00 per bicyclist or pedestrian. Click here for park website.

Driving Directions
Camp Helen is located at 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, FL, just west of the Phillips Inlet bridge on the Bay County and Walton county line. The entrance is south of U.S. Hwy 98. ::MAP::

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Fly Into Spring kite festival on Okaloosa Island April 6, 7

Fly into spring this year and join the fun at Kitty Hawk Kites annual Fort Walton Beach Kite Festival. The festival will held at the Okaloosa Boardwalk on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, 2024 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

See some of the largest kites in the world take flight and decorate the sky with characters and animals as large as 100 ft. It’s sure to be fun for the whole family. Feel free to bring your own kites and fly!

For more information go to: https://www.kittyhawk.com/event/fly-spring-fort-walton-beach-fl/

Okaloosa Boardwalk is located on Okaloosa Island at 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE. Fort Walton Beach.

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On Safari presentation and public open house at E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center April 13

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in partnership with the Bay County Audubon Society will present “On Safari” with guest speaker Tom Nkwazi on Saturday, April 13, 2024. ‘Big Tom’ as he is known in his native country of Botswana, in southern Africa, is a professional safari guide of 15 years.

Their doors will be open to the public from 9 am to 2 pm, featuring presentations at 10:30 am and 11:30 am.  Explore the exhibit hall, hang out with Turtle Bob in the Reptile Room, check out food trucks, and have a blast!

Admission is $10/adults, $7 ages 4-12, and free for members.

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center is located at 4956 State Road 20, Freeport. For more information call 850-835-1824.

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Guided plant walk at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park April 15

You’re invited to a plant identification walk at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on the third Monday of the month.

The walk starts at 9:00 am at tram stop #2, and is led by Bill Kuenstler, Master Gardener and Master Naturalist. Learn about the many native plants at the park.

Driving Directions
Located in Santa Rosa Beach, the park is located 1/4 south of U.S. Hwy 98 on western end of Scenic Hwy. 30A.  ::MAP:

 

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