Category: Tourism

In The Spirit of Giving: BookIt.com’s “Trip-a-Day Replay”

Looking for a holiday getaway?  Know someone who deserves a vacation?  BookIt.com is bringing back their most popular giveaway this December.  With “Trip-a-Day Replay,” BookIt.com is giving away a free trip to one lucky traveler each day this month.  You can enter to win for free by visiting BookIt.com online or by visiting them on Facebook.

Contestants will enter to win a three-night stay, plus coach airfare for two.  The restrictions? U.S. and Canadian winners must be 25 years or older to redeem their prize.

Where are some of the free vacations? A different trip will be given away each day of December!

Majestic Elegance Punta Cana – All-Inclusive (see the picture to the left)

Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya – All-Inclusive Resort (see picture above for a sneak peak)

Las Vegas – PH Towers Westgate

Good luck to everyone entering, and have a great time on your getaway! If you are one of the lucky winners, please post pictures to share with us!

 

 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Looking to shed the Scrooge-like funk before the holidays hit?  Panama City Beach is full of events and activities to get you singing “Jingle Bells” in no time!

Santa’s Arrival and Breakfast

November 25th, 2011

At 9:00am, Santa will be arriving at Pier Park for cookies, hot chocolate and pictures with all of the boys and girls who come to see him!  Pictures will be taking place at the Santa House on the boardwalk.

Annual Mayor’s Tree Lighting

November 25th, 2011

The age old tradition of the Christmas tree lighting will take place from 6:00pm-7:00pm.  Listen to holiday carolers as the Mayor lights the 20ft tree in Pier Park and starts the holiday season!

25th Annual Christmas Boat Parade

November 26th, 2011

This year’s boat parade will mark the 25th Anniversary of the parade in Panama City.  From 4pm- 9pm in Historic St. Andrews you can watch the “Silver Anniversary”-themed parade tour the St. Andrews Marina.  For more information, please visit the website.

Schooners Last Local Beach Party

November 26th, 2011

Celebrate the holiday season with Schooners!  Starting at 7pm, Schooners would like to thank those who have supported them all year long.  They will have live entertainment from Smoke N Mirrors.  There will also be food and drink specials, holiday gifts, and VIP card giveaways.  The event will benefit the Children’s Home Society.  Schooners asks you to bring a new unwrapped toy to benefit an underprivileged child in the community.

8th Annual Festival of Trees

November 29th- December 2nd, 2011

The Panama City Rescue Mission is hosting the 8th Annual Festival of Trees: The Greatest Gift of All at the Marina Civic Center.  This event enables local artists and designers to decorate beautiful Christmas items for charity, which are judged in a competition and then sold at auction.  All proceeds help Bethel Village, the Rescue Mission’s home for recovering homeless women and families.

The Rescue Mission will also be hosting a “Lunch with Santa,” which will be a field trip for our school’s homeless children allowing them to enjoy beautiful trees, learn the history of Christmas, meet Santa, and receive presents.

Tickets and more information are available online.

Holiday Fun at the Beach

It’s almost time to flip the switch and turn on the Christmas lights!  Four main events will set the holiday atmosphere here in Panama City Beach.  If you’re looking for something to do this holiday season, look no further!

About Fun for the Holidays:

Panama City Beach is putting on four events to kick-start the holiday season right for everyone!  Tickets are available online or at the gate, however- Friday November 18th, admission will be free and will include a performance by the Panama City POPS Orchestra.  Tickets will be $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for students, seniors, and active members of the military, $2.00 children age six to 12, and children under six are free.  Ice skates are available for an additional $5 adults, $2 children 12 and under.  Bay County residents will receive a Thursday discount: $5.00 Adults, $2.00 students, seniors, active military, $1.00 children 12 and under.  Fun for the Holidays kicks off on November 18 and will run every Thursday, Friday & Saturday until December 23rd. (Except for Thanksgiving Day)

Christmas Tree Forest and Ice Palace

A forest of lighted Christmas trees and a ice skating rink will transform the intersection of Alf Coleman Drive and Front Beach Road into a winter wonderland and the hub of holiday activities.  The ice skating rink will be 50×100-feet.  In the center of the Christmas tree forest, you’ll find a 40-foot tree with lights that have been choreographed to festive holiday music.

Santa’s Beach House Village

Shipwreck Island Waterpark will be changed into a beach wonderland, complete with elves, reindeer, and other holiday favorites.  Visitors will be greeted by the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Claus- starfish, seahorses, turtles, dolphins, fish, and crabs- each one illuminated.  There will be a craft table to make holiday keepsakes, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, holiday treats, and of course- pictures with Santa.

Christmas Under the Sea

M.B. Miller County Pier will be decorated with lights and animation, allowing you to experience holiday lights while overlooking the Gulf of Mexico!

Beach Ball Drop

2012 will begin after the Fourth Annual Beach Ball Drop hosted by Pier Park on Saturday, December 31st.  Complete with family-friendly entertainment including bounce houses, street performers, stilt walkers, face painters, and live music starting at 5:30pm.  At 8:00pm thousands of inflatable beach balls will be dropped for the delight of children.  Counting down till midnight an 800-pound beach ball will decend 100-feet as we enjoy the last moments of 2011.   New Year’s Eve activities are complimentary.

Happy Holidays, from PCB Daily!

Cruzin’ the Emerald Coast

Gather your friends and family for some fun November 10th-12th; hot rods, cruzers, classic cars and trucks, and more make their way to Panama City Beach!  Frank Brown Park (across from Pier Park) will be lined with over 3,000 classic and custom cars for this year’s Emerald Coast Cruzin’.  Among the cars lining the park will be vendors of car memorabilia, parts, ladies wear, a kids corner, and more.  There is sure to be something their for every car aficionado and their family members.

In addition to the car show, there will also be parades, concerts from T Graham Brown and TG Sheppard, and more- to ensure fun for everyone attending.  The best part?  100% of ticket sales go to The Boys and Girls Club of Bay County.   Cost for entry is $10.00 per person (including parking and auction), $25.00 for a 3 day pass, and children under 12 are free.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, November 10th

8:00am-5:00pm: Vehicle Registration at Sharky’s

8:00am-5:00pm: Show and Shine at Frank Brown Park

9:00am-4:00pm: Vehicle Auction Registration at Frank Brown Park

5:30pm: Burn-out Competition at Hammerhead Fred’s

6:00pm: Live Entertainment from 345 Express at the Sandpiper Beacon Tiki Bar

Friday, November 11th

8:00am-5:00pm: Vehicle Registration at Sharky’s

8:00am-5:00pm: Show and Shine at Frank Brown Park

9:00am-4:00pm: Vehicle Auction Registration at Frank Brown Park

4:30pm: Parade through Pier Park (beginning at Dillards and ending at Sharky’s)

5:30pm: Beach Blast Concert with Jimmy Dale, Bobby Parish, and The Cadillacs Band ($5.00 to registered participants)

Saturday, November 12th

8:00am-5:00pm: Vehicle Registration at Sharky’s

8:00am-5:00pm: Show and Shine at Frank Brown Park

9:00am: Vehicle Auction Begins at Frank Brown Park

4:00pm: Awards Announcement (must be present to win)

6:00pm: Lineup Show (Starts at 7pm) and Flame Throwing Contest at Pineapple Willies

 

Have fun enjoying these amazing classic cars and hot rods!

 

Relax and UNwineD This Weekend

The Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce and The Tourism Development Council are bringing us “UNwineD: Vines and Steins” this weekend,  a festival to celebrate local wines, craft beers, and cuisine as part of the “Taste of The Beach 2011.”  The event will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida and the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Education Foundation.

There will be over 120 wines, 60 craft beers, food from 20 restaurants, and local musicians playing throughout the evening.  Alton Brown, host of “Good Eats” and “Iron Chef America,” will be in attendance.  Brown will be explaining how to pair the beverages with foods, as well as hosting a cooking demonstration.  Weekend passes are available for $80 online.

Schedule of Events

Friday, November 4th 6pm-9pm – Pier Park

For $40, you can purchase a ticket to taste the wines and beers as well as culinary samplings from the area.  Wander the streets of Pier Park while listening to local musicians and tastes of the coast.

Saturday, November 5th 6pm- Wyndham Bay Point Resort

Alton Brown’s cooking demonstration will be at 7:30pm, and is expected to last 90 minutes. He will also be signing his book (available at the event).  There will also be samples of food from Executive Chef Julio Lucero prepared with a collection of beer and wines.  This evening’s events will be $50.

Relax, Enjoy, and UNwineD!

Conservation Park’s Ribbon Cutting

Yesterday, October 27th, Conservation Park held its official ribbon cutting ceremony.  The park has been in planning for ten years, and is now a reality for those in and visiting PCB.  Walkers, bicyclists, park rangers, firefighter, police, donators, and those behind the project were all out to celebrate the new park in Panama City Beach!  Bay County’s Chamber of Commerce and Panama City Beach’s Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon, as this was a joint effort between the two.

What is Conservation Park?

With over 3,000 acres near Panama City Beach Parkway and Highway 79, Conservation Park is now home to “Gayle’s Trails,” bridges, eight boardwalks, picnic areas, and an outdoor classroom.  The boardwalks curve around the trees that were already there so that none needed to be removed for the paths.  Trails and bike paths are over 22 miles long in total.  There are hopes to extend the trails to St. Andrews and Camp Helen in the future.  The park is not only intended to serve as a place for recreation and outdoor fun, but to help recharge the wetlands in the area.

The park is in connection with a wastewater treatment plant nearby, where the water will be distributed through fourteen stations into the wetlands.  This water distribution will help to keep West Bay clean.  Approximately 18 million gallons of wastewater will be sent to the park each day, so that it can naturally be filtered back into the water cycle.

Celebrating the New Park

Saturday, October 29th, a family fun day will be held at the park to celebrate its opening.  Starting at 8am, there will be a family fun run (a 10K, 5K, and one mile) followed by giveaways and hotdogs/hamburgers for lunch.  (Lunch will be served from 12-2pm)  The park is located at the end of Griffin Drive, past Business Commerce Park.

Stop by and look at the new trails and outdoor recreational area!

Here are some pictures of the ribbon cutting and the park:

Sterling Resorts Receives Award for Innovative Marketing

Last summer, in response to the BP Oil Spill and the lull in tourism, Sterling Resorts began a “Happy Hour” promotional campaign.  This campaign countered the increasing number of cancellations and led them to win the Flagler Award, which recognizes outstanding tourism marketing on behalf of the Florida Commission on Tourism.

About the Award

A competition for the Flagler award is held in conjunction with the Annual Florida Governor’s Conference on Tourism  This award is based on the pillars of creativity, innovation, vision, and commitment. The standout entry in the Flagler Awards is also awarded The Henry Award, which Sterling Resorts received.  They were awarded top scores by five judges in the Direct Marketing segment.  Sterling Resorts was competing against top competitors in areas like The Keys/Key West and St. Pete/Clearwater.  The awards are open to all individuals, private businesses and not-for-profit organizations offering a product or service that promotes tourism to or within the state of Florida.

The Happy Hour Sale

The campaign involved a weekly email sent on Friday afternoons to offer exclusive savings to regional subscribers with time-sensitive offers.  These offers were available at select Sterling properties located in Panama City Beach, 30-A, and Destin.  They also used weekly Gulf updates and offered a ‘100% Clean Beach’ guarantee.  The promotion was aimed at reassuring travelers and combating cancellations, similarly; it produced more then 2,600 inquiries and 300 reservations.  This campaign generated $212,000 in revenue and provided for many vacation relationships to be built.  The Happy Hour Sale was brought back this summer by popular demand.

About Sterling Resorts

Sterling Resorts is one of the leading vacation rental companies in the Southeast, a division of Encore Enterprises.  They have over 20 condominium resorts in Panama City Beach, Destin, and 30-A.  In Panama City Beach, they manage Laketown Wharf, Calypso Resort and Towers, Celadon Beach Resort, Emerald Beach Resort, Emerald Isle, Grand Panama, Ocean Villa, Majestic Beach Towers, Ocean Ritz Resort, Splash, Southwind, Reflections at Bay Point, Sterling Beach, Sterling Breeze, Sterling Reef, Sunrise Beach, Tropic Winds, Tidewater Beach Resort, and Twin Palms Resort.

Congratulations to Sterling Resorts and all of those involved in the Happy Hour Sale!

High Seas Pirate Festival Invades PCB

October 7th and 8th Pirates of the High Seas Fest invade Panama City Beach for a weekend of family fun and entertainment.  The weekends schedule is below.  All events will be held at Pier Park, unless otherwise mentioned.  Several events will involve the Krewe of Dominique Youx, the proud sponsors of Mardi Gras at the Beach in Panama City.

Friday October 7th, 2011

6:00 pm– Adult Pirate and Wench Costume Contest

6:00 pm– Pet Costume Contest

7:00 pm– Second Line Parade led by Krewe of Dominique Youx (Mardi Gras style parade celebrating piracy this weekend)

8:00 pm– Tervis Family Beach Ball Drop (More than 7,000 beach balls will fall onto Pier Park Drive)

Saturday October 8th, 2011

8:00 am– Run for the Treasure (pirate-themed fun run savenger hunt, 5K, and Half Marathon at Aaron Bessant Park)

12:00 pm– Children’s Costume Contest, Treasure Hunt on Bookit.com Beach, and Face Painting

2:00 pm– Lookout for Pirates on the Gulf of Mexico (The Midnight Princess and Sea Dragon battle on the waters)

3:00 pm– Pirates Raid Panama City Beach Pier to Capture the Keys to the City (pirates will invade the City Pier and have a children’s pirate parade, wear a costume and join in!)

5:00 pm– Main Pirate Parade (Krewe of Dominique Youx pirates join the costume contest winners and street performers)

6:15 pm– Pirate Movie Screening and Balloon Making

9:00 pm– Dueling Fireworks Show (Fireworks Battle between the two piers as a pirate ship arrives off shore)

Have an amazing weekend of piracy in Panama City Beach!  Don’t forget your pirate and wench costumes!

 

Thunder Beach Custom Bike Show and A Guide to Motorcycle Types

On October 1st, the Best of Thunder Beach Custom Bike Show will be held at Pier Park.  Registration will begin at 10:00am, judging is scheduled for 12:00pm, and the awards presentation will be at 5:00pm.  There is $15,000 in prize money and gift certificates available to winners.

Classes for judging are American Mild, American Wild, Metric Wild, Sportbike Mild, Sportbike Wild, Manufactured Custom, Radical, Bobber, Bagger Mild, Bagger Wild, Trike Mild, Trike Wild, Vintage Stock, Vintage Modified, and Rat.

Description of the different judging classes
  • American: a cruiser using imperial sizes for nuts and bolts
  • Metric: a cruiser using metric nuts and bolts rather than imperial sizes
  • Sportbike: a motorcycle designed for optimal speed and handling characteristics, often with expensive bodywork
  • Manufactured Custom: a motorcycle ordered straight from the manufacturer customized to wants and needs of the owners
  • Radical: a motorcycle typically classified as a chopper, with high handlebars
  • Bobber: a motorcycle with cut down fenders to appear shorter
  • Bagger: a motorcycle equipped with saddlebags and other touring amenities
  • Trike: a three-wheeled motorcycle that has not be dramatically customized
  • Vintage: a motorcycle at least 20 years old
  • Rat: a bike made from several machines and kept on the road using as cheap as possible and painted matt black

Motorcyclists and non-enthusiasts will be able to enjoy the bike show at Pier Park, looking at customization and fine engineering!  Drive safe!

 

Action Packed Biker-Friendly Week [Schedule]

The most biker-friendly free rally in the USA is coming to the beaches of Panama City this week: September 28th – October 2nd.  Complete with parties, beauty pageant’s, live music, entertainment, a memorial parade, and thousands of gorgeous motorcycles, this is sure to be a weekend to remember.  Here is a look at some of the events scheduled for this fall’s Thunder Beach!

Kick-Start Party at the Shores of Panama

Starting with the Kick-start Party at the Shores of Panama at 6pm on the 28th, Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally will be in PCB.  The Kick-start party will feature live music from Geneva, and at 7pm the preliminary round of the Miss Thunderbeach 2011 Autumn Rally beauty contest will begin.  There will be a Kick-start After Party at 9pm at Pineapple Willy’s, including free snacks – while they last.  There will be live music from Jacobs, Brock and Brews.

Miss Thunder Beach 2011 Autumn Rally

Throughout the week, ladies 18 and up, will have the opportunity to compete for a $5,000 prize and the title of Miss Thunder Beach 2011 Autumn Rally.  The first preliminary will be held at the Kick-Start Part at 7:00pm on September 28th at Shores of Panama.  The Second round will be held Thursday, September 29th, at 7:00pm at HammerHead Fred’s.  The winner and runner’s-up will be announced at the end of the final round, Friday the 30th at Hooters at 7:00pm.  There will also be a Ms. Thunder Beach competition, Saturday October 1st at the Shoppes at Edgewater.

Poker Runs and The SGT Kevin Kight Memorial Bike Parade

There will be three poker runs: Thursday at Pineapple Willy’s, Friday at Rock’it Lanes, and Saturday at Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant and Tiki Bar.  Registration for each poker run will be at 12 pm on its respective day.  On Saturday October 1st at 10:00am, the SGT Kevin Kight Memorial Bike Parade will begin at the Southwest corner of R. Jackson Blvd and Middle Beach Road.  The parade will benefit Cops for Kids, and any canned food donations will be given to local food banks.

The Best of Thunder Beach Custom Bike Show

Also on October 1st, will be the Best of Thunder Beach Custom Bike Show held in Pier Park.  Registration will begin at 10:00am, judging is scheduled for 12:00pm, and the aware presentation will be at 5:00pm.  Classes for judging are American Mild, American Wild, Metric Wild, Sportbike Mild, Sportbike Wild, Manufactured Custom, Radical, Bobber, Bagger Mild, Bagger Wild, Trike Mild, Trike Wild, Vintage Stock, Vintage Modified, and Rat. There is $15,000 in prize money and gift certificates available to winners.

The Nick Lee World Burnout Tour and The Ives Brothers Stunt Show

The Nick Lee World Burnout Tour will be making a few appearances to the rally also; with appearances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 12:30pm and 3:30pm at Frank Brown Park.  The Ives Brothers Stunt Show will be at Frank Brown Park those three days at 12:00pm, 3:00pm, and 6:00pm to entertain the crowds as well.