30A Singer Songwriter's Festival

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The 30A Songwriters Festival brings together hundreds of artists, dozens of neighborhoods, venues and resorts, and thousands of music fans from all over to celebrate the art of songwriting along the beaches of 30a and Walton County. From small intimate cafes to large outdoor stages, the festival includes more the 30 great venues that are as diverse as the
175+ artists and their performances. 


Net proceeds from this long running four day tradition benefit the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. Mark your calendars for next years festival January 17-20th, 2025.

2023 VIP Realtor Profiles

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VIP30A Magazine 2023 Realtor Profiles

30A Real Estate VIPs

Treatos and Titos

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International Dog Day celebrations were recently held at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The luxurious Hotel Effie welcomed guests, locals, and their canines to Treatos and Titos in collaboration with Dog-Harmony, a local nonprofit dedicated to reducing the shelter dog population through ongoing humane education. The dog lovers event featured many activations, including samples and specialty cocktails by Tito’s Vodka for humans and a treat-catching competition for the pups. Hotel Effie’s on-site restaurant, Ovide, served fresh doggie meals during Saturday and Sunday brunch and live beats on the patio by a local DJ. All the treat taste-testing provided by ‘barkeries’ include Doggy Bag, 3 Dogs and a Chick, Sea Dog Barkery, Dog-Harmony, and Hot Dog.

Sassy Sisters Kickoff Event

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Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club’s Sassy Sisters group held their kickoff party on September 12th. Hosted by the beautiful Vue on 30A, the sisters got together to enjoy delicious cocktails while exploring all of the amazing wellness booths from local vendors. The ladies had the opportunity to meet their new members while having a night of self-care, laughter, and empowerment.
The Sassy Sisters is a women’s club within their membership that offers a full social calendar to meet the diverse interests of ladies of all ages and are always looking for new members to join.

South Walton High School Touchdown Club Casino Night

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The South Walton High School Touchdown Club recently held their 3rd Annual Casino Night. This much anticipated evening of fun, held at 98 Distillery, is a fundraiser and kick-off to the upcoming football season. Guest enjoy delicious foods and specialty drinks by 98 Distillery while socializing with friends and listening to music by Francisco Vidal. The highlight of the evening is the Casino atmosphere created with table games and live dealers. While the money may be play, the action and the excitement are real as everyone plays as if it’s they are betting the farm. Good luck Seahawks!   

VIP30A Fall 2023 Issue - Letter from the Publisher

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Letter from the Publisher

In this issue of VIP 30A Magazine, we are thrilled to bring you our 2023 Realtor Profiles feature. This concept which we have published in other VIP’s over the years, is a perfect fit for VIP 30A, with real estate such a driving force behind its popularity, growth and economy. This is a chance for you to see more than properties and services these real estate professionals provide. This is an opportunity to dig a little deeper and actually get to know the person behind the Realtor.

What an exciting time of the year this is as we get ready for fall and weekend tailgating! There is a distinct phrase that is synonymous with fall for me…It’s Football Time in Tennessee! Something about those words takes me back to college days and Knoxville every time I hear it. As I now spend the majority of my time here, I realize that it is football time everywhere. 

The fact that most people moved to Florida from other cities around the South creates a very exciting place when is comes to collegiate and professional sports. This makes Saturday game days at your favorite local watering hole especially engaging as most any team, especially those in the SEC, will be represented. But in true character of this beautiful place we call home, everyone and every flag is welcome, so get out and support your alma mater!

Final word…I cannot publish a magazine in an area which embodies the beach lifestyle without mentioning Jimmy Buffett. I think it’s safe to say that if you are a water lover, beach goer, music lover or simply a lover of life, then you have probably let the lyrics of this Parrot Head sweep you away into a fantasy of waves and wonder. Sail on sailor!

Happy Fall!

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.