Summer Calendar of Events

June through September

Compiled by Chandell Dixon

Best Bets: June through September

July 3–4
Boardwalk Beach Bash  
Get your 4th of July started early with fireworks, family and fun at the Boardwalk Beach Resort. Let nostalgia take over as Panama City beach recreates the magic of the Atlantic City and Ocean City boardwalks. The excitement really heats up Friday night at dusk when they light up the summer sky with a fireworks show sure to impress guests of all ages. Afterward, you’re invited to stick around for a guest favorite, the Sunset Cinema beach movie. (Event FREE for all Royal American guests) Fri Beach Bash noon–11 p.m. Sat Beach Bash 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Accommodation packages will be available at the Boardwalk Beach Resort, 9400 South Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach. For more information or to book a trip, call (850) 234-3484 or visit
getawaytothegulf.com.

July 16–17
27th Annual Bay Point Tournament
The Bay Point Tournament has cancelled the billfish invitational in response to the latest recreational fishing closures for oil-affected areas of the Gulf as designated by the National Marine Fisheries Services. However, all other scheduled activities for the tournament including the Soldier Salute, a fishing excursion honoring the troops, the Al Hubbard Kids Fishing Experience and the 40/40 Shoot Out Fishing Tournament will continue as planned. The Al Hubbard Kids Fishing Experience, which treats kids ages 8–14 who might not otherwise have the opportunity to go fishing for an afternoon of fun on the water, will be held Friday. All proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Bay County, the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center and Anchorage Children’s Home through the St. Joe Community Foundation. In addition, parking fees collected by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office benefit the Bay County Junior Deputy and Explorer Program. The kick-off party for the 40/40 Shoot Out Fishing Tournament will begin Friday at 6 p.m. with food, entertainment and a sponsor village. The one-day tournament awarding top tuna, wahoo and dolphin will be Saturday, with weigh-ins from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information call (850) 233-1633 or visit baypointbillfish.com

Aug. 14
American Cancer Society’s Cattle Barons’ Ball
Find that pair of leather cowboy boots and saddle up for the 10th Annual Cattle Barons’ Ball, supporting the American Cancer Society. $95.00 per person. 6:30 p.m.–midnight Edgewater Beach Resort, 11212 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach. For more information, please contact Brett Schuette at (850) 785-9205 ext. 3507 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sept. 11–12
Santa Rosa Beach Celebration  
Take a trip back to the pioneer days when the beach transforms into an old time fair with pioneer cracker music and clog dancing. This event will include sackcloth races, three legged races, the spoon and egg races, wheelbarrow run and many more old school games. Attendants will be greeted as they enter the grounds with large, old maps of what the area looked like plus early photos of pioneering families and steamboats. Horse and buggy rides and costumed actors will escort the visitors through displays including: quilt making stands, jug pottery stands, basket makers, rock-candy cookers, leather and wood crafters, soap producers, old blacksmiths and so many other primitive displays. FREE. Gulf Place Hwy 393. Sat 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun noon–6 p.m. Contact: Johndra Culp (404) 578-1651

Second Thursdays through September
Bonfire Sessions: Beach Blanket Concert Series
Bring your blanket and enjoy the bands, bonfire and beach under the stars. A new band is featured each month during this family-friendly event, as well as a movie for kids at sunset. FREE. Thurs 5–10:30 p.m. Spinnaker Beach Club, 8795 Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach. (850) 234-7892. spinnakerbeachclub.com

June 26
Panhandle Women’s Expo
The Central Panhandle Chapter of the American Red Cross hosts the 4th annual Panhandle Women’s Expo to celebrate women. Be a part of the fun, grab your friends and get great ideas, hot deals and even some free stuff! You’ll see exciting demonstrations and seminars, a fashion show and entertainment for the whole family. FREE. Sat 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Panama City Mall. (850) 763-6587. redcrosscpc.org

July 4
Salute to Freedom
Panama City’s Downtown Improvement Board invites you to the Panama City Marina for the Salute to Freedom 2010, a patriotic festival combining music, good food and kids activities. The spectacular fireworks show begins at dark and will be simulcast on local Clear Channel radio stations. FREE. 2–10 p.m. (850) 785-2554. panamacitydowntown.com

July 11-24
USFA World Series
Girls’ fast pitch softball returns to Panama City Beach’s Frank Brown Park, and this can’t-miss series will be a hit. The World Series will begin the opening ceremonies with a gift exchange at the first game. Additionally there will be a five game format, three pool followed by double elimination. The double elimination part of the tournament is based on a blind drawing. FREE. Frank Brown Park, 16200 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama City Beach. Contact Megan Beth (850) 234-2839. usfastpitch.com

Sept. 16-19
21st Annual Lobster Festival & Tournament
The last local beach club, Schooners will once again host the biggest lobster festival in Florida. The final weigh-ins will begin Saturday and end Sunday when the grand prizes will be awarded and all the spectators enjoy a lobster feast. This year, Schooners will donate the proceeds from the event to the Toys for Kids Foundation and the Florida Aquatic Marine Institute. The popular sand-sculpting contest will take place on the beach in front of Schooners on Saturday. FREE for spectators, lobster dishes will be for sale. 5121 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach. schooners.com

Sept. 30
10th Annual Thunder Beach Autumn Rally
Bikers, vendors and exhibitors from around the country descend on Panama City Beach, for Panama City Beach Bike Week the last weekend in September. Enjoy the food and music, and while you’re at it get a look at the hottest custom motorcycles and motorcycle accessories available, all while experiencing a scenic ride on the world’s most beautiful beaches. FREE.
thunderbeachproductions.com

Bay Arts Alliance Calendar of Events

Monthly

Tuesdays
Ballroom and Latin Dance Group lessons
7 p.m. Beginners, 8:15 p.m. Advanced    
$10 per person, CityArts Cooperative    
318 Luverne Avenue | (850) 769-0608
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thursdays
Artists in Action
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free and open to the public
CityArts Cooperative
318 Luverne Avenue | (850) 769-0608
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thursdays
Oil Painting Classes
6:30–9 p.m. $35 a month
CityArts Cooperative
(850) 769-0608 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

First Monday of Every Month
Gulf Coast Writers Meeting
6 p.m. Rabbit Hole Coffee Shop
Downtown Panama City
(850) 628-6028 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

JUNE

Enrolling Now
Fall Kids Morning Out
Preschool Program
Junior Museum of Bay County | jrmuseum.org

Now through Aug. 6
Adventure Camp
Ages 3 years through 5th grade
Junior Museum of Bay County | jrmuseum.org

Now through Sept. 18
Bone Up On Bones Exhibit
Junior Museum of Bay County | jrmuseum.org

JULY

July 1
Concerts at Pier Park
Donnie Sundall | 6:30 p.m. | (850) 236-9978

July 2
Friday Fest
6–10 p.m. | Downtown Panama City | (850) 785-2554

July 4
Salute to Freedom
2–10 p.m. | Downtown Panama City | (850) 785-2554

July 5
Groovin’ on the Green
Latitude 29 | 7 p.m. | Carillon Beach | (850) 234-7819

July 6
Lynn Haven Summer Music Festival
Emerald County Line | 6:30 p.m.
Sharon Sheffield Park | (850) 271-5547

July 6–30  
Flights of Fantasy
The Panama City Artists Association Imaginary and Mystical Show | Bay County Public Library
(850) 522-2120 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

July 8
Concerts at Pier Park
Good Enough for Good Times | 6:30 p.m. | (850) 236-9978

July 10
Art Workshop
9 a.m.–noon | PCA Headquarters
318 Luverne Avenue | (850) 769-0608

July 10
Farmers Market
8 a.m.–noon | Downtown Panama City | (850) 785-2554

July 10
Acrylic Painting Workshop
2:30–5:30 p.m. | $35 per person
Register in advance CityArts
(850) 249-9295 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

July 12
Groovin’ on the Green
Tidewater | 7 p.m. | Carillon Beach | (850) 234-7819

July 13
Lynn Haven Summer Music Festival
The Regulators | 6:30 p.m.
Sharon Sheffield Park | (850) 271-5547

July 15
Baybreeze Concert Series
6–9 p.m. | Downtown Panama City | (850) 785-2554

July 15
Concerts at Pier Park
Heritage | 6:30 p.m. | (850) 236-9978

July 18
Acrylic Painting Workshop
2:30–5:30 p.m. | $35 per person
Register in advance CityArts
(850) 249-9295 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

July 19
Groovin’ on the Green
Heat and the Zydeco Gents | 7 p.m.
Carillon Beach | (850) 234-7819

July 20
Panama City Artists Program
6:30 p.m. | PCA Headquarters | 318 Luverne Avenue (850) 769-0608 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lynn Haven Summer Music Festival
South Bound | 6:30 p.m.
Sharon Sheffield Park | (850) 271-5547

July 22
Concerts at Pier Park
George Porter Jr. and the Runnin’ Partners
6:30 p.m. | (850) 236-9978

July 23
Backstage Pass Concert
Steve Wiggins Blues Band | 6:30 p.m.
Marina Civic Center | (850) 769-1217

July 26
Groovin’ on the Green
Return to Zero | 7 p.m.
Carillon Beach | (850) 234-7819

July 27
Lynn Haven Summer Music Festival
John Cologne Trio | 6:30 p.m.
Sharon Sheffield Park | (850) 271-5547

July 29
FILM FLAM Independent Film Series
6:30 p.m. | Marina Civic Center | (850) 763-4696

July 29
Concerts at Pier Park
De Lions of Jah | 6:30 p.m. | (850) 236-9978

July 30
Backstage Pass Concert
Todd Sparks & the Saltwater Cowboys
6:30 p.m. | Marina Civic Center | (850) 769-1217

AUGUST

August 2
Groovin’ on the Green
Jones & Company | 7 p.m. | Carillon Beach
(850) 234-7819

August 3
Lynn Haven Summer Music Festival
Todd Sparks & the Shrimpboat Cowboys
6:30 p.m. | Sharon Sheffield Park | (850) 271-5547

August 2–28
Florida Highwaymen
Bay County Public Library
(850) 522-2120 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

August 5
Concerts at Pier Park
Colonel Bruce Hampton and Quark Alliance
6:30 p.m. | (850) 236-9978

August 6
Friday Fest
6–10 p.m. | Downtown Panama City | (850) 785-2554

August 6
Backstage Pass Concert 5 Central Jazz Band
6:30 p.m. | Marina Civic Center | (850) 769-1217

August 9
Groovin’ on the Green
Conch Republic | 7 p.m.
Carillon Beach | (850) 234-7819

August 12
Concerts at Pier Park
Heartbeat City | 6:30 p.m. | (850) 236-9978

August 13
Backstage Pass Concert Gulf Jazz Society
6:30 p.m. | Marina Civic Center | (850) 769-1217

August 13–15, 20–22, 27–29
Little Shop of Horrors
Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m.
Kaleidoscope Theatre | (850) 265-3226.

August 14
Farmers Market
8 a.m.–noon | Downtown Panama City | (850) 785-2554

August 14
Art Workshop
9 a.m.–noon | PCA Headquarters
318 Luverne Avenue
(850) 769-0608 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

August 14
Acrylic Painting Workshop
2:30–5:30 p.m. | $35 pp
Register in advance CityArts
(850) 249-9295 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

August 14
Pirates of the Panhandle
6–10 p.m. | $5 donation to Animal Rescue Center
CityArts | 318 Luverne Avenue
(850) 769-0608 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

August 15
Acrylic Painting Workshop
2:30–5:30 p.m. | $35 per person
Register in advance CityArts
(850) 249-9295 | This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

August 16 & 17
Auditions for Steel Magnolias
7 p.m. | Kaleidoscope Theatre
(850) 265-3757 | kt-online.org

August 17
Panama City Artists Program
6:30 p.m. | PCA Headquarters
318 Luverne Avenue | (850) 769-0608
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

August 19
Baybreeze Concert Series Dr Hulon Crayton and On Call Band
6–9 p.m. | Downtown Panama City | (850) 785-2554

August 20
Backstage Pass Concert Dr. Hulon Crayton & On Call
6:30 p.m. | Marina Civic Center | (850) 769-1217

August 26
FILM FLAM Independent Film Series
6:30 p.m. | Marina Civic Center | (850) 763-4696

August 27
Backstage Pass Concert Turtlefoot
6:30 p.m. | Marina Civic Center | (850) 769-1217

August 27 & 28
“Resurrecting Van Gogh”
7:30 p.m. | GCCC Amelia Center Theatre Lab
Reservations | (850) 872-3886