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!

Rock the Beach Free Concerts on Okaloosa Island, Fort Walton Beach - See Lynyrd Skynyrd on August 15!

By Kristin Destin, ResortQuest Northwest Florida

As everyone knows, tourism along the entire Gulf Coast has been hit really hard as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The outpouring of support has been amazing and much appreciated. One of the best known supporters was Jimmy Buffett who gave a free concert on July 11 in Gulf Shores. As a lover of music, I attended this great concert on the beach and it was one of the best experiences of my life. The concert brought attention to the areas hit by the crisis, and attendees were happy to contribute something positive. It was lots of fun to join 35,000 people singing along to all the songs. Jimmy Buffett was not the only philanthropist willing to lend a hand; Kenny Loggins and the Doobie Brothers also rocked the beach on Okaloosa Island earlier this month. There’s nothing like a concert right on the Gulf of Mexico, sitting on a gorgeous beach with good tunes!

Come join us for the next Rock the Beach concert, August 15 on Okaloosa Island, headlined by none other than southern rock legend Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Florida natives, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, are most famous for their songs “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird.” Drift back to the 70s and enjoy classic southern rock, blending rock, country and blues all into one fantastic sound! The opening act is country newcomer Josh Thompson, who you may know by his hit song “Way Out Here.”

What better way to support the Gulf Coast than rockin’ out to the tunes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Josh Thompson, and maybe even the Charlie Daniels Band? Come on down to Okaloosa Island and enjoy this terrific Gulf Coast benefit concert. I’ll be saving a spot for you!