The Latest Stories from SoWal.com

The Festival of the Arts, produced by Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF), is one of the Southeast’s premier juried art festivals. Continue reading...

Get ready for a day of fun, fishing, and community spirit at the Reelin' for Rivers Catfish Tournament on August 4th at Stinky's Bait Shack in Dune Allen Beach on Scenic 30A! The exciting event invites both kids and adults to cast their lines and compete in a thrilling catfish tournament, all while supporting the family of young Rivers Hunter*. With divisions for children (14 and under) and adults, everyone has a chance to reel in the big one! Entry fees are $50 for both kids and adults, and generous donations are greatly appreciated. Continue reading...

Sinfonia Gulf Coast presents an Evening with Alysha Umphress at Seagar’s Prime Steak & Seafood on Tuesday, September 17. Beginning at 5:30PM, the evening includes valet, champagne reception, multi-course dinner, wine, gratuity and performance. To view seating options and purchase tickets, visit sinfoniagulfcoast.org. Continue reading...

Enjoy authentic Jamaican Features at RFT all week, August 1st - August 6th with chef inspired Jamaican cuisine and Jamaican inspired adult beverages. Celebrate Jamaican Independence Day at Red Fish Taco on Sunday, August 4th from 6-9pm with live music, food & fun. Jamaican Independence Day Celebrations Aug. 1st - 6th: Enjoy Jamaican Daily Features Aug 1 - River Dan Aug 2 - Duck Phat Aug 3 - JSG Band Aug. 4th - Tribe Zion Continue reading...

Animoré Weekend kicks off on Friday, September 20th, with Alaqua Animal Refuge’s 8th Annual 100 Point + Cult Wine Dinner. Beginning at 5pm at Alaqua in Freeport, Florida, this is an evening of luxe savoring and sipping, a fête is not to be missed. Continue reading...

Choctawhatchee Audubon Society, is currently facing a critical moment. Volunteers and new board members are needed to help the local organization keep up with the demands of organizing and running bird walks, educational programs, and conservation efforts that we all cherish. Without additional support from our community, they may not be able to continue providing these wonderful experiences and resources. Continue reading...

Farm & Fire, a favorite South Walton waterfront restaurant on the bay, offers a diverse menu and dining experience that is sure to please with incredible views and memorable sunsets. Continue reading...

The Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center recently released seven rehabilitated sea turtles back into the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico after having spent time at the CARE Center. The turtles were returned home to the Gulf at Topsail Hill State Preserve State Park, where several hundred locals and tourists gathered and cheered. Even a group of dolphins joined in the celebration, swimming alongside the turtles as they made their way back into the Gulf. Continue reading...

The Carrier family of Louisiana is as synonymous with Zydeco music as beads are with Mardi Gras. Troy Carrier, better known as Dikki Du, marks the third generation of the Carriers to keep the musical tradition alive. He picked up the washboard at nine years old, the drums at 13, and traveled the world professionally at 19. But Carrier’s life changed when we decided he wanted a band of his own. Continue reading...

Here is the 2024-2025 School Calendar from Visit South Walton - Use it to help plan your trips to SoWal. Locals can see when to promote business, events, and when to plan around traffic, and crowds at restaurants and grocery stores. The school calendar shows when K-12 schools and universities/colleges in our major travel markets will be on break and for school start dates. South Walton School Calendar includes 30A travel info for Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break and other holidays. Continue reading...

The St. Joe Company has announced plans by the Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation, an arts-supporting non-profit organization, for the Longleaf Art Park at the Watersound Origins community. The park, which is currently under development off Origins Parkway, is planned for 15.5 acres and will be open to the public once complete. Day-to-day operations will be managed by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. Continue reading...

Walton County Tourism has unveiled the new brand chosen to represent the welcoming communities in Walton County located north of the Choctawhatchee Bay – Authentic Walton. Continue reading...

Hotel Effie, the 250-room boutique hotel located at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, has become a part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection. As a newly-minted member of the Autograph Collection, Hotel Effie enters the brand’s unique portfolio of diverse properties, with more than 295 hotels globally. Carefully selected for hotels’ thoughtful vision and passion, each Autograph Collection property creates a singular and special guest experience through its inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality. Continue reading...

Dune Watch is a classic, family-friendly home in a prime location next to Grayton Beach State Park, the newly renovated and expanded Grayton cottage offers excellent Gulf and dune views. And not just any dunes, these are the dunes dreams are made of. Dunes as far as the eye can see, right up to the emerald waters of the Gulf Of Mexico. In decades past, summer kids would play in these dunes (now forbidden), creating forts in the hollows where imagined pirates hid their treasure. Continue reading...

According to a recent article from Southern Living Magazine, Bud & Alley's Waterfront Restaurant in Seaside is one of 17 of Florida's Most Legendary restaurants. A distinction we applaud and feel like we already knew! Continue reading...

The Cultural Arts Alliance Of Walton County (CAA) is excited to collaborate with Watersound Town Center for another 30A Songwriters Festival Summer Series, as part of their Sounds of Summer. Everyone is invited to enjoy live music, theater, outdoor movies and more under the shade of The Pavilion at Watersound Town Center. Continue reading...

The Seaside Institute is honored to bestow the 2025 Seaside Prize upon two distinguished individuals: Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson. The celebration will take place the weekend of February 7 through February 9, 2025, with a variety of events and symposia. Continue reading...

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the annual reminder that juvenile black bears might be seen in unexpected areas as they leave their mothers’ home ranges in search of new locations of their own to settle down. Spring also marks a general increase in activity for bears after limited movements in winter. Continue reading...

The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County is hosting the 2023 Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Visual Arts touring exhibition. The public is invited to attend an opening reception for the exhibit on Thursday, June 20 from 5 -7pm at The Foster Gallery. Continue reading...

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that as we enjoy our beaches this Memorial Day weekend and beyond, nesting season is underway for our state’s imperiled sea turtles and shorebirds along our coasts. Continue reading...

Best in Show: Peter Clark, Arboriform Curator's Choice: Johannes DeYoung, The Endless Mile Special Recognition: Svitlana Reinish, Infinity Whispers Special Recognition: Yandell Walton, Transient Entanglement Special Recognition: Ryan Lewis, They the People See all artists work and festival info at www.digitalgraffiti.com. The festival's juried show featured the works of 57 finalists from the worldwide arena, selected from over 125 submissions. Finalists represented 16 countries, with 5 of the 7 continents, and 19 states. The Emerging Artist Showcase included the art works of students from Cypress College (CA), Savannah College of Art & Design (GA), University of Missouri (MO), Western Washington University (WA), Seaside Neighborhood School and Seacoast High School (FL). The total number of exhibiting artists was 139 showing 72 artworks, with 45 artists in attendance. See Photos...

Summer visitors to Walton County will once again be able to enjoy complimentary day-use admission to Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Continue reading...

The Village of Baytowne Wharf proudly hosts the Tequila & Taco Fest on Saturday, May 11th. Enjoy three days of culinary & music events, May 10th - 12th, featuring a Black Sheep Tequila Kick Off Party, 11th Annual Tequila & Taco Fest, and Bye Bye Brunch. Tickets on Sale Now! Continue reading...

Get ready to pinch, peel, and party at the 13th annual crawfish boil from 4 - 7 PM - live music from The Wildlife Specials, and celebrate the beginning of Local Catch's 13th year in business! Don't miss out on the fun, mark your calendars now! 3711 W County Hwy 30A Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459 (850) 622-2022 localcatch30a.com Continue reading...

Join the community and Cultural Arts Alliance Of Walton County in Grand Boulevard Town Center on Wednesday, May 1 from 6 - 9 p.m. for Dine + Dive, a fusion of fine art, food and wine event igniting all of the senses to benefit the nation’s first Underwater Museum of Art. Continue reading...