Category: Tourism

Special Trip on the Pier Park Express TODAY at 11am

Ok, I realize this is totally last minute, but as I know that tons of people are looking here almost every minute of the day, I figured I’d put this up anyway.

Today, the Pier Park Express that is leaving from Walmart going to Pier Park at 11 am will play host to the singing Red Hat Ladies as entertainment and Julian Bennett as narrator.

Some of the items of historical interest will be the Petticoat Junction, Miracle Strip Amusement Park and The Hangout.

Again, remember that rides on the Pier Park Express are only 50 cents.

County Installed Boardwalk at County Pier

Actually, this isn’t exactly breaking news, but I thought it was worthy of noting as almost half of you are not here and may or may not have known about this.

The county built a boardwalk that goes over the dunes between the county pier and the Sterling Reed Condos off of Front Beach Road on Panama City Beach. They still have not started construction on the pier, but this boardwalk is nice because it offers a couple off-shoots down to the beach. I love seeing nice stuff like this because it makes our beaches more accessible.

Continue reading “County Installed Boardwalk at County Pier” →

Life Guards on Panama City Beach – everyone else is doing it!

Ok, so the big question is, lifeguards on Panama City Beach – everyone else is doing it, why aren’t we? Local officials have argued that the cost is too much and the liability is too great. What!!?? What is everyone else doing? I should quantify “everyone else.”

As reported by the News Herald’s Ed Offley (great article Ed!) lifeguards can be found on the east coast from Jacksonville to Miami and on the Gulf Coast from Sarasota to Naples, not to mention most of the Panhandle has lifeguards posted on the beaches, including Walton County and Destin. As reported, the 43 miles of shoreline in Gulf County doesn’t have any issues with rip currents as it is protected in large part by Cape San Blas.

Continue reading “Life Guards on Panama City Beach – everyone else is doing it!” →

Coastal Vision 3000 Presentation on The Beach at New Airport Site

Coastal Vision 3000 takes off with Milestone Presentation at Panama City – Bay County International Airport Site

PANAMA CITY – Nearly 100 Northwest Florida business and community leaders came together today as officials with Coastal Vision 3000, a non-profit organization focused on marketing the region, and the Panama City – Bay County International Airport discussed future economic and growth opportunities for the area. The open-forum gathering, which was held under a tented meeting space at the site of the future airport, currently the only airport under construction in the country, was lead by Davage “Buddy” Runnels, chairman of Coastal Vision 3000 and chairman of the Destin-based The Sterling Companies.

Continue reading “Coastal Vision 3000 Presentation on The Beach at New Airport Site” →

Local Chef Serves up Cuisine at BamJam

Local chef Shawn Barrera served up mouth-watering creations this weekend for celebrities such as ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd June 5-7, 2008 at the BamaJam Music & Arts Festival. Barrera, known locally in northwest Florida for his excellent skills as chef and food and beverage specialist at The Resort Collection, makes his debut at BamaJam this year preparing a variety of tasty foods for the musicians backstage in the VIP tents at the popular music festival. As a resort that strives for quality, we are thrilled that this off-site catering event will begin to spread the news that our resorts offer this service,” said Paul Wohlford, V.P. Sales and Marketing for The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach.

With 18 years of food and beverage experience at distinguished resorts, Barrera is creating culinary delights backstage for ZZ Top, Hank Williams, Jr., and Trace Adkins to name a few. Barerra currently manages and organizes all food and beverage functions at The Resort Collection restaurants including Oceans Bar & Grill at Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort, the H2O Bar and Grill at Majestic Beach Resort, two markets, several pool bars, a Pizza Hut and 90,000 square feet of banquet space within the resorts. Barerra earned his culinary degree from the prestigious Pennsylvania Culinary Institute and worked at several nationally reputed restaurants like Patina and Daighilev and the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles before coming to the Resort Collection eight years ago.

Continue reading “Local Chef Serves up Cuisine at BamJam” →

FSU's Flying High Circus is open to the public – video

Last night was the opening show, I wish I was there. I’ll be there tonight paying full price with my family.

Showtimes are at 7 Monday through Saturday until August 2nd. General admission is $24 for adults and $16 for kids 4 and up.

Click after the break for a video.

Continue reading “FSU's Flying High Circus is open to the public – video” →

Crist OKs State Funding Allocation for the Panama City Airport

On Wednesday, Governor Charlie Crist signed a $66 billion budget that included $12 million for the construction of the new Panama City Bay County International Airport and the road that connects it from Highway 388.

The Panhandle Citizens Coalition had written a letter to Crist explaining why he should veto the funding for the new airport citing, as reported by the News Herald, that the airport was voted against in a non-binding referendum and that it has been under litigation.

Continue reading “Crist OKs State Funding Allocation for the Panama City Airport” →

Grand Lagoon National on Panama City Beach

The newest sport fishing event on Panama City Beach, the Grand Lagoon National will debut this summer August 20 – 24.

From the website:

The Grand Lagoon National is really eight tournaments in one. Organizers are convinced that the unique format will appeal to virtually every kind of saltwater fishing enthusiast. A Big Game division, crafted to attract million dollar yachts and experienced competitors, will hunt for the elusive giant Blue Marlin, the Swordfish and the large Tuna that populate the Gulf’s summer waters. A Catch and Release category will also be provided for Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Swordfish and Sailfish. An Offshore Division will fish for Wahoo, Dolphin, Red Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack. An Inshore Division, limited to boats of twenty-nine feet in length or less, will fish for Red Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack and King Mackerel. To appeal to devotees of the Bay, a Flats Division will feature a Spanish Mackerel, Trout and Redfish competition. For visitors to the beach, families and those who love to bottom fish, a Party Boat Division will fish for Red Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack and will host a special Junior Anglers’ contest. What is being billed as “America’s Saltwater Fishing Tournament” will even include a special Dive Division for those who like to fish below the waters of the Gulf.

Bill Spann, who founded and for twenty-three years served as Chairman of one of the nation’s most recognized fishing tournaments, the Bay Point Annual Billfish Invitational, will serve as Tournament Chairman of the new event and is convinced that it will quickly establish itself as a tournament no serious saltwater enthusiast will want to miss. “The breadth of facilities, quality of fishing and the inclusiveness of this format justify the name “Grand Lagoon National”.

Continue reading “Grand Lagoon National on Panama City Beach” →