Panama City Beach Fights Oil Spill with Real Fun Summer

Events, Oil Spill, Oil Spill Reports, Tourism 4 Minutes

Panama City Beach, the REAL.FUN.BEACH. destination which recently celebrated the opening of its brand new $318 million Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), is not letting the potential impact from the Gulf Coast off-shore oil spill deter its plans to provide visitors with a quintessential summer experience.  While the destination’s sugar-white sand beaches are open for the enjoyment of all, Panama City Beach is showcasing its distinctive on-shore offerings by launching SUMMER OF FUN, a season-long, city-wide beach celebration.

From July 1 through Labor Day weekend (September 6, 2010), Panama City Beach is hosting a series of street festivals, outdoor movies, fireworks displays and more.

Throughout the festivities, Panama City Beach is rolling out the red carpet for its visitors with REAL.FUN.RANDOM ACTS OF APPRECIATION., an innovative program thanking visitors for choosing the destination in unsuspecting ways, whether it is picking up the tab for dinner or paying for a round of mini-golf.

“We strongly encourage visitors to continue with their plans to enjoy their vacation here in Panama City Beach and support those whose livelihoods are directly connected to our tourism industry,” states Dan Rowe, president and CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau.  “We are, quite simply, one of the most fun destinations in the world and our focus is ensuring that when visitors come they have a truly great time.”

Panama City Beach continues to show tremendous growth and investment in its tourism product.  WonderWorks™ Panama City Beach, an innovative attraction based on a science lab being picked up in a storm and dumped upside down, will open at the end of this month.  The four-story, 39,000-sq.-ft. attraction is filled with 100 interactive hands-on exhibits, small rides, video games, a gift shop and more.

SUMMER OF FUN officially begins on the Fourth of July with Panama City Beach’s Star Spangled Spectacular.  Listed below is a sampling of highlighted events and activities:

  • Star Spangled Spectacular – Sunday, July 4 from 5 pm. to 9:30 p.m. at Pier Park, Northwest Florida’s largest entertainment, dining and shopping complex. Festivities include a dedicated Kids Zone at Miracle Strip amusement park, live drama performances, live concert by Kevin Hammond (an up and coming singer-songwriter), and premier fireworks display.
  • BeachFest Block Party – Friday, July 16 at Pier Park – A family favorite event not-to-be-missed.  Visitors can enjoy a day of shopping, dining and entertainment at Pier Park and then enjoy festivities which culminate with a countdown and thousands of inflatable beach balls dropping from the sky at 8:00p.m.
  • 27th Annual Bay Point 40/40 Shootout – Saturday, July 17 at Bay Point Marriott – The 40/40 Shootout features a field of up to 40 boats – all of which are 40 feet or less in length – fishing for tuna, wahoo and dolphin. The kick-off party will be held on Friday night with food and entertainment, Weigh-ins are held on Saturday event. All entertainment and spectator events are free and open to the public. http://www.baypointbillfish.com
  • Bon Temps Roulez Pirate Festival – Friday, July 23 – Saturday, July 24 – Panama City Beach will “Let the Good Times Roll,” bringing New Orleans flair to Panama City Beach for concerts on Friday and festive pirate parade with fabulous floats, masked performers, colorful costume and street party beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday.
  • Festival of the Beach – Sunday, July 25 at Spinnaker Beach Club – Beginning at noon, Spinnaker Beach Club will feature live music from the Bellamy Brothers, Tobacco Road, Boyd & Wood, American Honey, Phar Fletcher, Citizen Icon, Nothing Short of Pure and more. Purpose is to raise awareness and aid in coastal clean up efforts.
  • Bellies for the Beach – Saturday, July 31 and Saturday, August 21 on By the Sea Resort’s gulf-front green next to Beachcomber by the Sea – Beginning at 6:30 p.m., belly dancing troupe Gypsy Parvana is headlining two benefit performances and free workshops.  A $5 donation to the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund is encouraged but not required. Benefit t-shirts will also be for sale.  http://www.bythesearesorts.com
  • Beach Luau at Sharky’s on Panama City Beach – Every Tuesday through August 10, Sharky’s celebrates the spirit of aloha, as well as the sights, sounds and tastes of timeless Polynesia.  Guests can enjoy tradition al music as well as the fire dancer’s show in Sharky’s own open air theatre.
  • Pier Park Summer Concert Series – Every Thursday through August 12 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.  Free concerts will take place at the Aaron Bessant Amphitheater adjacent to Pier Park. Guests are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket, cooler and picnic and enjoy all styles of music from reggae to jazz to classic rock.
  • Screen on the Green – Every Tuesday night through Labor Day – This weekly outdoor film series showcases family movies under the stars at Aaron Bessant Park.  Movies start just after dusk and are free.  Popcorn and soda are available for purchase.
  • Groovin’ on the Green – Every Monday through September 6 – Visitors are welcome to this free concert series held on the Village Green at Carillon Beach.
  • Barefoot Beach Club Live Entertainment – Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. – Barefoot Beach Club offers live entertainment from its beachfront desk.  Guitarist and singer Jesse Jones, steel drum duo Dr. Steele Good and Randy Watson are featured performers.
  • Art on a String – Every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – This uplifting, inspirational and educational exhibition consists of more than 200 unusual and masterfully crafted kites collected in Asia. It takes place at the Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida. Cost is $8 for adults; seniors and children are $4.
  • Spinnaker Beach Club Family Fun Day – Every Saturday and Sunday afternoons through Labor Day – Spinnaker Beach Club hosts a free beach party & sunset celebration complete with volleyball, jet skiing, DJ BeachHouse performing, parasailing, paddleboards, skim boards and banana boat rides.
  • Bonfire Sessions & Sunset Concert Series – Taking place Thursdays (July 8, August 12 and September 9) from 5 pm. – 10 p.m. at Spinnaker Beach Club – Guests can enjoy live music, sunset beach party and bonfire.

So, if you’re looking for something fun to do while you are on the beach, come on down, enjoy Panama City Beach and our SUMMER OF FUN.

Published by Jason Koertge

Published

20 thoughts on “Panama City Beach Fights Oil Spill with Real Fun Summer”

  1. Since there are many more “non-beach” activities to do in Destin, I think we are going to head there next week instead of PCB.

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      3. That is a really odd perspective. Where I come from, more traffic just means it takes longer to get places; and in Destin’s case it is a result of poor infrastructure…not more things to do.

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  4. We had a few tar balls in PCB about 5 days ago. Its been crystal clear ever since. Some visitors I know have been looking for some of it to take pictures and cant find any. With the wind out of the east it will be awhile before we see any

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  5. The Destin beaches are much better and have far less tar than PCB due to the winds. I have seen it for my self. Sad but true.

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    1. Michael,
      Everytime you are on this site you have to say something Destin has is better than PCB. Grow up and stop acting like a child. Destin is great city and so is PCB. Why can’t you realize it’s not a competition!

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      2. Rob,
        I visit this site quite often and I recognize his name and it always goes along with a negative comment about PCB, even before the oil spill. And right behind it, is a supportive comment about Destin. While he has a right to his opinion and can post any comments he would like, I believe he’s on the wrong website and should focus his energy toward promoting Destin. I love PCB and I think most people on this site do too. He’s a nuisance! Have a good day! 🙂

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  6. My friend and I planned a road trip…New Orleans, Pensacola, Panama City. We are supposed to leave St Louis the end of July. Really wondering how the beaches will be….We want to make hotel reservations, but are hesitant. Any advise? Are there still people going down there?

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  7. we have visited both Destin & PCB. We prefer PCB. We stay @ Calypso (closest condo to Pier Park), park the van, & walk the whole week. Calypso is central to all our favorite haunts… Sharky’s, the pier, Maragitaville, Kilwins (AMAZING icecream), Back Porch Seafood & Oyster Bar, Buffalo Wild Wings, Red Robin, Ols Navy, Hollister, Target, Peace Frog, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Miracle Strip, The Grand 16 Movie Theater, & so much more… http://www.panamacitybeachonline.com/PierPark/ Can’t wait to get there! We’re going to try Econfina this year. See you in 7 days!!!!

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  8. Jason, any word on when they are going to do something about car rentals and/or taxis. The prices are sky hi since the airport moved. I have my airfare for October, but if I knew what the prices on car rentals were going to be, I would have flown out of Fort Walton.

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  9. I love Panama City and I also have enjoyed visiting Destin. Both have beautiful beaches, plenty to do and good places to eat. Our trip to Destin last year was disappointing because our favorite place to stay is missing THE BEACH… Used to be a wide gorgeous uncrowed beach, Now, directly in front of the resort is…. NO Beach. Panama City feels more welcoming, and has done a wonderful job of restoring and keep the Beautiful Beaches Beautiful even after all the storms of the past few years… We hope to come to PCB soon! We went to the Beach in SC in May, but if I don’t go to PCB I don’t feel I’ve really been to “The Beach”

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  10. Just moved here to PCB with my husband, toddler daughter and infant son. We’ve been here a few weeks now, and are spending as much time at the beach as possible. The sands are still beautiful and we haven’t seen any signs of oil (except for occasional sightings of busloads of workers ready to attack any oil that needs to be cleaned up)! St. Andrews Park is particularly gorgeous, and the little jetty area on the bay side is perfect for little swimmers even if the gulf is too choppy from the storms. Come on down! The water is warm and the sands are still white!

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