New Grand Lagoon Bridge Ground Breaking

With gold shovels in hand and orange hard-hats protecting their heads from the deep blue skies, several big names from Panama City Beach, Bay County and the State of Florida broke ground on the construction of the new Grand Lagoon Bridge and its accompanying roadway on the north and south side of the structure. Years in the planning, the Grand Lagoon Bridge was literally a pipe dream until just recently. Today, in discussion with several people from the Friends of Grand Lagoon, I was told that for a long time, it wasn’t believed that it would ever happen.

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2010 Travel Projections Put PCB In Demand

Travel predictions for 2010 have been befuddling to say the least; some experts predict tourism to continue to slide, while others see tourism in 2010 increasing, if not exploding out of 2009’s slump. What cannot be denied, however, is that 2010 tourism will be the “Year of the Deal.”

Economic problems of the last two years have crushed the tourism industry all over the US and the world. Few places have weathered the storm as well as Panama City Beach. All around the state of Florida 2009 hotel occupancy and ADR have dropped considerably since 2008, yet Panama City Beach has managed to keep itself in the black ink. In fact, 2008’s total economic impact for Panama City Beach spring quarter yielded 247 million whereas the 2009 numbers surged to 261 million. This trend is as much a sign of the times as it is a paradigm in social transformation as far as the frequent traveler is concerned.

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Grand Lagoon Bridge Ground Breaking Thursday

Bring your cameras and your congrats for the ground breaking ceremony of the new Grand Lagoon Bridge takes place Thursday morning at 10 am. The weather is sure to be perfect and the future holds a higher bridge that will accept taller boats and more water under its spans.

In the works for quite some time now, the new Grand Lagoon Bridge finally got the green light when funding was secured over the summer. With over $15 million in the bank the County Comission awarded the construction contract to C. W. Roberts Contracting, Inc.

The ground breaking takes place at 10 am sharp on October 1, 2009 at Captain Anderson’s Restaurant in the Captain’s Room.

$3 Movies at The Grand Theatre – Panama City Beach

Every Saturday,The Grand Theatre in Pier Park will feature family-friendly movies for only $3. That is not a misprint. $3 movies for families and that’s not all. The cost includes a small box of popcorn and a kid’s drink.

Show starts at 11:00 am, seating at 10:30.

Schedule of Saturday Morning Movies Showings:

Sept 26 Shark Tale

Oct 03 Madagascar

Oct 10 Flushed Away

Oct 17 Shrek 1

Oct 24 Sinbad – Legend of the Seven Seas

Oct 31 Prince of Egypt

Nov 07 Madagascar 2

Nov 14 Bee Movie

Nov 21 Shrek 2

Nov 28 No Movie

Dec 05 Chicken Run

Dec 12 Over the Hedge

Dec 19 Kung Fu Panda

The Grand Theatres are state-of-the art multiplex stadium seating movie theatres with 3D capabilities, digital sound, high-back rocker seats, a specialty café and a game room. Panama City Beach’s Grand 16, is the centerpiece of Pier Park. Patrons can not only enjoy movies, but shop and dine as well.

Around The Bend: Washington County Upcoming Fall Events

If you’re looking to get as much out of the fall season as possible, look no further than Panama City Beach neighbor, Washington County who will host several festive events and welcome Panama City Beach residents to enjoy what is to be a fantastic fall.

October 2009

Legends & Lore in the Fall Festival
Date: Saturday, October 10th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Description: (850) 638-6130 LEGENDS IN THE FALL –Historic Interpretation of Falling Waters and Area– CHIPLEY – The Department of Environmental Protection’s Falling Waters State Park along with The Friends of Falling Waters, Inc. will be sponsoring The Washington County Historical Society “Legends in the Fall” event, a return to the original format of the program Legends & Lore that is presented annually. In its inception, Legends was a forum for sharing local stories about early industries, pioneer families, Native American ways of life in this region and sharing folklore from the area. Park entrance fees waived to participants. Donations will be appreciated.

Pulling for Education – October 10th

This event features antique tractor pulls, garden tractor pulls, as well as pedal tractor pulls for the children. A completely restored, operational 1912 Case Steam Traction Engine, is also featured. Just think back, if you are a little older than most, bus still young at heart, about how it would be entertaining to watch a grist mill grind corn, a blacksmith at work, cane syrup being made, or even seeing a sawmill run by a stationary engine. You can eat cornbread that was shelled in a hand-cranked sheller, then ground in a grist mill and cooked on a wood cook stove in a cast iron skillet.

The Trust is a 501(c)3 organization so all proceeds from the event go to scholarships for students who participate in this program from the Chipley and Vernon high schools. Come have a great day out with the family, reminisce or just create new memories of “how things used to be”.

Seacrest Wolf Preserve’s “Howl-O-Ween” – October 23-25th

10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Free admission at front gate. Activities include: wolf encounter tours, activity table for kids, hay rides, bonfire with story-telling, Dog-O-Ween Costume Contest, and more. The Oaks Farm is at 3449 Bonnett Pond Road. Call 277-0489 or visit seacrestwolfpreserve.org

Downtown Chipley’s Downtown Trick or Treat’ – October 31st

Dress up, have fun and eat candy. Downtown Chipley’s opens its doors for a safe environment for kids to enjoy the Halloween festivities.

For more information on these and other events, please go to http://washingtoncountytdc.com

8 Great Ways to SAVE MONEY at the The PCB Seafood, Wine & Music Festival

If you aren’t already bursting with excitement over the upcoming PCB Seafood Wine and Music Festival, here are 8 reasons why you should be. Here’s how to save money and still have a blast during Panama City Beach’s signature event.

====> CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

1. The best priced tickets are online in advance at PanamaCityBeachFest.com – and use promo code PCBDAILY to save $2 off each ticket

2. All Kids 12 and Under are FREE

3. The Beach Bouncers “Bouncer Village” now has 8 giant bouncers and they are all FREE

4. The FAMILY FUN DAYS (Sat & Sun 11a-3p) features a Meet & Greet with Nickelodeon’s Jimmy Neutron, Hands on Art with Visual Arts Center & various local artists, Face Painting, Stilt Walking Balloon Artists, Kids Concerts with the Fish Clappers Island Band, shows by Gallagher’s Gymnastic’s and more are all FREE

5. Not interested in the big concerts each night? Get a daytime only ticket and save nearly 50%

6. Special daytime only “all you can ride” midway armbands will be just $10 – a 50% savings off the all day & night “all you can ride” armband ($20)

7. The Emerald Coast Cruizin Sneak Peek Car Show is FREE and included with all General Admission and VIP tickets

8. All Wine Tastings (4p-6p each day) are included with all General Admission and VIP tickets

====> CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

Some other cool stuff to know about the festival:

2009 is the 30th anniversary of this ever evolving premiere event on Panama City Beach

The festival benefits many charities through direct donations for volunteer work done at the festival to the newly announced “Promo Codes for Cash”, where non-profit groups can get a special PROMO CODE and whenever anyone uses that code when they purchase their advance discount tickets online the festival will donate $2 to the non profit group. If you represent a non profit group and you need a promo code to help you raise funds, call 850-230-6715

The 2009 official t-shirts have been designed by internationally acclaimed artist GUY HARVEY – and every shirt purchase benefits the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation

The current promoters of the festival (since 2008) are 3 local men who live here, own and operate businesses here, and are invested in the community and want to see this festival be the pride of PCB again

====> CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

AGENDA: TDC/CVB: Sep 29 Budget Discussions

Combined Tourist Development Council and Convention and Visitor’s Bureau meeting to discuss amendment to the 2010 CVB Budget.

AGENDA

COMBINED BOARD MEETING
Bay County Tourist Development Council
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
Panama City Beach
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
4:00 p.m.
Board Room, Visitor

Information Center

I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

A. Invocation
B. Pledge of Allegiance

III. REVIEW AND DISCUSS BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE FY 2010 CVB BUDGET, Mr. Dan Rowe, President

IV. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

V. ADJOURNMENT

To download this agenda please click here

TDC: Spring Break Recommendations – No More MTV

TDC/CVB had a combined meeting this week to pass Spring Break recommendations presented by Dan Rowe, CEO of the Tourist Development Council. After long weeks of deliberations, meetings and one vigorous community forum, a recommendation on Spring Break was reached that will decidedly cut Spring Break advertising ergo, cutting ties with MTV.

Bullet point recommendations at the meeting were as follows:

TDC Actions:
- Limit Paid Advertising to “Spring Break Responsibly” campaigns
- Engage in Proactive Spring Break Public Relations activities
- Develop a Spring Break Section of VisitPanamaCityBeach.com with Spring Break Responsibly messages, “Rules of the Road,” Spring Break Friendly Lodging.
Requested City of Panama City Beach Actions
- Conduct workshops for businesses engaged in Spring Break to discuss ways of better managing Spring Break business owners’ roles in the enforcement of state and local laws and other avenues to control potential problems related to Spring Break.
- Conduct workshops with the public and lodging establishments not directly engaged in Spring Break on strategies to control and limit impacts from Spring Break, as well as define various roles, responsibilities, and what action public safety officials can legally and practically take.
- Hire auxiliary police during peak weeks to augment PCB PD to increase police presence along Front Beach Road.
- Provide additional foot, canine and ATV patrols in areas of high Spring Break activity, including on the sandy beach to enforce littering, glass and other laws.
- Fully implement the Special Events Ordinance to insure gatherings of college students at outdoor concerts and other assemblies have appropriate management and public safety plans in place.
- Encourage FRLA to take and active role in getting the association’s members to proactively manage Spring Break activities at their locations.

This breaks down to better overall management of the 2 month-long event coupled with a more strategic advertising aimed at positive Spring Break messaging. No additional monies will be allocated to marketing or advertising Spring Break (only towards advertising “Spring Break Responsibly” which should fall somewhere between $12-$15,000 in total). Basically, no MTV, no bucketloads of money to the event and much stronger police presence throughout the beach. The question remains as to whether or not this will satisfy everyone, but it is, incontestably, a very good start.

The New King of South Has Been Crowned

Early Tuesday morning, a milestone was reached at the New Panama City Beach – Bay County International Airport Site. The capping of the control, a significant accomplishment in airport construction, was completed with nary a hiccup.

Dozens of workers, all using video camera cell phones to capture the event, lined the fenced perimeter to take a marked occasion in a very long process. Two huge cranes on either side of the 50 ton metal frame slowly raised the cab the 150ft to the top of the control tower.

It hovered under perfect blue skies before being bolted down atop the tower to be glassed in at a later date. While the whole event lasted a half hour or so, it was simultaneously the apogee to years of work and the crowning of Northwest Florida new king. If all goes according to plan, the new airport will be one of the signature southern airports, providing vacationers easy access to the “World’s Most Beautiful Beach” as well as low cost flights for residents. Seeing the control tower in place gave the airport a sense of tangibility, an air of “this whole airport-and-panama-city-beach-transformation thing is really going to happen, huh?” The ceremony was quite a thing to behold.

I asked Jeff Dealy, KBR’s program manager for the project, how many times in my life would I get to experience an event like the capping of the control tower. He smiled and said, “Once.”

Airport: No New Name, Serious Grass Problems

While the buzz surrounding Tuesday’s airport board meeting centered around the potential new name for the 318 million dollar gamechanger, it was talk of grass and sod that dominated the meeting. In fact, due to the overwhelming interest in the new name, a special meeting, to be held October 7th, will address that issue specifically. Although, many attending the meeting didn’t get what they came for, the very tense discussion on the condition of soil and stabilization of areas through the airport kept everyone’s attention.

James Phoenix, from Phoenix Construction, said with a pang of exasperation in his voice, “We’ve got some issues, multiple issues and we need help.”

Heavy rain and inconclusive studies on the soil at the airport site have caused the development of large areas to be completely reworked and the bill to keep rising. Large stretches of land, nearly 1400 hundred acres worth, which was believed to be stabilized, faltered under harsh rain causing all the grass to die off. Runway areas and ditches in need of regrading, have caused the most problems for site staff. “The soil condition is not what we anticipated,” said George Roberts of PBS&J, “The grass is growing and then dying off from a lack of organics. We cannot make the grass grow within the specs.”

The suggestion from airport representatives to sod the area was met with heavy contention from the board. Mr. Bill Cramer, Vice Chairman of the airport board, questioned the airport staff as to why the board was not notified of the issues in compliance with permits and what happened to the additional $500,000 dollars added to the budget to mitigate the problems.

Although no final word was reached, sodding the 1400 hundred acres could cost an additional $1 million dollars. Recommendations will be brought to the board and discussed in the coming meeting.

In other news, the airport is reported to be at 73% complete overall with 93% of the site development package completed.

The next board meeting is scheduled for October 7th