Be sure to check back often as updates about local news, items of interest, special announcements and more will be posted below. For more information media may contact Jon Ervin at Cottage Rental Agency, Seaside - 850.231.2334. Click for the latest information on the Gulf of Mexico - Includes local beach camera.
Win the Inn
Summer Dates at Fall Rates and get a free Vera Bradley tote!
Book Now and Be Here
All new reservations from 08/14/2010 - 09/02/2010 will receive will receive a Vera Bradley Tote as a gift. Traditionally only guests that stay at the Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley are given a special tote, but ALL vacation rentals will receive this gift with this limited time special offer.
AND there is more… Each new summer booking into our remaining inventory of great vacation rentals will be given one chance in a drawing to win a weekend in the entire Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley. The winner gets all nine guest rooms for two nights and may invite up to 19 total people to reside in Seaside, Florida. All guests receive a gourmet continental breakfast daily and all the other perks of staying with Cottage Rental Agency.
Make a plan to visit our beautiful beach this summer and stay in the Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley... and with luck you'll be saying to your friends and family, welcome to "My Inn" this fall.
Alan Hunter will be jockeying from Seaside, Florida
Posted 08/03/10
Tune into SiriusXM's Big 80's on 8 this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the late afternoon as Alan Hunter will be jockeying from Seaside, Florida locations such as Great Southern Cafe, CRUSH Wine Bar, Modica Market, Shrimp Shack and more!
SiriusXM Radio sent DJ Alan Hunter, one of MTV's first VJ's, down to tell their 18 million listeners that 30A's white-sand beaches are just as pristine as ever! Join MTV's very first VJ for some great food, drinks and laughs. Huge thanks to Alan and Sirius Radio for helping promote our beautiful Gulf Coast!
Click Here for more information and Sirius customers will be able to listen online.
Click Here for a collection of clips from the show.
The wedding took place in Seaside's lovely little chapel and the reception was held on the green of the Watercolor Inn. See below for a film clip from Kathleen and Josh's wedding film created by Diva Productions.
Click Here to see the amazing pictures by Amanda Suanne Photography.
Posted 08/02/10
Conde Nast Traveller
There is a four page photo essay featuring Seaside, Florida on news stands around the world in the August 2010 issue of Conde Nast Traveller.
The Walton County Tourist Development Council announced today that Grammy award winner Vince Gill will present a free outdoor “Back to the Beach” concert Saturday, Sept. 25th at The Links Golf Course driving range at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Gates will open to the public at 4 p.m., so guests can come early to set out their beach blankets. The concert will begin at 6 p.m.
The show, which is FREE to the public, will be a ticketed event. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Stay with us and we can provide all your occupants with tickets to this event (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)!! There will only be a limited supply available so call us now at 877-346-4384. The free outdoor concert will be held at The Links Golf Course driving range at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Gates will open to the public at 4 p.m., so guests can come early to set out their beach blankets. The concert will begin at 6 p.m.
* Ages 12 and under won't need tickets to enjoy the concert.
NOTE: YOU CAN COMBINE PROMOTIONS TO RECEIVE FREE TICKETS, A GIFT CARD FOR $250, AND UP TO 35% OFF REGULAR RATES! Call for Details.
Posted 08/18/10
Yolo Board Seaside Celebration
September 15-16
3 mile recreation class with over $5000 in prizes, 7 mile Elite Course with $5000 in prize money. Exhibition by South Walton Jr. Lifeguards and N.R.G. Boot Camp with Nikki Gregg.
September 17
Race Clinic with Chuck Patterson and Yolo Board Waterman Dinner.
September 18, 8:30-10:30
SUP Art Show, Awards ceremony and free concert at Seaside Town Center. Silent Auction Fundraiser in memory of Holly Burke and Jason Thompson for local Jr. Lifeguard Program, plus equipment demos, Yolo Burn classes, live broadcast from the SUP Radio Show for race coverage, Yolo Yoga classes and too much more to list.
Seaside is "seeing red"... again. The coastal holiday town, located on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast in the Beaches of South Walton, will host the 20th annual Seeing Red Wine Festival Nov. 4-7, 2010 throughout the town.
The four-day festival will include wine pairing vintner dinners, al fresco wine tastings, a wine paired brunch, live music and a wine retail sales tent.
The Seeing Red Wine Festival will begin on Thursday, Nov. 4th with a Vintner Dinner at Seaside's signature restaurant Bud & Alley's. On Friday, Nov. 5th Seaside will host its popular Al Fresco Reserve Tasting in Ruskin Place. Saturday, Nov. 6th Seaside hosts The Taste of THE Beach. Wine lovers can listen to live music, stroll the beach community, sample chocolates, cheeses and savory fare from the cuisine pavilion as well as a variety of domestic and international wines throughout town. The event concludes on Sunday, Nov. 7th with the grand finale, a Celebration of Bubbles at Great Southern Café.
Thursday, November 4th, 7:00PM
Vintner's Dinner at Bud and Alley's, $125/person
Kick off event, limited spaces available Contact: 850.231.5900
Friday, November 5th, 6:00-8:00PM
Al Fresco Reserve Tasting
Premier Tasting in Ruskin Place, $145/person
Elegant evening of wine sampling, hors d'oeuvres and live jazz Contact: 866-976-7990
Saturday, November 6th, 1:00-4:00PM
GRAND TASTING, $120/person
Main event, extensive wine sampling, hors d'oeuvres
Wine sales tent, and live music Contact: 866.976.7990
Sunday, November 7th, 11:00AM
Celebration of Bubbles
Great Southern Cafe, $40/person
Sparkling wines, live music, perfectly paired eats Contact: 850-231-7327
Taste of the Beach
This years Saturday’s Grand Tasting event is also featured as a highlight event of the 2nd annual Taste of the Beach festival across the Florida Gulf Coast. Visit Taste of the Beach for more information about the concurrent event. Click here to read an article on the inaugural Taste of THE Beach festival.
Additional Information
Also, read our 2009 News Release for lots of details on this annual event. Check out the 2010 Postcard and the 2010 Poster. Proceeds from Seeing Red Wine Festival and Taste of the Beach benefit eleven regional charities. Southwest Airlines is the presenting sponsor this year, now serving the region via the recently opened Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.
See the video below for regional coverage from the 2009 event-
Updated 08/11/10
Atlanta Social Season Magazine
Wedding Article
Click below to read an article from the Atlanta Social Season Magazine about the Nesbitt and Hanes wedding that took place right here in Seaside. There are lots of lovely photos of the event to see as well.
Steve Cropper, Jeffrey Steele, Lee Roy Parnell, Delbert McClinton and More to Perform.
The weekend of August 13-14, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will be the place to be for music lovers of all ages when the first ever Sandestin Music Festival hits multiple stages throughout the resort.
The weekend festival will begin with acclaimed singer/songwriters at Hammerhead's Bar & Grill from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by a jam session at Rum Runner's from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Finally, Graffiti & The Funky Blues Shack will take the evening home with a late-night concert from 10 p.m. to midnight.
On Saturday, Aug. 14, the popular Village Events Plaza in The Village of Baytowne Wharf will showcase the weekend's main headline act.
"We invite everyone to gather their families and join us for a wonderful weekend of top-shelf entertainment," says John Russell, Sandestin resort chief and president of Sandestin Investments LLC. "These talented artists represent the best in the industry. We are so fortunate to have such an incredible line up of award-winning performers. This is the perfect way for us to cap the summer season."
NW Florida Beaches on Frommers Top 12 for 2010
Tunisia, Copenhagen, Satiago de Cuba, Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Isle of Scilly UK, Melbourne Australia, NW Florida Beaches/Seaside…
What could these places possibly have in common causing them to appear together?
The award winning travel guide empire FROMMER’S has announced its TOP 12 DESTINATIONS, world wide, for 2010… and Seaside, Florida as part of Northwest Florida’s Beaches, was highlighted on the list! As the only continental US destination recognized, we are immensely honored.
As 2010 unfolds with a new airport opening 30 miles away, it is assuring to know that people seeking rewarding journeys will continue to enjoy the unspoiled place we call Seaside. Some may ask if change is coming for the peaceful nature of our community but that is part of the genius here... it is what it is. The outside world changes dramatically while Seaside preserves times gone by.
Click Here to see the entire list: Top 12 for 2010
Posted 12/04/09
Travel + Leisure's 100 Greatest Trips
The editors of the world's leading travel magazine, Travel + Leisure, have listed Seaside, Florida as one of the 100 Greatest Trips for 2009. Dreamland Heights and Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley are listed as places to stay and Bud and Alleys as a favorite place to dine. You can pick up a copy of this 288 page hardcover from your local bookstore.
Travel + Leisure's 100 Greatest Trips is the definitive guide to where to go this year. In one volume, the magazine's up-to-the-minute picks for the best hotels right now are combined with photographs from T+L world-renowned photographers to make a guide that is more than a guide. It's an evocative look at the hotels and resorts that will make your next trip the trip of a lifetime.
Check out
Click here to read an article in the new issue of Southwest Airlines' "Spirit" magazine and find out what kind of adventurer you are! The article features Seaside, Cottage Rental Agency, Braulio Casas Architects, YOLO Board Stand Up Paddleboards and more great area information.
Whether you are a Scenic Cycler, Paddle Pusher or Oyster Hunter, Seaside, Florida has something to temp your taste buds. Rent a beach cruiser at Seaside Bike Shop and explore the town that played a starring role in The Truman Show . Pedaling along the brick-paved streets and sand paths, you’ll pass one- to three-story cottages ranging from sea foam green to bright canary yellow. “The wraparound porches, overlooking towers, and white picket fences make Seaside the Martha’s Vineyard of the South,” says Braulio Casas of Casas Architecture in Seaside.
Posted 05/03/10
Video Segment Aired on 05/19/10
Watch our latest travel video segment featuring Stephanie Oswald, Editor-in-Cheif for Travelgirl Magazine.
Posted 05/19/10
Wedding Slideshow
Please click the link below to Amanda Suanne Photography’s website to watch the online slideshow of Kristen Worley & JD Thalman’s April 17, 2010 wedding in Seaside, Fl. The Bride and Groom enjoy competing in Ironman competitions together, all over the world. They even incorporated some of their competition photos and medals into the reception table décor.
Check out the article about Seaside from Southern Living's Tales from the Road series in which they talk about the condition of our beaches here in Seaside and the Cottage Rental Agency's No-Risk Deposit on rentals, shrinking the 30-day cancellation policy to just 24 hours. Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
View the article
-Kim Cross, Staff Writer/Photographer
Posted 07/12/10
Weddings Unveiled
Colette and John
Colette and John's recently had their dream wedding in Seaside, FL, photographed by Rae and Wesley Leytham of Rae Leytham Photography. The wedding had an airy lightness perfect for Florida in May. Colette wore a lace Vera Wang gown while her bridesmaids wore steel blue, creating the event's base palette of soft white and deep sea blue. While we're generally not fans of white tuxedos or suits, we'll make an enthusiastic exception in this case. The guys' crisp white suits and blue ties look very cool, Floridian and summery and work well for a barefoot wedding in the sand.
The stunning courtyard reception featured sparkling crystal chandeliers hung from tree branches and silver and blue floral linens set with low arrangements of white blooms in textured silver vases created by Nouveau Flowers. Don't miss John's sailboat groom's cake created by Confections on the Coast and the pretty seashell wedding cake.
Click here to read more about this wedding at Weddings Unveiled.
Visit the Rae Leytham photography blog for a full wedding recap!
posted 02/09/2010
CondeNast
We are very honored to be in the powerhouse travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller (U.K.) as the destination featured in their regular section “Room with a View” focusing on a different global destination each month. (December 2009) issue
The rooftop terrace of Beau Soliel, a five-bedroom beachfront cottage, is the property chosen by Conde Nast. Each of the three floors - the lower with two bedrooms, the top with a an open-plan living area with a vaulted ceiling - have a spacious, open-facing veranda and along with the rooftop terrace you just cant find a better gulfview.
Southern Living’s sister magazine Coastal Living was recently in the town of Seaside, Florida taking photos for the 5 page article Brunch in a Breeze. Be on the look out for the Coastal Living article this winter.
Click below to check out the recent feature about Seaside, Florida and the Inn by the Sea in the May/June 2010 issue of Florida Travel and Lifestyles.
View Article
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
Posted 06/01/10
Mud talks about Seaside on Rock 105.9
Mud, an on air personality with Rock 105.9 out of Nashville, recently visited Seaside. See below for an audio clip from his show about his recent stay here and click the link to see pictures from his trip-
Nearly 100 songwriters and performers from across the USA will be humming and strumming along the beaches of northwest Florida's South Walton County Jan. 15-17 in the inaugural 30A Songwriters Festival.
Held over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, the event will feature such marquee names as Rodney Crowell (She's Crazy for Leaving) and the Indigo Girls' Emily Saliers and Amy Ray. There will be solo concerts and multi-artist singing and storytelling sessions. Tickets cost $20 for a day pass; $40 for a three-day pass. Lodging packages are available.
Visit their site www.30asongwritersfestival.com , or call 850.622.5970 for more information. Stay in Seaside with Cottage Rental Agency, call our vacation planners at 866-966-4365.
Seaside vacation and plane tickets to flood victims
Our Director of Public Relations and Marketing, Jon Ervin, represented us in Nashville, Tennessee just recently. It was a special invitation from Southwest Airlines to join them as they visited some of the hardest hit neighborhoods. Small gifts were distributed door to door in Pennington Bend, Bordeaux, West Nashville, and Bellevue, to name a few. Southwest even gave away some plane tickets as grand surprises and we were honored to pair up several vacations to Seaside for these folks.
Jon had nothing but great things to say about the Southwest team but is still stunned at the floods far reaching impact. We will update our news page when the recipients choose to visit in the future. Nashville is definitely one of our good neighbors despite the miles in between, so our thoughts are there though this recovery.
The goal of the Southwest employees was to give flood victims a "light at the end of the tunnel" with free tickets, a Southwest beach bag or just a hug.
Chip Day, Director of Sales and Marketing for Cottage Rental Agency, was recently on the Morning Show for WEAR TV, ABC channel 3 out of Pensacola/Mobile. Check out the video here-
May is for Mom
View our video on our new May special or view more information
here.
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
Posted 04/22/09
One Tank Trip
featured Seaside, Florida
You may have already seen us featured on One Tank Trip for WEAR TV, ABC channel 3 out of Pensacola/Mobile. If you missed it check out the piece about Seaside below.
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 06/26/09
Seaside FruitCocktail
New Cocktail Bar in Seaside
This cocktail bar is located in the center of Seaside along Scenic Hwy 30-A. Here you can get a wide variety of fruit cocktails as well as any drink you can dream up. All fruit comes fresh from the Seaside Farmers Market. Enjoy a cup of sliced fruit soaked in six differnt kinds of booze or just go for an old time favorite like Seaside FruitCocktails version of Sand Gria.
Check out the Seaside FruitCocktail Menu, or view the newest Press Release.
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted on 07/07/09
Whale Sharks and Wolves Spotted in Grayton Beach
non-dangerous, natural wildlife
Five Whale Sharks appeared just offshore from Grayton Beach, Florida in the first week of August in 2009. They remained in the local waters for two days. Many of the people chartering the Grayton Beach fishing boats and one group of divers photographed and swam with the whales during the two-day event. A Whale Shark is not a whale (mammal) but is a gentle, non-dangerous, filter-feeding shark that is the largest living fish species.
James Griffith, a local firefighter/diver in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida captured the beautiful underwater video.The large school of bigger fish swimming with the whale shark are cobia.
Be sure to watch the video recently captured of a mother red wolf at the top of a small hill watching over her children as they play around a pool of water. Note the red tinge of hair on rear of the head, thus the distinguishing sign of the almost extinct red wolf species. How lucky we are here in South Walton. We have been blessed to have been allowed to live with an abundance of wildlife. Now we must do our duty to preserve its wonders.
You visitors are not to worry, the red wolf unlike the Northern wolf shuns man. They are normally solitary hunters. Never has there been a record of one attacking a man. An enormous thanks to John Esling for the video.
Grayton Beach State Park was voted number one on Southern Livings list of Top State Parks.
Seaside was featued in the travel section with information on the sometimes forgotten great value of our lock-off cottages. Participating cottages include Beachside Bebo, Desire, Gimme Shelter, Harvest Home, Natchez, Rainbow, Teachers Lounge and more. For more information on vacation rentals please call (866) 976-5502.
Richard Frisbie recently stayed in Seaside at the Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley. Click on the link below to read about his stay. The Inn by the Sea was decorated by the Vera Bradley design team and personally led by Barbara-reflect a perfect combination of timeless design and fresh color palettes. Every room is unique. And a number of the fabrics, colors and furniture styles incorporated here are the same found in Barbara Baekgaard own home.
The announcement was made to the world today from the new terminal at
the Northwest Florida International Airport, Panama City. Southwest Airlines will have
8 non-stop flights a day to four US locations. The new international airport is scheduled
to open in May 2010. Specific details on Southwest’s fares and schedule will be available in December 2009.
In the weeks ahead Coastal Vision 3000 will be reaching out to businesses, the military, organizations and community groups to discuss the ways we can support and grow low-cost service.
“Coastal Vision’s focus has been on bringing low-cost service and more competitive airfares to Northwest Florida,” said Runnels. “Southwest Airlines said they were interested in Northwest Florida as a regional destination. It is now our responsibility to come together as a region and maximize this opportunity for everyone and begin looking to the future instead of the past.”
Moving forward, Coastal Vision 3000 will concentrate on supporting low-cost service through promotion of the regional brand, “THE Beach.” Coastal Vision 3000 created THE Beach as a halo brand for Northwest Florida – and as a way to increase tourism across the entire region.
In May of 2002, Bears at the Beach opened in Seaside, Florida. They started stuffing teddy bears, with all the clothes and accessories to go with them. You can expect to see Teddy Bears, Bear Clothes and Accessories, Webkinz, Kites, Thomas the Tank Engine, Playmobil, Dolls and Specialty Toys.
When asked, "what type of store are you"? They answer, "We are an Old Time Fun Toy Store". They have a great mix of Educational Toys and some good old fashion fun toys too. Go check them out in the beachfront stores at Seaside.
Posted 09/29/09
Orlando Home and Leisure Magazine
The New Old South
Seaside is nestled in the native landscape of State Road 30-A along Florida’s pristine Emerald Coast, whose shores are consistently given the Blue Wave of Excellence for natural, clean beaches. It is hard to believe that this town has not always existed, so deeply are the memories of places like this embedded in our imaginations.
Style me Pretty has shared three articles below about two beautiful weddings that took place here in Seaside, Florida. Seaside, located in Northwest Florida, is the perfect destination for any wedding from grand to intimate and offers all the essentials, wedding-white sand, lavish green lawns, the pastel painted cottages and the simple, enduring values they represent. Call (866) 348.0172 for more information.
The cooler months bring the sophistication of Autumn Tides to the Beaches of South Walton, a three month long celebration of the area’s rich culinary and cultural offerings.
Click here to read an article on the inaugural Taste of THE Beach festival. Combining prized vintners, renowned chefs, outdoor movie screenings and charitable auctions, Taste of THE Beach was created to showcase the area’s world-class culinary culture while raising money for children’s charities. Featuring seven key events in cities along Florida’s gulf coast, the unique festival allows epicureans to experience various wine and food tastings and dinners from Panama City to Destin. The Taste of THE Beach coincides with Seaside’s First Friday Art Walk.
Be sure to join us for this year’s event Nov. 5-9, 2009 throughout the town. The four-day festival will include wine pairing vintner dinners, al fresco wine tastings, a wine paired brunch, live music and a wine retail sales tent.
For more information on the details of Seeing Red Wine Festival Travel packages at Seaside, call (866) 976-5502 or email info@cottagerentalagency.com. Also, read the press release for more details.
E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center
at Nokuse Plantation
A new nature center wants to get kids into the environment. Walton County will soon be home to a new multimillion dollar research center and wildlife refuge called "The E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center at Nokuse Plantation" in recognition of Wilson's life-long contributions to public education about the importance of conserving the world's biodiversity. Edward O. Wilson is to biology what Carl Sagan was to astronomy, a renowned scientist who morphs the dry language of research into wonder about nature.
"Biophilia" means an innate love of nature and that’s what they hope to pass on through this new 14,800 square-foot facility developed by Walton County Conservationist and Resident, M.C. Davis, on his 48,000-acre conservation land named Nokuse Plantation. The center will consist of several buildings; outdoor screened classrooms, exhibits, theater, also a wildlife refuge center for animal rehabilitation, veterinary clinic and housing for animals that cannot be released back into the wild. Nature trails will twist through the plantation. Students from local schools can investigate swamps, forests and a beaver dam.
The center, located off State Road 20 east of Freeport, is still on target for a grand opening of Sept. 12, 2009.
"In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we have been taught." Senegalese environmentalist, Baba Dioum
The Beaches of South Walton featured in the newest issue of Travelgirl’s Savvy Six. See below for a snippet of the top six. To read the full article click here.
#1. Go Green at the Beach – Alys Beach is the celebrated first community in the world where all homes are constructed to comply with Florida’s Green Home Designation Standard.
#2. Relax by the Seaside – Built to resemble a small town, this beach community is an eclectic mix of pastel painted cottages with a matrix of pathways linking rental homes, shops and restaurants – and of course, all roads lead to the beach! Offering upscale boutiques, casual and fine dining, and the allure of some of Florida’s finest sand, Seaside is where we want to be.
#3. Casual Dinner with a View – We toast Bud and Alley’s! Located right on the beach opposite Seaside, this savvy restaurant knows how to make a drink. Named after a dog and cat, the rooftop bar is just right for a post or pre-beach beverage served up along with delectable seafood.
#4. How the Beaches of South Walton define “Fresh” – Pack your appetite for a meal at the Great Southern Café where the chef chooses the most succulent local veggies, fruits and fish to make this Seaside restaurant “the” place for breakfast.
#5. Paint a Picture of Harmony – When you’re ready for a change of scenery that oscillates between early morning kayaking and lazy sunsets, the WaterColor Inn & Resort is a beach haven on earth.
#6. Simply Splendid Beaches – Try as we might, we can’t find a reason not to love the beach life on the 26 miles of Northwest Florida’s coastline. The Beaches of South Walton are not only some of the best in Florida, but they also are some of the finest found anywhere in the USA.
Location, Location, Location
and even more
Cottage Rental Agency in Seaside, Florida is not just a great place for vacations, its also the perfect location for meetings, conferences, corporate retreats, reunions, weddings, photo shoots or holiday parties with unique venues, event planning, elite accommodations and catering.
We are very excited to announce that Cottage Rental Agency will be paired with the SEASIDE brand. This sends a clear and positive message out into the industry about the continued presence of these two leading brands in our region. You will soon see this co-brand in travel magazines, online and other materials related to travel and vacation rental. Seaside, Florida will retain their successful and exclusive brand for all other applications.
Checkout the recent feature about Seaside, Florida and the Inn by the Sea. Story
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 5/7/8
30-A Designated Scenic
Only the thrid such designated route in Florida
The 28.5 mile corridor has gained state recognition for its scenic and intrinsic resources. Hugging the Gulf of Mexico coastline in Northwest Florida’s Walton County, Scenic 30-A takes you along a breath-taking drive where you will see sugar-white sand beaches and 11 globally rare coastal dune lakes. Scenic 30-A is a tourist attraction of major proportions. An exciting and eclectic mix of hot Caribbean colors and cool, soft pastels, complement a variety of architectural styles, giving each community a unique charm. News Release
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 5/12/08
Weather Channel Visits Seaside, Florida
Watch these videos!
The national cable network, Weather Channel, visited Seaside, Florida and our local areas recently. They rank us as one of the best spring destinations in the United States. Click below to see the videos featuring our bicycle friendly streets and our Emerald Coast paradise.
Pedestrian Friendly
Leave your car at home and enjoy our town on your bicycle. It’s the perfect way to spend time with your family, get some exercise and a relaxing way to explore our shops and restaurants about town. Featuring Tony Laramore, Bike Supervisor for the Cottage Rental Agency.
Emerald Coast Paradise
Watch scenes of our pristine beaches and the relaxed atmosphere of our unique beach town located along Scenic Hwy 30-A. Springtime is the best time to enjoy golf, tennis and beach activities. Featuring Chip Day, Director of Sales and Marketing for Cottage Rental Agency.
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
Posted 03/26/09
Weather Channel Visits Seaside, Florida
Watch these videos!
The national cable network, Weather Channel, visited Seaside, Florida and our local areas recently. They rank us as one of the best spring destinations in the United States. Click below to see the videos featuring our bicycle friendly streets and our Emerald Coast paradise.
Worlds Most Beautiful Beaches
From our pristine emerald blue waters and sugar white sand, to our coastal dunes and endangered scrublands, the area invites you to enjoy our great natural wonders.
Outdoor Activities
Beaches of South Walton is a national highlight during spring time. You too can enjoy nature based activities on your next visit to Seaside, Florida.
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
Posted 03/26/09
BBC Radio Interview
David Allen of the BBC conducted a 3 stage interview with Jon Ervin, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for Cottage Rental Agency, Seaside. Mr. Allen, among other ventures, chairs a popular show on BBC radio airing every Saturday. His tradition stands to have a “postcard from across the pond” featuring a great place to visit. The majority of dialog was centered on getting to know the undiscovered “other” Florida and how lovely it is. The new airport, Beaches of South Walton, the Truman Show, YOLO, the weather, lifestyle, beauty, recreation, Seaside vacation rentals, real estate and much more was shared with the listeners in the U.K.
The Merchants of Seaside invite you to join all of the ghosts and goblins this Halloween for a fun-filled afternoon for the entire family! While trick-or-treating is everyone’s favorite Halloween activity, Seaside offers a variety of other games, contests and entertainment on Saturday, October 31st from 4:00 – 6:00 PM.
Go door-to-door around the shops and restaurants at Seaside to receive candy to feed your sugary appetite! Then, don’t miss all of the excitement in the Amphitheater as we host 30A Radio who will be spinning terrifying tunes from the stage all afternoon long and join Seaside REP actors reading spooky stories guaranteed to get you into the Halloween spirit! Also, make sure to hitch a ride on the Haunted Hayride traveling through Seaside. Pick up the hayride behind Heavenly Shortcakes on Quincy Circle.
Many of the Seaside merchants will be offering special programs too, including:
* The Airstreams – Enjoy vintage Halloween festival games at each Airstream business along 30A!
* Perspicasity – Come out to visit the Pirates of Perspicasity and visit their Haunted Ship Wreck.
* Queen Bee Cupcakes – Guests will receive a free cupcake to anyone (adult or child) dressed up as a bee!
* Seaside Classic – Our flagship store hosts a “Howl’oween Paw-ty” for your four-legged friends. Enjoy a canine costume contest with photos and prizes.
* Seaside Kids – For the little ones, Kids will host a costume contest, tricks, treats and other spooky fun, plus photos for the children. Also, from 2:00 – 5:00 PM, stop by to make your own creepy crafts!
posted 10/08/09
Feature Story
Flower Magazine, Summer 2008
Check out the feature story about a romatic wedding ceremony in Seaside, Florida. Article
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 7/8/8
Fashion Photo Shoot
Seaside, Florida Location
Beautiful Beaches, Charming Town, Fascinating Architecture, Incredible Weather... who doesn't want to take photos in those conditions? This certainly is a great season for professional photos shoots. Hanes Clothing - An American Original, shot in multiple locations including on one of America's best beaches. Check out our quick show of this fashion shoot in Seaside, Florida. Slide Show
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
Posted 10/13/8
Wedding Seaside
Flower Magazine Featues Beach Wedding
There is nothing more romantic for many than a beach wedding. Seaside, Florida as a venue has made many treasured memories over the years with storybook weddings. Chat with our wedding planners if you are dreaming of your own special day. 800.591.8696 Article
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted fall 2008
Coastal Living Article
Top 22 Seaside Inns
The Inn by the Sea Vera Bradley was listed among the top 22 Seaside Inns in the most recent Coastal Living article.
"Love Vera Bradley's signature floral and paisley handbags? Now you can stay at an inn with the same sense of style. This past spring, the company revamped the B&B, giving it nine guest rooms and common areas decorated with primary hues and mixtures of blooming wallpaper, toile, and checkered patterns. Beds dressed in matelasse coverlets and sateen sheets make for great snoozing, although the inn's savory breakfast nudges even sleepyheads downstairs. Then step outside to the roomy porch and relax in wicker settees and chairs. A final bonus: You get to take a bit of the inn home with you. Guests receive a complimentary Vera Bradley tote bag."
Robert & Daryl featured in the Emerald Coast Magazine
Robert and Daryl Davis, the town founders of Seaside, were the first to develop land using principles which would later be dubbed “the New Urbanism,” and Seaside’s influence has revolutionized town planning in America.
The town of Seaside, Florida has been described as “… the most astonishing design achievement of its era and one might hope, the most influential.” It has since become the perfect place for vacations, weddings, reunions, meetings and more. Families come time and time again for the community feel, the walkable town, unique shops and restaurants and a network of streets and pathways that all lead to the beautiful sugar white beach along the Gulf of Mexico.
Leo Krier is one of the best-known, most influential architects and urban theoreticians in the world. In the Architecture of Community he refines and updates his thinking on the making of sustainable, human and attractive villages, towns and cities. The book includes drawings, diagrams and photographs of his works.
The Architecture of Community provides a contemporary road map for designing or completing today's fragmented communities.
Schedule of Events
Friday, April 2, 2010
4:30pm - 6:00pm Book Signing
Located at Farmville Press (Alys Beach)
6:00pm - 8:00pm Cocktail Reception
Located at Caliza Pool (Alys Beach)
Saturday, April 3, 2010
5:00pm Salon Lecture and Discussion
Located at the Seaside Chapel (Seaside)
$10 ICA/AIA Members
$15 Non-Members
7:00pm Dinner and Reception
Located at Robert and Daryl Davis' House
$75 per seating (limited)
Special rates for accommodation are being offered for this event. Please contact us and ask to speak with Arden Sanders to make a reservation, 877-297-7698. Please call 850-213-5510 to RSVP for this event by Monday, March 29, 2010.
Posted 03/03/10
Celebrate all things Irish on St. Patrick’s Day in Seaside!
With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to make your plans to visit Seaside for the 2nd Annual Shamrocks in the Square celebration. The festivities will begin at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, March 17th and will include traditional dancing, live music and an appearance by own very own resident Leprechaun.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the entire family as we welcome the remarkable Drake Irish Dancers of Fort Walton Beach. Established in 2004, The Drake School of Irish Dance has cemented its position as the leading Irish Dance school in our region. The school has produced 2 Open Champions and one qualifier for the World Championship Competition. The dancers range in age from as young as 5 to adult. The dancers will take to the stage in the Amphitheater at 6:00 PM.
If Celtic music is your pleasure, you will not want to miss Mithril taking the stage at 7:00 PM. Mithril is fast becoming one of the most sought after Celtic/World music groups on the concert series scene. The band’s unique progressive style has its roots in traditional Celtic music but moves far beyond that, weaving such diverse influences as American folk, classical, and Middle Eastern melodies into their full tapestry of sound. Mithril continues to push at the boundaries, taking audiences of all ages on an exotic musical journey to Ireland, Scotland, and beyond.
And keep your eye out for our celebrated, special guest. The Seaside resident Leprechaun will make an appearance throughout the evening with her pot o’ gold, so have your cameras ready to capture the moment forever.
posted 03/03/10
Birmingham Magazine
Best of the Beach
We are so glad to have Birmingham Magazine writing an article about all things Seaside, such as Movie Night in the amphitheater, Eileen West Gallery, organic snacks at Raw & Juicy, Fusion Art Gallery, Amavida coffee house, Seaside newest retail store, Sandy Beach and the newly renovated Motorcourts.
Coastal Vision 3000’s mission includes branding the six-county area of Northwest Florida, including Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Gulf counties, as “THE Beach.” The group, which was founded in 2007, has begun its promotional initiatives, by introducing Mel Ponder as its newly appointed executive director and unveiling plans for a membership campaign.
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
www.TheBeachFLA.com updated 7/3/8
Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation
Treating the families, not the cancer.
Cottage Rental Agency and our home owners’ partners were proud to host another Jack & Jill Family. Our friends at Shane and Marla Photography took a dramatic set of portraits on the beach for the Harmon Family. Visit www.JAJF.org for more about this wonderful foundation created to give families dealing with cancer some timeless memories.
Video Montage
See why the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation is so special to these families and the importance of the Foundation's work. Featuring Amy Wise-Coble, General Manager of the Cottage Rental Agency.
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
www.JAJF.org
Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation
E-Brief News Update
Read the Update below-
It's always better when we're together
In this special Mother's Day Edition, we share the beautiful story in photos of another
extraordinary family we "treated" recently: Don, Trish, and their 15 year old daughter Mary.
You will see cherished images of four indispensable days together in Seaside, Florida.
This clearly captures the true spirit and purpose of The Foundation. It is easy to remind ourselves how dreadful a late stage cancer prognosis is. However, focus on their precious happiness, laughter, and smiles.
"We had each other; we celebrated joy and life together; we made memories; we found peace".
Please take 45 seconds to share in their moment by viewing their
Photo Essay while listening to Jack Johnson's perfect song "Better Together".
Thanks for the talent and compassion of Marla & Shane Photographers http://www.marlaandshane.com/
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
www.JAJF.org
On the Cover
The View Everyone Loves
Coastal Living honors Seaside, Florida's classic roofscape on the July 2008 issue! Article Cover Shot
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 7/8/8
Eco-tourism
Seaside, Florida Walton County U.S.A.
Walton County ranks as the 6th most bio-diverse spot in the United States. Coastal dune lakes and the emerald green gulf waters make up a pristine environment found only along North West Florida’s Gulf Coast. Here you can enjoy such activities like kayaking, nature walks, swimming, surfing, bird watching, fishing, scenic drives or sailing. There is an 18-mile trail that follows Scenic Hwy 30-A that is perfect for biking, jogging or walking. With more than 225,000 acres of area protected and maintained by national, state and local parks and preserves, Northwest Florida is a great location for eco-tourism.
When you plan your next vacation, be sure to include our undisturbed natural areas, scenic vistas, and observe our local plants and wildlife.
Every Saturday 8am until 12 noon, on Scenic 30-A, next to the Raw & Juicy Airstream.
And if you know of any farmers, bakers, cheese makers, flower growers, coffee roasters, grape growers, fish catchers, berry pickers, goat owners, oil fusionists, preserve melt-it-downififts, and any other food lover send them our direction!
Ask For: Jenifer Kuntz
Raw & Juicy Bar - Juice for a Peaceful Revolution
303-819-6725, 850-231-0043
posted 6/10/8
CNBC Broadcast
Beach Getaway
Check out a recent segment on CNBC Power Lunch featuring our community. This clip shows Seaside locations and others that are actually outside of Seaside, Florida and along Scenic Highway 30-A. Our area is feature first followed by several remote locations. Watch Clip
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 4/23/8
National Television Broadcast
Seaside, Florida
The beautiful white sand beach of Seaside, Florida was the broadcast set for live television segments around the United States. The Beaches of South Walton (TDC) coordinated live cooking segments featuring some of our community’s world class chefs. Markets like Charlotte, Lake Charles, Oklahoma City, Alexandria, Panama City, New Orleans, Palm Springs, Mobile, Pensacola, Huntsville, Tallahassee, Huntington, Tampa, Roanoke, Yuma, Greenville, NC, Rochester, NY, St. Louis, Kansas City, New York City, Dothan were on the scheduled for segments. The broadcast had over 1.9 Million in reach. Slide Show
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 10/9/8
St. Louis Magazine
Eco-Style Living
Many locations along Scenic 30-A have been recognized for their eco-friendliness in the most recent edition of St. Louis Homes and Lifestyles. Our white sandy beaches and rare coastal dune lakes are a great natural attraction that makes this area so unique. Thankfully, all our communities within the Beaches of South Walton appreciate the importance of preserving and protecting the ecosystem.
Southern Living Magazine was recently in the town of Seaside, Florida taking pictures of the roofscape during sunset for an article about the beach region and the Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley. Be sure to watch for the spring issue to read all about the great locations in Seaside, Florida. -Meg McKinney, Staff photographer pictured.
Click the image below to view additional pictures.
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
Posted 07/22/08
Bud and Alley's Pizza Bar
New Restaurant in Town!
Bud and Alley's has a new Pizza Bar. Their pizza adheres to the standards set forth by the Vera Pizza Napolentana Organization. The VPN promotes the art of pizza making as it has been done in Napoli for over 200 years. The dough is made with 00 Caputo flour, natural yeast and sea salt, it is topped with San Marzano Tomatoes, mozzarella and is baked in a 750 degree wood burning oven. The pizzas cook in 90 seconds or less.
They also serve insalata, antipasti, beer, wine and full bar.
Be sure to stop by this brand new addition to Seaside. Queen Bee Cupcakes is located in the Airstream next to the Post Office in Seasides town center. With cupcakes like Milky Way, Salted Caramel, Strawberry Cheesecake and Lemon Blueberry, this will soon be your favorite stop for sweets!
Mmm... I can just smell those cupcakes now!
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 07/01/09
'Win My Inn' Contest Winners
Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley
Pattey and Ray B. of Orlando, Florida have been selected as the lucky winners of the
“My Inn” contest. They were among all the guests visiting Seaside, Florida this summer
that were eligible to win the entire Inn for a Fall weekend. All parties having stayed at the
Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley during the contest period had one chance each in the random drawing.
The town of Seaside has always had fond fans in Europe and around the world. Check out the article about New Urbanism which appeared in Florida Sun. There is a certain degree of difficulty in this task as the magazine in entirely in German!
Article
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 10/1/8
Fall at Seaside, Florida Beach
Portico Magazine Fall 2008
The Birmingham, Alabama based magazine focusing on quality life in the Southeastern United States features the Seaside Beach Community and the Beaches of South Walton. Enjoy the story. Article
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 11/18/8
Cover Story - Holiday at the Beach
Southern Breeze Magazine
A flattering story recently appeared in this regional publication. The Beachfront Cottage, managed by Cottage Rental Agency, is among the famous "honeymoon cottages" in Seaside, Florida. The Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley was also feature as another of the wonderful rental options along the Beaches of South Walton. Cover Story Cover Shot
posted 12 18 8
Shrimp Shack
New Seaside Restaurant
The Shrimp Shack sits atop the natural, rolling Gulf dunes in Seaside, Florida, just waiting for you to visit. You can dine on their screened porch, beachside deck or on the Seaside Pavillion and enjoy sparkling beach waves for an experience you’ll long remember.
Choose from fresh Steamed Gulf Shrimp or ice cold oysters on the half shell.
Try the Crab Cocktail or Half Buttered Lobster Tail, add a Greek Salad and have yourself a most satisfying lunch or dinner.
Yes, you can also find a variety of sweets, beverages and deserts on the menu, featuring smoothies, ice cream, fresh-squeezed lemonade, imported and domestic beer and wine. The signature deserts are the Homemade Keylime Pie and Ms. Dean's 7 Layer Caramel Cake.
Thinking of hosting a family gathering in your beach cottage or reserving your beachside deck? Order a Pound of Steamed Shrimp to Go. Sunsets on the beach? All you need to bring are family and friends for an idyllic dining experience.
The Shrimp Shack
2236 Scenic Hwy 30A
Cinderella Circle
Seaside, Fl 32459
The national cable network Country Music Television (CMT) will air a reality-based show recently filmed along Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. Dubbed CMT’s “Paid Vacation,” the 30-minute episode follows an all-American family deserving of a “break.” The family of six from Murfreesboro, Tenn. were surprised with a once in a lifetime family vacation to Seaside, Florida.
Southern Living’s sister magazine Coastal Living was recently in the town of Seaside, Florida writing an article about the newly renovated Motorcourts. These quaint studio units offer nine rooms with a pleasing blend of color and comfort for that perfect vacation. Located in the heart of Seaside, they are just steps away from shopping and dining at the town center and the sugar white beaches of Northwest Florida. Be on the look out for Coastal Living article in the fall.
Additional Photo
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
Posted 06/24/08
Photo Essay - Seaside, Florida
Soon to be New York Times Best Seller
In the new book "America at Home" the talent of numerous photographers from around the country is on display. The subjects are all of us. Celebrate the charm of American citizens during their normal days.
This is the latest edition in a series of acclaimed books with the most notable being the New York Times Best Seller "America 24/7". You may have even seen it featured on Oprah!
Click on the image to the left to see sample photos or click here to see the image by David Grunfeld of New Orleans, taken in Seaside Florida near the Savannah Pavilion walkover.
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 6/26/8
Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley
National Debut
We are pleased to announce an exciting new project. The long time Seaside, Florida landmark known to many as Josephine's Bed & Breakfast has been entirely remodeled by the creative designers of Vera Bradley.
More...
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
www.InnbytheSeaVB.com or 800.277.8696 -posted 11/15/07
Childrens Ballet and Dance School at Seaside
July 27-31, 2009
Two fun and cultural day camps will be offered for your
little ballerinas ages 3-7 years old.
As culmination of the first "Journey Through Jazz" in Seaside, Florida, the Neville Brothers are scheduled to headline on Memorial Day. The inaugural festival features performances from 12 different Jazz groups over two weeks. DAY TICKETS NOW OFFERED $75 for Monday performance. $50 per day for the preceeding Saturday and Sunday. Friday is a Free kick-off concert
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
May 26, 2008 - posted 3/1/8
Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley Press
Southern Lady Feature
Enjoy this wonderful feature about the new Inn by the Sea. Article
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 3/1/08
Idyllic Life Magazine
First Edition - 2008
The new custom publication is now available! This is the first ever magazine to feature life on Scenic 30-A and every wonderful place for your next visit. Brought to you by numerous local merchants and the Cottage Rental Agency. Pick one up today at Central Square Records, Modica Market, the Front Desk in Seaside, local visitor centers and watch for it soon at Books A Million and Joe Mugs throughout the Southeast. US $6.48
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
At summer check-in we provide loyal client incentives like:
- Same Time Next Year
- Invitation to Return
- Cottage Ensembles
- Something New Next Time
- Group Meetings = Free Stay
- Dining Promotions
Vera Bradley will be right here in Seaside during the month of October, they are seeking models for a photoshoot.
For this shoot they are in need of:
* Teens
* 20-somethings
* 30-somethings
* 50-somethings
* Families that include Mom, Dad and 2-3 children
* Moms and Daughters
* Yoga-Proficient Women
* Medium to Large Dogs
Submit your interest to Vera Bradley ASAP! Travel expenses to locations, etc. will be the responsibility of the model. Although Cottage Rental Agency will be offering select models the best available rate. If you have submitted photos for consideration in the past, there is no need to resubmit unless you have updated photos you would like added to their files.
Please email all photos and questions to model@verabradley.com.
Call us toll-free for additional information on accommodations at (800) 591-8696.
Escape to Create
Fall Writers’ Conference
After nearly two decades as a nationally regarded and locally popular artist-in-residence program hosted every January in Seaside, Escape to Create is expanding its mission to provide cultural, educational and artistic events for South Walton County throughout the year.
Escape to Create, Inc. proudly announces its first annual Writers’ Conference to be held October 14-16 in Seaside. Organized in small group sessions, participants will explore literary interests ranging from the craft of writing to the pursuit of the pleasures of reading with leading authors, poets, playwrights, songwriters and professionals in the publishing field.
Tuition and registration fee for the Fall Writers’ Conference is $150. Early registration prior to September 30 is $125. For a complete conference schedule including events that are free and open to the public, visit www.escapetocreate.org or contact executive director Malayne DeMars at 850-534-0000 or click here. Seaside Cottage Rental Agency is offering reduced rates for lodging in Seaside during the two-day conference, call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
Posted 08/19/09
Verizon Wireless Sweepstakes
05/01/09 - 06/30/09
Congratulations Blair Family from Tennessee! The Cottage Rental Agency was pleased to be the grand prize for this Verizon Wireless sweepstakes. The prize included a stay in a grand beachfront home in Seaside, Florida, $5,000 in cash, the new Blackberry Storm Smartphone and much more.
Songwriters from across the country will converge in Walton County on Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend for the inaugural 30-A Songwriters Festival. Many restaurants, bars and other businesses along Scenic Highway 30-A will host over 50 artists who will share their diverse songwriting talents throughout the weekend.
Singer Songwritters Scheduled to appear along 30A: EMILY SALIERS and AMY RAY of the Indigo Girls, MATTHEW SWEET, SUSAN HOFFS from the Bangles, GARY LOURIS of the Jayhawks ("Blue", "Save It For A Rainy Day", "Everybody Knows" - Dixie Chicks); JEFFREY STEELE ("When the Lights Go Down" for Faith Hill; "What Hurts the Most", "These Days" for Rascal Flatts; "The Cowboy in Me" for Tim Mc Graw and a judge of the TV show Nashville Star)... and nearly 50 more talented artists. Stay in Seaside on M.L.K. weekend and be centrally located to all the performances!
Schedule
Visit their site www.30asongwritersfestival.com , or call 850.622.5970 for more information. Stay in Seaside with Cottage Rental Agency, call our vacation planners at 866-966-4365.
Updated 12/21/09
It’s a Circus Here
Le Grand Cirque is a jaw-dropping visual feast of breathtaking group acrobatics and white-knuckle stunts and has been described by the press as-
“The Next generation of Cirque Du Soleil” (Southen Style)
Featuring more than 40 champion acrobats and performers from Brazil, Canada, Russia, Mongolia, Europe and China, the performers have been hand picked from around the globe for their amazing abilities and precision skill. The result is a fast-paced, heart-pounding spectacle that will astound you and keep you at the edge of your seats!
This spectacular production features, contortionists, tumblers, incredible aerial acts as well as the breathtaking Wheel of Death -- one of the most dangerous circus tricks ever attempted, and so much more packed into a 2 hour extravaganza! Extravagant and mesmerizing, Le Grand Cirque is a spectacular experience the family will never forget.
Starting on May 25th, Le Grand Cirque will be
performing at Grand Boulevard for the whole
summer in its custom designed, air conditioned
Italian tent which has been designed to hold just
under 1100 people. Seen by millions of people
around the world, this must see Cirque extravaganza
has broken box office records all over the Globe
including becoming the biggest ever selling shows
in the history of the Sydney Opera house.
May 25th - August 16th
Evening performances: Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm
Matinee performances: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday at 2pm *Show dates and times are subject to change
Tickets May Be Purchased in Person at These Locations:
Grand Boulevard at Sandestin (Guest Services Kiosk)
Silver Sands Factory Stores (Shopper Services)
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa (Concierge)
Best seats do sell fast so be sure to book your tickets now!
A photographic study of the people and places of Walton County
When: Thursday, July 15, 2010, 5:00 - 9:00PM
Where: Simple, Seaside
The Cottage Rental Agency will be sponsering a Photography Reception unveiling the 2010 Walton County Artist of the Year, Michael Granberry’s, photographic series: “The Study of People & Places of Walton County”. Live music by Sawmill Gravy & the Biscuits. Attending guests will be able to meet and speak with many of the “People” of Walton County who where involved in this photographic series. This reception is free and open to the public.
"Please take a moment and enjoy my series; I believe that you, too, will discover
the beauty and diversity of the people & places of Walton County.” - Michael Granberry
Seaside Summer Concert Series
Where: Seaside Amphitheater
When: Wednesdays, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Celebrate the summer with your friends and neighbors
as we welcome the sounds of some of the regions top musical
acts to Seaside. Music will fill Central Square and entertain guests of all ages.
Make sure to get your plans set for the upcoming holiday weekend!
We are pleased to announce that we will split our fireworks display to both July 3rd and July 4th!
Stars & Stripes at Seaside; Independence Day Celebration
Where: 30A & Seaside Amphitheater
Saturday, July 3rd 9:00 PM- For the first time we are splitting up our fireworks over two days. Watch the the fireworks from the beach front or the Seaside town center.
Sunday, July 4th 8:00 AM- Travel through Seaside for this patriotic celebration.
Start the day out with the annual July 4th Parade down 30A
begining at 8:00AM and concluding in Seaside. Then make
sure to reserve your spot on the lawn for the awards presentation,
face painting and music by 30A Radio.
9:30-11AM- Music, Face Painting, Balloon Animals, Watermelon Eating Contest
7:00 PM- Celebrate our nation's Independence Day with a
performance by Dread Clampitt featuring special guest, Grammy
Award Winner, Sam Bush.
9:00 PM- End the holiday with one of the largest fireworks displays
on the Emerald Coast. Tune into 30A Radio (107.1FM) to hear the
simulcast soundtrack as you watch the magnificent show.
Visit Cottage Rental Agency's FaceBook page to see pictures of the fireworks.
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information
posted 06/11/10
Central Square Cinema
Where: Seaside Amphitheater
When: Fridays, 8pm
Grab your blankets and head to the Amphitheater for this holiday edition of movies under the stars. Enjoy blockbusters & classics alike during this series.
Celebrate President’s Day Weekend with Family Events in SEASIDE
Enjoy Outdoor Cinema, Children’s Mardi Gras Celebration & Live Music!
The Merchants of Seaside are gearing up for a very busy President’s Day Weekend. Start the weekend out right with Central Square Cinema, Seaside’s outdoor film series, beginning at 7PM. Enjoy a suspenseful and thrilling family movie that has close ties to the President’s Day theme. The movie will be screened on the south lawn of the Holl Building, directly across the street from Amavida. Make sure to bring your blankets and lawn chairs to grab the best seat in the house before we start the show.
Saturday morning provides the perfect setting for the Seaside Farmers Market held directly behind Raw & Juicy in the Amphitheater each weekend from 9:00AM-1:00PM. Market vendors offer guests everything from locally grown produce to farm fresh eggs to local certified Pure Jersey cow dairy products.
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler on Saturday, February 13th with a fun-filled day of Mardi Gras revelry for both the young and young at heart. Let your inner artist shine between 10:00AM-2:00PM at Seaside Kids with Abrakadoodle. Enjoy face painting, art projects and other fun as we gear up for the Fourth Annual Seaside Kids Mardi Gras Parade. The parade, which will be led by The Michael Foster Project from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will begin at 2:00PM in front of Seaside Kids. Make sure to wear your purple, green and gold and show off your Mardi Gras spirit as we march through the streets of Seaside until 4:00PM.
Seaside is also hosting Hands Across The Sand on Saturday, February 13th. This organization is devoted to protecting our coastlines and waterways from the devastating environmental effects of oil exploration and support industries. The event will begin at 1:00PM on the beach in Seaside, where community members will join thousands of Florida citizens to draw metaphorical and physical lines in the sand.
Valentine’s Day brings live music to the Seaside Meeting Hall Theatre at 5:30PM. Mobile, Alabama natives, Roman Street, will perform their unique style of “new” flamenco, smooth and not-so-smooth Jazz.
A new "Dark House" series of events begins on April 22 in Seaside, Florida. A diverse selection of events includes staged readings, independent films and live music. Doors for all shows open at 7:00PM. Tickets ranges from suggested donation of $10, to $15 per ticket. The series concludes May 8, 2010. For more details, schedules and tickets be sure to visit the SeasideREP.org
Check out more events in and around Seaside
posted 4/15/2010
SEASIDE is Your Destination for Memorial Day Fun!
Join Seaside for a weekend of memorable events guaranteed to rock your Memorial Day Weekend. Let the fun begin as you get down with live music in the Seaside Amphitheater both Friday & Saturday evenings, enjoy the Seaside Farmers Market on Saturday morning and curl-up with a blanket during Central Square Cinema on Sunday night. Memorial Day Monday might be an end to the weekend, but it’s just the beginning to a busy summer of events at Seaside.
Ben Deignan & Suburban Soul: Friday, May 28 (7:00PM) – Heavily influenced by Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye, Ben Deignan grew up as a soul junky. The singer/songwriter has spent the last 6 years crafting an original, southern, soulful pop/rock sound, and blossoming into a 22-year-old funkster that’s turning heads in clubs around the Southeast and beyond.
Seaside Farmers Market: Saturday, May 29 (9:00AM-1:00PM) – Join us for a fun market in our beautiful Amphitheater behind Raw & Juicy every Saturday 9:00AM-1:00PM. The market offers local organic eggs, homemade preserves, sprouts, local milk, cream, butter, local bread and wonderful smelling soaps. The Seaside Farmers Market is a producers market focused on food, produce, cooking demonstrations, specialty items and the celebration of eating and sharing great ingredients.
Dave Barnes: Saturday, May 29 (7:00PM) – Born in South Carolina, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dave Barnes was raised in Mississippi, where he was initially attracted to hip-hop, but was also exposed to classic soul, blues, and R&B by his parents. Now Nashville-based, Barnes is quickly becoming one of the best known performers in America with his irresistibly catchy, hook-filled melodies and blue eyed soul arrangements/production. Recently Dave spent time touring with the likes of John Mayer, Taylor Swift, Bonnie Raitt and Los Lonley Boys, and is now headlining some of the most well respected music venues in the country in Atlanta, Boston, New York & Los Angeles.
Central Square Cinema: Sunday, May 30 (8:00PM) – Grab your blankets and head to the Amphitheater for a movie under the stars.
Where: Finz Beachside Grille at Sandestin
When: Saturday, August 22, 2009
Start Time: 6:30 am
Starting Line: On beach behind FINZ
Open to the public
On August 22, the 22nd Annual Sandestin Triathlon (formerly the Elephant Walk Triathlon) will lure 700 participants for a half-mile Gulf of Mexico swim, a 20-mile bike along the coast, and a 4-mile run through Sandestin’s beach and bayside community. Proceeds benefit Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast.
e-mail SandestinTri@sandestin.com for more information.
Distances: ½-mile swim, 20-mile bike, and 4-mile run
05/11/2009
Memorial Day Weekend Festivities
The weather threathed but never dampend the fun. Everyone had a great weekend... looking forawrd to next year
>Mike Zito: Friday, May 22, (7:00-9:00PM)
>Ben Deignan & Suburban Soul: Saturday, May 23, (7:00-9:00PM)
>Memorial Yoga Flow with Alex Dawson: Sunday, May 24, (9:00AM)
>Central Square Cinema: Sunday, May 24, (8:00PM) Times are subject to change Memorial Day Weekend Schedule
Check out Summer Attractions in this brief slide show
Seaside is "seeing red"... again. The coastal holiday town, located on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast in the Beaches of South Walton, will host the 19th annual Seeing Red Wine Festival Nov. 5-9, 2009 throughout the town.
The four-day festival will include wine pairing vintner dinners, al fresco wine tastings, a wine paired brunch, live music and a wine retail sales tent.
The Seeing Red Wine Festival will begin on Thursday, Nov. 5 with a Vintner Dinner at Seaside's signature restaurant Bud & Alley's. On Friday, Nov. 6 Seaside will host its popular Al Fresco Reserve Tasting in Ruskin Place. Saturday, Nov. 7 Seaside hosts The Taste of THE Beach. Wine lovers can listen to live music, stroll the beach community, sample chocolates, cheeses and savory fare from the cuisine pavilion as well as a variety of domestic and international wines throughout town. The event concludes on Sunday, Nov. 8 with the grand finale, a Celebration of Bubbles at Great Southern Café.
Reserve a cottage in Seaside and receive complimentary Seeing Red Wine Festival tickets as part of your package. For more information on the details of Seeing Red Wine Festival Travel packages at Seaside, call (866) 976-5502 or email info@cottagerentalagency.com. At this time we are only offering an accommodation packages with tickets to the grand tasting. Tickets to additional events are available here. Also, read the press release for more details.
posted on 07/07/09
Independence Day Weekend Festivities
dont miss out
Make sure to get your plans set for the upcoming holiday weekend!
Here are some of the activites going on in Seaside, Florida.
Thursday, 1-3PM Sand Sculpting with Sand Odyssey
Where: Seaside beach
Thursday afternoons this summer will be filled with all things sand, as
Seaside offers free sand sculpting lessons by sand master Mark Flynn
from Sand Odyssey.
Friday, 4PM Stories by the Sea
Where: Gateway Lyceum Arch, Seaside
Join the Seaside Repertory Theatre as they present a
one-of-a-kind storytelling experience for children of all ages.
Friday, 5-8PM First Friday Art Walk
Where: Ruskin Place, Seaside
Enjoy live music; view beautiful works of art and
artist demonstrations at the galleries and shops of Ruskin Place.
Friday, 8pm Central Square Cinema - The Tale of Despereaux
Where: Seaside Amphitheater
Grab your blankets and head to the Amphitheater for movies under the stars.
Saturday, July 4th Stars & Stripes at Seaside; A July 4th Celebration
Where: 30A & Seaside Amphitheater
Travel through Seaside for this patriotic celebration.
Start the day out with the annual July 4th Parade down 30A
and concluding in Seaside. Then make sure to reserve your
spot on the lawn for a special concert and unbelievable fireworks finale! Offical Press Release
Check out Summer Attractions in this brief Slide Show
Visit Cottage Rental Agencys FaceBook page to see pictures of the fireworks.
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
posted 06/26/09
ARTSQUEST JOURNEYS BACK TO 30-A
22nd Annual Festival to find a new home in Seaside
The Cultural Arts Association of Walton County announces that the ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival will have a new home in May 2010. The Festival will move to The Town of Seaside next year, just two miles down Scenic Hwy. 30-A from Grayton Beach where in 1989, the event was founded and lived for seven years.
The 22nd Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival will continue to be held Mother’s Day weekend each year with the 2010 date set for May 7 – 9. There will be room for over 100 local and national artists, along with four stages of music, theatre performances, KidZone and a Walton County student art exhibit.
The ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival, sponsored in part by the Beaches of South Walton, is the largest of the many events and programs produced by the Cultural Arts Association as part of its mission to support the arts in Walton County through leadership, advocacy, funding, programs and education. For more information about ArtsQuest or the Cultural Arts Association of Walton County, call 850.622.5970 or click here.
Posted 08/04/09
YOLO Board Seaside Celebration and Paddleboard Race
to Benefit Locals Holly Burke and Jason Thompson
Scheduled for September 19th
The celebration planned includes a fun-filled day on the water with morning paddleboard races, stand-up paddling demos, YOLO Yak fishing guide demos, silent auction, a YOLO Yak giveaway, and a concert from the popular Gulf coast group HERITAGE from 4:00pm to 6:00pm in the Seaside Amphitheatre. Proceeds from the events will benefit both Holly Burke, an 18-year-old Miramar Beach resident suffering from clear cell sarcoma, a rare aggressive melanoma, and 28-year-old South Walton resident Jason Thompson, who is fighting a rare form of leukemia.
The event kicks off with a series of paddleboard races in the Gulf of Mexico from 8:00am-1:00pm. The featured race of the event is the adult’s 3-mile race, which grants the 1st place winners of the men’s and women’s division a brand new 12’ Original YOLO board valued at $1,495.00. Additional races include an adult time trial course and two children’s time trial courses (divisions include ages 8-12 and ages 12-16). Adult race entry fees are $35 per person and the children’s entry fee is $20 per person.
Tickets for the YOLO Yak Giveaway will be $5 per ticket (or $20 for 5 tickets) and are currently available for purchase by visiting select participating Seaside merchants or the YOLO Board retail warehouse location at 820 Hwy 393 N in Santa Rosa Beach. 100% of proceeds from the Yak Giveaway go directly to the charities for Holly and Jason.
Sponsors are still needed for the YOLO Board Seaside Celebration in order to ensure a successful event, including donated items for the silent auction. For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities or to donate for the silent auction, please contact YOLO Board 850.622.5760 or visit www.yoloboard.com. Check out the Press Release.
Posted 08/06/09
7th Annual Back to Nature Festival
October 16, 17 & 18, 2009
The Emerald Coast of Florida is considered the sixth most biologically diverse area in North America! From our white beaches to our blue bay and bayous, state parks, coastal dune lakes, rivers and swamps South Walton Community Council will take you to the places you have only dreamed about including:
Opening Night at Bud & Alley's
FAMILY FUN DAY
Night River Safari
Kayaking Coastal Dune Lakes
Campfire Celebration
Native Plant Walk
NEW FOR 2009!!!!
Gator Walk at Topsail State Park
Yolo Boarding
Western Lake Clear Kayak Tour
Shoreline Plants at Cessna
Bird Walk with Nonie of Nonie's Ark
Pt. Washington State Park Wilderness Trek
Deer Lake Beach Shore Bird Walk with Ranger
For more information on this event, please e-mail info@southwaltoncc.org, visit their site here, or call 850-314-3749. Stay in Seaside with Cottage Rental Agency, call our vacation planners at 866-966-4365.
Posted 08/19/09
Countdown Seaside!
For the first time, Seaside had fireworks on New Year’s Eve!
Hopefully you didn't miss out on the family fun. There was a large crowd in Seaside on December 31, 2009 to celebrate New Year's Eve with a spectacular evening of live music and for the first time this year, a fireworks display to ring in 2010.
The music kicked off at 7PM with the Memphis blues from Delta Highway and Abrakadoodle had family fun from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with their unique art projects for our New Year’s Celebration. These projects included making celebratory party hats, noisemakers and even a fireworks picture that includes painting with Koosh balls!
Grammy Award Winning Artist Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience was there to put everyone in a celebratory mood. Rolling Stone magazine has called Terrance Simien a “Zydeco Master” for redefining what Zydeco music really is for the past 25 years. Then to finish off a perfect night there was a spectacular fireworks show over the Gulf of Mexico at the stroke of midnight!
FILM SCHOOL LAUNCHES TORCHLIGHT FILM SERIES IN BEACHSIDE COMMUNITIES
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Residents along Scenic Highway 30A in the Florida Panhandle have new cause for celebration. The rich and stimulating world of independent film soon will be coming directly to them through a new partnership with the Florida State University Film School’s Torchlight Program.
The partnership was made possible thanks to more than $100,000 in philanthropic support provided by community leaders in Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach and Seaside, as well as the St. Joe Community Foundation.
The Torchlight Program, which was designed to give film students hands-on experience in the distribution and marketing of feature films, also includes in its mission the goal of creating a culture of cinema appreciation in Florida through community interaction.
Starting in October and continuing for a full year, the Torchlight Program will screen exciting contemporary feature films in partner communities, and bring in guest filmmakers and cinema experts to talk about film. The idea was first hatched in a meeting that Frank Patterson, dean of The Film School, had with Robert Davis, Seaside’s founder and the father of the New Urbanism design movement, as well as leaders of the St. Joe Community Foundation.
Rosemary Beach will host the first screening on Saturday, Oct. 10th 2009.
For more information Click Here.
Posted 10/10/09
Turn on the Town
The Merchants of Seaside welcome the holidays in grand fashion with events for the entire family! Combine the small-town atmosphere of a beach community parade, throw in a dash of Santa Claus, add a festive farmers market and mix with the official lighting of a remarkable town on Florida’s Emerald Coast, and you have the perfect makings to kick off the Holiday season in beautiful Seaside.
On Friday, November 27th grab your blankets and head to the Seaside Amphitheater for a holiday edition of Central Square Cinema under the night sky beginning at 7:00 PM.
Saturday, November 28th marks the holiday kick-off in Seaside with the Seaside Farmers Market from 9:00 AM – 1:00PM. Then stick around for the Annual South Walton Holiday Parade. This year’s parade is scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM in front of Seagrove Plaza. Residents and visitors share in the glory as participants march 1.5 miles down Scenic Highway 30A from Seagrove decked in their Christmas best and on festive holiday floats, all vying for the crowd’s favor.
Parade participants should meet at the Seagrove Plaza at Garrett Realty no later than 3:15 PM with decorated entries. Registration for parade participants is required; please visit HERE to download a registration form.
Our celebration continues with Turn on the Town at 5:00 PM as the master of ceremonies asks all the kids to join him in front of the stage to sing along to a few verses of jingle bells. Then, the countdown begins in unison to “Turn on the Town.” “…Three, two, one…” and with a flick of a big switch – the brand new 24ft tree magically lights up and all of downtown Seaside is illuminated with bright, holiday lights! Then, make sure to stick around to have your picture taken with the jolly man from 5:30 – 8:30 PM.
There’s no better time to get a jump on holiday shopping. Seaside’s eclectic mix of art galleries, fine and funky apparel, toy stores and more, make it easy to find that perfect present for everyone on your list.
Posted 10/14/09
Airport Arrival
State of the Art International
**Update**
Openning Day for the Northwest Florida Beaches Airport in Panama City will be May 23rd!
**More News**
Southwest Airlines will begin new service to the airport on day one. Serving over 60 cities in the US is a wonderful benefit but beyond that Southwest has announced that they will provide non-stop service to Houston, Nashville, Orlando and BWI (Baltimore & D.C.). Chicago will enjoy a one stop (no plane change) flight to the beach.
**Original Announcement**
Airport Countdown and Launch
“America’s Greenest Airport” is seemingly a contradictory title. Encompassing 75,000 acres, makes this one of the largest projects undertaken in North America. A massive 41,000 acres is given to perpetual conservation and the terminal will be certified by LEED as “green”. Service starting in May 2010, will boost this emerging destination to blossom further. The “Forgotten Coast”, which is taken as compliment to many, with its unspoiled lands, abundant natural beauty, and lack of large urban pressure, offers a precious lifestyle for both resident and visitors alike. The new airport will responsibly, provide greater access to a region evolving from Forgotten to Unforgettable. Seaside, Florida currently garners the most international attention along the Gulf Coast thanks to renown civic style and charm and the airport only brings us closer to those valuing this quality of life.
Renovated for 2008! Fun, Funk, Comfort, Color and all in Seaside, Florida.
Check out the News Release
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
800.277.8696 reservations -posted 4/29/08
Seaside Jazz Festival
A Journey Through Jazz ~ May 16-18 and May 23-26, 2008
Seaside, FL, March 4, 2008- The Merchants of Seaside will give jazz lovers a rare treat this spring, producing not one, but two weekends of top- notch music at the Seaside Jazz Festival: A Journey through Jazz. The festival headliner, The Neville Brothers, will perform May 26 at 6pm.
Tickets for the first weekend cost $100 and provide access to all performances.
R E V I S E D : Holiday Weekend- Friday COMPLIMENTARY. Daily Tickets NOW available - Saturday $50. Sunday $50. Monday $75. The ALL weekend ticket still available at $150. Media Overview
or click for
FAQ
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
We are excited to include this stylish Inn among our dynamic selection of vacation properties for 2008. The completely remodeled eleven room landmark will be enjoyed by all with comfortable rooms and an incredible location, being just steps from the Gulf of Mexico. More...
Call (866) 976-5502 for more information.
Art Miles Mural Project consists of 12 mural themes (each theme equals one mile of murals) that are designated for the unveiling at the site of the Great Pyramids in Egypt in 2010. All murals that have been painted around the world will be shipped and pieced together to form an amazing kaleidoscope of children's visions for a better world.
The Seaside Institute and 30-A Creative Alliance are celebrating the project from February 28th - March 10th. The communities along 30-A will host murals exhibits, community mural paintings, concerts, film screenings, yoga classes, and presentations.
November 6-9, 2008. This 4 day extravaganza will be held in Northwest Florida's gulf coast, which is blessed with pristine white sand beaches and emerald colored waters. It’s also home to a world class resort community where the residents sport a casual and relaxed attitude but are obsessed with great wine, great food, and philanthropy. This event is hosted by The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, Coastal Vision 3000 - THE Beach and the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce. This event coinsides with the Seeing Red Wine Festival in Seaisde, Florida and features the Saturday event specifically.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
VIP Reception
Emerald Grande
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 7, 2008
International Wine & Food Experience
Pier Park, Panama City Beach
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
$75.00 per ticket
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Seeing Red Wine Festival
Seaside
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
$100 per ticket
Telluride MountainFilm
WaterColor
Showtimes are 7-10pm & gates open at 6pm
$25 per person for one night and $40 per person for two nights
"Winemaker & Shakers" Dinners
Area Restaurants
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
$150 per ticket
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Rosemary Beach Jazz Brunch
Rosemary Beach
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
$50 per ticket
Taste of THE Beach & Charity Auction
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
$150 per ticket
Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical masterpiece is widely considered the finest American play ever written. This masterful piece of writing seduces its audience into the Tyrone family's web. At once universal and intensely personal, Long Day's Journey into Night remains one of the most challenging and moving theatrical experiences of the last century. It is with great honor and respect that this unequaled piece of American dramatic history is offered to the Seasides Repertory Theatre audiences.
October 8 - 18
Wednesday - Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
$24 for Guests / $20 for Members
For tickets call 850-231-0733
