Making a Difference: Be a Part of the Lake Powell Cleanup Initiative

Volunteers needed for Lake Powell Cleanup Sept. 16, 2023

As part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, the Lake Powell Community Alliance, Friends of Camp Helen State Park, Bay County Audubon, and St Andrew Bay Watch invite you to participate in a community effort to clean up Lake Powell. 

Our little corner of the earth has a unique and precious resource - Lake Powell. Designated an Outstanding Florida Waterway in 1991, it is among the largest of the rare Coastal Dune Lakes that occur in only a few places worldwide. Lake Powell is known for its beauty, biodiversity, and exceptional recreational and educational opportunities. The Lake Powell Community Alliance (LPCA) is dedicated to protecting this natural resource.

Emily…

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The Latest Beach Access Improvements in South Walton

South Walton, FL - On Wednesday, August 9th, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners and the Walton County Beach Operations and Tourism departments hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Eastern Lakes Municipal Parking facility at 400 Eastern Lake Road in Seagrove Beach, FL. 

This new beach access parking facility features 16 standard vehicle spaces, 18 low-speed vehicle spaces, and a bike plaza.  Developed to provide parking for the Eastern Lakes public beach access, it is steps away from where the Eastern Lake coastal dune lake outfall meets the beach.  Residents and visitors come to this location to enjoy its unique beauty, which until now was mainly accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists. 

There are four additional parking…

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Happening on 30A This Weekend!

From movies on the lawn and farmers markets to live music concerts, there's plenty to do along 30A and in South Walton this weekend! Check out our list of a few fun things happening here at the beach!

Movies on the Lawn:

• Seaside Central Square Cinema, Friday, Aug. 4th. Watch “Moana” from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm

• The Big Chill, Saturday, Aug. 5th. Watch “Bedtime Stories” from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Farmers Markets:

• Seaside - Saturday, Aug. 5th, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

• Defuniak Springs - Saturday, Aug. 5th, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

• Grand Boulevard - Saturday, Aug. 5th, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

• Watersound Origins - Sunday, Aug. 6th, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

• Rosemary Beach - Sunday, Aug. 6th, from…

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Get Involved: "Keep Walton Scenic"

Only 300 more names are needed!

Over 2,700 locals have signed up to help keep Walton County scenic. Once a total of 3,000 names is reached, the State of Florida will manufacture Scenic Walton’s new charity license plates. Preview the license plate on 30a.com.

Scenic Walton is a nonprofit working on beautification projects throughout Walton County, including landscaping roadways, improving pedestrian cyclist paths, and under-grounding overhead utilities.

This is the only license plate that generates revenue for beautification projects in Walton County. Florida’s normal $33 registration fee is FREE for the first 3,000 people who sign-up.

When your new charity tag arrives later this year, the State of Florida will charge a “plate change” fee…

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State of the Arts: Discover What's New in the 30A Arts Community

Underwater Museum of Art (UMA):

The 2023 CODAworx jury recently selected the Top 100 finalists representing the best design and art projects! This year, artists submitted 411 projects from around the world for consideration. The awards recognize design projects demonstrating the most successful integration of commissioned art into an interior, architectural or public space. 

Now it's time to cast your vote: the top 2 projects receiving the most votes will be "crowned" People's Choice winners!! 

Voting is simple and easy. Click the "Vote" button below the "Underwater Museum of Art" project on the official voting site. You are only allowed to vote once per project. 

Cast your vote HERE today! The voting deadline is Monday, July 31, at 11:59…

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2023 Fourth of July Events on Scenic 30A & South Walton

Fourth of July Events in South Walton & on Scenic 30A 

Whether you want to watch fireworks or enjoy a parade, there’s a perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July for everyone in South Walton.

Rags to Riches Regatta

July 3, 7 a.m.  at Grayton Beach

The Rags to Riches Regatta is a 40-year sailing tradition where 30A locals and visitors gather to cheer on teams as they navigate 16-foot catamarans in a race from Grayton Beach (originally known as the “rags” side of town) to Seagrove (also known as the “riches” neighborhood). Presented by Crater Train Brewing Company, The 30A Company, and Tribe Kelley Surf Post, the race will benefit South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) and its mission to protect and preserve our local marine…

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Rising Home Inventory: How It's Influencing the 30A Real Estate Market

Rising Home Inventory: How It's Influencing the 30A Real Estate Market

Compared to last June, inventory levels for homes and condos on Scenic 30A have more than doubled, from 2.5 months of supply to 6.6 months this June, indicating we are currently in a balanced market. 

Contributing to this slow yet steady incline may be a month-over-month decrease in new listing inventory since January.

For example, 307 new listings were added to the market last June, whereas just 171 new listings came on the market this June, representing a 25% decrease in new listing inventory. 

Homes Are Staying On the Market Longer

Since fewer new listings are entering the market, the build-up in the inventory of homes indicates many properties are taking longer…

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How to Determine The Value of Your 30A Beach Home in Today's Market

Since your beach home or condo in South Walton is one of your most important assets, knowing its value can help you make future decisions, whether selling, refinancing, or planning investment strategies.

If you want to check the value of your home today, these three methods are the most common approaches, but they each serve distinct purposes:

Appraised Value Appraised value represents a professional opinion at a specific point in time and for a specific purpose, such as for a home purchase and refinancing. To determine an appraisal value, a licensed appraiser assesses various factors, such as size, condition, location, comparable sales data, and market trends. Professional appraisals can cost $300-$400 or more.  

Assessed Value The assessed…

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30A Things To Do This Father's Day 2023

South Walton Father's Day 2023

Treat the fathers in your life to a special day on Sunday, June 18, with any of the following activities in our Father's Day roundup happening in South Walton! There are spa packages, free coffee and donuts, a lunch cruise, and more to enjoy and celebrate Dad.

Hotel Effie Sandestin Father's Day packages

At Spa Lilliana, dads can indulge in a day of tranquility and pampering with Father’s Day spa packages designed with him in mind. Highlights include the Dad’s Escape package and the Father’s Day Journey package, which both feature a variety of special treatments and a whiskey-tasking flight. An elegant culinary adventure awaits him at Ovide. The onsite restaurant at Hotel Effie offers delectable breakfast, brunch…

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Walton County Provides Free Day-Use Admission to State Parks

South Walton, FL - Summer visitors to Walton County will once again enjoy complimentary day-use admission to Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Walton County Tourism Department is paying the cost of entry for day-use visitors to increase available parking for beachgoers during the peak visitation season and raise awareness of the variety of eco-tourism activities South Walton offers. This year marks the ninth year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the seventh for Grayton Beach State Park.

“This is an opportunity to help encourage our residents and visitors to explore the natural beauty of our state parks,” says Matt Algarin, director of communications…

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