Catch the Big One at the Destin Fishing Rodeo!

"World's Luckiest Fishing Village"
You could land the big one!

62nd Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo 

is going on the entire month of October!

The Destin Fishing Rodeo began in May of 1948 to introduce people to Destin.
 It worked! 
 Destin shortly became known as a summer tourist destination
and “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”.

It is estimated that over 36,000 anglers from 27 states and 5 countries
plus over 13,000 locals participate in the Rodeo.

Photo: Destin Fishing Rodeo

This year's rodeo is bigger and better than ever. 

Every day October 1st through October 31st
  The Rodeo is FREE to angler's fishing aboard a registered boat in the Rodeo.
  Weigh-ins everyday on the docks at A.J.'s Seafood and Oyster Bar from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
  Open to Private and Charter Boats
  FREE entry for Pier, Bridge, Jetty & Surf Fishing
  Over 30,000 anglers compete throughout the month of October 


Over $100,000 awarded in cash and prizes
  Daily, weekly and overall prizes.
  Junior, Teen, Ladies and Senior Divisions.
   Virtually every gamefish is recognized with awards during the Rodeo

Whether you're trolling inshore for King Mackerel, offshore for Marlin and Sailfish,

or fishing the deep bottoms for Red Snapper and Grouper, you'll be in the running for prizes.

 

 You can find more information at Hooked on Fishing,

the official site for Destin Charter Boat Association.

 Happy Fishing!

Barefoot By The Sea Vacations

Phone:  850.543.9239

email:  barefootdella@gmail.com

Celebrate Autumn in Destin!

Shhhhh..... don't tell anyone our little secret:

 

 Autumn is the BEST time to visit the Emerald Coast! 

 

 There are plenty of warm weather days left 

on our sugar white, sun-kissed beaches!

Photo:  Henderson Park Inn

 

It's not as crowded here in the fall.

There's plenty of room for sandcastle building.

Photo:  Henderson Park Inn

 You can allow your creativity run wild!

Photo: Henderson Park Inn

If you tire of sandcastle building or vegging out on the beach 

there are lots of things to do here during the fall.

Don't miss the PUTToberfest on September 30!

Destin Area Chamber of Commerce

 

 


Putt your way through 18 holes and a beer tasting during the area’s first ever PUTToberfest, presented by the Destin Area Sports Commission!  For more information or to reserve your spot, you may download the registration form or contact Risa Garner at (850) 837-2711 x2 or rgarner@DestinChamber.com

THE BIG AUTUMN EVENT is the Harbor Fest on October 2 & 3

at Destin's beautiful HarborWalk Village!

Photo: HarborWalkVillage

This festival will feature 3 days of family-friendly fun that will include music, art and local food vendors. Come celebrate the Destin Harbor and support local charities like Fisherman's Fund, Destin Fishing Museum and Alaqua Animal Refuge. For more information visit www.harborwalkdestin.com.

Don't forget the 62nd Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo 

the entire month of October!

More on this in my next post.

We're saving a seat for you!

Barefoot By The Sea Vacations

Email us for rates and availability.

Phone:  850.543.9239

Don't miss the Destin Seafood Festival September 17-19!

  The 32nd Annual Destin Seafood Festival

promises to be bigger and better than ever!

  This years' Destin Seafood Festival will be on the Destin Harbor in the Fishing Fleet Marina, 

City of Destin Royal Melvin Heritage Park, and Fisherman's Wharf!

Photo Destin Seafood Festival

 “This year’s poster, by Judy Shilligburg, displays a beautiful geographical view of Destin’s amazing coastline and intercostals waterways. A compass rose is also proudly displayed within the poster, with a heart in the middle. "This symbolizes no matter where you are, home is always at the center of the ‘World’s Most Beautiful Beaches’and within the Destin Harbor,” explained Judy Shillingburg, watercolor artist and owner of Special Touch Gallery. 

“This year’s poster also features award-winning sport fish, shrimp boats, and seasonal anglers, which have become synonymous with our reputation as ‘the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.’”

The theme for the official poster of the 32nd Annual Destin Seafood Festival was ‘Heart of the Harbor,’ in a nod to the festival’s new location right on Destin’s docks at the Destin Fishing Fleet Marina, City of Destin Royal Melvin Heritage Park, and Fisherman’s Wharf. 

Shillingburg’s entry was chosen from three entries in a vote by the Destin Area Chamber membership at the June 11 Business to Business Breakfast. This is her seventh consecutive win, eighth overall. The poster, along with other artwork by Shillingburg, will be available for purchase during the festival.

 Friday at 8 p.m.

Starship Starring Mickey Thomas 

performs the multi-platinum hits of

Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Starship. 

Billboard Top 40 hits include 

We Built this City,

Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,

Sara, and It’s Not Over Till It’s Over.

Photo Mickey Thomas

 Other entertainment includes 

Black Eyed Blonde, Donnie Sundal, 

The Blackbirds, The Forrest Williams Band, 

The Sal Salaz Project, and Jones and Company.

 

 Enjoy live music, arts & crafts, delicious seafood, and more on our beautiful Destin Harbor!
This change in location positions the festival amid Destin's fishing docks, and the change in dates makes it a true kick off to the Destin Fishing Rodeo, which takes place the entire month of October.

 Come join us for all the festivities!

We're saving a seat for you.

Barefoot By The Sea Vacation Rentals

Email us for rates & availability

barefootdella@gmail.com

Phone:  850.543.9239

Beautiful beaches of Destin, Florida!

I never tire of photographing our area.

There's a Kodak Moment around every corner!

No talent required!

Breathtaking scenery is all around us.

I like to 'collect' boat names.

Some days our water is every color & hue in the blue & green spectrum.

Barefoot By The Sea soccer team.

Ranch hand?

Destin Commons

Parasailing

Come on down and bring your camera.

 We're saving a seat for you!

Take a look at our beach rentals Barefoot By The Sea Vacations.

Email for rates & availability: barefootdella@gmail.com

Or give us at call:  850.543.9239

Dolphin Point condo on Holiday Isle available now!

This beautiful, furnished two bedroom, 2 bath condo right on the Destin Harbor is available now for long-term lease.  Only $1250/mo.  Call 850.543.9239 or email jeanne001@cox.net for details.

Sizzling August & September beach deals!

Wildly exciting news!

We have just received email from the Tourist Development Council that, through a $1.685 million grant from BP, they are introducing a new marketing program called "Be Rewarded" gift card program.

Guests who book and stay three nights or more in Beaches of South Walton by September 30 could be rewarded with their choice of a $250 gift card, good either at Silver Sands Factory Stores, the nation’s largest designer factory outlet, or for future travel on Southwest Airlines.  To promote the effort, they are launching www.250reasons.com to show visitors why they should book now. The program will run from August 2 through September 30, 2010. 

Imagine being paid to lie on the beach!

If you haven't planned your late summer beach vacation, there will never be a better time! 

The gift cards are being issued on a first come first served basis.

Get all the details here. Be sure to read the instructions to collect your gift card. 

Our beaches are beautiful and open for enjoyment. We are pulling out all the stops with new activities and events. Late summer/early fall has always been, and remains, a great time to experience all that we have to offer. 

 We're saving a seat for you!

Barefoot By The Sea Vacations

Email:  jeanne001@cox.net for rates & availability

Phone:  850.543.9239

 

Sizzling Summertime at the Beach!

Summertime and the living is easy......

What would summer be without beach music?

Beach music has always been a part of our summer celebration!

These samples are guaranteed to make you want to head for the beach!

 Some of my fav's are  Carolina shag music, 

Eddie Cochran's classic "Summertime Blues,

Jimmy Buffett's Boats Beaches Bars & Ballads, 

Steve Boone's Summer in the City,

Beach Boys Sounds of Summer & so many more!

 Remember this?

My fav Nat King Cole's

Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
You'll wish that summer could always be here

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Dust off the sun and moon and sing a song of cheer

I could sit here & listen to these samples all day!

What's your favorite Summertime Beach Music?

 We're saving a seat for you!

Emerald Coast Shrimp

Nothing is more delicious than succulent Florida shrimp  -

fresh off the boat!

 

 These shrimp are so fresh they slept in the bay last night.

As promised, I'm sharing my Emerald Coast Shrimp Creole with you here.

No, you won't use all 30 lbs. of shrimp for this recipe 

and these shrimp freeze beautifully!

 

 Shrimp Creole
1/2 cup butter


1 large onion, finely chopped


2 ribs celery, finely chopped

1 bell pepper, finely chopped

1 Tbsp Creole seasoning

2 Tbsp tomato paste 

(I like more tomato taste, so I use more)

2-1/2 cups tomatoes, diced


1/2 cup dry white wine


2 cups clam juice or shrimp stock
2 Tbsp garlic, minced


2 bay leaves

cayenne to taste


Kosher salt to taste


1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp white pepper

1 bunch fresh thyme

2 Tbsp Tabasco (or to taste)


1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 lbs. peeled and deveined shrimp
¼ cup chopped parsley
½ cup green onion tops, thinly sliced

Melt the butter in a large pan over medium high heat. 

Add onions, celery, and bell pepper. 

Reduce the heat to medium and season with Creole Seasoning and a pinch of salt. 

Cook until the vegetables are soft. 

Add the tomato paste mixing well, and cook, stirring constantly, 

until the paste begins to brown, then add the tomatoes 

and another pinch of Kosher salt, if desired. Stir well.
When the tomatoes start to break down into liquid add the white wine, 

Turn the heat to high until most of the alcohol burns off. 

Add the clam juice or shrimp stock, garlic, bay leaves, black pepper,

white pepper, cayenne (to taste), and thyme. 

Bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer. 

Simmer for 30-45 minutes.
Add the hot sauce, Worcestershire, and adjust the seasonings with Kosher salt, if needed. 

Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat to low and add the shrimp. 

Do not overcook shrimp. 

Let them slowly simmer in the sauce until just cooked through. 

Enjoy!

If you would like a copy of the recipe, just click on the email link below

& I will be glad to share it with you.

We still have a few weeks left for your summer beach vacation!

Barefoot By The Sea Vacations

Email us for rates & availability.

Phone: 850.543.9239 

We're saving a seat for you!