Recap: Gulf Coast Horse Show

This weekend’s 11th annual Gulf Coast Horse Show & Music Festival at Frank Brown Park on Panama City Beach proved again, even with fewer in attendance than recent years, to be a successful and classy event. Lots of people came out to enjoy the beautiful horses, talented riders and exciting carnival-style fun.

Tennessee Walkers and perfect weather had fans cheering on their favorites horses and riders. Delicious food, varying from freshly-fried seafood to corn-on-the-cob filled the air with festive scents while “Legends of The Beach” gave everyone a taste of “Carolina Beach Music.” But, truly, the people at Frank Brown Park came out to see the horses. Personally, I’d never experienced a horse show, but after spending Friday and Saturday at Frank Brown came out a fan.

The show was complete with stunt riders,Tennessee walkers and Missouri Fox Trotters. Riders were scored on all sorts of criteria involving things like the body movements of rider and tempo of the rider’s mounts. It was difficult for me to imagine scoring when all the horses and riders looked perfect. Scoring or not, it was a spectacular show that raised money for charitable causes, particularly, Anchorage Children’s Home, Hospice of The Emerald Coast, Gulf Coast Community College, & Habitat for Humanity. The next six years of the event have already been scheduled. So, if you didn’t attend this year, we expect you next year, April 21-24, 2010.

A few of notable Thursday blue ribbons were Ginger Simpson, from Alabama, won the western light shod specialty and Sister Milligan, a Panama City Beach resident, won the ride for amateur stallions, 15.2 hands and under, specialty. Below is a list of Friday and Saturday results.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 25

Country Pleasure:

1) A Thrill a Minute, Kim Lewis, Jim Leek

2) Masq Mayhem, Laurie Hudspeth, Laurie Hudspeth

3) Uptown Bandit, Connie McAdams, Preston & Kate Kelley

4) Soliderity’s Gold, Presley Janes, Fount & Lydia Darnell

5) Scratch My Back, Laurale Lowery, Charla Hurley & Libby Bond

6) Dangerous Gold Threat, Mardi Balloch, Balloch Mardi

Model Class:

1) Trigger Treat, Jeff Givens, JoAnn Dowell

2) Perfect Cut Jewel, Amanda Winters, Holly Thrasher

3) Arm’s Scarlett O’Hara, Robert Nelms, Jeff Laughlin

All in the Family (Pro or Am)

1) She’s Armed with Poison, Erica Derickson & Thomas Derickson, Thomas Derickson

2) Pushin Dollars & Cents, Tam Brodgon & Channing Combs, Ben & Lynda Brodgon

Amateur 4 Yr Old Stallion, Specialty

1) 9 Yard Blitz, Laura Cochran, Tim & Laura Cochran

2) I’m Joe Friday, Ed Breedlove, Keith Breedlove

3) Smokin Hot Charge, Fancee Spence, Mark Taylor Family

Mares or Geldings, 15.2 & Under, 5 Yr Old & Over, Canter

1) Mama’s Almight Dollar, Mickey McCormick, Katie Esters

2) I’m Dangerous with Cash, Justin Harris, Richard & Gail Greere

Speed Racking Open

1) Greased Lighting, Maghan Snow, Eddie Snow

2) Gaitway, Amy Rothe, Ralph Wood

3) Stomper, Eddie Snow, Eddie Snow

Ladies Amateur, Specialty

1) Bold Venegance, Heather Beard, Judy McDonald

2) C-Me Push, Sister Milligan, Sister Milligan

3) Jose’s Emblem, Whitney Breedlove, Barry Breedlove

4) Miss Professor’s Generator, Lydia Darnell, Dave King

5) Lucky Sadie, Frieda Widner, Scotty & Freida Widner

Amateur Owned & Trained, Specialty

1) Jazz Eclipse, Justin Harney, Harney Construction LLC

2) Your Wish Is My Command, LaRue McWaters, LaRue & Ann McWaters

3 Yr Old Stallions

1) On Maximum Security, Charlie Green, Walkabout Farm

2) Doing Life, Justin Harris, Walker Walking Horses

WHOA Youth Challenge

1) Showboat’s Silk, Alex Way, Showboat Production LLC

Amateur Show Pleasure, Specialty

1) Godfather By Ultra Copy, Alie Napier, Dr. Morna Conway

2) Sundrops Legion, LaRue McWaters, LaRue & Ann McWaters

3) Super Willy, Belinda Garzarek, Blenda Garzarek & Lisa Hall

3) Jose’s Sweet Pepper, Ashley Adcock, The Stables at Alphaplace

Lite Shod, Championship, Canter

1) Prime Fashion, Ginger Simpson, Tumbleweed Ranch Kim & George Lewis /Simpson

Amateur 5 Yr. Old & Over, Canter

1) Jose Grande, Gail Walling, Judy McDonald

2) Watch for Glory, Erica Derickson, Erica & Maria Derickson

3) Ebony’s Threat Prince, Tristan Wagner, Tristan Wagner

4) Let Go and Push, Scotty Widner, Scotty & Freida Widner

Amateur Specialty, Riders 50 Yrs & Over

1) Perfect Pattern, Mona Vice, Mona Vice

2) The Dangerous Commander, Sister Milligan, Tommy & Sister Milligan

Trail Pleasure 2 Gaits, Trail Walk, Eng. or West Attire

1) I’m Benny Too, Tim Brooks, Tim & Terry Brooks

2) Digging 4 Dollars, Allison Oliver, Oliver & Simpson

3) Aesop, Kristi Payne, Kristi Payne

4) Beams Generator Rye Whiskey, Connie McAdams, Preston & Kate Kelley

5) Fine As Wine, Svanah Martin, Joyce Patterson & Svanah Martin

Amateur 2 Yr. Old Mares or Geldings

1) We’re Ebony & Ivory, Dr. Lynda Brodgon, Ben & Lynda Brodgon

2) Beam Me Up Jose, Ginger Williams, Ginger Williams

Amateur 2 Yr. Old Stallions

1) Man of Stone, Ed Breedlove, Alan & Lorie Riddley

2) A Supreme Justice, Alex Way, Double B Farms

3) Designed by a Specialist, Alie Napier, Jimmy Reece

Groom’s Class

1) She’s Out on Parole, Anton Bowen, James Carlew

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SATURDAY, APRIL 26 (Final Results)

Stick Horse Class – Best Stick – Best Costume

Black Diamond Ritz, Bryleigh Gray, Ralph Wood

Bocephus, Cheyenne Vickers, Ralph Wood

Gator, Madison Vickers, Ralph Wood

John Deere, Will Neeley, Will Neeley

Pink-a-lecious, Drew Hampson, Drew Hampson

Purp-a-Lecious, Tyler Hampson, Tyler Hampson

Sally, Riley Greggory, Riley Greggory

Sparkly, Elaina Fisher, Elaina Fisher

General, Katy Marie Fisher, Katy Marie Fisher

Yearlings Studs

1) Out for Parole, Keith Reed, Allen Curtis

2) Connie Mack, Rollie Beard, Hurley & Akridge

3) Five Star Gunn, Robert Nelms, Dr. Morna Conway

4) A Yardstick, Roger Richards, Bobby & Freda Jones

5) My Final Decision, Mandie McFay, Chad & Mandie McFay

Yearlings Filly’s

1) My Cowgirl Dale Evans, Roger Richards Jr., Roger Richards

2) Raw Silk, Robert Nelms, Carol Hargett

Weanlings Open

1) America’s Major Debit, Robert Nelms, Vicki Penick

WHTA Amateur Mares or Geldings, Specialty, Riders 12-17

1) Mama’s Almight Dollar, Katie Esters, Katie Esters

2) Showboat’s Silk, Alex Way, Showboat Production LLC

3) Pushin Dollars & Cents, Channing Combs, Ben & Lynda Brodgon

4) Ebony’s Threat Prince, Tristan Wagner, Tristan Wagner

Park Pleasure – Open

1) Cashing in at the Ritz, Betty Laughlin, Betty Laughlin

2) Jazzin Papa, Grandy Tuck Sr., Rufus Dale

3) Sunfires Pheonix, Ginger Simpson, Dr. Morna Conway

Mares or Geldings, 15.2 & Over, 5 Yrs. Old & Over, Canter

1) Ms. Jose Walks, Charlie Green, Sister Milligan

Open Pleasure

1) Digging 4 Dollars, Allison Oliver, Oliver & Simpson

2) Showboat’s Duramax, Jeff King, Jeff King

3) Jest Tuff E Nuff, Tori Blankenship, Tori Blankenship

4) Prairie Goldust, Betty Tricarico, Betty Tricarico

5) TrixieTrax, Cathy Warren, Cathy Warren

6) Winchester’s Iron Man, Tori Tanner, Tori Tanner

7) PS Just a Jester’s Jewel, Linda Paschal, Linda & Terry Paschal

7) Tradition’s Golden, John Brandreth, John Brandreth

WHTA Amateur Mare or Geldings, Specialty, Riders 11 Yrs & Under

1) She’s Armed with Poison, Thomas Derickson, Thomas Derickson

2) Moonstruck Dollar, Reilly Miller, Brenda Little

2 Yr Old Championship

1) Chrome Dollar, Charlie Green, Ben & Lynda Brodgon

2) He’s Ritz N Cash, Sammy Day, Suzie Harmon

Open Spotted Saddle Horse Specialty

1) Battle’s Top Gun, Ginger Williams, Ginger Williams

2) Seminole’s Gusty Wind, Laurie Hudspeth, Laurie Hudspeth

Missouri Fox Trotters, Mares 3 Yrs. Old & Over, No Canter

1) Blackberry Brandy, Jane Goble, Jane Goble

2) PS Just a Jester’s Jewel, Linda Paschal, Linda & Terry Paschal

3) Prairie Goldust, Betty Tricarico, Betty Tricarico

4) TrixieTrax, Cathy Warren, Cathy Warren

5) Tradition’s Golden, John Brandreth, John Brandreth

6) Sundust’s Princess, Tori Blankenship, Tori Blankenship

7) Jester’s Princess, Helen King, Helen King

8) Redrock’s Amber Rose, Ira Rashkin, Ira Rashkin

Amateur Show Pleasure, Specialty, Championship

1) Godfather By Ultra Copy, Ginger Simpson, Dr. Morna Conway

Open, Specialty

1) Ice Hot, Sister Milligan, Sister Milligan

Amateur Ponies, 60″ & Under, Specialty, Rider 17 Yrs & Under (W.H.T.A.; Youth Council, Appl. Avail)

1) Silver Design, Alex Way, S.D. Partners

2) Watch for Glory, Thomas Derickson, Erica & Maria Derickson

MO. Fox Trotters, 3 Yrs Old & Over, No Canter (Studs & Geldings)

1) Lady’s Prince, Gary Shapiro, Gary Shapiro

2) Amtrax, Bud Blankenship, Nancy Atkinson

3) Jest Tuff E Nuff, Tori Blankenship, Tori Blankenship

4) The Kanses Kowboy, Dr. John Brandreth, John Brandreth

5) Ace’s Wild Card, Leslie Emery, Leslie Emery

6) Winchester’s Iron Man, Tori Tanner, Tori Tanner

6) Pride’s Blaze of Glory, Suzette Rashkin, Suzette Rashkin

Speed Racking Flat Shod Class

1) Gaitway, Amy Rothe, Ralph Wood

2) Greased Lighting, Maghan Snow, Eddie Snow

3) Stomper, Eddie Snow, Eddie Snow

Amateur 3 Yr. Old Championship

1) Crush, Whitney Breedlove, Blake Breedlove

2) A Moving Violation, Ginger Williams, Ginger Williams

Field Trial Tack & Attire

1) Masq Mayhem, Angie Bell, Laurie Hudspeth

2) Pushin True Colors, Belinda Garzarek, Belinda & Roy Garzarek

3) Soliderity’s Gold, Presley Janes, Fount & Lydia Darnell

4) Striker’s Firey Match, Laurie Hudspeth, Laurie Hudspeth

5) 88, Alex Way, Sister Milligan

6) Linebacker, Winston Way, Sister Milligan

Pro-Am Specialty (Am 1st Way, Pro 2nd Way)

1) Jose Grande, Gail Walling & Buddy Dick, Judy McDonald

2) I’m Joe Friday, Ed Breedlove & Brad Beard, Keith Breedlove

3) 9 Yard of Major Trouble, Nora Alexander & Mickey McCormick, Harbert & Nora Alexander

4) I’m Street Legal, Laura Lester & Andy Simpson, Gary Lester Family

5) A. Seabiscuit, Stacy Terry & Joey Tackett, Danny Terry

Amateur 4 Yr Old Specialty Championship

1) Getting’ Out on Parole, Gail Walling, McDonald & Walling

2) 9 Yard Blitz, Laura Cochran, Tim & Laura Cochran

3) Head of the Line, Drake Reynolds, Drake Reynolds

Mo. Fox Trotters Stake, No Canter

1) Blackberry Brandy, Jane Goble, Jane Goble

2) Lady’s Prince, Gary Shapiro, Gary Shapiro

3) Amtrax, Bud Blankenship, Nancy Atkinson

4) TrixieTrax, Cathy Warren, Cathy Warren

5) Jest Tuff E Nuff, Tori Blankenship, Tori Blankenship

6) Prarie Goldust, Betty Tricarico, Betty Tricarico

7) Winchester’s Iron Man, Tori Tanner, Tori Tanner

8) PS Just a Jester’s Jewel, Linda Paschal, Linda & Terry Paschal

8) Jester’s Princess, Helen King, Helen King

8) Showboat’s Duramax, Jeff King, Jeff King

8) Ace’s Wild Card, Leslie Emery, Leslie Emery

8) The Kanses Kowboy, Dr. John Brandreth, John Brandreth

Young Trainers

1) An American Outlaw, Sam McLaughlin, Jan Wagaman

Amateur Specialty Championship

1) Don Julio, Alie Napier, Tim Napier Family

2) C – Me Push, Sister Milligan, Sister Milligan

3) The Willhamina, Mona Vice, Mona Vice

Walking Horse Championship, Open

1) Lined Walkin, Justin Harris, Joey Tidwell

2) Ms. Jose Walks, Charlie Green, Sister Milligan

3) Another RPM, Rob Brainard, Larry Grissom

4) Steal Justice, Jack Way, S.J. Parnters / Ellison & Beard

Youth Fishing and Free Hot Dogs

This Saturday, April 25th from 10 am until 1pm, the city of PCB Parks and Recreations department will host a youth fishing rodeo. Kids under 16 are invited to come out and enjoy the weather, the park and the fishing. There will be free hot dogs and giveaways. The Fish Florida Foundation will be providing free rods and tackle boxes to participants to help promote responsible fishing practices. This event is open and free to the public.

Frank Brown Park is located at 16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy Panama City Bch, FL 32413

For more information call (850) 233-5045

Thunder Beach Will Be Huge. Thanks Myrtle Beach

If you’ve been aching to don that new leather vest and harness boots, ache no more. On April 30^th Panama City Beach shall rumble, heralding the return of the Thunder Beach Spring Rally. From end to end, families, riders, celebrities, artists and some of the most spectacular bikes in the world will cover the beach.

Regarded by many as the “most biker friendly free rally in the United States”, the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally is always a big event. But this year’s event may be the best and biggest Panama City Beach has ever experienced and Myrtle Beach may have a lot to do with it.

As many of you know, Myrtle Beach is Panama City Beach’s largest competition when it comes to bikers and rallies. But by the looks of recent law changes, they might be getting out of the business. Recently, a 3 million dollar property tax increase was passed in Myrtle Beach to fund anti-rally efforts. That’s not the half of it. Myrtle Beach has also added new laws declaring unpermitted rallies and events to be public nuisances, created a midnight curfew, closed bars at 2 am, required all motorcyclists to wear helmets (not a requirement under state law), towing and impounding all motorcycles that do not meet noise standards, checkpoints where motorcycles will be monitored for noise, and traffic diversion such as barriers and closed streets. So what does all this mean? Basically, it means a bigger rally for Panama City Beach, and I’m sure the local businesses will take it.

“We’re definitely expecting huge turnout this year.” Says Corky McCollum, A Thunder Beach Productions coordinator. “We’ve got bigger events, more venues and the total numbers of vendors have increased considerably.”

The schedule for bike week is substantial and the venues cover the entire beach. The list of venues include, Shoppes at Edgewater, Club La Vela, Sandpiper Beacon, Boardwalk Beach Resort, Sharky’s, Pier Park, Rockit Lanes and Frank Brown Park.

And the events this year are family-friendly. There will be demos all over the beach particularly the Harley Davidson Drill Team at Pier Park. They’ll be teaching and doing all sorts of stunts. If that doesn’t make you want to jump into your chaps, at Club La Vela, Speed Channel’s Jay Barbieri, host of American Thunder, will be hosting a televised “Build Off” allowing two bikers to pick any parts from their accessory demo rig to amp-up their bikes. Suckerpunch Sally, an old-school bike manufacturer will be giving away one of its beautiful custom bikes during a VIP party at Ebro Greyhound Park. At Frank Brown Park X-game enthusiasts can witness firsthand the amazing jumps seen on television as stunt bikers hit ramps and the “Ball of Death”. Live bands will be playing at all the venues. Everyone is welcome to come out to enjoy the events and, if nothing else, gawk at some amazing bikes.

Without doubt, the Thunder Beach Spring Rally is expected to be a success. So I guess, if things go as planned, we should all head to Hallmark, get a nice big thank you card and send it to Myrtle Beach. I’ll be the first to sign it.

They Came, They Saw, They Skimmed

This weekend, near perfect weather and the top skimmers from around the world converged on the beach behind Edgewater Beach Resort to compete in the 11th annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Jam contest. Onlookers in the hundreds, some enthusiasts of the sport, others just enjoying the extreme event, watched the likes of Morgan Just, Corbin Dull, Patrick Hunt, Anthony Cox, Derek Shenton and others shred ebbing surf up and down the beach. Efforts from Mr. Surf’s Surf Shop on Panama City Beach, Zap, Skim USA, Global Surf Industries, Surftech and others filled the beach with activities and free giveaways.

This year’s event had big expectations and boy did it live up to them. The skimming was absolutely amazing. Awesome rides were skimmed by several triggering gasps and waves of applause from those taking in the competition from the shore. Next to the event was the UCA cheer camp competition, which carried over, filling the beach with over 5,000 people.

Heats were broken into skill level and age. One of the highlights from the earlier brackets was Anna Prophet, a local female skimmer, who shredded lines all over the place making skim history advancing to the semi-pro finals of the competition and landing in the top 5. But for hundreds in attendance under the perfect weather conditions, the anticipation continued to grow awaiting the pro-level skimmers.

I was among those anxiously waiting and I have to say, there was no disappointment. Those guys are good—real good.

Here is the video Jason made from footage shot Friday. He has tons more footage from Saturday’s event that will be published later in the week.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4206737&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1

11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Jam from Jason Koertge on Vimeo.

Corbin Dull, a local pro skimmer, won the Zap Pro/Am competition, blistering waves left and right. Other notables was another Panama City Beach local, Lance Richardson, who placed third overall and probably got the most air out of all the contestants. Alex Hood placed fifth overall and had a stunning show. Other awesome performers included, John Ackerman, Blake Tyre and last years champion Mogan Just.

On top of all the great pro skimmers, lots of local amateur skimmers showed their stuff during the free skim. All over the beach, kids and adults of all ages had a blast skimming themselves crazy and watching one heck of a show.

Skimming the History:

I read up on the history of the sport and learned that Skimboarding dates back to the late 1920’s when lifeguards skimmed on pieces of wood. Evolution of the sports has skimboarding as one of the most high-tech water sports anywhere. The boards used by professional skimboarders are built using technology adapted from aerospace to attain maximum lightness, buoyancy, and rocker (which is the curve on the board from one end to the other). In fact, the board used by the average skimboarder is far more technologically advanced than that of the average surfer.

If you’re interested in learning more go here or stop by Mr. Surf’s Surf Shop where you can learn the basics and take a board out for a test run.

Edited: I have to give a shout out to our good buddy Arlene Froeming. Thanks to her and her generosity in loaning me a sweet telephoto lens, we had the ability to produce some stunning close-ups. She does some freelance photography and can be found here. – Jason

Seabreeze Jazz Festival A Swinging Success

An amber sun sets on Panama City Beach and I watch two couples, vacationers from Mobile, Alabama, dance amid hundreds of others in the Seabreeze Jazz Festival attendance. It is their second day at the event and the energy from the first day hasn’t waned at all. Around them, vendor booths selling artwork, food, wine and music make a halo around the Pier Park’s outdoor amphitheater. Creamy jazz rhythms saturate the air. From where I stand, the couples are having a wonderful time, as is everyone else. Reluctant to interrupt their fun, I stopped and asked them what they thought about the festival. One of the husbands, still dancing, shouted back to me, “Ya’ll should do this kind of stuff more often. This is the most fun I’ve ever had in Panama City.”

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4248918&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1
Nick Colionne at the 2009 Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Pier Park Panama City Beach from Jason Koertge on Vimeo.

That was the scene at this weekend’s Seabreeze Jazz festival held at Pier Park. If you missed this it, you missed on heck of an event. The place was packed, the food was delicious and the music intoxicated everyone in the amphitheater. Hosted by internationally acclaimed jazz guitarist Nick Colionne, the event featured some of the most skilled jazz musicians in the world. The likes of Eric Darius, Boney James, Wayman Tisdale, Will Downing, Althea Rene, Warren Hill, Joyce Cooling and others hit Panama City Beach like a silk-covered bomb. From the start of the event until the end the music was just outstanding; without doubt the best you’ll ever hear live in one sitting. Singers, Guitarists, Saxophonists, Fluotists–you name it, they rocked it. The attendance was stratospheric; not an empty patch of grass anywhere. And best of all, the artists loved being on Panama City Beach.

“The Seabreeze Jazz Festival is at the top of my list because the people here are so receptive; they come out to hear the music,” said Nick Colionne, “The people here are beautiful, everyone has been so nice to all the artists. I look forward to coming back next year.”

So the question remains, was the Seabreeze Jazz Festival a success? Well, that depends on the lens with which you view success. If you view success by sheer number of people, then the Seabreeze Jazz Festival was a smashing success. Pier Park had no parking, which is quite a statement being that Simon works hard on providing that service so close to the shore. People were everywhere; in the amphitheater, around the mall, in the streets—everywhere!

If you judge success by the festival’s economic impact, well, by that standard, the event was a success as well. I don’t know about you, but to me, the traffic on the beach felt awful “summer-y” as did the waits at restaurants and the lines in the shopping centers. Mind you, the Zap Pro Skim Jam and the UCA Cheerleading Camp aided in filling the beach, but the crowds seemed to stretch from one end of the beach to the other and that spells dollars for most the businesses on the beach.

So was this year’s Seabreeze Jazz Festival a success? Well, there’s one other way to view success. For me, the degree of the event’s success manifested itself in the two couples who danced on our beach until the stars came out. They decided on a vacation to Panama City Beach and, as the man said, it was the most fun they’ve ever had. That’s success.

Tip-of-the-hat to all the people involved in bringing the Seabreeze Jazz Festival to Panama City Beach. It was a blast. You guys did a great job.

I have to give a shout out to our good buddy Arlene Froeming. Thanks to her and her generosity in loaning me a sweet telephoto lens, we had the ability to produce some stunning close-ups. She does some freelance photography and can be found here.

Seafood, Wine & Music Festival Preliminary Schedule Announced

It’s never too early to make plans for the Panama City Beach’s Seafood, Wine & Music Festival. If you don’t know much about the event, the SWM Festival is a weekend packed with entertainment, excitement and the best food on the coast prepared by the best chefs in the business. Here is the preliminary schedule.

*TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Friday October 9 – 4pm-11pm
Julianne Hough & John Anderson LIVE

Saturday October 10 – 11a-11pm
Mystery Artist to be announced June 19th

Sunday October 11 – 11am-6pm
Grand Funk Railroad LIVE

More Happenings:

FAMILY FUN DAYS 11A-3PM SAT & SUN
including: gymnastics shows, family yoga, hands on art, 10+ bouncers, balloon art, family activities, clowns, stilt walkers and more

GRAND WINE TASTINGS EACH DAY
Wine and beer available all day and night.

CELEBRITY CHEF EXHIBITIONS 3P-6P DAILY
Watch local chefs prepare their signature dishes on the exhibition kitchen built on site. Free recipe cards

CLASSIC CAR SHOW
NON-STOP LIVE MUSIC FROM OPEN-CLOSE
INCLUDING: JAZZ, ROCK, COUNTRY, REGGAE & MORE

Tickets for the Panama City Beach Seafood, Wine & Music Festival are on sale now. When you purchase your tickets early online use the special promo code FRIEND to save an additional $2 off all adult General Admission tickets. This special discount is available for a limited time only.

To buy your ticket click here.

Skim Jam on the Beach – Friday

Friday at the Edgwater Beach Resort, the 11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Jam Competition got off to an energetic start with professional skimmers and otherwise shredding the break at the shores behind tower 3. Entrants registered for the competition to take begin this morning and some of the pros were out showing off their talent.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4206737&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1
11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Jam from Jason Koertge on Vimeo.

The 11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Jam is taking place in Panama City Beach this weekend at the Edgewater Beach Resort.

No Spring Break. No Summer. No Problem.

The next three weeks on Panama City Beach should be awesome.

For years PCB’s tourism paradox, which is the last three weeks of April, has bewildered businesses all around the beach. After the Spring Break season is over and before the summer season crowds the shores, there has always existed a perennial lag. During this time hotels are still operating at full staff, so are the restaurants and attractions when, frankly, business has slowed enough to validate a winter-like hibernation. There just isn’t a season and no reason for people to visit the beach.

Well that was then and fun is now.

The TDC and private sectors have put together a string of events for the next three weeks that will keep our beach so packed it should provide a seamless segueway into summer.

This is what’s coming up on Panama City Beach:

April 17 – 19^th – The 11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Jam

April 16 – 19^th – Seabreeze Jazz Festival

April 22 – 25^th – The 11^th annual Gulf Coast Charity Horse Show and Music Festival

April 30 – May 3^rd – Thunder Beach Spring Rally

I hope the beach is ready because these upcoming events are bound to have the beach rocking. In fact, most accommodations around Pier Park are already sold out while others are starting to see the benefits of the efforts. If you’re a vacationer, now is the time to get your best value on accommodations and dining. If you’re a resident you should definitely get out while the weather’s great and traffic is loose to enjoy the activities.

This post is somewhat of a tip-of-the-hat to everyone who put in the effort to keep the business flowing on the beach. If we keep this up before you know it we’ll have a whole new season. Question is, what should we call it? Any suggestions?

Two Great Events This Weekend in Panama City Beach – Video!

This weekend, if you aren’t down here in Panama City Beach, you ought to be, or come down tomorrow. There are two really classy events that are HUGE happening and the weather is slated to be perfect.

The Seabreeze Jazz Festival kicks off a weekend of jazz and excitement with a meet and greet with the performing artists at Borders Books and Music tomorrow at 3 pm. Artists scheduled to appear include Nick Colionne, Eric Darius, Shilts, Matt Marshak, and Jackeim Joyner. Fans will get the chance to meet the artists and get autographs, then enjoy a special sneak peek performance from each artist.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4188287&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1
PCBDaily.com – Seabreeze and Skim Jam from Jason Koertge on Vimeo.

This weekend there are some very awesome events happening in Panama City Beach. Between the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Pier Park and the 11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Competition that will be at Edgewater Beach Resort, you need to be down here to see all the action.

That night, performances will begin at the Pier Park Amphitheater at 6 pm and will go past 10:30 pm. The schedule will pick right back up Saturday and Sunday morning at 10 am and play all day long both days.

The 11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Jam Competition is hosted at Edgewater Beach Resort this year with the action starting Friday morning with a Skim Camp all day with Morgan Just from Laguna Beach California. Just was the Skim USA 2008 Champion.

Total Event Schedule for This Weekend:

Seabreeze Jazz Festival

Friday, April 17

3 p.m. Meet and Greet at Border Books and Music in Pier Park

(Gates open at 5 p.m.)

6 – 7:45 p.m. Urban Jazz Coalition

8:30 p.m. Smooth Jazz All-Star Jam

10:30 p.m. Jazz Under the Stars Party

With Urban Jazz Coalition and friends

(Pier Park Special Club Location)

Sponsored by Smooth Lounge dot com

Saturday, April 18

(Gates open at 9 a.m. – VIP early entry at 8:30 a.m.)

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Althea Rene

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Eric Darius

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. The Seabreeze Groove Project

Featuring Four 80 East, Shilts and Matt Marshak

Sponsored by Smooth Lounge dot com

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Joyce Cooling

5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Will Downing

7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Wayman Tisdale

9:30 p.m. Jazz Under the Stars Party

With Four 80 East, Shilts, Matt Marshak and friends

(Pier Park Special Club Location)

Sponsored by Smooth Lounge dot com

Sunday, April 19

(Gates open at 9 a.m. – VIP early entry at 8:30 a.m.)

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Jones and Company

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Roman Street

1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Brian Simpson / Nils / Jackiem Joyner

3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Warren Hill

5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Nick Colionne

7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Boney James

11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Skim Jam Competition

Friday April 17th (Day 1)
– Mr. Surf’s & ZAP’s OPEN Expression Session: Noon Pre-skim meet (sound check) at Edgewater Beach resort on the beach.

– Global Surf Industries & Surf Tech Surf & Stand-up Paddle Board Demo & Regatta

– Come meet all the pros & fellow skimmers (pre-check-in)

Saturday April 18th (Day 2) SKIM COMPETITION

– 11h Annual Zap Pro/Am Spring Skim Jam 8:30a-4p

– Global Surf Industries & Surf Tech Surf & Stand-Up paddle Board Demo

– Panama Jack’s Lil’ Sandiggers Treasure Hunt 1p

– Other family fun-filled activities on the beach

– Location: Edgewater Beach Resort on the beach

Sunday April 19th (Day 3)

– Church On The Beach: a Sunday morning non-denominational Praise & Worship Service 7:30a-8:30a

– 11th Annual Zap Pro/Am Spring Skim Jam FINALS 9:00a-?

– Other family fun-filled activities on the beach

– AWARDS CEREMONY: Location: Edgewater Beach Resort on the beach

Horses, Beach & Food…Oh My!

The 11^th annual Gulf Coast Charity Horse Show and Music Festival returns to Panama City Beach April 22-25^that Frank Brown Park. If you read the title and thought “why go to the beach for horses?” you may not realize what you’d be missing. This isn’t your typical equestrian event. The Horse Show is an entertainment extravaganza complete with good music, clowns, door prizes, children’s amusement rides, artwork and outstanding food – it may be the perfect reason to take the kids to Frank Brown and have a ball.

General admission is $12.00 and children under 6 get in free.

Here’s what to expect:

“The entertainment for 2009 is “LEGENDS OF THE BEACH” (Formerly The Embers) Friday and Saturday after the show, “ENTICE”, from Nashville, TN Thursday after the show, and “THE RHYTHM ALLSTARS”(with 3 songs topping the charts in Europe) Wednesday after the show, and the “Ivey Brothers” and “Royce Reagan”, will be back by popular demand before the show. Specialty Acts are the “Wild Thang” which is monkeys riding the Border Collies herding sheep, and Blake Goode roman riding a pair of Brahma Bulls weighing in at over 2000 lbs a piece… jumping through a ring of fire!”

Did you know?:

The Horse Show is responsible for over $675,000.00 going to area charitable and civic organizations and parks since its inception in 1999. The major beneficiaries have been, Anchorage Children’s Home, Hospice of The Emerald Coast, Gulf Coast Community College, Chipola College, Habitat for Humanity, Teen Challenge of Bonifay and Frank Brown Park as well as the Optimist and Kiwanis of Panama City Beach to name a few.

In 2006 the Gulf Coast Charity Celebration partnered with Anchorage Children’s Home to be its largest fundraiser of the year. The Gulf Coast Charity Celebration, Inc. and Anchorage Children’s Home, with the help of sponsors will benefit the numerous abused, abandoned and neglected children of Northwest Florida. Since the Gulf Coast Charity Horse Show & Musical Festival’s inception its proceeds have provided education to area residents, helped families of and the terminally ill, abused, neglected and abandoned children and troubled teens and more.

To download the full event list click Here

To download the Official Show Bill click Here