Lynyrd Skynyrd in Panama City Beach THIS WEEKEND

If you’ve been under a rock the last couple weeks, then the fact that Lynyrd Skynyrd will be here this weekend for the Panama City Beach Seafood Wine and Music Festival is probably news to you. Along with REO SpeedWagon, Little River Band, Lori Morgan and The Bellamy Brothers, this is sure to be the biggest Seafood festival Northwest Florida has ever seen.

Check after the break for a history, break down of the event and full weekend’s schedule.

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Bring Miracle Strip's Starliner Roller Coaster Back

Many of you remember it. The Starliner Roller Coaster that was originally located in Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama City Beach was the first roller coaster ride for thousands of young people during the 80’s, 90’s and half of the 2000’s. When Miracle Strip Amusement Park closed down a few years back, the Starliner was purchased by Cypress Gardens in Winterhaven Florida, which just recently closed. And, the Meeks, owners of Miracke Strip @ Pier Park just bought it.

Before I move on with the rest of the story, you can help bring it back by voting daily at RefreshEverything.com/StarlinerBackHome.

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It’s Decided – The Treasure Ship will not be Re-Built

After months of speculation since the devastating fire on April 28^th 2010 left the beloved Treasure Ship restaurant just a shell of its former glory, owners Lisa and Jimmy Todd have decided not to re-build. The historic landmark was opened in 1978 and since became one of Panama City Beach’s favorite eateries, thanks to its glorious waterfront setting, abundance of character, great food and friendly staff.

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SCHEDULE: 21st Annual Lobster Festival & Tournament This Weekend

Every year in September, Schooners, The Last Local Beach Club, hosts the largest 4 day Lobster Festival & Tournament in Florida. This year the Panama City Beach Tourist Development Council and Schooners have partnered together to host the 21st Annual Lobsterfest September 16, 17, 18 & 19th.

Lobsterfest has always been a local favorite, but now in conjunction with the TDC there is an effort to attract visitors from all over the South East to come and enjoy the festivities and take advantage of Panama City Beach’s beautiful oil free water and seafood.

Divers from all over the country will compete in a variety of lobster categories including Spiny Lobster, Big 6 and Shovelnose, with an opportunity to win cash and prizes totaling over $10,000. Weigh-ins will be from 3-6pm on Saturday and Noon-3pm on Sunday.

The Lobster Feast will begin at Noon on Sunday, and spectators will get a chance to taste the catch for themselves! A special Schooners menu has been developed for all the fresh local lobster that will be harvested by the divers.

At 11 am, Sunday, the silent auction will begin featuring lobsters, incredible merchandise and unique packages donated by local businesses. The auction will close and the final awards ceremony will begin Sunday at 4pm. Continue reading “SCHEDULE: 21st Annual Lobster Festival & Tournament This Weekend” →

5 Reasons Shipwreck Island is at the Top of My List

Ah, Labor Day, the celebration of the end of summer and a time to rest from labors and enjoy time with family and friends. For my family, we spent the day at Shipwreck Island. We go to the beach often, but knowing today was the last day Panama City Beach’s largest waterpark would be open, we rode some slides and enjoyed a perfect day at the park.

Read on for 5 reasons why my family and I LOVE Shipwreck Island.

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Dune Buggy Track Bound to Succeed

Panama Dunes – Dune Buddy Adventure Park is about ready to open. When we checked in with them a few weeks ago, we didn’t have much more information other than they were coming, that it was sure to be a blast and that they were not open yet. Now, we know approximate pricing, age limit for driving, a little more about the dune buggies and about when they are going to open.

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New City Park on the Beach in the Works

At a recent Panama City Beach City Council meeting, it was decided to move forward with figuring out how to obtain some Gulf-front property and build a city owned and maintained park. This a much wanted city amenity and the city of Panama City Beach wants to take advantage of a down real estate market to snatch up some land at a good deal, if they can secure a grant to do so.

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Dune Buggy Attraction coming to Panama City Beach

Put your driving gloves on because Panama City Beach’s newest attraction will be the Panama Dunes Dune Buggy Adventure Park. Located right on Front Beach Road, directly across from the beautiful and emerald green Gulf of Mexico, this half-mile track will take you up and down and all around.

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Le Grand Cirque Destin: A Show You Have To See To Believe

On a chunk of land behind Sandestin’s Grand Boulevard, three white tents stretch to the sky, surrounded by large signs pointing to the main attraction: Le Grand Cirque, which my friend and I are here to experience on a balmy Thursday night.

This traveling show, comparable to Cirque de Soleil, has garnered high praise for its amazing stunts. The excitement builds when we enter the first tent, which serves as a foyer and looks like an actual building with black-and-white checkered flooring and realistic “walls” behind the snack bar and box office. A cluster of umbrellas hang upside down from the tent’s peak, draped in fabrics, beads and white lights.

The arena in the auditorium tent is intimate, with stadium seating close to the stage. Music pulses and red and blue lights travel through fog as a mime warms up the audience. When he finishes performers flood the stage in a flurry of sound and color, climbing poles the height of the tent using only their hands, extending their bodies horizontally and wrapping themselves around and upside down. They descend the poles headfirst using only their feet to stop them, while other acrobats climb billowy sheets dangling from the ceiling and yet others perform stunts on the ground. Continue reading “Le Grand Cirque Destin: A Show You Have To See To Believe” →

WonderWorks OPENS in Panama City Beach

One of the great things about Panama City Beach is that in addition to having gorgeous beaches and emerald green waters, there are tons of fun things to do OFF the beach. We all know and love Pier Park, we have a blast racing go-carts and playing miniature golf, and now we have a whole new adventure on Panama City Beach, WonderWorks.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Isn’t WonderWorks that really awesome all inclusive entertainment-plex in Pigeon Forge, TN that has ‘over 120 interactive adventures that will challenge your mind and body?'” Yep, that’d be the one! And, it’s right across from Ripley’s Believe it or Not!

Managing owner, Mike Walsingham was gracious enough to host my inner child for an afternoon of thrills, flight simulations, “Far-Out Art”, and a towering ropes challenge course that brought me more than 30 feet in the air.

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