As reported by The Beachcomber
Jan. 17-20
30A Songwriters Festival
Various Locations Throughout South Walton
Brian Wilson, the genius behind the Beach Boys, is set to perform at the 2020 30A Songwriters Festival.
This year’s lineup includes returning favorites Becky Warren, Carlene Carter, Chas Sandford, Chely Wright, Daphne Willis, Grayson Capps, Gretchen Peters, Hayes Carll, James McMurtry, Kim Richey, Marshall Chapman, Mary Gauthier, Randall Bramblett, Sugarcane Jane, Tommy Womack, and Will Kimbrough; local favorites Boukou Groove, Casey Kearney, Chris Alvarado, Kyle LaMonica and Max McCann; must-see festival first-timers Elizabeth Cook, Lucy Dacus, and Will Hoge; and big name headliners Brian Wilson, Don McLean, John Prine and Peter Yarrow. Plus literally hundreds more.
Feb. 14 and 15
The 31st Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival
The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin
https://www.sandestingumbofestival.com
Sample a variety of gumbo and vote for the People’s Choice winner, and see who wins over the celebrity judges. Gulf Coast restaurants take the spotlight, and there will be children’s activities and live music from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe. The festival also brings back the Bloody Mary component, and you get to be the judge for Best Bloody Mary on the Beach!
SPRING
March 5-19
Beach Bash Music Fest
Al’s Beach Club, Okaloosa Island Boardwalk
No details at press time, but anyone who attended the last two Beachcomber Music Awards knows this is one of the best live music venues around. And that view…
April 16-19
Sandestin Wine Festival
The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin
https://www.sandestinwinefestival.com
Get uncorked with one of spring’s most celebrated events, benefiting Fisher House and Sandestin Foundation for Kids. Tickets are available online now, so why wait?
May 9 and 10
ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival
Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, Miramar Beach
https://www.culturalartsalliance.com
Submission deadline for artists interested in participating is Friday, March 6. Categories include mixed media, ceramics, works on paper, fiberglass, jewelry, metal, oils and acrylics, photography, digital art, sculpture, and wood.
SUMMER
Aug. 5-8
Boat Week on the Emerald Coast
https://www.emeraldcoastpokerrun.com
The annual event culminates in powerboats, fishing boats, pleasure boats and all in between filling the waterways for one of the largest and most popular charity poker runs in the U.S.A. on Aug. 8. All proceeds benefit children’s charities of the Emerald Coast Foundation, and to date the foundation has raised over $2.5 million for local kids in need.
FALL
Oct. 2-4
Destin Seafood Festival
Destin Harbor / HarborWalk Village
https://DestinSeafoodFestival.com
With this food, music and fun-filled weekend and the Destin Fishing Rodeo taking place all month long, the beautiful Destin Harbor will be unavoidable in October.
Please note that this is just a small sampling of the great things happening on the Emerald Coast in 2020. Submit your upcoming events to chris@BeachcomberDestin.com and pick up a fresh copy of Beachcomber for the most up-to-date information.
