When the beachfront is still being repaired, where does a 30A November happen? Mostly inland of the dunes. The fall calendar on Scenic Highway 30A has always relied on its amphitheaters and town squares, and that habit is paying off this year. Seaside, WaterColor, Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach host their November events on lawns and stages a block or more from the Gulf. In mid-October, the private resort boardwalks were among the last things still closed. The county's public regional accesses were mostly open again.
That flips the usual pattern for anyone who lives here. A beach club pass normally makes for the easiest walk to the sand. Right now, a county regional access with a parking lot may get you there more simply.
The sand reopened first. The boardwalks are taking longer.
Walton County's beach access update, timestamped October 15 at 11 a.m. and reposted on The Pearl Hotel's Isaias update page, described every listed regional access as having an open route to the beach. The difference between them was mostly in the details: ADA ramps, beach mats and flagpoles.
| Regional access | Status as of Oct. 15 |
|---|---|
| Inlet Beach | Restrooms open; all three walkovers open, including the central ADA walkover; power, water and flagpole working |
| Ed Walline | Walkover and ADA route open; beach accessibility mat not yet reinstalled |
| Gulfview Heights | Restrooms and walkover open; flagpole needs repair |
| Seagrove | Restrooms and walkover steps open; ADA ramp closed; flagpole not operational |
| Santa Clara | Walkover stairs open; ADA walkover closed |
| Scenic Gulf Drive | Stairs and ADA walkover open; flagpole needs repair |
| Dune Allen | Walkover open; ADA ramp closed |
| Fort Panic | Walkover and ADA ramp open |
| Blue Mountain Beach | Restrooms and walkover open |
| Miramar Beach | East walkover open; middle and west walkovers closed |
Inlet Beach was in the best shape on that list. The county noted minimal debris and people already using the beach. At Santa Clara, Scenic Gulf Drive and Miramar Beach, trash pickup was only on the upland side, so the county asked beachgoers to carry their trash back out. At the accesses with flagpoles under repair, the county warned that a missing flag does not mean the water is safe.
The resort side was moving more slowly. As of October 16, beach services at The Pearl in Rosemary Beach were paused because of damage to the main boardwalk, though guests could still reach the beach through the designated Rosemary Beach walkovers. The Watersound Beach Club boardwalk and beach access were closed until further notice. The club's 30°86° pool was open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and its dining and Sunset Bar and Beach Break Grill were open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. At WaterColor, beach setups were running from the Mid and West boardwalks while the ADA boardwalk stayed closed.
The dunes themselves will take longer. WJHG reported on October 17 that Walton County Director of Beach Operations Josh Ervin expects the design for a federally funded renourishment project to be finished around October of next year. In the meantime, the county met with FEMA about possible emergency dune repairs and planned to take that question to the county commission through its coastal engineer, Taylor Engineering. So when you walk out through a regional access this month, the dunes on either side may not look the way you remember them.
These statuses are from mid-October. Crews have been working every day since, so check Walton County Emergency Management for the current picture.
November moved to the amphitheaters, and Friday the 6th is crowded
This is where the inland-first pattern shows up most clearly. When 30A.com's October 13 recovery roundup listed the fall events still coming up, nearly all of them were on a lawn, a pavilion or an amphitheater stage. Three of them land on Friday, November 6.
- Mountainfilm on Tour at WaterColor, November 6 and 7, at the WaterColor Marina Park Amphitheater. Gates open at 5:45 p.m. and films start at 7 p.m. The roundup listed it as upcoming. Details on 30A.com.
- The 30A BBQ Festival, November 6, 5:30 to 8 p.m., on the North Lawn at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. Eighteen local and regional barbecue vendors compete, from 850 Barbecue and Back Beach Barbecue to The Perfect Pig and The Village Door. River Dan headlines for the third year in a row, and Brent Shaw opens. General admission is $70 and includes unlimited samples plus Grayton Beer Company beer and wine. VIP is $150 with entry starting at 5 p.m., and a limited number of tickets for kids 12 and under cost $20. Proceeds go to The Sonder Project, a nonprofit based in Santa Rosa Beach. Festival details on 30A.com.
- Watersound First Friday Concert Series, November 6 at the Pavilion at Watersound Town Center. It's free and family-friendly, and it returns December 4.
The BBQ Festival also gives a sense of where the restaurant scene stands. On October 14, while cleanup was still going on, 30A.com reported that this year's lineup is the festival's largest yet. That fits the roundup's report that most restaurants, cafés and stores along 30A had reopened, though some were running limited menus.
Mid-month runs through the town centers
The middle of November stays in the town centers. Alys Beach Crafted runs November 11 through 15. Some events are ticketed, and the Holiday Makers Market at the Alys Beach Amphitheatre is free November 13 to 15. The 30A.com roundup listed Crafted as still coming up.
The following afternoon, Rosemary Beach Uncorked takes over the restaurants around Barrett Square on Saturday, November 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. According to the organizer's FAQ, general admission was $225 and VIP was $350. The Uncorked homepage now says the event is sold out and offers a waitlist. This year's beneficiaries are Caring and Sharing of South Walton and Children's Volunteer Health Network. If you don't have a ticket, plan on a busy Saturday afternoon in the Rosemary Beach town center.
Two weekly markets fill in around these events, both away from the water:
- Seaside Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Seaside Amphitheater, through November and December.
- Rosemary Beach Farmers Market: Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., year-round in the town center, according to 30A Farmers Markets. The same page also calls it a "Saturday ritual," so check the day before you head over.
Thanksgiving week is the one event on the road
The 30A 10K Thanksgiving Day Races are the big exception to the inland pattern. They run on 30A itself, with the start and finish in Rosemary Beach. On Thursday, November 26, the 10K starts at 7:30 a.m., the 1-mile fun run at 7:35 a.m., and the 5K at 9:30 a.m. Current registration is $95 for the 10K or 5K and $45 for the fun run. The race supports four charity partners: Children in Crisis, Bailey Brigade, Children's Volunteer Health Network and Habitat for Humanity of Walton County. Race details at 30a10k.com. If you live near the eastern end, expect the morning to revolve around the race.
Two days earlier, on Tuesday, November 24, the official shake-out run starts and finishes at 5 p.m. at Idyll Hounds Brewery in Santa Rosa Beach. Idyll Runners Run Club and Fleet Feet Inlet Beach host it.
After Thanksgiving, the holiday season starts back on the stages:
- Alys in Winter Wonderland, Friday, November 27, 4 to 6:30 p.m., at the Alys Beach Amphitheatre. Admission is free. Cookie decorating is $3 a set and Santa photos are $3. Alys Beach says more details are still to come.
- SEASIDE Holiday Parade & Turn on the Town, Saturday, November 28, 3 to 8 p.m., ending with the Christmas tree lighting in the Seaside Amphitheater. Parade registration fees go to Point Washington Medical Clinic. Event page.
- SEASIDE Holiday Market, Sunday, December 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Event page.
Many of these dates went up long before the storm. 30A.com's recovery coverage asks readers to check with organizers for any changes since Isaias, and that's especially worth doing for anything after mid-November.
When you want to help
Several of these events already raise money for local causes. For direct storm relief, 30A.com pointed readers to two places. Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport says all of its animals are safe, but the storm brought down trees and damaged fencing, gates, shelters and pasture enclosures, and financial donations are its most urgent need. United Way Emerald Coast has opened its Disaster Relief Fund for Okaloosa and Walton counties and is taking sign-ups for volunteer opportunities later on. Anyone who needs help can dial 211 or reach 211 Northwest Florida online.
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