Pursue the Roux at the 37th Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival!
Friday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 21, 12-4 p.m.
Tantalize your taste buds at the Sandestin Gumbo Festival celebrating 37 years as the Best Gumbo Cook-Off on the Emerald Coast! Yum! Yum! Known as one of the largest and most popular winter food events in our region, our own Gulf Coast area restaurants will feature their top-secret gumbo recipes and compete for your vote. Sample the variety of gumbos and vote for your favorite as the “People’s Choice” winner. Dark or light roux? Chicken, sausage or seafood? Celebrity judges will name the “Area’s Best.” This festival’s atmosphere is filled with fun—live Zydeco music from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe while you taste, free kids’ activities and restaurants from all over our area vying for your coveted vote.
And, the popular Bloody Mary competition is back again this year, featuring the best Bloody Marys at the beach! Taste some of the finest local bars’ and restaurants’ Bloody Marys and you get to judge those, too. Vote for your favorite and help contestants win the title of “Best Bloody Mary at The Beach.”
Friday, Feb. 20 details TBD.
Visit www.SandestinGumboFestival.com for tickets and details, including a daily schedule of events and entertainment. General admission tickets are $45 before Feb. 20 and allow tastings of all gumbo and Bloody Marys; $55 day of. If you’re interested in entering the event, visit baytownewharf.com. The event will happen rain or shine.
Annual Mardi Gras Parade!
Sunday, February 15, 2 p.m. No Cost to Attend.
Mardi Gras is bigger and better than ever at The Village of Baytowne Wharf! The Village streets will be filled with unique and colorful floats, golf carts, vehicles and costumed dogs along with their humans. Mardi Gras music will fill the air as parade participants and four-pawed friends shower parade-goers with a barrage of beads, moon pies and other trinkets.
For more information, visit baytownewharf.com.
Baytowne Beads & Bingo Bash
Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 5-8 p.m. | No Cost to Attend
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! (Let the good times roll!) at Baytowne’s Mardi Gras Merchant Bingo Crawl! Grab a bingo card by the stage and stroll through The Village to discover bead-worthy merchant specials! Check off those squares and complete bingo and turn it in for a festive prize. The fun doesn’t stop there–enjoy live music on the main stage from Boukou Groove. Join us for an evening full of beads, bargains and beats! Costumes & Mardi Gras spirit encouraged!
There’s still time to have your Winter Fun at Baytowne On Ice
Now-Feb. 8
Lace up those skates and continue the magical winter spirit at The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Baytowne on Ice. For locals and visitors who miss the cold and ice, Baytowne’s seasonal ice rink is the perfect opportunity to share some of your favorite winter traditions. The ice rink is open through Sunday, Feb. 9. Hours vary daily. Check the schedule at baytownewharf.com. The cost is $15 for 90-minute skate and $3 skate rentals. Skaters must be at least age 3 and fit into appropriately sized skates. Children under age 6 must be accompanied by a parent or adult family member. Call (850) 428-2736 or visit baytownewharf.com for more information.
Even More Baytowne Wharf January Fun!
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow! at the Winter Wonderland, Saturday, Jan. 10, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The Village of Baytowne Wharf’s Event Plaza is turning into a Winter Wonderland full of real snow! Bundle up and bring the whole family for a day of free, frosty fun!
On Thursday, Jan. 15, 5 p.m., join Baytowne Wharf for an evening full of free champagne and shopping during its Bubbly Baytowne. Sip and shop through the Village streets. Stop in various retail merchants as you enjoy a selection of premium champagnes. * This event is free and for 21 and up only. The village will be open to the public during this event.
Walk or run with friends and family at the Pink Walk & 5K Benefiting Fore Her on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 8:30 a.m. Wear your pink and have fun while raising funds for breast cancer patients in financial need. Register at www.foreher.org/pinkwalk5k.
