Freeport’s streets burst with color and history in the form of massive painted concrete anchors—each landmark telling a story. The Anchored in Freeport project transforms the city’s maritime symbol into a permanent public art installation. For a town shaped by…
Across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties, an average of 12.5 percent of residents are experiencing food insecurity, according to numbers reported by Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study. A 2025 annual report from the Florida Council on…
Melli Pappas is a passionate advocate for literary accessibility. A proud mother, grandmother, and owner of The Book Rack in Fort Walton Beach, she’s always loved to read for herself and with her kids. “Both my parents were huge readers,”…
There’s nothing like a good prompt or theme to get a writer in the spirit of storytelling. It’s no wonder I was immediately drawn to the idea of dinner and a story. Founders of Emerald Coast Storytellers, Kristy Holditch and…
A locally based ticketing portal for live events is now available to Northwest Florida residents. 850TIX.com owned by Rowland Publishing, Inc. promises to provide a one-stop shop for residents and visitors to find and purchase tickets to local concerts, events, and shows.
At Traditions Workshop in Fort Walton Beach, the past and present coexist. Antique tools and old, weathered machinery, some dating back more than a hundred years, sit comfortably alongside power tools of the twenty-first century. But this isn’t a museum—the…
Kuk Harrell and his wife Stevie sat on the couch in front of a box that was delivered to their Atlanta home. Unsure what it could be, he carefully cut the seal, pulled open the carton’s lid, and reached inside.…
It was only a couple years ago that I couldn’t find an eagle anywhere. Fellow photographers were finding them, and the photos were taunting me on social media. But the more I looked, the bigger the disappointment in not seeing…
The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County, proudly announces Gerard Frank as the Featured Artist for the 37th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival. Frank’s custom artworks—Clarence and Alabama, Great Minds, and One Man Show will be showcased on all…
Sean Murphy spent much of his photography career in the thick of alternative and punk rock action. Throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, he shot an innumerable number of bands, many of them big names—Jimmy Eat World, Everclear, Tenacious…
See who the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine voted as the Best Local Band, Best Community Event, Best Live Music/Entertainment Venue, Best Art Museum/Gallery, Best Place to Take the Kids — and dozens of other categories.
The new palm tree planted in Sergey Bogza’s front yard is symbolic to the 39-year-old Panama City Symphony maestro. Bogza was born in Russia but came to the United States when he was 9 years old. He’s lived, studied, and…
Bridgeway Center Inc. (BCI) is proud to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for Willow Way Village, a transformative new permanent supportive housing development located at 333 Lewis Street in Fort Walton Beach. The event will take place on Friday, September 26,…
With many fond memories and much sadness, The REP Theatre has announced that it will be ceasing operations following the completion of its final summer performances in mid-August, concluding a remarkable 25-year run as a cornerstone of the 30A arts…
At times, it is hard to take Christon Anderson seriously. The 43-year-old Panama City native is a serious artist. His works have won awards and been on display in galleries and private collections. His abstracts and mixed media pieces are…
Freeport’s streets burst with color and history in the form of massive painted concrete anchors—each landmark telling a story. The Anchored in Freeport project transforms the city’s maritime symbol into a permanent public art installation. For a town shaped by…
Melli Pappas is a passionate advocate for literary accessibility. A proud mother, grandmother, and owner of The Book Rack in Fort Walton Beach, she’s always loved to read for herself and with her kids. “Both my parents were huge readers,”…
There’s nothing like a good prompt or theme to get a writer in the spirit of storytelling. It’s no wonder I was immediately drawn to the idea of dinner and a story. Founders of Emerald Coast Storytellers, Kristy Holditch and…
A few years ago, I sat on the beach with my sketchbook and drew a happy little pelican. I had no idea that this simple doodle would one day become Pensacola’s new welcome sign, greeting thousands of people as they…
When welcoming guests into your home, the living room is often a space for gathering on cozy couches and chairs centered around a coffee table. Amid conversation, a guest might lean forward to put their drink on a coaster, their…
Shane Reynolds is a true Floridian. He was born in Pensacola, raised in Fort Walton, and lives in Destin. As a kid, Reynolds didn’t stray too far from home. “My dad liked to be home, and that was his thing,” he…
Ten weeks of stellar sounds this Spring
For families across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the dream of homeownership can feel like a distant, impossible goal. Rising costs, scarce land, and unexpected repairs often force hopeful buyers into an endless cycle of renting. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity…
Across Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties, an average of 12.5 percent of residents are experiencing food insecurity, according to numbers reported by Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study. A 2025 annual report from the Florida Council on…
At Traditions Workshop in Fort Walton Beach, the past and present coexist. Antique tools and old, weathered machinery, some dating back more than a hundred years, sit comfortably alongside power tools of the twenty-first century. But this isn’t a museum—the…
Bridgeway Center Inc. (BCI) is proud to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for Willow Way Village, a transformative new permanent supportive housing development located at 333 Lewis Street in Fort Walton Beach. The event will take place on Friday, September 26,…
Modern golf entertainment leader Topgolf announced that it will open its first venue along Florida’s Emerald Coast in Panama City Beach on June 27. This is Topgolf’s 10th outdoor venue in the state of Florida. Topgolf Basics Never been to a Topgolf…
The energy inside the Juniper Ballroom of Hotel Effie at Sandestin on March 26 was unmistakable—joyful, electric, and deeply inspiring. As guests entered the elegant foyer, they were greeted by friendly faces and a festively framed portrait of 12 accomplished…
The City of Fort Walton Beach congratulates Christina Donahoe of Christina Custom Art on her winning design for a new downtown Fort Walton Beach entrance sign. For her design efforts, Donahoe was presented with a check for $5,000 during a…
Warm your winter with Sinfonia Gulf Coast’s exciting lineup of events, guaranteed to add sparkle to your social calendar
Carrie Honaker was traveling abroad, on board a barge in Southern France, when she unexpectedly received an email from Cider Mill Press. The publishing company was looking to recruit Honaker to author a compilation of cocktails made at bars…
