Fireworks will light up Destin/South Walton during Fourth of July celebrations.
Smoke on the Coast
The Fourth Annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ competition takes place from 1-10 p.m. July 3 at Destin Commons. Events include free face painting, kid’s activities, street performers, and continuous live bands performing on two stages, including The Maxx, Heritage, Jones & Company, and Chris Alvarado. Twenty area restaurants and BBQ aficionados will light up their grills to prepare their best dishes. For $1 per sampling, beginning at 6 p.m., people can taste and vote for their favorite People’s Choice Award Winner with proceeds benefitting local military and children’s charities. The evening concludes with fireworks at 9:15. hours. Beginning at 4 pm, free shuttle services will run from Destiny Worship Center and Mattie Kelly Arts Cultural Village/Grace Lutheran church parking areas.
Beach Blast
Elephant Walk restaurant in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will have a free evening of entertainment on the beach at 6 p.m. July 3. Activities include beach bonfires, live music by Bo Adams, children’s activities, bounce houses, face painting, balloon sculpting, a photo lounge, s’mores, and a fireworks show. Select activities are at an additional cost. Patio seating available for dinner at Elephant Walk. Make reservations at 267-4800.
Americana Under The Stars
Bring a chair, a beverage and enjoy the music of the Bridet Kelly Band at 6 p.m. July 3 and 4 in the amphitheater at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Open mic begins the evening. Free admission into park and a suggested donation of $5 goes to the Friends of Topsail Hill. Food available for purchase.
Beneath the Stars and Stripes
The Lighthouse Amphitheater at Shoreline Village in Destin will support America’s troops from 6-10 p.m. this Fourth of July at the first Beneath the Stars and Stripes — A Tribute to our Armed Forces and veterans presented by Pepsi with music by Sinfonia Gulf Coast. All proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Donations will be accepted throughout the night. Admission is free and open to all ages.
July 4th at HarborWalk
Celebrate at HarborWalk Village beginning with the Red, White and Blue Celebration honoring Tom Rice on July 3. The Victory Belles revive the WWII era in their throwback tailored dresses, coiffed curls and bright red lipstick singing 1940s classics from 7-10 p.m. July 4. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. The celebration continues with a free concert with Gypsy Riot July 5.
July 4th Parade
Destiny S/D, off Scenic 98 on Grand Palms Boulevard in Destin, will have their first July 4th Parade at 10 a.m. If raining, start will be 6 p.m. The parade will begin at the entrance to Destiny and move slowly through the neighborhood streets for about a mile.
The participants of the parade will be neighbors and their friends dressed in patriotic attire and decorated golf carts, bicycles, tricycles, unicycles, scooters, pull wagons, big wheels, skateboards and pets, too. A flag ceremony, singing of the Star Spangled Banner follows at the sport court, and ice cream cups for all participants.
WaterColor Celebrates
Decorate your bike from 10-10:30 a.m. July 3 at the South end of Cerulean Park near the Koi Pond with a bike parade from 10:30-11 a.m. through the streets of WaterColor Inn & Resort, ending at Marina Park. A carnival follows until 2 p.m. with waterslides, a dunk tank, face painting, hot dogs, ice cream, DJ, and more. Free admission.
The third annual “Easy on 30A” concert will take place from 6-10 p.m. at Marina Park. Free admission. Raffle and silent auction items will benefit the Muscogee Indian Nation in Bruce, Fla., LightHouse Family Retreat, and Alaqua Animal Refuge. Bring a blanket or chair for seating. Coolers and picnics are welcomed. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase
A Celebration Picnic will be held from 7-10 p.m. July 4 on WaterColor Beach. Music by Sway Jah Vu and fireworks on the beach at 9 p.m. Admission is free. Tickets required. Call 534-5041.
The weekend closes from 5-8 p.m. July 5 with a free concert featuring Cool Rayz at Marina Park. Bring lawn chairs and refreshments.
July 4th Pig Roast
American Legion Post 296, 311 Main Street in Destin, will host its first Hawaiian Smoked Pig Roast with games, hula dancers, hula contest and prizes, horseshoes, bean toss, dunking booth and live music from 1-4 p.m. Donation $7 per plate. Call 837-3818.
Freedom Festival
Fort Walton Beach First United Methodist Church will host the 10th Annual Freedom Festival from 6-9 p.m. July 4 on the side lawn of the church, 103 First Street SE. The event is free and open to the public.
There will be food, fellowship, a photo booth, a cakewalk, games, a waterslide and bouncy house. The event will conclude by watching the Fort Walton Beach fireworks, which are fully visible from the church grounds.
Festival goers are encouraged to bring bathing suits and towels for the kids and folding chairs or blankets for seating.
For a schedule of events for the festival, visit FWBFUMC.org or call 243-9292.
Red, White & Baytowne
Celebrate Independence Day at Baytowne Wharf July 4 with live music by Mama's Blue Dress and kid’s activities from 7-9 p.m. Fireworks light up the sky at 9:15 p.m.
4th of July Concert
Celebrate the Fourth with a free concert featuring the Atlanta Allstars from 7-10 p.m. in the Alys Beach Amphitheatre. Fireworks follow; Piper’s will offer food and beverage.
Stars & Stripes at Seaside
Start the day at 8 a.m. with the Annual July 4th parade down 30A and ending in Seaside. Entries should check in between 7 and 7:30 a.m. at Seagrove Plaza in Seagrove Beach. Winners will be announced at Amphitheater following parade.
A live POPS performance by the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra begins at 7:15 p.m. at the Seaside Amphitheater, followed by a fireworks finale at 9.
Grayton BeachParade
Join in the fun for the traditional July 4th parade in Grayton Beach. Line up at the Red Bar starts at 8 a.m., with the parade starting at 8:30 a.m. Decorate your cars, jeeps, boats, bikes, scooters, etc. Everyone is welcome. The parade will end at Grayton Coast Properties for watermelon and lemonade.
Celebration at Hilton Sandestin Beach
Hilton Sandestin Beach hosts a Fourth of July party from 6-9 p.m. July 4 with a fireworks show and festivities from the pool deck while enjoying a traditional buffet dinner. Call 267-9500, ext. 44 for reservations. Cost of dinner is adults/$42.9, children 6-12 years old, $16.95 and under 5/complimentary.
Fireworks and Dinner Cruise
Celebrate the Fourth on board the Solaris, docked at Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina, from 6-9:30 p.m. with coastal cuisine, live music, dancing and fireworks. Prices range from $20 to $80. Reservations required online at www.SunQuestCruises.com or call 650-2519.