VIP30A July/August 2023 Issue - Letter from the Publisher

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Letter from the Publisher

“If the old saying “time flies when you are having fun” is true, we must be living in a perpetual party. It’s hard to believe we are well into the summer vacation season and quickly headed toward Labor Day. While our seasonal changes are mild, with plenty of warm beach days ahead, it does mean that schools returning to session and more normal routines will once again take precedence over summer play days. So now that the constant rain seems to have passed, get out to the beaches and enjoy the beautiful emerald waters that drew so many of us here.
Of course, VIP 30A Magazines focus on many things beyond the water’s edge, including a host of local events we are blessed to have the opportunity to experience. While spring and fall are considered the events season, there are plenty of summer happenings, so make sure and check out our calendar. This issue captures several of the late spring into early summer favorites like Digital Graffiti, Art Month festivities, and a host of ribbon cuttings and open houses at our beloved local businesses.
30Avenue brought a new event to the local scene, 30A Foamfest. This exciting and engaging festival, full of great craft beers, food, live entertainment, and an old-fashioned Bavarian contest, will surely be a signature event for years to come.
So while there are plenty of dog days of summer to endure, there are also many wonderful beach days to enjoy with family and friends.”

Jonah Allen Gallery Grand Opening

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Jonah Allen to Host Grand Opening of 30A Gallery

Local artist, Jonah Allen, is set to open his 30A gallery, located at 4771 E County Hwy 30A, Unit B101, with a grand opening celebration on Thursday, June 22 from 5-8 p.m.

After opening his first studio in 2021, Allen knew he wanted to bring his work closer to the east end of 30A where he lives. The new space is 1,060 square feet and showcases 20 of Allen’s signature photographic works that focus on the dynamic relationship between water and light. Each piece is unique and offers a different perspective in order to challenge the viewer’s eye on how they look and perceive water.

“Whether you appreciate abstract expressionism, contemporary realism, or intricate installations, I promise you will find something to inspire and ignite your imagination,” Allen said.”

The grand opening celebration will give guests the exclusive opportunity to meet Allen and discover the stories behind his creations, gain insight into his creative process, and engage in conversation with the artist himself. Guests will indulge in heavy hors d’oeuvres by The Salty Butcher and Swiftly Catered, along with refreshments from local purveyors including Campesino Rum, Gulf Water Wines, Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, Palm Folly, and wine by Wild Olives throughout the evening. While exploring the space and viewing the various works, the gallery will be filled with music from DJ Dad and live décor by Clay 30A. Fifteen percent of all artwork sold during the grand opening will benefit the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA), an organization that is close to Allen’s heart.

“All of my work is based on the waters located in South Walton” Allen said. “The CBA is an organization that helps sustain those exact waterways through education, research, and restoration, so they are dear to my heart.”

The gallery is open Monday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from Noon to 6p.m. To RSVP for the event, please visit https://jonahallengallery.com/pages/event-rsvp. There are multiple sponsorship opportunities available for local business and individuals looking to support. Please email Jessica@proffittpr.com to learn more.

South Walton Wine & Food Festival at Grand Boulevard

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The South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival was once again a tremendous success, with sold-out crowds over the course of the three-day event. Even a little inclement weather on Saturday would not dampen the spirits of those attending the Grand Boulevard hosted event, as a slight delay gave time for the clouds to clear and everyone to resume the festivities that began Friday.
From the VIP kick-off event and the Craft Beer & Spirits Jam to the Grand Tastings, the festival lived up to its reputation. With over twenty local restaurants on hand to sample, there were plenty of tastings to pair with, not only an endless variety of exquisite wines but Tequilas, Bourbons, Bloody Marys, and more.

30A Foam Fest at 30Avenue

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30A Foam Fest, presented by Idyll Hound Proper and 30Avenue, made its debut at 30Avenue on Saturday, May 13, from 2-6 p.m. with proceeds from the inaugural event benefiting Food for Thought Outreach.
Guests were welcomed to the coastal shopping center to enjoy an afternoon filled with unlimited sips of craft beer, food, live music, activities, and much more. Breweries from across the southeast showcased and poured their unique beers during the festival, accompanied by food from various 30Avenue restaurants. Live music was performed on the main stage throughout the event, kicking off with the opening act, Boukou Groove, followed by the popular, New Orleans-based band Flow Tribe.
The afternoon of festivities culminated with the Steinholding competition. In this traditional Bavarian contest, competitors raise a full one-liter beer stein out in front of their bodies with a straight arm parallel to the ground. The person who holds their arm out the longest is crowned the winner. The combination of fine craft beers, live music, great food, and entertainment, all for a local cause, will make 30A Foam Fest a signature event for years to come!

Under the Sea at Grand Boulevard

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The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County recently held “Under the Sea” in Grand Boulevard Town Center. In its 5th year, this event is an Art Month Walton County signature event kicking off a month of activities. This fundraiser celebrates the Underwater Museum of Art’s fifth installation with a night of art, music, cocktails, food, and fun. Many local chefs from area restaurants set up shop and showed off their best while the live music entertained the crowd as they viewed several UMA sculptures. The headliner act, the Cleverlys, is a very entertaining one-of-a-kind comedy/music band from Arkansas. They tour nationally, playing at some of the country’s largest festivals, including Telluride, CMA Music Fest, and The Grand Ole Opry.
The UMA is a presentation of the CAA’s ‘Art in Public Spaces’ program in partnership with the South Walton Artificial Reef Associations. Their purpose is to create marine habitats and expand fishery populations for residents and visitors of Walton County to enjoy.

Capital City Bank Open House

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Capital City Bank recently hosted an open house at their new location in Watersound. This location is in the heart of an exciting amount of growth taking place near the east end of 30A in and around Watersound, including Publix and many other new businesses opening recently. 

This bank location, under the leadership of Stephen Stabler, has a very welcoming staff that prides themselves in creating personal relationships with their clients. This enables the bank to offer a full range of products and services to meet their client’s specific financial needs. Capital City Bank also has a long-standing tradition of being very involved in the communities they service, as their bankers donate many volunteer hours to local civic organizations and philanthropic groups.

Clients, friends, and acquaintances were invited to “Stop by and say hello” on this early summer afternoon. Everyone enjoyed wonderful food and beverages from 98 BBQ and Distillery 98 combined with a live performance by “The Voice” contestant Jared Herzog.

10th Annual Tequila & Taco Fest

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The 10th Annual Tequila & Taco Fest was a three-day sold-out event at Sandestin in the Village of Baytowne Wharf. This event, which has grown over the years, begins with a pre-party on Friday night at the magical waterfront setting of the Sandestin Marina. Founder and event promoter Carlos Saffran added an extra touch this year by bringing in a live performance by reggae musician Mishka, a five-time Billboard chart-topper. Having performed with the likes of Kenny Chesney & Jimmy Buffett, the marina background with the sun melting into the water made for a perfect party setting.
Saturday, the main event followed as crowds poured in to try almost any type of tequila you could think of, along with food and entertainment. Various local restaurants competed for the Best Taco on the Emerald Coast award. At the same time, over 40 different types of Tequilas were served. Tortilla Tossing and Macho Nacho eating contests kept everyone entertained. Sunday wrapped up the festivities with the Bye Bye Brunch.

Digital Graffiti Festival at Alys Beach

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The Alys Foundation presented the 16th Annual Digital Graffiti Festival at Alys Beach May 19-20, 2023. The Scenic 30A community of Alys Beach, located along the northwest Florida Emerald Coast, provided the environment for the Digital Graffiti festival – an open-air, organic gallery for the projections. The festival’s juried show featured the works of artists from the worldwide arena, unique in its display by digital projection onto the white walls of the architecture of Alys Beach, and into the broader exterior landscape. As Digital Graffiti Residency Artists for the 2023 festival, the works of Katina Bitsicas, XUAN, and Austin Shaw were also featured throughout the festival route.
With curator John Colette at the helm, Digital Graffiti enjoys the perspective of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) motion media design professor and eight-year veteran participant. Festival winners were selected by John and an esteemed panel of judges. The 2023 awards include Best in Show ($5,000 prize): Holy Photons, Through the Fire to the Light; Curator’s Choice ($2,000 prize): Brittnie Diamant, Memoria Amnesia, and three Special Recognition honors (at $1,000 prize each): Peter Clark & Cody Samson, Ecotone; S4RA, privacy-GrDN.info; Jinkyu Kang, The Light. Festival winners were selected by the festival’s curator, John Colette, and an esteemed panel of judges. 

Amazing Lash Studio Grand Opening

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Amazing Lash Studio of Panama City Beach recently held a Grand Opening Celebration. Owner Mary-Frances Mullins now owns thriving Amazing Lash Studio locations, including Destin, Pensacola, and her newest location next to Ulta and Chilis in Panama City Beach’s popular Pier Park. The PCB Chamber was on hand to conduct an official ribbon cutting followed by refreshments and entertainment.
This popular chain offers services ranging from eyelash extensions, lash lifts, and lash upgrades. Private suites are available for clients to relax and unwind while the stylist works their magic. A well-trained and friendly staff turns these services into an exciting and rewarding experience with amazing results!