Year: 2012

Pirates of the High Seas Festival THIS WEEKEND

If you haven’t planned your trip to the beach for Columbus Day weekend, then get your bags packed, check out our condo rental availability calendar and fill up the tank.  This weekend is the second annual Pirates of the High Seas Festival and will adorn Panama City Beach with pirates, a beach ball drop and parades.

Schedule of events

All events below will take place in Pier Park unless noted otherwise.

Friday October 5th

  • Pirate and Wench (Adults) Costume Contest (6:00 p.m.)
    Aspiring pirates and lasses can show off their high seas style.
  • Pet Costume Contest (6:20 p.m.)
    Scruffy scallywags, pampered pooches and feathered friends take the stage to display their pirate garb in a chance to capture the bounty.
  • Second Line Parade (7:00 p.m.)
    Mardi Gras style parade
  • Beach Ball Drop (8:00 p.m.)
    More than 8,000 inflated beach balls will create a sea of excitement as they fall from the sky onto Pier Park Drive.

Saturday October 6

  • Run for the Treasure (7:30 a.m.)
    Landlubbers will stretch their legs at pirate-themed Fun Run, 5K and Half Marathon hosted by Girl’s Inc. of Bay County at Aaron Bessant Park.
  • Children’s Costume Contest, Treasure Hunt, Activities on BookIt.com Beach and Face Painting (12 noon)
    Exciting activities and live music on the main stage presented just for petite pirates.
  • Lookout for pirates in the Gulf of Mexico (4:00 p.m.)
    The Midnight Princess and Sea Dragon ships sail the waters of the Gulf, battling to lay siege on the city.
  • Pirates Raid Panama City Beach City Pier (4:30 p.m.)
    Anchored offshore, the pirates invade City Pier seeking the keys to the city, followed by a children’s pirate parade. All costumed children are welcome to join the march.
  • Pirate Parade (6:30 p.m.)
    Royal pirates from the Krewe of Dominique Youx strut the streets alongside winners of costume contests and street performers to the Circle for music.
  • Dueling Fireworks Show (8:00 p.m.)
    Battle of the High Seas between County and City Piers as a mysterious pirate ship arrives offshore.

Torrential Downpour in Panama City Beach

The last two weeks have been amazing with sunny days, blue skies and mid-80 degree weather. But the forecast today includes torrential rain and heavy wind.

Waking up to very tropical-like conditions, the rain was coming down in heavy sheets, with drops flying almost horizontal. There are high wind advisories with gusts over 30 mph and high surf advisories with 6’+ waves and rip currents.

Driving into work today, my van was bucked side to side from the wind and I could hear the rain beating at my side windows even as I was traveling at over 45 mph. At points I had to slow down to a near crawl because visibility was do limited.

Today’s a very rainy day at the beach but tomorrow the sun will be back and should stay with us through this Columbus Day weekend. So go see a movie, go shopping or go play in the rain.

Holy Sanctuary Secret – The Beach Show’s Amazing Homes This Week

Holy cow, this week on The Beach Show we have some really amazing homes in a super secret and super charming area, Sanctuary Beach.  This area was originally envisioned as a high-end coastal craftsman community and some of the homes that were developed are on the foreclosure block at drop-dead amazing prices.

You have to check out these homes.

ZooBilee is THIS WEEKEND – $1 Admission to ZooWorld

One of everyone’s favorite local animal attractions is having their annual ZooBilee festival this weekend and they’re inviting all to come at a discounted admission rate.  With kid’s admission normally $10, the $1 admission this weekend at ZooWorld is an amazing deal for you to take the family and enjoy a day at the zoo.

If you missed the opportunity to volunteer the last time at ZooWorld, you have another shot! Read about it here.

Details about the event.

ZooBilee is an annual event where ZooWorld opens up their doors for a discounted rate to invite the public to see their amazing animal friends and raise money to help care for them.

Date: September 29 and 30

Time: 9:30 am to 5 pm (last admission 4:30 pm)

Location: 9008 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, 32407

Cost for admission: $1 per person

VIP parking is available onsite for $3, but it will fill up extremely fast and very early, so plan on parking at Super Walmart and taking the free Kincaid shuttle bus.

And as if seeing some of these great animals wasn’t enough fun, ZooWorld will be holding raffles, will offer photo ops with some of the animals, they’ll have pony rides, food concessions and more!

More about ZooWorld

ZooWorld is a 501(C)(3) non-profit educational facility that is open to the public daily. Home to over 260 animals including exotic and endangered species, they are supported through public donations and programs.

Some of the varieties of animals they’re home to include tigers, wolfs, leopards, lions, monkeys, bears and snakes, just to name a few.

ZooWorld is open daily from 9:30 am to 4 pm Monday through Sunday except on Thanksgiving day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

If You’ve Got the Dream…We’ve Got The Land!

A Fabulous Short Sale…
and a beautiful building lot in a great community with Grand Lagoon views and an amazing ammenity package, and even more building lots on the water, just minutes to Shell Island!

Hot deal #1 is a Golf course community home for only $234,500

Short sale GREAT DEAL!!!

Gorgeous back yard with lush vegetation and SALTWATER POOL.

sprinkler system

HARD SURFACE FLOORING THROUGHOUT

Split bedroom plan

Hot deal #2 is an amazing corner lot in Bay Point with WATER VIEWS for only $149,000

1/4 of an acre all cleared with Lake views

Builder plans to be furnished with Lot

12,000 square foot Serenity Spa on property along with 2 golf courses

Hot deal #3 is an amazing group of Foreclosure lots

Lots ranging in price from 30,000 up to 63,000

3 of the 4 lots are right on the water and just a few moments away from Shell Island by boat

On the eastern end of Panama City Beach in a quiet gated community

3 Reasons to Come to the Beach This Weekend

If Panama City Beach is like a second home to you, then you know that this time of year is THE BEST time of year to come to the beach.  Very little crowd, excellent weather and warm gulf water is extremely inviting–it’s even making my mouth water and I live here!  If that pesky little thing called school didn’t get in the way, this time of year’s popularity across the board would rival summer!

Fall weekends at the beach are greeted with events, great weather and super low accommodation rates, so if you haven’t planned your trip for this weekend, beleive me, it’s not too late.  Pack your swimming suit, check our rental availability calendar and head down!

1 – Amazing weather.

Fall at the beach is super special because we have consistent 80 degree days and 60 degree nights.  Warm enough to swim in the pool or take a dip in the gulf, this time of year is so perfect.

Panama City Beach this past summer had tons of rain.  It felt like it rained almost every day!  Many of us locals were grateful for the water, but I know the tourists were asking us to do anti-rain dances.  🙂

For about the last 3 weeks, the days have been clear and we’ve been blessed with deep blue skies, emerald green waters and flat seas.  When it is like this, swimming in the gulf is like swimming in an enormous salt-water swimming pool.  It’s a blast to play with the kids in the smaller surf or just relax in the water and let the salt soak in and sun rays warm your body.  It’s therapeutic, really.

This weekend, the weather is very promising with daily highs in the mid to upper 80’s, sunshine and lows (at night) in the mid to upper 60’s.  Wind is predicted to be very low which will ensure flat surf, keeping the water clear and beautiful.

Yesterday afternoon I was hanging on my back deck with my mom and we were commenting on how perfect it felt outside.  Not too hot, nor too cold.  Just perfect.

2 – Cheap accommodation rates.

When school’s in session, it’s no secret that the beach slows down a lot.  Travel schedules are limited and demand for beach rentals goes way down.  With that, with the natural principle of supply and demand, accommodation rates come way down too.  In many cases, the cost of getting into your favorite condo or beach home is half what it cost in July, sometimes less!

For example one of our 1 bedroom 2 bathroom condos in Sterling Breeze would normally cost around $522 for three nights in July, but right now, it’s just $89 a night.  And properties all up and down the beach are negotiable just to keep some revenue momentum up through the end of our fall season.

When I’m shopping around using VRBO, I always just send inquiries through with an offer of what I can afford to pay at that time and many times I find several that are willing to work with me.

3 – Have the beach to yourself.

With travel demand down this time of year, much of the beach’s attractions and amenities are slower than they are in the summer.  This means fewer lines, shorter wait times and less traffic.  You’ll be surprised at how many people are still coming to the beach, but the sheer volume is definitely much less than summer time.

There are many local businesses that close their doors in the off-season, but for them that doesn’t come around until after October is over.  This time of year is amazing because all the perks of summer attractions still exist, but with far fewer crowds.  Grocery stores are easier to shop at, parking is easier to find and the beach itself is less crowded so you can find your perfect spot.

Summer at the beach is great, but us “locals” know that fall is the best time of year to come.  Amazing weather, cheap rates and fewer crowds make this time of year in Panama City Beach the perfect time of year to make a quick weekend trip to the beach.

ZooWorld Needs YOUR Help This Weekend

Remember when we did that awesome service project at ZooWorld a few months back?  We had an amazing turnout with over 75 people showing up to help.  If you missed your chance then, there’s another opportunity to serve this weekend at this great local attraction

ZooBilee is this weekend and ZooWorld is looking for a few dozen caring people to come help out with the extremely large crowd of people that attends this annual event.

Time and details of the event.

Date: September 29 and 30

Time: 9:30 am to 5 pm (last admission 4:30 pm)

Location: 9008 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, 32407

Cost for admission: $1 per person

Some of the areas that volunteers will be working include parking, dunking booth, food concessions, security, raffles, etc.

There are three shifts: 9 am to 1:30 pm, 12 pm to 5 pm and all-day.

Who to contact if interested.

These events are amazing and super fun to volunteer at.  Service is one of the best ways to help your community and it feels great too!

If you’re interested, just get in touch with Stephanie at 850-230-4839.  The sooner the better.

Cottage Collages Turns Trash to Treasure

 

 

With all this talk of being green, there is few of us that actually do it.  So I find it intriguing when someone’s entire business utilizes cast off materials.

That is what Linda Shannon of Cottage Collages off of Hwy 79 in Panama City Beach does every day. And she is not the only one, many local craftsmen and artisans are taking to using reclaimed wood and fabrics to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary….trash to treasure.

“I take things that are normally cast aside, broken furniture, excess wood….and I turn them into something useful”, the longtime resident, Mrs. Shannon says.

I find Linda refreshing because in a day and age full of ordering off Pottery Barn and IKEA online, here is a hardworking women that uses her creative  resourcefulness to turn out one of a kind pieces of furniture for area residents at affordable prices, and all with a spirit of gratitude.

“I feel very blessed to do what I do, I get to do something I love, not everyone can say that”, Linda says to me when she is talking about her work.

 

 

 

 

When I asked what her favorite materials are, she said she loved it all, but utilizes reclaimed wood most of the time.  Aged Pine and driftwood are very popular materials favored by many of her customers right now as the rustic, coastal look is very popular, especially along Hwy 30A.

“I started this by accident” she says, “many years ago as a hardworking mom, I did not have the money for pretty things for my house, so I just found a way to make my own….then I realized I liked it”, Shannon, owner of Cottage Collages says.  She said her favorite part of her work, is the transformation process of it, turning “nothing into something.”

We are so glad for her happy accident inspired by her resourcefulness over two decades ago, for it developed into a niche that supplies us with beautiful and yet functional pieces, some you can see in Peaches to Beaches on Back Beach Road near the Fire Station just West of Hwy 79, and if you are in Walton County…..Retail Therapy (where Scavengers was) off of Hwy 98.

Cottage Collages, not unlike many other local artisans, likes to support local craft fairs and artist markets, often times choosing events that are fundraising for a cause, rather it be a domestic violence shelter or an animal shelter, she often tithes a percentage of her earnings back to the cause.

For example, you can see her work next weekend at the ” 2nd Annual Share the Shelter Music Fest” on Sept. 29th in Gulf Place benefiting Shelter House and Alaqua Animal Refuge.

Other upcoming shows:

Oct 19th and Oct 20th @ the Angel’s Garden in Pensacola

Oct 27th @ Harvest Market in Rosemary Beach

And Saturday, November 3rd she is back on Panama City Beach, at the 2nd Annual “Celebrate the Arts” co-hosted by Cerulean Interiors and Beachy Beach Real Estate.  The intimate local artists market is an avenue to provide monetary support for Beach Care Services, an organization that helps Bay County families in need.

If you would like to find out more about Cottage Collages or commission her to create something just for your home or business, you can give her a call at 850-774-8812, visit her Facebook page or shoot her an email at: lindacottagecollages@gmail.com.

 

July Bed Tax Revenue Numbers UP 1.59% over 2011

Summer’s almost over and July was another banner bed tax revenue month.  April, May and June were record breaking months and July just barely cinched an improvement coming in at 1.59% over last year’s numbers.

A close look at the numbers.
  •  July 2012 – $3,009,385.67 – single point:  $601,877.13 – 1.59% up over previous year
  • July 2011 – $2,962,268.09 – single point:  $592,453.62 – 50.6% up over previous year
  • July 2010 – $1,967,020.33 – single point:  $393,404.07 – -14.6% up over previous year
  • July 2009 – $2,302,863.86 – single point:  $460,572.77 – 2.7% up over previous year
  • July 2008 – $1,345,540.63 – single point:  $448,513.54 – -3.2% up over previous year
  • July 2007 – $1,389,711.37 – single point:  $463,237.12
When considering gains, it’s always fun to look at where we are in comparison to where we were a few years ago.  For example, before the oil spill, many considered the 2008 summer tourism season a good baseline for strong tourism.  When compared to that year, 2012 is  34.2% up.

Industry wide in Bay County for July 2012, $60,187,713.40 was generated in room-night revenue.

The numbers from the previous months this year
  • June 2012 – $2,737,780.66 – up 19.88% over previous year
  • May 2012 – $1,408,512 – up 24.95% over previous year
  • April 2012 – $1,270,835.84 – up 4.45% over previous year
  • March 2012 – $1,769,821.69 – up 19.38% over previous year

 

New Tourism Strategic Plan for Panama City Beach Released

Looking into the future creates feelings of excitement and anticipation.  Dreaming of what prosperity may come from careful planning and growth makes me all giddy inside.  At last week’s TDC meeting, the revised strategic plan was released that discusses the vision of 2020 in Panama City Beach and how we’ll get there.

This new plan is updated from the last plan that was released in 2008.  So, as you can imagine, we have a much better idea as to where we are and where we’re going.

The Vision of PCB in 2020
  • Maintain our place as the world’s most beautiful beaches.
  • Maintain high visitor occupancy while not exceeding the destination’s carrying capacity.
  • Continued diversification of our tourism product to create additional demand
    • New sports and event venues designed to drive increased destination appeal in the shoulder and off-seasons
    • Increased ecotourism and nature-based recreation access to the St. Andrew Bay and the Gulf of Mexico
    • Development of additional attractions, cultural & heritage resources, and other tourism amenities.
  • Enhance primary gateways that welcome visitors, create a sense of place, deliver the brand message and direct first-time visitors to the visitor center
  • Consistent directional signage throughout the destination.
  • Continue CRA improvements along Front Beach Road
  • Redevelopment of abandoned and dilapidated property in core visitor areas.
  • Consistent visitor occupancy in the 55% to 85% range year-round.
Key Initiatives to Achieve Vision
  1. Preserve and enhance the Beach, the most important natural resource of Panama City Beach.
  2. Enhance the visitor experience.
  3. Develop and market Panama City Beach as a year-round destination.
  4. Enhance and develop public venues to generate additional visitor demand.

Preserve and Enhance the Beach

  • Preserve and protect the water, sand, dunes and access paths.
  • Work with local, state, and federal agencies to secure permits necessary to conduct future beach renourishment activities.
  • Increase awareness of the beach and near-shore areas as wildlife habitat, for sea turtles, shorebirds, etc.
  • Enhance and improve trash removal and beach maintenance activities.
    • Investigate trash receptacles to replace the existing cans that provide the same function that are more visually pleasing
    • Develop an Adopt-A-Beach program to encourage partner and stakeholder support for beach maintenance and protection.
    • Discourage littering of all types, including glass bottles and cigarette butts on the beach and beach access points.
  • Public Information – Beach & Surf Conditions
    • Create materials to educate travelers about the beach and surf conditions, including surf conditions, leave no trace ordinance (signs, maps, website, guides, in-room video).
    • Enhanced Beach & Surf Patrols to increase public awareness of surf conditions, rip currents, Leave No Trace Ordinances, and other issues of importance to beach goers.
  • RESTORE Act/NRDA
    • Work with Bay County and local stakeholders on environmental enhancement and restoration projects that benefit Panama City Beach, St. Andrew Bay and the Gulf of Mexico

Enhance Visitor Experience

  • Deliver on the destination brand – “Real. Fun. Beach”. Most aspects of the PCB community should enhance a family vacation experience.
  • Collaborate with local governments and community leaders on policies that enhance the perception of Panama City Beach as a hospitable, safe, fun, beautiful vacation destination.
  • Enhance local transportation systems to ease visitors travel to and throughout the destination.
    • Gateways that deliver on the brand, welcome and direct travelers to information.
    • Directional signage – keep visitors moving efficiently through the community.
    • Road infrastructure and traffic enhancements – move traffic efficiently while protecting the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
    • Landscaping & beautification – a well maintained coastal landscape will inspire pride and better visitor behavior.
  • Encourage the redevelop of abandoned and condemned real estate in primary visitor beach front locations. Improve curb appeal, add new activities/businesses, improved safety.
  • Improve and expand on family attractions and outdoor experiences that complement the brand.

Year-round Destination

  • Expanded and targeted research-based marketing program.
    • Establish marketing priorities by season: Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring.
    • Partner with airlines to drive increased fly-in visitation from target markets.
  • Programming of events in shoulder and off season.
    • Festivals and concert events.
  • Expanded team sports and group sales initiatives emphasizing events during slower occupancy periods.
  • Build on fun elements in brand by promoting celebrations of holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, reunions, etc. to attract families and groups.
  • Feature ecotourism opportunities, including sea kayaking and snorkeling/diving as unique reasons to visit Panama City Beach that go beyond the traditional beach experience.
    • Encourage the redevelopment of existing attractions and the addition of complementary attractions.

Enhance Public Venues

  • Sports Facilities
    • Expand amateur athletic fields for softball, baseball at Frank Brown Park or new facility.
    • Develop rectangular fields for soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and other field sports.
    • Develop multi-purpose facility to host sports tournaments, concert events, exhibitions, boat shows and social events.
  • Utilization of Improvements to Aaron Bessant Park.
    • Work with the City and other stakeholders on events – concerts, festivals, theatrical performances, and athletic tournaments – in Aaron Bessant Park that will drive incremental visitation to Panama City Beach.
  • Encourage development of ecotourism opportunities on West Bay, as well as the Gulf of Mexico, includes but not limited to:
    • Non-motorized boat ramps.
    • A series of artificial reef systems for snorkeling, diving and fishing.
  • Work with local, state and regional stakeholders to encourage the further diversification of Panama City Beach’s tourism economy and environmental restoration through RESTORE Act and NRDA investments.