February 28th and March 1st : Northwest Florida Ballet presents “Cinderella”
NFB returns to the Mattie Kelly Arts Center to present the beloved fairytale Cinderella on Fri., Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., March 1 at 2:30 p.m. Performances will feature live orchestral accompaniment by the Northwest Florida Ballet (NFB) Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro David Ott. Featuring the acclaimed choreography of NFB Artistic Director Todd Eric Allen and the beautiful music of Serge Prokofiev, this timeless classic is presented in three acts. It brings to life a cavalcade of enchanting characters, brilliant dancing, vibrant costumes and a magical set sure to hold you under its spell. In addition to its two public performances, NFB will also perform for area school children and special needs groups on Thurs., Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. as part of NFB’s Education and Outreach services. Box-office priced tickets for Cinderella are $40 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at NFBallet.org or through the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office website.
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February 29th: Fort Walton Beach Public Safety Open House
The Fort Walton Beach Fire Department and Police Department invite the public to a Public Safety Open House on Saturday, February 29th, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The FREE event will be held at Chester Pruitt Park, located next to Fire Station 6 and the Police Department on Hollywood Boulevard SE (5 Hollywood Boulevard SE and 7 Hollywood Boulevard SE, respectively). The event will focus on fire and police education in a family-friendly and fun environment. The public will see a live vehicle extrication and fire sprinkler demonstration by the Fire Department and a K-9 demonstration by the Police Department. Tours of the Fire Station and Police Department will take place and fire truck rides will be available. Displays will include a fire truck, the SWAT truck, police vehicles and a fire safety house. Bounce houses, rock-climbing wall, and more will be on site for the kids! Food and drinks will be provided FREE to the public: popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones and a pulled pork sandwich lunch.
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February 29th: Northwest Florida Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Masquerade Gala
In celebration of NFB’s golden anniversary, a 50th Anniversary Masquerade Gala will also be held on Sat., Feb. 29. This enchanting black-tie celebration at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center includes a cocktail reception, performance with the NFB Symphony Orchestra of Cinderella’s Act II. It concludes with dinner on the main stage. Proceeds from the event will benefit the NFB Academie Academic Classroom Capital Campaign. For information on the event or to purchase tickets, please email Gala@NFBallet.org.
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February 29th: Crestview Unity Flashlight Walk
SWith its 2020 motto, “A community coming together,” Crestview will put its words into action when residents bring flashlights and meet at sunset at City Hall on Saturday, Feb. 29, to embark on what Police Chief Stephen McCosker hopes will be the first of many Community Unity Flashlight Walks.
In the same spirit as the National Night Out Against Crime, the Leap Day Community Unity Flashlight Walk will be an opportunity for the community to come together for a time of fellowship, partnership and a demonstration of unity. Walkers can be families, individuals, clubs, student organizations, church congregations, groups of neighbors, friends and any other group of residents. The walk will demonstrate Crestview’s spirit of inclusion, respect of diversity and a celebration of our commonality as humankind. The flashlight component of the walk is symbolic of a community uniting to place a light on crime and the perception of crime. There is no cost to join the 1.2-mile walk, which begins at City Hall with complimentary hot dogs at 5:45, then heads up Wilson Street before turning over to Main Street and returning to its starting point, where any leftover refreshments will be waiting. For further information, contact Chief McCosker at 850.682.3544.
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February 29th: 2020 Leap Year Mega Dance Party
WHERE: Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
WHEN: February 29, 2020 (Saturday)
TIME: 6:00pm- 11:00pm (band starts at 7p)
Every year the average is 750 to 800 people! Come dressed casual or dress the era ~ It’s your choice…it’s your Dance Party! There will be a dance floor, live DJ, Emerald Gold Band playing music from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80, 90s and more! Cash bars, vintage pinball and arcade games, free popcorn and food concessions available for purchase. This event benefits The Special Operations Warrior Foundation and www.SpecialOps.org Air Commando Foundation.
COST: $15 per person or buy 4 and get 1 free (5 for $60) in advance. $20 at the door on night of the event. Pick up your tickets (wristbands) at these locations during normal business hours: Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Beach Community Bank and their other Branch Locations
For more information, visit: www.OkaloosaIslandDanceParty.com or email: info@OkaloosaIslandDanceParty.com
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March 5th: Putt Putt 4 Beds Mini Golf Tournament
A Bed 4 Me Foundation is seeking teams of four people for their first mini golf tournament, Thursday March 5th. Putt Putt 4 Beds is a chance for anyone to come out and help get children into a bed of their own. Great opportunity for local businesses to provide employee incentives, a day of team building, corporate challenges or just an excuse to have fun. Not your typical golf tournament, hole sponsorships will offer “extras” at their holes such as using your putter like a pool stick to win a prize. Register a team for $300.00. Hole sponsorships are $400.00. Lunch is included. More information, email diane@abed4me.org or visit abed4me.org
A Bed 4 Me is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing beds to children and teens that would otherwise be sleeping on the floor or other inadequate bedding. The organization serves children ages two to 18 from low to middle income families within Okaloosa County. After each referral is evaluated, A Bed 4 Me provides new bedding, bed frame, pillow, sheets and a comforter to children who do not have beds due to economic struggles, displacement due to domestic issues and other financial hardships… Imagine bed time without a bed. Something as simple as a bed can be the one small thing that gives a child hope and a space to call their own. Join us and help get children off sofas, recliners or floor pallets and into a safe, comfortable bed to sleep.
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March 5th: 2021 KIA Seltos Launch Event
You saw it in the big game, now come see it in person! It’s the 2021 Kia Seltos Launch Event only at Kia Fort Walton Beach on Thursday, March 5th from 5:30pm – 9:30pm. Enjoy music, dancing, food, refreshments and more. Register to win prizes, including a weekend with the Seltos and dinner on us. RSVP required, here.
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March 7th: Pancake Breakfast
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March 7th: Home Tone 5k and After Party
Begin the day with a 5k- walk or run- at 8am. You will have time to go home and freshen up before returning for the After Party. Music, comedy, shopping will all be at the After Party from 3-8pm. Both events included with one ticket purchase and both take place at the First Baptist Church in Ft Walton Beach. Tickets are $30 per person, $50 per couple and proceeds benefit the Emerald Coast Autism Center in Niceville. For more info, visit http://www.ihometone.com
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March 7th: Hunger Heroes 5k
Mark your calendars for March 7th as we invite you to join our community in raising funds for our programs as we host our 2nd Annual Hunger Heroes 5k. If you’re a business, or know of one who may like to sponsor, we’ve attached the ways businesses can partner with us to make this event an even bigger success then last year. If you’d like to walk, run or even fly alongside us as we make a 5k loop down Navarre Beach to raise money, registering for the event is simple on our website by clicking here! Whether you can provide a raffle prize, sponsor one student for a year to help us reach our goal, host a kid friendly activity at our afterparty or know someone who will. Whether you walk, run, or choose to step up in a much larger way — we thank you for your continued support of our programs and local students.
When: March 7, 2020 from 7:30 AM until 10:30 AM
Warm ups begin with our friends from The Shark Gym – come join them and Be One of the Greats!
Family friendly after party to include dance party with Brent from Beachside DJ, animal encounters from Navarre Beach Science Station and Nonie’s Ark! Face painting by Penelope the Clown and so much more!
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March 12th: World’s Greatest Baby Shower
Thursday, March 12th @ 5:30pm
Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach
FREE Admission
Snacks, Fun, Games and Prizes!
We invite all Okaloosa and Walton County pregnant women and new parents who have had a baby within the last three months to join us for the World’s Greatest Baby Shower! There will be up to 50 exhibitors with information on various topics such as parenting, prenatal health, new baby care, community resources and more!
For more info, visit www.healthystartokawalton.org or call (850) 833-9284
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March 14th: Children In Crisis Charity Golf Tournament
The 14th Annual Children In Crisis Charity Golf Tournament will be held Friday, March 13th at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Course on Lewis Turner. The day will begin with an 11:00 a.m. check-in/lunch and shot-gun start at noon. The tournament is to raise critical funds to help feed, clothe and care for the kids living at the Children’s Neighborhood. Participants will enjoy lunch prior to play, refreshments from drink and snack holes on the course and a spread of heavy hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting at the awards ceremony immediately after golf. There will also be prizes for the top 3 teams, hole-in-one, closet to the pin, and longest drive. Our golfers will also receive a custom CIC Charity Golf Tournament shirt. Please call CIC at (850) 864-4242 to enter a team or for more information.
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March 13th – 19th: Spring Break Workshops at Emerald Coast Science Center
Don’t miss a moment of fun during Spring Break! With something new and exciting every day, your family can have a blast when you spring into the Science Center!
March 13th: Animal Day with the Fun Connection… Celebrate the start of Spring Break with our Animal Ambassadors. Fun Connection will be in-house doing face painting so everyone can become their favorite animal. We’ll let our animals run the show at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. during Creature Features. During this special event, general admission rates apply: $10 adults/$8 seniors/$8 for children.
March 14th: Discover Science Saturday with Fort Walton Beach Police Department… Theme: CSI. The FWB Police Department will be at the center teaching about forensics with activities on fingerprinting, DNA, evidence collecting, and more! We’ll also have fun pop-up stations and SMALLab games. This event is from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
March 16th & 20th: We will be open the Monday of Spring Break! Come down Monday or Friday to experience Creature Features at 11:30 a.m. and Chem Demos at 2 p.m. General admission rates apply: $10 adults/$8 seniors/$8 for children.
March 17th: Spring Break Workshops from 12 – 2 p.m… Going Green- we’re celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day AND learning about our environment with fun, hands-on activities regarding all things green.
March 18th: Spring Break Workshops from 12 – 2 p.m… Blast off to Space- we have brand new kits from the NISE Network all about Space, so get ready to explore the galaxy with hands-on activities.
March 19th: Spring Break Workshops from 12 – 2 p.m… Engineering Day- build, tinker, and create at this workshop for all ages. Discover what it takes to build and engineer structures of different shapes and sizes.
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March 16th: Blood Drive at McGuire’s Irish Pub
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March 21st: Snake Day with Reno’s Reptiles
The folks at Reno’s Reptiles are bringing a wide variety of animals including Pythons, Anacondas, Iguanas, Skink, Scorpion, and a 50lb Tortoise! All can be held and touched (minus the scorpion), so come discover these awesome animals.
Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm
General admission rates apply: $10 adults/$8 seniors/$8 for children. Discounts available.
Emerald Coast Science Center
31 SW Memorial Pkwy
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
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March 21st: Pinewood Auto Show
Enjoy parking among the finest aircraft and munitions in the world. Field/Grass parking only, Premium parking (asphalt/blacktop) available. Concessions will be available from the best cooks in Northwest Florida (our Scouters). 40 Awards including Boy Scout’s Choice, Cub Scout’s Choice, Best Paint, Best Interior, Best Engine, Club Participation, Ford, Chevrolet, Mopar, Pontiac, Foreign, Classic, New Cars, Low Riders, Rat Rods, and a class for Boy Scout Camp Trailers (classes subject to change). No refunds/ no rain date. For more info, visit http://www.gulfcoastcouncil.org/event/2599134
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March 21st: “Strike Out” Child Abuse Bowl-a-Thon
Come out to Fort Walton Beach Bowl and support the Emerald Coast Exchange Club. 100% of the proceeds go to support our National Project and Programs of Service: Prevention of Child Abuse and Local Youth Scholarships. Participant fee includes bowling shoe rental and 3 games. We will be having a Silent Auction, Raffle for Door Prizes and a 50/50 drawing. Also, your team can help us raise more money by collecting donations and buying extra pins to improve your total score as you compete for trophies and prizes.
So, come friends, families, co-workers and social groups – make a team. Also, if you add a fun theme and dress in matching attire, you could take home the “Best in Show” award!
Help us “strike out” child abuse! For more information, contact: Greg Givens (850) 499-1960
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March 21st: “For The Health Of It” 5k and 8k Run/ Walk
Saturday, March 21st at 9am
AJ’s Oyster Shanty: 108 Santa Rosa Blvd, Okaloosa Island
Adults $25/ Kids $20
Awards for all age groups, after party with children’s activities, food, libations, music and awards
Proceeds benefit The White-Wilson Community Foundation
Register on active.com by searching “Run for the Health of It 5k & 8k”
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March 22nd: International Festival
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April 4th: Military Family Appreciation Day
Step One Automotive Group is honored to host the Annual Military Family Appreciation Day, a festival at the Fort Walton Beach Landing (139 Brooks Street, Fort Walton Beach) designed to recognize the service and the sacrifices made by military families and veterans throughout our area. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will include live bands and recorded music, a free children’s play area with inflatables, rock climbing wall, mechanical bull ride, veteran service organizations, and free food and drinks from a variety of vendors. Throughout the day there will be drawings for prizes including a BOTE Paddle Board package, two gas grills from Okaloosa Gas, and more. Through the generosity of our sponsors, all of these amenities will be FREE to all military, veterans, and their families. The main stage, sponsored by Eglin Federal Credit Union, will feature live entertainment from Noon until 4:00 p.m. with prize giveaways to follow immediately after. The kids’ area will include a variety of inflatables, a rock climbing wall and a family friendly mechanical bull ride from Space Walk of Crestview Fort Walton Beach. For more information, contact the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce at 850.244.8191 or visit: www.FWBChamber.com.
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April 4th: Emerald Coast Walk-a-thon
Old Spanish Trail in Crestview, Florida. All money raised for the event goes to Southeastern Guide Dogs and helps fund dogs to be trained for the blind and our veterans.
Southeastern Guide Dogs transforms lives by creating and nurturing extraordinary partnerships between people and dogs. Our organization operates the most advanced training facilities of any service dog organization in the world. Our experts create and train working dogs—including guide dogs, service dogs, and skilled companion dogs—and provide life-changing services for people with vision loss, veterans with disabilities, and children with significant challenges such as vision loss or the loss of a parent in the military. Pursuing our mission since 1982, Southeastern Guide Dogs now has over 1,100 dogs under our auspices.
All of our services—which include selective breeding and expert dog training; comprehensive on-campus student instruction; and lifetime alumni support—are provided at no cost to recipients. We rely 100% on private donations and receive no government funding. Southeastern Guide Dogs has the distinction of being dually accredited by the two premier, global accreditation bodies: the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International. Learn more at www.GuideDogs.org.
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April 23rd: Science Center Planetarium Special Feature “Native American Folklore”
Join us for this special planetarium where we’ll explore Native American folklore and legends behind the stars. Our Planetarium is an inflatable dome. Guests sit on cushions on the floor of the planetarium to view the show. Due to size, space is limited to 25 patrons at a time. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended for this reason. On Planetarium Nights, please arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled showing. In case of no-shows/late shows: reserved spots will be released at show time to make space for the next party. Shows begin at 5, 6, and 7 pm and last approximately 45 minutes. Seating is limited and very popular. We encourage purchasing your tickets in advance, as this is a first come, first served event. Please call 850-664-1261, stop by the Science Center, or use our online ticketing option to purchase your tickets. Sponsored by ResortQuest Gulf Coast.
Nonmember: $9 adult | $8 senior | $7 children
Member: $7 adult | $6 senior | $5 children
Children 2 and under are free
Planetarium Special Feature shows are special edition events separate from Planetarium Nights and do not qualify for free member admission; reduced pricing is available for members. Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must occur 24 hrs prior to your show time to receive a refund. No Shows will not receive a refund. Be at least 10 minutes early to your show time or your seat can be given to someone else. For more information or questions: Call 850-664-1261 | Email business-office@ecscience.org
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May 23rd: Northwest Florida Kidney Walk
More than 2 million Floridians have chronic kidney disease, and many don’t know it. What can you do to help? Sign-up for the National Kidney Foundation of Florida’s Kidney Walk on May 23rd at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium. It’s a fun-filled non- competitive community fund-raiser to support kidney education, early detection screenings and research grants. Take the first step. Call the National Kidney Foundation of Florida at 800-927-9659 or log on to www.pensacolakidneywalk.org. 08:00 AM Check In 10:00 AM Start. For more info on the event, click HERE.
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Every Tuesday, June 2nd – July 28th: Emerald Coast Science Center Workshops
June 11th – 13th: Gulf Coast Bike & Car Music Fest
Owners and enthusiasts of luxury cars and motorcycles will be excited to know that registration is now open, and tickets are now on sale for the Gulf Coast Bike & Car Music Fest – a three day, fun-filled festival that features exotic and domestic specialty cars and motorcycles. The festival is set to take place at the Pensacola Fairgrounds from June 12-13th in the summer of this year, with additional celebratory events also taking place at Pensacola Beach on June 11th and 12th. Many of the Gulf Coast’s most well-recognized, hotly sought after vehicles will be on display. A variety of music from R&B to country, to southern soul to rock n’ roll, will also be featured at the festival. Dennis Edwards’ Temptations Revue is slated to perform as a headliner.
Presented by the Mobile Mardi Gras Party Group and C.C. Biggs Productions, proceeds from the event are aimed at helping veterans. Nonprofit organizations such as AHERO and the Monument to Women Veterans will receive support from any profits collected. “We are so excited to be a part of the Gulf Coast Bike & Car Music Fest, which will bring people together from all walks of life while celebrating different cultures and interests,” says Michelle Caldwell, founder of the Monument for Women Veterans. “We look forward to seeing the success of this fantastic event.”
Attendees are invited to not only enjoy the cars, bikes, and music, but to also join in on the biggest line dance on the Gulf Coast, which will feature Big Mucci, who will perform his smash hit party anthem, the “Biker’s Shuffle.”
Single day admission tickets are $35.00, and tickets for two-day admission are only $55.00.
The special weekend for car and bike enthusiasts will include additional events which will take place along Pensacola Beach. On Thursday night, June 11th, the group will host The Bike & Car Mardi Gras Beach Party at Pensacola Beach. Tickets are available online for $25.00 and include a Mardi Gras Mask.
The following Friday, Bike & Car Party Cruises will be available to those who wish to celebrate on the water. Tickets to the two themed party cruises- one featuring all-white garments and later that evening, another featuring all-black garments, are available for $30.00 each.
Registration is now open online for those who wish to showcase their cars and motorcycles. Local hotel partners are also offering special discounted rates on lodging for those who are traveling to the area to attend the festival. To register your car or bike, to find information on lodging and accommodations, or to learn how you can sponsor the festival, please visit www.gcbcfest.com.
