South Walton Community Council’s 10th Annual Back To Nature Festival Oct. 14-16, 2011
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida — South Walton Community Council is pleased to announce our 10th Annual Back To
Nature Festival October 14-16, 2011. The cool fall season and natural beauty of South Walton are the perfect
backdrop for the annual festival. Each fall South Walton Community Council hosts the Back to Nature Festival to
inspire visitors and locals alike to discover the wonders of our unique coastal environment.
“It’s one of the ways we like to say thank you to the community who has supported our efforts over the years. We
want everyone to come out, explore and celebrate this amazing place we call home. This year we have added
some new events including a juried art show featuring our beloved coastal dune lakes. There is something for
everyone, so please come out and enjoy the fun,” said Jacquee Markel, President of the South Walton Community
Council.
• Opening Night Party on Oct. 14 in the Backyard of Love located at Hibiscus Coffee and Guesthouse in Grayton
Beach. Enjoy a low country boil, live music under the stars and preview the silent auction
items.
• Enjoy Outdoor Adventures with experienced guides Oct. 15–16. Sunrise meditation, Deer Lake shorebird and
beach walk, Peach Creek kayak tour, Stand up paddling at Grayton Beach State Park, wildflower and butterfly
hike in Pt. Washington State Forest, longleaf Greenway trail bike cruise, astronomy walk at Grayton Beach State
Park, tracking the wild critters at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Western Lake kayak tour, forest ecology hike
and Hogtown Bayou sunset paddle. Most outdoor adventure events are about two hours long and cost $10 unless
otherwise noted.
• Explore at Grayton Beach State Park on Saturday, Oct. 15th. Walton Outdoors will be hosting a hands-on day
geared towards introducing children to the wonders of exploring the outdoors. Activities include learning to fish
in the Gulf with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, rod/reel giveaways, kayaking and YOLO
boarding on Western Lake, a guided hike along the sand dune trail, sea life touch tank, Emerald Coast Wildlife
Refuge wildlife exhibit and interactive activities.This event is free and geared for children ages 6 and up.
• Celebrate Nature at the Seaside Amphitheater on Saturday, Oct. 15th. Live music from Chris Alvarado, E.O.
Wilson Biophilia Center wildlife exhibits, Choctawhatchee Audubon, Florida State Parks exhibits, Shoal
Sanctuary, local community groups, arts and crafts for the kids, green business exhibits, demonstrations, farmers
market and silent auction.
• Silent Auction Saturday, Oct. 15th at the Seaside Amphitheater. Bid on great items with proceeds going to the
South Walton Community Council.
• Art Show at the Hidden Lantern Gallery Sept. 26 – Oct. 29. Located at Rosemary Beach, “The Jewels
of 30A,” a juried art show, will feature artwork inspired by our globally rare and imperiled coastal dune lakes
with proceeds going to the South Walton Community Council.
For more information and registration, go to www.SouthWaltonCC.org
.
About South Walton Community Council
The South Walton Community Council is a nonpartisan, nonprofit coalition of several hundred
residents, property owners, employees, neighborhoods and business owners. In 1995, growing out of a
need for grassroots expression, a group of dedicated citizens gathered to make a difference in their
community. They recognized how preserving & protecting the unique coastal environment would
enhance the quality of life for all who visit or chose to call South Walton home. After 16 years these
volunteers are going strong. For more information go to www.SouthWaltonCC.org or follow us on
Facebook as South Walton Community Council.
