Destin Life

🎶 THE SONGS YOU KNOW. THE STORIES YOU’VE NEVER HEARD. 🎶

Ever wonder about the story behind one of your favorite songs? Or what inspired the songwriter to write it?

You’ll get the chance Oct. 24–25 at the 2nd Annual Destin Songwriter Festival, when some incredible hit songwriters, award-winning artists and rising stars take over the beautiful Destin Harbor and The Alice for a weekend of music and storytelling!

If you missed it last year, you definitely won't want to miss it this year! The 2026 lineup includes:
Jeffrey Steele • Bridgette Tatum • Terri Jo Box • Carolyn Dawn Johnson • Jessie G • Bryce Leatherwood • Jamie Floyd • Reed Foley • Kelli Johnson • Matt Wynn — and more!

Hear the songs you know performed by the people who wrote them — and hear the stories, inspiration and moments behind the music.
• Five stages
• Waterfront songwriter rounds
• Live performances along Destin Harbor
• Ticketed Main Stage concert
• Exclusive VIP experience at The Alice
• PLUS free live music on side stages throughout the Harbor!

Believe me when I say, there’s just something special about hearing a great song straight from the songwriter — especially when they tell you the story behind it first.

Come for the hits. Stay for the stories. Experience the songwriters behind the music you love.
• Oct. 24–25, 2026
• Destin Harbor | Destin, Florida
• Tickets & festival information: DestinSongwriterFestival.com

Grab your friends and make a weekend of it in Destin! I know we are!

FWB Life Freeport Life SoWal Life and SoWal Connections Bay Life Lori Leath Miller Destin Songwriter Festival

We love sharing about the Destin Songwriter Festival! It showcases amazing talent, gets our community involved and brings great visitors to our area. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Last year, Emily Bass took the title. This year, it could be YOU. 🌴🎶

Songwriters—APPLY TODAY for the 2026 Destin Songwriter Festival Songwriter Competition!

We’re celebrating our 2025 winner, Emily Bass, and looking for the next original song to take the spotlight.

🎤 THREE finalists perform LIVE on our Main Stage October 24 in Destin
🏆 ONE champion wins $500 and the 2026 title
✨ FREE entry—submit one original song you wrote or co-wrote

You’ve put your heart into your song. Give it a chance to be heard.

Applications close October 9. Apply today:
https://www.destinsongwriterfestival.com/songwriter-competition-2026

Tag a songwriter who belongs on this stage! 👇

It’s Almost Here Again! Get ready to set SAIL for a great cause!

We had so much fun last year and now “A Nautical Night 2 Remember” is back for its second voyage this Saturday, Oct. 3, at Legendary Marine Showroom—and attending this event means you’re doing something GREAT for our local kids!

Presented by 850Kidz, this special evening brings our community together for food, drinks, fun and auctions—all to help support local students right here in Okaloosa County.

Tickets are $150 per person and include food, beverages and a full open bar. Want to take it up a notch? The $850 Club includes two tickets plus access to the VIP Bourbon & Bubbles Below Deck Lounge.

Purchase tickets here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/a-nautical-night-2-remember-2

And what can happen when our community shows up? Last year, A Nautical Night 2 Remember raised an incredible $75,000 for the Destin Elementary PTO, helping fund updates to the school’s playgrounds! ❤️

Now, they’re doing it again!

Come enjoy a fun night out, bid on some fabulous auction items and help 850Kidz raise a BOATLOAD for area youth.

We love seeing our local businesses, organizations and neighbors rally around our schools and children. This is community supporting community—and that’s something worth celebrating!

• Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
• Legendary Marine Showroom
• Benefiting local students in Okaloosa County

Learn more at 850kidz.com or contact [email protected].

We’d love for you to join us to fill the room, raise those paddles and make the second voyage of A Nautical Night 2 Remember one to remember! 🌊⚓️❤️

The Market Shops will host The Market Shops 11th Annual Bloody Mary Festival , presented by Beach Liquors, on Saturday, October 10. The annual event, benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, will feature unlimited tastes of South Walton’s most creative and innovative bloody marys.

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Raise a Glass: The Market Shops’ 11th Annual Bloody Mary Festival Returns Oct. 10 - Destin Life | News, Events and Community Information Presented by Beach Liquors and benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Walton County The Market Shops will host its 11th Annual Bloody Mary Festival,

Destin, I’ve had my first sip—and I’m already planning my next visit!

I stopped by Lucky Goat Coffee today for its ribbon-cutting with the Destin Chamber of Commerce and the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, and as a coffee connoisseur myself, I had to try the seasonal Pumpkin Spice cold brew. No sugar. And it did not disappoint! Super awesome!

Husband-and-wife owners Tom and Koley Houle have created a place for us neighbors to connect, friends to catch up and everyone to feel welcome. I love seeing another family-owned business bring that spirit to Destin.

The grand opening is TOMORROW, Thursday, Sept. 24! Doors open at 7 a.m., with a surprise for the first 100 customers.

36150 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Suite 107, Destin
City Market Plaza, near Chicken Salad Chick and Pure & Couture salon
(Find them in City Market Beachside next to Chicken Salad Chick & Destin Salon | Pure & Couture salon.)

Who’s making a coffee run tomorrow?

Having started my career writing about food and travel at Southern Living magazine, many of you already know I’m a resident foodie. So, believe me when I say your next dinner out might need to end with sweet potato cheesecake. Even if you don’t like sweet potatoes. Have you ever even heard of it?

My hubby, Scott, and I recently enjoyed a magnificent dinner at Sea Oats Kitchen and Bar, The Island Resort & Convention Center At Fort Walton Beach’s new signature restaurant on Okaloosa Island, and friends, this one deserves a spot on your dining list!

Scott doesn’t even LIKE sweet potatoes… and he loved the sweet potato cheesecake. That should tell you how our entire dinner went!

But, let’s start at the beginning. Crab cake and hush puppies kicked things off, followed by wedge salads and absolutely wonderful entrées. Then came dessert—and apparently, we had some very important tasting to do!

We love key lime pie, and theirs was amazing—a real treat! But the BIG surprise was the divine sweet potato cheesecake. Rich, delicious, and good enough to win over our resident sweet potato skeptic! A BIG shout-out to Miss Lisa, the chef behind the house-made desserts—and, well, all of their creative menu offerings. This is food with real taste!

The people made the evening even better. Our server, Christian, was friendly and welcoming, and food and beverage manager Riley shared the story behind the restaurant’s name and its connection to the sea oats that help protect our beautiful beaches. A little coastal conversation makes a wonderful meal even more memorable, don't you think?

Scott and I were enjoying our honeymoon staycation, but you don’t have to be on vacation to enjoy a wonderful resort dinner right here in our own backyard. For your next date night, get-together with friends, or “let’s try somewhere new” evening, I highly recommend a visit to Sea Oats Kitchen and Bar.

And save room for the cheesecake. Even if you think you don’t like sweet potatoes. 😉

🍂 Lace up your running shoes and bring the whole family because one of Crestview’s biggest fall events is coming! 🍂

Join us on Saturday, October 10, for the Race for Grace 5K & Harvest Festival, presented by Saving Grace - Florida and Project Hope Florida. Whether you’re running for a personal best, walking with friends, or just looking for a fun day with the family, there’s something for everyone.

🏃 5K Race begins at 8:00 AM
🎉 Harvest Festival from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
📍 Twin Hills Park • Crestview, FL

Enjoy a full day of fall fun featuring:
🍁 Pumpkin Patch
🐐 Petting Zoo
🎶 Live Music
🍔 Food Vendors
🏰 Bounce Houses
🔨 Silent Auction

Want to make an even bigger impact? Join our peer-to-peer fundraiser and earn exciting prizes as you help support the life-changing work of Project Hope and Saving Grace. Fundraising rewards include a custom tumbler, a $100 gift card, AirPods Pro 3, Oakley Meta Glasses, and even a MacBook Air!

Every registration, every donation, and every step taken helps bring hope and restoration to lives in our community.

Invite your family, tag a friend, and make plans to spend the day with us. We can’t wait to see you at Twin Hills Park for an unforgettable day of fun, fellowship, and purpose!

Register today by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visiting the registration link.

Destin dresses up for a cause at the Second Annual Mayor’s Charity Gala Oct. 16! Bobby Wagner, Mayor of Destin will deliver the opening welcome, with Bernard Johnson and Shane Moody co-hosting the evening. Get your tickets now.

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Destin Dresses Up for a Cause at Second Annual Mayor’s Charity Gala Oct. 16 - Destin Life | News, Events and Community Information Emerald Coast Entertainment Group will present the second annual Mayor’s Charity Gala from 5:30-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Henderson Beach Resort in