It’s almost time to flip the switch and turn on the Christmas lights!  Four main events will set the holiday atmosphere here in Panama City Beach.  If you’re looking for something to do this holiday season, look no further!

About Fun for the Holidays:

Panama City Beach is putting on four events to kick-start the holiday season right for everyone!  Tickets are available online or at the gate, however- Friday November 18th, admission will be free and will include a performance by the Panama City POPS Orchestra.  Tickets will be $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for students, seniors, and active members of the military, $2.00 children age six to 12, and children under six are free.  Ice skates are available for an additional $5 adults, $2 children 12 and under.  Bay County residents will receive a Thursday discount: $5.00 Adults, $2.00 students, seniors, active military, $1.00 children 12 and under.  Fun for the Holidays kicks off on November 18 and will run every Thursday, Friday & Saturday until December 23rd. (Except for Thanksgiving Day)

Christmas Tree Forest and Ice Palace

A forest of lighted Christmas trees and a ice skating rink will transform the intersection of Alf Coleman Drive and Front Beach Road into a winter wonderland and the hub of holiday activities.  The ice skating rink will be 50×100-feet.  In the center of the Christmas tree forest, you’ll find a 40-foot tree with lights that have been choreographed to festive holiday music.

Santa’s Beach House Village

Shipwreck Island Waterpark will be changed into a beach wonderland, complete with elves, reindeer, and other holiday favorites.  Visitors will be greeted by the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Claus- starfish, seahorses, turtles, dolphins, fish, and crabs- each one illuminated.  There will be a craft table to make holiday keepsakes, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, holiday treats, and of course- pictures with Santa.

Christmas Under the Sea

M.B. Miller County Pier will be decorated with lights and animation, allowing you to experience holiday lights while overlooking the Gulf of Mexico!

Beach Ball Drop

2012 will begin after the Fourth Annual Beach Ball Drop hosted by Pier Park on Saturday, December 31st.  Complete with family-friendly entertainment including bounce houses, street performers, stilt walkers, face painters, and live music starting at 5:30pm.  At 8:00pm thousands of inflatable beach balls will be dropped for the delight of children.  Counting down till midnight an 800-pound beach ball will decend 100-feet as we enjoy the last moments of 2011.   New Year’s Eve activities are complimentary.

Happy Holidays, from PCB Daily!

Yesterday, October 27th, Conservation Park held its official ribbon cutting ceremony.  The park has been in planning for ten years, and is now a reality for those in and visiting PCB.  Walkers, bicyclists, park rangers, firefighter, police, donators, and those behind the project were all out to celebrate the new park in Panama City Beach!  Bay County’s Chamber of Commerce and Panama City Beach’s Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon, as this was a joint effort between the two.

What is Conservation Park?

With over 3,000 acres near Panama City Beach Parkway and Highway 79, Conservation Park is now home to “Gayle’s Trails,” bridges, eight boardwalks, picnic areas, and an outdoor classroom.  The boardwalks curve around the trees that were already there so that none needed to be removed for the paths.  Trails and bike paths are over 22 miles long in total.  There are hopes to extend the trails to St. Andrews and Camp Helen in the future.  The park is not only intended to serve as a place for recreation and outdoor fun, but to help recharge the wetlands in the area.

The park is in connection with a wastewater treatment plant nearby, where the water will be distributed through fourteen stations into the wetlands.  This water distribution will help to keep West Bay clean.  Approximately 18 million gallons of wastewater will be sent to the park each day, so that it can naturally be filtered back into the water cycle.

Celebrating the New Park

Saturday, October 29th, a family fun day will be held at the park to celebrate its opening.  Starting at 8am, there will be a family fun run (a 10K, 5K, and one mile) followed by giveaways and hotdogs/hamburgers for lunch.  (Lunch will be served from 12-2pm)  The park is located at the end of Griffin Drive, past Business Commerce Park.

Stop by and look at the new trails and outdoor recreational area!

Here are some pictures of the ribbon cutting and the park:

The iconic Treasure Ship which burned in April of 2010 was supposed to be torn down, but over a year later it still stands- reminding tourists that they can no longer visit the Treasure Ship Restaurant.  The restaurant was a staple for visitors to Panama City Beach, and it’s burning broke many hearts.

A permit for demolition was signed June 2nd by the owner of the property, but the permit has now expired.  This has caused the city to threaten demolishing the structure as early as next week.  The city is hoping that the owner will renew her permit and demolish the remaining structure, because it is faster, easier, and less expensive than the city having to do it.

Many people would love to see the building fixed and running as it used to, however; it has been made clear that this won’t happen.  The city would like to see it torn down before next years hurricane season hits, as it is an unsafe structure and could be made dangerous in the high winds.

Here is a link to the article written about the fire in 2010 and a link to the article about the decision not to rebuild.

Do you have any thoughts about the iconic building being demolished?

As the sun sets over the water and boats head back to shore, there’s a group of cowboys digging up clues to find out who committed a murder in Texas – only it’s not really Texas and they’re not really cowboys. At the new Sherlock’s Mystery Dinner Theatre in Panama City Beach, talented local actors take to the stage to present a comedic murder mystery entitled “Murder Rides Again.”

When you arrive at Sherlock’s, located next to Captain Anderson’s on Grand Lagoon, various characters in Western wear start hootin’ and hollerin’ to escort you to your table – a table because this murder mystery includes a three-course dinner (prime rib or chicken cordon bleu by Chef Dee’s Catering). Guests are seated at rounds of six stocked with salads, rolls and beverages, and servers bring out a new course after each act. A cash bar is also available if you’re so inclined.

While you take your seat, characters weave their way through the tables, interacting with the audience and fellow cast members as a preview of the mystery to come. Don’t be surprised if a sheriff pretends to arrest you or a card shark plays 52-card pick up. In this show – one of many the company plans to produce – the action takes place in Miss Liddy’s Saloon, a bar lined with bottles of root beer, red-checkered card tables and barstools.

The drama begins after the first course. A murder has taken place just before the town’s much-anticipated chili cook-off, leaving an eclectic group of townsfolk – including a big-talking sheriff, his clown of a deputy, a gambler, saloon owner and schoolmarm – to start making accusations amongst themselves. The plot is murky at times, making the actual mystery a bit hard to follow, but the performances are enjoyable and the comedy well-timed. The most popular character of the evening tends to be the sheriff’s sidekick, a bumbling deputy who’s too honest for his own good.

The cast keeps the audience involved by randomly selecting guests to participate in different scenes, and again after the murder by answering questions from each table. Guests collaborate to ask a question of whichever character they choose. The actors respond to each, answering sometimes ridiculously off-topic questions (“how do you spell supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?”) with just-as-ridiculous answers – a highlight of the evening and a showcase of their quick wit. It’d be fun to see a longer improv segment as this is one of the night’s most well-received moments.

As the evening winds down, each guest writes down their accusations and what they believe to be the suspect’s motives. It feels like a real-life game of Clue. The audience’s feedback isn’t gathered before the final scene, but those who guess correctly receive a prize at the conclusion of the show. The three-hour experience comes to a close with dessert and the revealing of the murderer (who, of course, sticks around for a photo op along with the rest of the cast). Whodunit? Well, you’ll have to visit Sherlock’s to find out for yourself.

Sherlock’s plans to introduce other themes throughout the year, so keep an eye on their web site (dinneratsherlocks.com) for details. At $49.95 for adults and $44.95 for children 8 and up, the experience is a bit on the pricey side, but for a three-course dinner and unique entertainment it’s hard to top. Well-behaved kids above 8 are welcome but teens and adults are more likely to enjoy this show. Make your reservations by visiting dinneratsherlocks.com or by calling 850.230.0999.

When summer heats up and the beach isn’t enough, it’s hard to top air conditioning. Try one of these indoor attractions to beat the heat in PCB this season:

Emerald Coast Mirror Maze

Gear up and duke it out with family and friends in a game of pirate-themed laser tag, where it’s more challenging than you may think to avoid lasers and treasure chests and other people. There are more lasers to be had in Laser Craze, where you’ll dodge a field of neon beams (à la Ocean’s Twelve) in a race to beat your own score. There’s also a twisting mirror maze that incorporates sights and sounds to fool your senses as you try to make your way out. Located in Pier Park next to Buffalo Wild Wings. emeraldcoastmirrormaze.com, 850.230.6249.

Museum of Man in the Sea

Just west of Highway 79 you’ll find the Man in the Sea Museum, a tribute to the early days of diving and underwater activity. The 5,000-square foot museum on Back Beach Road houses recovered treasures, naval equipment, vehicles, habitats and a submarine you can climb in to explore. maninthesea.org, 850.235.4101.

Sherlock’s Mystery Dinner Theatre

Whodunit? The newly opened Sherlock’s on Grand Lagoon offers interactive murder mystery dinners where you’ll help solve the case. Murder Rides Again is the current theme, based on an “hilarious homicide” that takes place in the town of Tumbleweed, Texas. Join the townsfolk for an evening you won’t soon forget! dinneratsherlocks.com, 850.230.0999.

WonderWorks

Go for the exhibits, stay for the ropes course. Of course, there’s also the strangest bike ride you’ll ever take – you and a partner pedal upside-down and around – a bed of nails and a life-sized piano, but by and far the best attraction inside this upside-down house is the three-story ropes course. Near Walmart on Front Beach Road. wonderworkspcb.com, 850.249.7000.

Rock’It Lanes

There’s no shortage of things to do at this sprawling entertainment center. Challenge your friends to a game of bowling (stay late to watch the lanes glow in the dark), take to the rink on a pair of skates, play pool or hit the arcade. On Richard Jackson Blvd in the Shoppes at Edgewater. rockitlanes.com, 850.249.2695.

On Saturday, March 26 the Geography and Environmental Science Student Association will be hosting a UBB cleanup at Panama City Beach.

Come out for a UBB cleanup with an active group of Florida State University students. The event starts at 10am and runs till 1pm.

More Information

Our beaches are more then just miles of breath-taking sand, and emerald waters. It’s also home to numerous types of marine life.

As the tourist season begins to heat up, our beaches will play host to families, couples and numerous types of vacationers.

With a little loving prevention, we can keep our beaches clean and free from any trash that may be left behind, while avoiding any potential damage to our gulf marine life.

FSU’s GESSA is an organization of dedicated members that want to make sure our oceans stay clean. You can find out more about this event on their website at www.unitedbyblue.org

This Saturday and Sunday, Tyndall AFB is hosting the Gulf Coast Salute.

The event will feature military and civilian aerial performances. A dazzling array of civilian flying performers, including Tora, Tora, Tora and Greg Poe, will do their aerial magic.

Schedule Below

Saturday & Sunday

9am- Airshow Gates Open

Jet Porta Potty

Static Aircraft & Ground Displays

C-17, A-10, UH-1B, E-9, B-52, U-2, T-6, BQM-167, F-15C, KC-135, T-38, MU-2, F-16, Navion, RV-8, F-22, EA-18, JSTARS, QF-4

11am- Opening Ceremonies

USSOCOM Parachute Team

Team Tyndall F-22 Fly over

GEICO Extra 300 Aerobatics

Sponsored in part by Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

B-25 Demo

Corsair Demo

T-33 Demo

Jelly Belly Interstate Cadet Comedy Acts

Lucas Oil Pitts Aerobatics

Jet Bus Demo

Sponsored in part by Panama City Toyota

USCG HH-65 SAR Rescue Demo

Tora Tora Tora

P-40 Demo

P-51 Demo

USAF F-22 Demo Team

USAF Heritage Flight (F-22, F-4, P-51)

USAF F-4 Demo

Team AeroShell Aerobatics

Fagen MX2 Aerobatics

Sponsored in part by Tyndall Federal Credit Union

Thunderbirds

6pm- Gates Close (1800 hours)

This year’s event will be highlighted by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, in their 58th season representing the pride, precision and professionalism of the men and women of the United States Air Force.

Since their creation in 1953, the Thunderbirds have ignited passion in Americans through their grace and jaw dropping aerial maneuvers, exhibiting the skill and capability of the world’s most advanced and respected air, Space and Cyberspace force.

www.gulfcoastsalute.com

Looking for Panama City Beach events? Bookmark our Events section!

There’s so much happening around here lately, that this one tiny old weekend is beginning to burst at its seams.

In an effort to help out the coming weekend with it’s ever expanding proverbial waistline of things-to-do, we ventured out a bit and found an extra event here and there for you.

March 22, March 23 and March 25-27

Tuesday, March 22: Club Le Vela presents Ying Yang Twins live in concert, 7pm.

If you like the Ying Yang Twins, then you’re probably already going the show. In the hip-hop world, they’re kind of a big deal.

Wednesday, March 23: Apalachicola Museum of Art, Apalachicola. 2-5pm

Apalachicola Museum of Art. A selection of paintings from artist Christopher Still’s “Visions of the Gulf” exhibition will be on display for one day only with an opportunity to meet the artist. 2-5pm. Read more about this event on the Museums website

Friday, March 25: Ron White Live at the Marina Civic Center, 7-8pm

Known for performing on stage with a cigar and a glass of scotch, comedian Ron White has made a name for himself with his jaded, sarcastic & hard-drinking character. He rose to stardom performing with the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and has continued on to carve out a successful career on his own. Heads Up: Ron WILL be smoking cigars and drinking onstage. The performance, while hilarious, does contain heavy profanity and questionable content. Marina Civic Center is not responsible for the content of the performances.  Tickets on sale at Marina Civic Center’s site.

Saturday, March 26: Man in the Seas Museum

3rd Annual Golf Tournament, 8-9am. Be ready by 7am for registration, with Tee time at 8am! Four man scramble format – Shotgun Start, Cash Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each flight, plus Longest Drive for Men and Women.  More event info here.

Saturday, March 26: POPS Magic, Arnold High School Auditorium.

Concert offers a variety of music styles, perfect for audiences of all ages. From classical to Broadway and film scores to current hits, you will hear it at The POPS! Tickets: $25 adult $10 for children 18 and under. Tickets online at www.panamacitypops.org.

Saturday, March 26: St. Andrews Waterfront Market

Fresh Produce and Seafood!

Saturday & Sunday, March 27-27: Gulf Coast Salute 2011 Air Show

This year’s event is highlighted by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, in their 57th season representing the pride, precision and professionalism of the men and women of the United States Air Force. Check out the jaw dropping aerial maneuvers, skill and capability of the world’s most advanced and respected air, Space and Cyberspace force. Admission and parking are free.  Shuttle bus transportation will be provided from the parking area to the flight line. Security will be emphasized: no coolers (unless needed for medical reason), no pets, weapons, glass bottles or containers will be allowed. Backpacks will be permitted, but are subject to search. Begins Saturday at 8m. More information on this event can be found at www.gulfcoastsalute.com

Panama City POPS Orchestra is bringing their classical talents to Panama City Beach on Saturday, March 26.

POPS Orchestra is playing their third concert of the season and in addition to their popular symphonic sounds, POPS Orchestra is mixing up the program a bit with a special talent joining them for this event.

Curious?

POPS Orchestra is performing on Saturday, March 26  at Arnold High School Auditorium, beginning at 7:30pm.

Joining them during the entire second half is Margaret Carlson.  Grammy Nominee and Cabaret favorite, Margaret is sure to set the stage on fire with her flawless pieces.

Margaret’s range covers jazz, energetic scat, blues and some sweet-talking romance, creating the perfect spice to complement POPS Orchestra’s talented ensemble.

Tickets are available online at panamacitypopsorchestra.org or in person at these locations, Cher’s Hallmark Shop (both Lynn Haven & PCB stores) and Paul Brent Gallery, Panama City.

According to Tripsmarter.com, over 2 million kids were turned loose for Spring Break during this past week, making these past 5 days the official juiced-up, mega-week of Spring Break.

In fact, it’s so big, it needs it’s own intro-music. *ques theme to Rocky*

(wakka wakka)

This last week brought hordes of college kids to town, who promptly set about shimmying and raising toasts with cold beers or those fruity, umbrella drinks.

Immediately following up all that shimmying, toasting and the mandatory high-fiving, they torpedoed onto the beach. Which is where they remained, fully focused on turning various shades of cocoa brown and repeating aforementioned actions.

I’ve been holding off on posting this article due to some irrational fear that as soon as we stated “all is well” here, it would cause some cosmic shift and break the spell of decent behavior. Maybe I’m just paranoid, or more likely I’ve seen one to many cheesy horror flicks. You know the kind, somewhere some young cheerleader states “it’s OK guys, there’s nothing bad going to happen” and whoosh, crazed leprechauns shoot out of the woods.

In an effort to get over my superstitions (and to keep the bosses happy) we’ll finally just go for it but if it starts raining frogs afterward, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The reality is that during these last few weeks of Spring Breakers swarming in to town, the news has remained relatively positive. The revenue influx is encouraging and the positive turn-out for the first big run of the tourist season, is offering a ray of hope for business owners affected from last year’s oil-spill sucker punch.

Granted, there’s been a few nitwits who’ve managed to make the nightly news but thankfully, it was more from stupidity then anything else. In all, considering the increase in traffic and our beaches being held hostage by a ton of college kids, it’s been relatively smooth sailing. The Panama City Beach Police Department has reported an increase in citations, mostly issued for under-age drinking or public intoxication. Which should come as no surprise to anyone when you realize some of these folks were already planning on breaking the law before they left campus.

As this mega-week dies down, and we start to gear up for another round of visitors,  let’s take a moment to check out the live cams perched above Schooners.

Ahhh, look at that sand! The emerald water! Jealous yet?

Numbers Break Down from tripsmarter.com