Community Events

Destin enters the season with a competitive schedule as the Sharks continue building their football program against a mix of district rivals and non-district opponents. The season opens at home against Franklin County before games against Northview, Holmes County and Walton. District play includes matchups with Bozeman, Freeport and South Walton, while the Sharks will also face longtime Panhandle opponents such as Pensacola Catholic and Chipley. With a balanced slate of home and road contests, Destin will look to gain momentum throughout the season and position itself for a strong finish.

Navarre will face a demanding football schedule this season as the Raiders look to compete for a district championship and a return to the playoffs. The season opens on the road against Escambia before home games with Pine Forest and Niceville, followed by district matchups against Pace, Milton and Gulf Breeze. The Raiders will also take on traditional rivals Crestview and Tate while closing the regular season at home against Mosley. With a schedule featuring longtime rivals, key district contests and several tough opponents, Navarre will be tested each week as it pursues another successful season.

Niceville will take on a challenging football schedule this fall as the Eagles aim for another successful season. The campaign begins with back-to-back home games against Prattville, Alabama, and West Florida before the team enters district play against Navarre. The schedule also includes marquee matchups with rival Choctawhatchee, Pace, Crestview and Fort Walton Beach, along with a late-season road contest at Dunnellon. Featuring a balanced mix of non-district tests, rivalry games and key district showdowns, the Eagles will face a demanding path as they chase another playoff appearance.

Skybar is the adults-only rooftop bar above the seafood restaurant. Open daily for lunch & dinner, with brunch on weekends, Skybar offers weekday Happy Hour specials on draft beer, house wines, craft cocktails & small plates from 2pm-5pm. Live music plays 7 nights a week plus daytime shows Thursday-Sunday.

Crestview will take on a demanding football schedule this season as the Bulldogs look to compete for a playoff berth. The season begins with road games against Tate and Baker before the Bulldogs return home to face Fort Walton Beach. The schedule also features key district matchups with Milton, Pace and Navarre, along with rivalry games against Choctawhatchee and Niceville before closing the regular season at Gulf Breeze. With a blend of traditional rivals, district contests and challenging road games, Crestview will be tested throughout the season as it works toward another postseason appearance.

Fort Walton Beach faces a challenging football schedule this season as the Vikings look to build momentum and compete for a postseason berth. The regular season opens with a road game at Gulf Breeze before home contests against Milton and Crestview. The Vikings will also square off with district opponents Pace, Navarre and Niceville, in addition to longtime rival Choctawhatchee, before wrapping up the regular season at Tate. With a slate featuring rivalry games, key district matchups and several tough road tests, Fort Walton Beach will be challenged throughout the season in its pursuit of a playoff spot.

Choctawhatchee enters the 2026 football season with another challenging schedule after reaching the state semifinals last year. The Indians will open the regular season on the road against Mosley on Aug. 20 before hosting Auburn, Alabama, the following week. A demanding slate also includes road trips to Pace, Escambia, Milton, Fort Walton Beach and Thompson, Alabama, while home fans will see key matchups against rival Niceville, Booker T. Washington and Gulf Breeze. With a mix of traditional rivals, district games and tough out-of-state competition, Choctaw will look to build on last season's success and make another deep postseason run.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Okaloosa County Emergency Operations Center have opened two Multi-Agency Resource Centers, or MARCs, for individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits impacted by Hurricane Isaias.

Each MARC brings government and nonprofit agencies under one roof so residents can get recovery help in a single visit. According to Okaloosa County, services include financial assistance, volunteer resources, and potentially tarps and muck-outs. Visitors can request help with food, water, housing and recovery services, and can meet with state agency representatives about everything from storm cleanup to emotional support.

Locations

• Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach

• Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Dr., Crestview

Hours
Both centers are open Oct. 14 through Oct. 24, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

What to bring
Identification, proof of residence, insurance information and any official documentation related to your disaster-related losses. The county says this helps ensure you receive the right assistance.

Agencies on site

• BRACE (Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies)

• 211 Northwest Florida

• Northwest Florida Health Network

• Center for Independent Living

• Legal Services of North Florida

• Florida Division of Emergency Management

• Agency for Persons with Disabilities

• Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

• Florida Department of Children and Families

• Florida Department of Commerce

• Florida Department of Elder Affairs

• United States Veterans Association

PAWS invites the community to find a new best friend during the Rescue Effect adoption event on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 752 Lovejoy Road NW in Fort Walton Beach. Adoption fees will be waived for eligible animals, with guided kennel walkthroughs beginning at 11 a.m. to help visitors meet the shelter’s dogs and learn more about their personalities. Plenty of lovable cats will also be waiting to meet their future families. The K-Rock Magic Bus will broadcast live from the event and serve food to those in attendance. Every adoption gives an animal a loving home while creating space for PAWS to rescue another pet in need. Some exclusions apply, and animals must be altered and available for full adoption on the day of the event to qualify for waived fees.

Book lovers and aspiring writers are invited to celebrate the local literary community at the Read Local! Emerald Coast Authors’ Expo on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fort Walton Beach Library. This free community event offers an opportunity to meet local authors, enjoy readings, get books signed, and discover new stories while supporting writers from the Emerald Coast. Families can also enjoy a special Kids’ Corner, and attendees will have the chance to win raffle prizes. Sponsored by Beach Weekend Coffee, the expo benefits Friends of the Fort Walton Beach Library, making it a wonderful way to connect with local talent, celebrate reading, and support the library and its community programs.

Freedom Tech Center’s Sunset Market brings Halloween fun to Fort Walton Beach on Saturday, October 24, from 5–8 p.m. at 1900 Lewis Turner Boulevard. This festive evening will feature local vendors, food trucks, live music by Martin Lane, costume contests, and a vendor Trunk or Treat. Bring the family in costume, browse the market, grab something delicious, and enjoy an evening of shopping, music, and seasonal fun in the park.

The Emerald Coast Hispanic Heritage Festival returns to The Landing in Fort Walton Beach on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, bringing a vibrant celebration of Hispanic culture, music, art, food and community to the Emerald Coast. From live performances and authentic cuisine to artisan vendors, cultural demonstrations and family-friendly activities, the free festival offers something for all ages. Attendees can experience the sights, sounds and flavors of Hispanic heritage while connecting with local businesses, artists and community members. The event runs from noon to 9 p.m. and invites everyone to come celebrate, build community and enjoy a day filled with culture and fun.

Sing your way into Halloween at Freedom Tech Center’s Karaoke Night on Saturday, October 31, from 6–9 p.m. at the FTC Bar inside Home2 Suites by Hilton, 1930 Lewis Turner Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach. Steve’s Karaoke will provide the soundtrack as guests take the microphone, show off their costumes, and enjoy an evening of favorite songs and fun with friends. Whether you’re ready to perform or cheer on the singers, come dressed for the occasion! Seating is first come, first served, and outside food and beverages are not permitted.

The 2nd Annual One Hopeful Place Chili Cook-Off, Halloween Skeleton Edition, will bring a spooky twist to a community favorite on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lou’s Tavern. Guests can enjoy an afternoon of hearty chili, Halloween-themed fun and community spirit while supporting One Hopeful Place, an organization dedicated to helping local families in need. The event is also looking for chili cooks to compete and share their best recipes, making it a chance for food lovers and community members alike to come together for a flavorful cause.

The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce will host First Friday Coffee, sponsored by Spectrum, on Friday, November 6, from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Christian Life Center at First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach, located at 126 Harbeson Avenue SE. The monthly networking event brings together local business owners, professionals and community leaders for a morning of conversation, breakfast, networking and opportunities to build valuable business connections. The program begins at 7:30 a.m., offering attendees a chance to connect with fellow professionals, learn more about the local business community and start their day with new relationships and opportunities. Chamber members can apply their complimentary benefit when registering, while prospective members are welcome to attend for $40.

Get ready for an evening of great food for a good cause when the 30A BBQ Festival, presented by 360 Blue, returns to the North Lawn at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin on Friday, November 6, from 5:30–8 p.m. Guests can enjoy unlimited barbecue samples from 18 regional and local eateries, vote for their favorites, and sip complimentary beer and wine while enjoying live music from Brent Shaw and headliner River Dan. Local vendors, live painting by artist Bradley Copeland, and a silent auction round out the festivities, with proceeds benefiting The Sonder Project’s work expanding access to clean water, education and food security in Africa. General admission tickets are $70, limited tickets for children 12 and under are $20, and $150 VIP tickets include early entry at 5 p.m. and exclusive lounge perks. Purchase tickets at thesonderproject.org/BBQFEST.

Northwest Florida State College’s Emerald Coast Rodeo is a community event featuring professional rodeo action and family-friendly entertainment. The event showcases competitors in traditional rodeo events while also offering activities for children and spectators, creating an exciting night of Western-themed entertainment for the entire family.

Join the community for the 2026 Emerald Coast Out of the Darkness Walk on Saturday, November 7, at Beasley Park in Fort Walton Beach. Hosted in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the walk brings people together to honor loved ones, support those affected by suicide, and raise awareness for suicide prevention. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by the program and walk at 10 a.m. Register today at afsp.org/emeraldcoast.

Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill will host the second annual Pirate Brew Fest on Saturday, Nov. 7, bringing a day of pirate-themed fun to Destin. The free-admission festival will feature live music, local craft breweries and distilleries, food vendors, an artist and vendor market, pirate games and contests, plus an all-ages costume contest, making it a family-friendly fall event packed with food, drinks and plenty of pirate shenanigans. 

Fort Walton Beach Police Department Wellness K-9 Milo is turning two, and we’re inviting you (and your dogs) to help him celebrate with a Birthday Bash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. Food trucks and vendors, music, and a variety of contests for your pups!  Join the fun at the Fort Walton Beach Landing brought to you by Eglin Federal Credit Union, located downtown at 139 Brooks St SE.

Farm to Flame brings local food, music and community together at T’s Farm in Baker on Saturday, November 21, from 3 to 9 p.m. Enjoy farm-fresh food, browse the farm and maker market, and gather around the fire for songwriter performances from 7 to 9 p.m. The outdoor event also features a kids’ fishing tournament and optional overnight camping. Come rain or shine and support local food rescue while spending an evening in North Okaloosa County.