2010 Emerald Coast Fall Volleyball ClassicOkaloosa Island, October 6-10

By Kristin Destin, ResortQuest Northwest Florida

The always exciting 2010 Emerald Coast Fall Volleyball Classic will be held October 6-10 at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.  ResortQuest is proud to be the Founding Sponsor for this annual beach volleyball tournament.  There will be four different tournaments this year: Fudpucker 4 Player, Bring Your Own Partner, Best of the Beach, and Doubles Draw.  Divisions are shaping up, and more teams are welcome so register now!

This year, the raffle drawing will benefit Ranse Jones.  Jones is a well-known volleyball player from Florida who suffered a brain aneurysm at a tournament in Panama City this spring.  The grand prize for the raffle will be a 4-day vacation package from ResortQuest!

There are five different parties for players to enjoy:
10/6  –  Welcome Party at Howl at the Moon
10/7  –  Welcome Party at Fudpucker’s in Fort Walton Beach
10/8  –  Player’s Reception at Fudpucker’s in Destin
10/9  –  Player’s Party at The Swamp
10/10 –  Pool Party at Waterscape, managed by ResortQuest

Players can register for the Fudpucker 4 Player division now for $70 per player if their registration is postmarked before October 1st.  Afterwards it will be $75, including the day of the tournament.  Download a PDF registration form here.  Bring Your Own Partner, Best of the Beach and Doubles Draw can only be registered on-site the day of the tournament and is $20 per person.  For more information, call (850) 243-2555 or visit the website at www.emeraldcoastvolleyball.com.

If you are visiting the area during the tournament, save 20% off already low fall rates for stays of 3 nights or more with ResortQuest.  For full details about accommodations specials for the Emerald Coast Fall Classic, visit our website today!

Kid-Friendly Activities for the Younger Set, Part III - Panama City Beach, Florida

By Kristin Destin, ResortQuest Northwest Florida

In previous weeks, I’ve written about various kid-friendly activities that I have found in the Gulf Shores and Destin areas.  This week will be my final installment, and I will be taking you east to Panama City Beach.  Although with any of our beautiful destinations, the beach is one of the best places to entertain your kids, here are a few final land-locked activities the small ones will enjoy!

• Gulf World Marine Park, 15412 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL – This is a great place for the kids to see a wide variety of marine life.  It has tons of live shows featuring dolphins, sea lions, reptiles and tropical birds.  There are also exhibits with penguins, flamingos, sharks, alligators, sea turtles, iguana and much more.  The best part is that children 4 and under are FREE! For more information call (850) 234-5271 or visit www.gulfworldmarinepark.com.

• Zoo World, 9008 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL – What child doesn’t love the zoo?  Zoo World has lots of shows that include “Parrots in Paradise,” “Going Wild” (featuring reptiles and small mammals), an alligator show, and a wolf show.  Also, children 3 and under are FREE!  For more information call (850) 230-1243 or visit www.zooworldpcb.net.

• Shipwreck Island Waterpark, 12201 Middle Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL – If sand isn’t your thing, this water park is perfect for you!  Small children will love the special kids’ area called the Tadpole Hole featuring slides like the Silly Sub, Pelican, and Frog.  There’s also much, much more for the bigger kids – and also for kids at heart.  Children under 35” tall are FREE!  For more information call (850) 234-3333 or visit www.shipwreckisland.com.

Now that you’ve learned about all the amazing things there are to do all along the Gulf Coast from Gulf Shores, Alabama to Panama City Beach, Florida, I really do hope that you come on down to spend your family vacation with ResortQuest.  Just give us a call – we’ll be expecting you!