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!

32nd Annual Destin Seafood FestivalSeptember 17-19, 2010

By Kristin Destin, ResortQuest Northwest Florida

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year.  The weather gets much cooler, not as much humidity, plus fall means that it’s time for the 32nd Annual Destin Seafood Festival and the Fishing Rodeo!  This year will mark some big changes to the Destin Seafood Festival; for 31 years the festival has been held in October, coinciding with the month-long Fishing Rodeo.  To give the Rodeo an advance kick-off party for 2010, the Seafood Festival will now be held September 17-19.  There’s also a change of scenery, as the Festival will take place at the Fishing Fleet Marina, City of Destin Royal Melvin Heritage Park and Fisherman’s Wharf.  It’s still right at the docks, just a little more to the east. 

The Destin Seafood Festival is a blast!  If you’re from the area, you can’t help but run into everyone you know.  And if you’re visiting the Emerald Coast, you’re sure to make new friends.  There’s live music, arts and crafts, and of course, delicious seafood from area restaurants.  The three-day festival kicks off on Friday with a performance by local rock favorite Black-Eyed Blonde.  Headliners for Friday will be Starship starring Mickey Thomas, performing such hits as “We Built This City” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”  Saturday’s entertainment features Donnie Sundal, Jackie & Dave, and one of my personal local favorites, the Forrest Williams Band (you can catch them at Hog’s Breath most weekends).  The big hit for Saturday night is none other than Loverboy, who you may recognize from their songs “Working For the Weekend” and “Turn Me Loose.”  Sunday follows with artists The Sal Salaz Project and Jones and Company.

You can purchase a three-day pass for just $15.  Day passes can be purchased for Friday (4-10pm) for $5, Saturday (10am-10pm) for $10, and Sunday (11am-4pm) for $5.  The Festival is one of the best family-friendly events in the area, and all children 12 and under get in absolutely FREE!  Parking is limited, so make sure you arrive early.  ResortQuest Vacation Rentals is the official Accommodations Sponsor of the 32nd Annual Destin Seafood Festival. Just call (800) 380-4808, mention the Destin Seafood Festival, and you’ll receive a discounted rate.

The weekend prior to the festival, the 2nd Annual Seafood Festival Golf Classic takes place at the Indian Bayou Golf Course on September 10-11.  The tournament draws competitive players from all over our region. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Destin Fisherman’s Fund.  The top three teams in each flight will receive gift certificates and will be recognized on Saturday, September 18 during the Seafood Festival.  Registration deadline is August 31.  For more information on the Golf Classic, contact the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce at (850) 837-6241. 

Come on out to these exciting events, have a blast, and help the residents of Destin celebrate life in "The Luckiest Fishing Village In The World!”

Kid-Friendly Activities for the Younger Set, Part II - Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Florida

By Kristin Destin, ResortQuest Northwest Florida

In Part I, I told you about several hot spots in Gulf Shores that are welcoming to families with small children.  Gulf Shores is only one of many places along the Emerald Coast that are kid-friendly.  This week we’re going to head east to Destin and Fort Walton Beach to see what we can find there! 

• AJ’s Sea Blaster, 66 Harbor Blvd., Destin, FL – This is the Gulf’s largest speedboat, but don’t let that scare you away.  The 73’ boat offers an array of different dolphin cruises and adventures that you can enjoy at any speed.  Life jackets are provided upon request, and the best part – children 4 and under are FREE!  Kids of all ages will love this boating experience! For more information call (850) 654-6888 or visit www.seablasterdestin.com.

• Big Kahuna’s, 1007 Highway 98 E, Destin, FL – This amazing water park in downtown Destin features a kids-only play area featuring great slides such as the Pirahna, Blue Mamba, Tahiti Twister, and Hydro Max.  There are some areas where kids under 48” tall are required wear life jackets (you can grab these at the locker station).  Swim diapers are required for the younger kids.  Kids 2 and under are FREE! For more information call (850) 837-4061 or visit www.bigkahunas.com.

• The Gulfarium, 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway, Ft. Walton Beach, FL – Just over the bridge from Destin, on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, the Gulfarium offers a great experience with local sea life!  The kids will love the sea lion, dolphin, and other multi-species shows, and will be enthralled by the penguin and otter feedings.  All of the shows have covered seating, so you’ll have a great time, rain or shine!  Kids 2 and under are also FREE!  For more information call (850) 243-9046 or visit www.gulfarium.com.

Stay tuned for Part III for the final installment of Gulf Coast activities the whole family can enjoy!

Perdido Key Open 2010 Beach Volleyball Tournament, September 17-19

By Kristin Destin, ResortQuest Northwest Florida

Avid volleyball players rejoice – come to Florida and compete on the beautiful beaches of Perdido Key! The largest outdoor beach event on the Gulf Coast is just a month away. The Perdido Key Open 2010 Beach Volleyball Tournament will take place September 17th-19th on the beaches in front of the world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge.

Activities begin at 7 p.m. on Friday with a Player’s Party. Divisional Pool Play will take place on Saturday, and Sunday will showcase Eliminations and Divisional Championships. Come down and compete, or just to enjoy the excitement and celebrate with the winners!

There are four different divisions that you can register for: Doubles ($40 per team), 4 Person Team ($80), Co-Ed Doubles ($40), and 6 Person Team ($100). Register today for your chance to compete for up to $500 in cash prizes.

ResortQuest is proud to be the Official Accommodations Sponsor for the tournament. Visit our website at ResortQuestPerdidoKeyVacations.com to view our vacation rentals in Perdido Key. Book a condo and save, we offer up to 3 bedrooms sleeping up to 10 guests, with full kitchens, very economical! For more information on the tournament, or to sign up your team, visit PerdidoKeyOpen.com or call (800) 328-0107 or (850) 492-4660.

Set…Spike!