The Coast Guard Auxiliary is also asking that everyone who participates in boating activity’s wear a life jacket. They understand that they are bulky, uncomfortable, and not stylish, but they are proven to save lives. The Coast Guard estimates that half the people lost at sea that did not have a life jacket on, could have survived if they were wearing one. New advances in Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s) have made them slimmer, more comfortable ,and have added style to the designs.

The Coast Guard also stated that in the event of an accident, the person determined to be at faulty will be held fully liable for all damages, and the associated costs, including damage to other vessels, docks, moorings, piers, and other nautical items.

The 2012 annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival will be held this year at the Fort Walton Beach Landing, beginning May 31^st till June 2^nd. Join us as we celebrate our cities history with this festival that has its roots all the way back to the early ‘50’s. Watch as Capt. Billy Bowleg’s attempts his hostile takeover of the city, as well as other events. There will be activities for all ages, and vendors will be present offering pirate themed items, as well as jewelry, trinkets, treasure maps, and other valuable items. There will also be local and regional vendors with mobile concession trailers offering food and grog. Fireworks, balls, parades, and more await the adventurous that wander Fort Walton’s downtown area during the Billy Bowlegs festival.

INFO:
WHEN: May 31^st – June 2^nd.
WHERE: Fort Walton Beach Landing, located in Downtown Fort Walton Beach.
COST:  This event is free to attend. There will be vendors present offering attendees many things to purchase.
AGES: This event is open and appropriate for all ages. If you wish to purchase alcohol from any of the vendors, a valid ID will be required.

INFO:
WHEN: May 26^th, From 9:00AM until 5:00PM
WHERE: Choctawhatchee High School, located on Racetrack Rd. in Fort Walton Beach
COST: This event is free and open to the public. There is a registration fee if you would like to enter into the car show.
AGES: This event is appropriate for people of all ages.

MORE INFO: If you would like more info on this event, please email shalimarfec@gmail.com or call (850) 613-6988. If you would like to visit the events website, please visit www.stylemarchers.org/carshow.

INFO:
WHEN: May 12^th, from 10:00AM till 5:00PM, with demonstrations at 10:00AM and 2:00PM.
WHERE: Camp James Rudder, located 17 miles off of Lewis Turner Blvd, in Fort Walton Beach real estate.
COST: This event is free and open to the general public. This is a military function, and ID card checks, as well as other security measures will still be enforced strictly. Please have ID’s for everyone in your vehicle, as well as current and valid proof of insurance to gain access to the base for the event.
AGES: This event is appropriate for people of all ages.

MORE Information: If you need more information on this event, please email Benjamin Sevald at Benjamin.sevald@eglin.af.mil or call (850) 882-1205.

INFO:

WHEN: May 25^th, beginning at roughly 7:00PM (or whenever sunset is) till 10:00PM.
WHERE: Henderson Beach State Park, located off of Hwy. 98 in Destin, Close to Wal-Mart.
COST: This event is open and free to the general public.
AGES: This event is appropriate and open to people of all ages.

For more information, please call (850) 837-7550.

The annual “Burning Up the Beaches” car show will be held this year from May 4^th – May 6^th. This event is an annual fundraiser for Horizons of Okaloosa County, an ARC agency. Horizon’s offers residents of the county who have physical or mental handicaps education, training, and support. There is a $5,000 cash prize, as well as nightly door prizes, as well as a car show, meet and greet, and other events.

INFORMATION:

WHEN: Friday, May 4^th – Sunday, May 6^th. Begins at 9:00AM daily.
WHERE: Boardwalk, located on Okaloosa Island
COST: To attend the event is free. If you would like to participate or enter your car into the car show, there is a registration fee. There will also be vendors with mobile concession trailers offering event goers food and beverages.
AGES: This event is open and appropriate for all ages.

MORE INFO: If you would like more info on this event, or if you would like to register your car for the car show, please visit http://www.burningupthebeaches.com/ or call (850) 375 – 1037

You are cordially invited to join in on the festivity’s of the Rosemary Beach Walk Her Way as a way to raise awareness of domestic abuse . The walk, a mile strut through the town, will bring in much needed revenue for the Shelter House, which provides support to women and children that are affected by domestic violence. Participants are encouraged to wear a set of heels for the event, including women, children, and even yes, you men. Participants are also encouraged to decorate their heels, as prizes will be given away for best pair of heels, as well as other offerings. Team registration is highly encouraged. The event will also include the band “Heat and The Zydeco Gents” offering great music at an epic after party. So if your not too busy stand-up paddle boarding, this is a great way to get out in the community and help out those that need our help.

Details:
WHEN: Friday, June 15th
TIME: 5:30PM for the walk start.
WHERE: Rosemary Beach, Florida
COST: To attend this event is free. Advance registration is $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12 and includes a t-shirt. Registration the day of the walk will be an additional $5 per person.
AGES:This event is open to all ages.

For more information, please visit www.walkherway.com.

1. Go to the National Naval Aviation Museum, among the world’s largest aviation museums.
2. Study Pensacola’s rich history at the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum.
3. Browse works from greater than 200 local artists at the Quayside Art Gallery in downtown Pensacola, the most important co-op gallery throughout Southeast.
4. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy an outdoor concert at Evenings in Old Seville (Thursdays, May – September).
5. Study sea life and coastal ecology at  Gulf Islands National Seashore ranger-led classes for kids.
6. Enjoy the world-famous Blue Angels as they train on most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings (March – November) at the National Naval Aviation Museum. See the Blue Angels practice and show schedule.
7. Sit back and receive an excellent Gulf Coast sunset or sunrise.
8. Delight in nature and participate in a hike along at the Edward Ball Nature Trail located on the University of West Florida campus.
9. Beginning Tuesday evenings from May through September, assemble at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach for Bands at the coast concerts.
10. Go to Veterans Memorial Park – including a World War II Memorial, a Korean War Memorial and The Wall South – the countries only full-name permanent replica of Washington D.C.’s Veteran’s Memorial.
11. Uncover history at The Pensacola Colonial Archaeological Trail – when your timing is appropriate, you can actually take part in a dig.
12. Notice the only natural bluffs in Florida at Bay Bluff Park located along Scenic Highway 98.
13. Go bird watching at Project Green Shores – a habitat restoration mission alongside Pensacola Bay.
14. Walk through Pensacola’s Palafox Historic District and Pensacola Historic District where you will often discover valuable shops, museums and galleries and restaurants.
15. Walk throughout footsteps of a typical king and queen of Spain if you take the royal tour of Pensacola.
16. Play gaming of disc golf at Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze.
17. Benefit from the Sound of Summer concert series just about all Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Quiet water Shell on Pensacola Beach. (June – August).
18. Discover Fort Barrancas and Advanced Redoubt at NAS Pensacola.
19. Enjoy the area’s rich heritage by hiking the African-American Heritage Trail.
20. Plan your stay around one of our many get-togethers- Great Gulf coast Arts Festival, Pensacola Seafood Festival, Pensacola Jazz Fest and Goombay Gulf Coast to name a number of. For an entire overview and details, see our major calendar of events or on-going event calendar.
21. Indulge in completely free admission on Tuesdays at the Pensacola Museum of Art featuring touring art work of national prominence similar to Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali.
22. Have a peak at St. Michael’s Cemetery, a burial ground since the late eighteenth century.

Destin is known for its fishing. It is called the Luckiest Fishing Village for good reason. Whether deep sea fishing, back bay fishing or even fishing from the beach, you will surely enjoy it.