Panama City Beach Spring Break Week 1

It’s that time of year again. The weather’s warming, the sand is beckoning and college students and families alike are getting spring-fever! Our beaches are filling up this week and starting in two weeks we’ll have a full load of tourists bathing in our sun, spending their money in our businesses and reminding us all which industry really is king in Northwest Florida.

Panama City Beach Spring Break is upon us!

Before I even begin, I’d like to give a huge shout-out and special thanks to our friends over at Tripsmarter who have graciously given us permission to use some of the information they provide every year to their spring break audience. All of the information I am publishing in this post can also be found over on their site, in their Panama City Beach Spring Break section.

This week’s events – March 5-9

Spinaker Beach Club

Chasing Scarlett: March 2-7, 2012
Mega Beach Party (Beach Stage, MCs, DJs, Contests, 600’ Zip Line, Sponsored Activities, Games, and Free Stuff! 12pm-5pm): March 3-23, 2012
Shawn Rader: March 3-7, 2012
Bad Habits: March 4-6, 2012
Natalie Stovall: March 8-11, 2012
Tobacco Road Band: March 8-11, 2012

Club La Vela

J. Dash: March 5, 2012
Starkillers: March 6, 2012
Mr. Mayhem: March 5-11, 2012

Chateau Motel

DJ Elements & Beer Pong: March 5, 2012
Randy Waltz or Dame Vane: March 6, 2012
DJ Elements & Beer Pong: March 7, 2012
DJ Unk, Wet T-Shirt, & Beer Pong: March 8, 2012
Beer Pong Tournament & Local DJs: March 9, 2012

For a full listing of all the Spring Break activities all around Panama City Beach, visit Tripsmarter’s Spring Break section.

Full list of schools out for Spring Break this week

March 5-9, 2012 (Mon-Fri)
College / University	Enrollment
Albion College	1,970
Algonquin College	16,000
Alverno College	2,654
Aurora University	6,000
Austin Peay State University	9,192
Baldwin-Wallace College	4,260
Ball State University	20,113
Barry University	9,324
Belmont University	4,765
Beloit College	1,300
Bennett College	572
Bishop’s University	1,817
Boston College	13,723
Bowling Green State University	22,882
Bridgewater State College	10,418
Bryn Mawr College	1,799
Campbell University	10,471
Carroll College	3,292
Central Michigan University	28,389
Clark University	2,883
College of Charleston	11,320
College of William & Mary	7,709
Columbus State University	7,593
Community College of Philadelphia	17,334
Covenant College	1,007
Creighton University	6,992
Dalton State College	4,532
Duke University	12,991
East Carolina University	25,990
East Tennessee State University	13,389
Eastern Kentucky University	15,839
Emerson College	3,800
Emory & Henry College	981
Ferris State University	13,000
Florida A&M	12,792
Florida Atlantic University	26,245
Florida State University	40,838
George Washington University	24,531
Georgetown University	14,148
Grand Valley State University	30,332
Hampton University	27,134
Harding University	6,810
Hastings College of the Law	6,503
Hendrix College	1,095
Indiana State University	1,233
James Madison University	5,117
Kennesaw State University	20,603
Lebanon Valley College	1,906
Lehigh University	6,836
Loyola College, Maryland	6,131
Loyola University of Chicago	15,545
Mary Baldwin College	2,242
Miami University (OH)	20,126
Michigan State University	46,045
Minnesota State University	13,841
Morehouse College	2,933
Normandale Community College	10,223
North Carolina A&T	11,103
North Carolina State University	31,130
Northeastern University	20,605
Northern VA Community College	60,000
Notre Dame de Namur University	1,600
Oakland University	18,000
Old Dominion University	21,625
Pellissippi State Technical Community College	7,001
Pennsylvania State University	83,721
Radford University	9,552
Saint Joseph’s University	7,542
Simmons College	4,700
South Dakota State University	10,566
Southern Arkansas University	3,109
Southern IL University at Edwardsville	13,449
St Cloud State University	17,173
Stetson University	2,273
Temple University	34,218
Tennessee State University	8,748
Tennessee Tech University	10,871
Thomas More College	1,416
Universite De Sherbrooke	35,000
Universite Laval	28,902
University of Central Florida	48,497
University of Detroit Mercy	5,600
University of Evansville	2,350
University of Florida	49,693
University of Memphis	20,000
University of NC at Chapel Hill	28,136
University of NC at Charlotte	11,840
University of North Alabama	7,323
University of Pennsylvania	7,728
University of Pittsburgh	28,823
University of San Francisco	8,447
University of South Dakota	27,390
University of Southern Indiana	11,582
University of Tampa	16,050
University of Toledo	5,600
University of Virginia	19,706
University of Windsor	12,291
University of Wyoming	13,301
Valencia Community College	51,551
Valparaiso University	3,874
Vanderbilt University	11,847
Villanova University	9,335
Virginia Tech	29,898
Virginia Western Community College	9,000
West Chester University of PA	12,950
Western Kentucky University	19,215
Western Michigan University	24,433
Wilmington College	11,500
Wingate University	2,041
Xavier University	6,500
Yale College	11,398
TOTAL	1,627,713

2012 Seabreeze Jazz Festival – Full Artist Lineup

Every year, as the weather begins to warm and the grass begins to green there are few things that come to mind before the sweet tunes of the annual Seabreeze Jazz Festival that confirms spring is definitely in the air. Brought to Pier Park in April of 2009, they’ve seen record growth year over year and have brought in artists such as Nick Colione, George Benson, Boney James, and Brian Culbertson, just to name a few.

This year’s lineup is going to make the weekend one of the most awesome you’ve ever had.

The full Seabreeze Jazz Festival Artist Lineup

To buy tickets or for more information, visit SeabreezeJazzFestival.com

Seahaven Beach Break’s Ground On A New Phase

If you’ve driven down Front Beach Road near Origin at Seahaven, you no doubt noticed all the ground that is being turned up. We’ve had a lot of inquires as to what it could be (no, it is not another Walmart). In fact, Seahaven Beach Resorts is beginning it’s first phase of a new Village and Streetscape plan, starting with the large parking lot. The new plan will add that much-needed parking as well as a lineup of choice retail spots that will line the roadside with storefronts.

This addition to the resort should help tie it in with Pier Park and create an even stronger pull for what has become Panama City Beach’s busiest area.

If you are interested in retail space or have additional inquiries, head over to Seahaven Beach Resorts

“Bridging the Gap” With Sober Events In Panama City Beach

For people engaged in a battle with alcohol and sobriety, our area can be a constant temptation to stray from the road to recovery. Frozen daiquiris beckon from sidewalk stands, bars and liquor stores are a prevalent presence on nearly every block, and countless community events are enjoyed by countless attendees with drinks happily in hand.

For David Murphree, a co-founder of Bridging the Gap (BTG), a transitional recovery center in Panama City Beach, this fact was not lost during the recent Super Bowl. Murphree, who along with co-founder Dan Luoma, had struggled with watching previous Super Bowl’s at bars or friend’s house parties. The atmosphere, while normal to most, always seemed a little tense and uncomfortable.

“It just never feels quite right,” said Murphree in a BTG blog post recently regarding the ever- present lure of alcohol while watching previous Super Bowls. “And unless you have a pretty strong recovery program I certainly don’t suggest it.”

This year, Murphree and Luoma decided to cut out any social temptation from their Super Bowl festivities and organized a sober Super Bowl party of their own. The idea was to offer recovering addicts a safe and sober environment where they could relax and enjoy the game, complete with mounds of food and other traditional trappings, without the pressure of being surrounded by others who didn’t quite understand the everyday struggle of staying sober.

The event was a huge success and helped Murphree and Luoma realize there was a strong demand for sober events in Panama City Beach. Especially as Spring Break approaches and the lure for alcoholic pressure is at it’s greatest.

“I had so many people come up to me, truly appreciative of a place to watch the game with their families or friends and not have to worry about any of the drama that comes with alcohol,” Murphree said after the event. “Sometimes it is liberating to be shielded from temptation.”

Other attendees chimed in with rave reviews as well.

“It was such a pleasure to see so many people having such a good time, not a chemically induced good time, but a genuinely good time,” said one attendee.

“Priceless, so fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful people,” said another.

BGT plans to hold the Sober Super Bowl party again next year and is also considering organizing sober activities throughout the rest of the year to provide Panama City Beach families the opportunity to partake in outings free from the drugs and alcohol that is frequently associated with those events.

“We think it’s important in early sobriety to learn that life is not only just as fun as it ever was, but even more so,” Luoma told the News Herald.

A Super Bowl ranks right up there with New Years Eve as one of the biggest drinking nights of the year…and many of us stay home to avoid getting into trouble,” Murphree added in his blog post. “In the future, I hope there are many options for ‘Sober Super Bowl Parties’. I know BTG will be one of them.”

Murphree and Luoma hope that is just one of many sober events to come throughout the year. For more information of Bridging the Gap, you can visit their website at www.btgrecovery.com or call them at 850-290-5975.

Bay Point Billfish Invitational Cancelled

An annual summer tradition in Panama City Beach has been cancelled for 2012, citing economic and logistical challenges. Every summer, the Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament brings people, young and old alike, out of the woodwork to enjoy Panama City Beach’s hot summer nights, look at awesome boats and see some huge fish weigh in.

High fuel costs and competition

“It was definitely a tough decision,” said Steve Arndt, marina director at Bay Point Marina, “but ultimately the right one.” He contends that it wasn’t a single factor that led to the decision to cancel the 2012 tournament, but a combination of obstacles.

Arndt suggested that the economy was the main culprit, resulting in high fuel prices and a dwindling sponsor pool. “High fuel costs are especially tough on this tournament,” said Arndt, “Many of our boats come from out of town, and when fuel gets expensive it definitely affects their attendance.”

The proliferation of billfish tournaments along the Gulf Coast is also a factor. “There are almost a dozen big money tournaments along the Gulf Coast each year,” said Arndt. “And in this tight economy anglers and sponsors can’t afford to participate in every event.”

Many tournament anglers feel that their best chance to land a money winning fish lies westward in the fertile fishing grounds near the Louisiana oil fields. In the past, many boats from Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi participated, but fuel costs have been pushing that number lower each year as they choose to fish closer to home.

Lost tons of parking

Other logistical factors influenced the decision to cancel the tournament, such as limited parking space. For years the tournament utilized a vacant lot just north of the marina as parking for spectators, participants and boat owners. That lot was recently renovated as a park, resulting in the loss of over 400 parking spaces. “Parking has always been a challenge, and when we lost the lot it was a severe blow. Without that extra space, there is no place for our boat owners and anglers to park.”

“We have many other special events at the marina, such as the Bay Point Outdoor Expo and In-Water Boats Show in March, the Leukemia Cup Poker Run in May and several smaller events throughout the year,” he said, “and we haven’t given up on the Invitational. Hopefully this will just be a short break.”

Past coverage of this event

2011 Billfish

2009 Billfish

2008 Billfish

Panama City Beach Makes “10 Best” Beaches

If you didn’t already know, Panama City Beach is absolutely beautiful. To it’s visitors and residents Panama City Beach rivals any beach in the world in both beauty, excitement and accessibility. Well, now, we’re not the only ones. In a recent publication by “10 Best Reader Choice Travel Awards” Panama City Beach was ranked above Maui and was said to “deliver outrageous sunsets, funky tourist shops and affordable lodging. . . . not to mention all those bikini-clad girls at spring break time.”

Check out the full list here.

Hardee’s on the Beach Opens Monday

If you’re a fan of their heart-attack inducing Thickburgers or their delicious breakfast items, crave no more and forget about the long drive. The first Hardee’s (so far as I know) ever is opening on Panama City Beach on Monday.

Grant it, they’re not some quaint mom-and-pop shop, or some individualistic beach novelty, but they are Hardee’s, and we don’t have one. And now we will!

So, grab your appetite, head over Monday and pick up a Cinnamon ‘n Raisin Biscuit for breakfast, a tasty Mushroom Swiss Thickburger for lunch, but eat some fresh vegetables for dinner.

The new Hardee’s is located just to the east of the Tom Thumb gas station at the same corner as Lowe’s, right on Panama City Beach Parkway (Back Beach Road). The nearest major intersection is PCB Parkway and R Jackson Blvd (formally Beckrich).

Miracle Strip Adds New Ride: Sea Dragon!

Jason Koertge has an awesome vacation rental business in Panama City Beach that focuses on remarkable properties right on the gulf. They range from 1 to 4 bedrooms, they’re clean, and amazing. He can be found lurking at PCBLP.com.

In keeping with the tradition of adding tasteful rides to the growing amusement area in Pier Park, Miracle Strip @ Pier Park has added another ride. This comes after a winter of planning and reorganizing the whole park, shifting the Red Baron Plane ride to the other side of the park and moving the Tilt a Whirl over. The Sea Dragon is on the far east side of the property with a decorative fence behind it.

The Sea Dragon

One of the few rides I can actually ride at Miracle Strip without feeling my stomach in my throat is the Sea Dragon. The spin rides really do me wrong – but my kids love them – however, vertical and horizontal acceleration rides do me very right.

This type of ride allows a small amount of air-time for those riders sitting in the very back as the ride swings back and forth, over and over.

A total list of all the rides at Miracle Strip @ Pier Park

Along with the addition of the Sea Dragon, they’ve changed some things around and added some ancillary fun for the kids as well. On the south side of the property, they added a huge bounce pillow (parent friendly) and near the entrance, they’re working on a kiddie train area where the little ones can navigate the rails on their own.

Here is a complete list of their rides and attractions.

Tilt a Whirl
Scrambler
Ferris Wheel
Carousel
Red Baron Planes
Balloon Race
Sea Dragon
Butterfly Pavilion
Bounce Pillow
Kiddie Train (under construction)

Pricing for admission, rides, day bands, etc.

They’ve really packed a lot of fun into Miracle Strip @ Pier Park – adding enough entertainment to keep the kids occupied for a couple hours. The other thing that’s great for parents is that they’ve added fencing all around the park so there is only one point of entry and exit. I for one can certainly appreciate this with my four little kids.

There are several ways to enjoy the fun. Here is a breakdown of all the ticket pricing.

Single ticket pricing — $3.50 — each ride requires one ticket
Book of 10 tickets — $29
Single day arm band — $18 — includes unlimited rides for the full day for wearer
Season pass — $99 — unlimited access for the bearer, along with a “buddy” (basically good for 2 people)

For more information on Miracle Strip, visit their website and Like their Facebook page.

The Beach Show – Episode 127

First, let me be the first to welcome The Beach Show back to PCBDaily.com. This was where it was founded and it’s glad to have it back home.

The Beach Show is part of our Real Estate category where we talk a bit about real estate in the Panama City Beach area. This post originally appeared on The Beach Show which airs a new episode of super hot real estate deals each week.

January PCB Tourism Interest Activity Up

All signs are pointing to a great tourism season in Panama City Beach. Last year we had record breaking numbers and we expect much the same for the 2012 tourism season.

Many of our rental condos at PCBLP are booked up all summer already and we’re hearing much the same from our industry partners.

Visitor Service Inquiries and Web Site Activity

On a monthly basis, tourists from around the country (and the globe) inquire on more information about Panama City Beach through a variety of sources. The numbers below are approximate, here are the top 5.

Website Inquiries: 3,500
Rea.Fun.Beach.Club ’11/’12: 2,250
Oprah Magazine: 2,150
Compass Family Travel: 1,750
Beach Chamber of Commerce: 600

Website Activity

A couple years ago the Tourist Development Council (TDC) launched a new website and a whole new effort to market the beach. The campaign, dubbed Real.Fun.Beach has done loads in acquiring visibility for our little tourist town. And through the BP disaster and the subsequent compensatory marketing funds that came from it, they captured the attention of national media time and time again.

January 2011 activity

Number of visits: 93,430
Length of session: 4 minutes 22 seconds
Pageviews per visit: 5.85
Unique visitors: 77,222

January 2012 activity

Number of visits: 119,220
Length of session: 3 minutes 57 seconds
Pageviews per visit: 4.9
Unique visitors: 98,241

Top website visitor states

Florida
Georgia
Texas
Alabama
Tennessee
Illinois
Ohio
Indiana
Kentucky
Michigan

Top visitor service inquiry states

Georgia
Tennessee
Ontario
Ohio
Florida
Alabama
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan
Kentucky