Your Weekly Guide to Fun Sept. 4 - 11

All area codes are 850 unless noted.

Greek Festival

OKALOOSA ISLAND – The 19th Annual Greek Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 4 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center. Enjoy a variety of homemade Greek foods and traditional dance performances and live entertainment. Assorted gift shops, arts and crafts are available in addition to an open auction.

Rock the Docks

DESTIN – Live entertainment with the Journey Tribute Band from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 4 at HarborWalk Village. RockStar Energy Drink and 99Rock present The Rock Star Giveaway at 5 p.m.

Art exhibit: Taking Flight, Taking Root

FORT WALTON BEACH – Artist Laurel Siwicki will present her solo show, Taking Flight, Taking Root, from Sept. 4 to Oct. 2 at Full Circle Gallery. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 4 with an artist talk at 7 p.m. Siwicki will also hold two workshops, Journey Sculpturel, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 11 and Angel Sculpturel from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 6. Call 362-8041.

Movie night

FORT WALTON BEACH – A free movie, “G-Force,” can be seen at 8 p.m. Sept. 4 at Uptown Station. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and coolers. (No pets or glass containers.)

Labor Day Cookout

A Freeport Fire fundraiser will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 4 at Food Depot in Freeport. Call 835-2192.

Kids Rock The Block

Bring the family for a rockin' night of fun from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 on the Western Green in Rosemary Beach. Moonwalks, face painting, airbrush tattoos, arts and crafts with Gigi's, hula hoops, bubble machine and more are featured at the free event sponsored by the Merchants of Rosemary Beach.

Alys Sound

In celebration of Labor Day weekend, Alys Beach, in conjunction with Escape to Create, will host ‘Alys Sound’ from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 4 along the pedestrian path. In addition, live jazz will be performed by Sean Dietrich from 5 to 8 p.m. at Caliza, with artwork by Steve Penley at Caliza Pool.

Sandestin Labor Day and the Baytowne Art Expo

Enjoy the Art Expo with music from 5 to10 p.m. Sept. 4-5 at the Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Seaside Labor Day

The following events will be held Labor Day weekend.

•Seaside Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 4 at the Amphitheater. Get fresh produce, baked goods, dairy products and other unique offerings.

•Michael Warren concert at 6 p.m. Sept. 4.

•Roman Street jazz group at 6 p.m. Sept. 5.

Topsail tours

Learn about native frogs and toads at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. A $6 park entrance fee is required. Outside tours are canceled during severe weather. Call 267-8330.

Labor Day Weekend Bash

DESTIN – Flavor Flav will host a weekend long bash at Club Overboard with Lil Wyte, Jelly Roll & Partee, plus local opening acts performing Sept. 4 and 2 Pistols (She Got It - Ft. T-Pain), Lil yte, Jelly Roll & Partee, plus local opening acts on Sept. 5. Doors open 8:30 p.m.

A Musical Farewell to Summer

SANDESTIN – The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and Grand Boulevard at Sandestin will present “A Musical Farewell to Summer —An Evening With David Seering” featuring the Joe Occhipinti Orchestra at 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at Grand Park in Grand Boulevard. Food and beverages will be available for purchase by Cantina Laredo in Grand Park. Admission is $10, children under 12 free. Tickets are on sale through the Beaches of South Walton Kiosk Center at Grand Boulevard. Chairs will be provided for ticketed patrons.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation will host a ticketed pre-concert reception at 6 p.m. at Cantina Laredo. To purchase reception tickets, contact the MKAF office at 650-2226.

Moonlight and Movies

Enjoy a Hollywood classic or new release under the stars at 8:15 p.m. Sept. 5 on the Western Green in Rosemary Beach. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Movies are free and open to the public. Concessions are available. Call 951-2148.

Groovin’ On The Green

The Carillon Beach Institute presents a free concert with Emerald County Line from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 5 on the Village Green in Carillon Beach. Bring chairs or blankets, a cooler and snacks. Call 234-7819.

Operation Inspiration

DESTIN – A positive program of uplifting entertainment and family fun begins at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5 with The Forrest Williams Band and Collin Raye, one of the true hit makers of the 1990's. Local favorite Forrest Williams Band is best known for authentic brand of folk and rock tunes. Kids will have fun with the 40 Fathoms Caribbean Band and capture that memory by taking a picture with John Bussert's exotic parrot show. A fireworks display over the Destin Harbor will be the grand finale. The event is free.

Art exhibits: Mattie Kelly Arts Center

NICEVILLE – The Mattie Kelly Arts Center Galleries at Northwest Florida State College have new exhibitions from Sept. 5 to Oct. 10. Gallery hours for the exhibits are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Exhibits and reception are free and open to the public. Call 729-6044.

•McIlroy Gallery: Amy Vigilante’s Crazy Eights, an exhibition of large-scale fiber art.

•Holzhauer Gallery: Bette Kauffman’s Waterline, created from photos taken during trips to New Orleans following Hurricane Katerina.

•Front Hall: Karen Reese Tunnell’s new suite, Oil on Water, a series of monotypes created since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Wednesday Night Concerts

Enjoy a free concert from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8 in the Plaza on main stage at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin.

Centennial Celebration

The Santa Rosa Beach Club will offer complimentary champagne and special centennial menu features at lunch and dinner for the entire month.  

A Ladies and Gents Centennial Afternoon Tea will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 8. The price is $7.95, which includes tea sandwiches, scones, desserts and, of course, freshly and properly brewed tea.  A Centennial Steamboat Dinner, featuring an authentic menu from the Charles E. Cessna Steamboat, that transported future residents to the Santa Rosa Beach area from Mobile and Pensacola in 1910, will have seatings at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11. The price is $30 per person and includes dinner, a commemorative glass of champagne and entertainment by Bobby Van Deusen. Don some early 1900’s attire if you feel so inclined. Make reservations early, as seats are limited. 

Shark Tank exhibit

DESTIN – The Shark Tank Exhibit at the Destin History and Fishing Museum is ready for viewing at 108 Stahlman Ave. The “shark tank” is visible from the road and houses three shark mounts and other seafloor life.

Rivals Radio

DESTIN – Rivals Radio, a national satellite radio program available on Sirius 122 and XM 143, will broadcast live from Fisherman’s Wharf on Sept. 9 and from Indian Bayou Golf Club on Sept. 10. Show hours are 6 to 11 a.m.

Grit & Grace

Grit & Grace will present “A Box of Grace” at 7 p.m. Sept. 9-11 and 2 p.m. Sept. 12 at Walton High School in DeFuniak Springs. Admission is $10/adults and $5/students. Tickets may be purchased at The Walton County Chamber of Commerce, Nook & Cranny Antique and Gift Shop and The DeFuniak Herald/Beach Breeze Newspaper in DeFuniak Springs; Miss Lucille's Gossip Parlor in Gulf Place; Sun Dogs in Seaside; Paxton City Hall in Paxton; or call 892-0872 or e-mail hinsonharmony@yahoo.com.

Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums

All performing and student bagpipers, former and current marching band snare, tenor, and bass drummers are welcome to join the Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums in Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties. The group meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays at First United Methodist Church in Niceville, 214 Partin Drive for beginner bagpiping classes and 6:30 p.m. for rehearsals for performing players. If interested, call 243-2879, 226-1700 or e-mail ecppesanddrums@cox.net.

Chuck Lawson

DESTIN ­– Professional singer, songwriter and musician Chuck Lawson will perform from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 10 at Pompano Joe’s.

Car Show

SANDESTIN – Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and the Destin Porsche Club will host the Fifth Annual Charity Car Show organized by the North Florida Region of the Porsche Club of America from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11. More than 100 cars, including Porsches, Lamborghinis, Lotus, Ferraris and BMWs, will line the boulevard of the Town Center. Admission is free and will include live music from Cheryl Jones. Call 654-5929. To register your car, contact Scott Roberts at 850-974-6060 or scottandjan@cox.net.

Picnic  

A special picnic honoring grandparents and active seniors will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at Eden State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. The event, a joint effort of Belvedere Commons of Fort Walton Beach and Belvedere Commons of Panama City Beach, is being held in recognition of Grandparents Day, Sept. 12, and Aging Activity Week, Sept. 20-26. Music will be provided by guitarist Mike Staggs. Food will be available.  There is a $5 per person charge to attend the picnic. In addition, Eden State Park has an entry fee of $4 per car. According to the Florida State Park website, correct change is required and there is a limit of eight people per vehicle. The park is shaded with picnic areas, fishing piers, walking trails and bat rooms. The grounds are handicap friendly. RSVP at 243-7735 or 236-0510.

Art exhibit: Hot & Bothered 

VALPARAISO – The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida’s new exhibit, Hot & Bothered, will be on view through Oct. 30. The exhibit features a 1930’s era kitchen with a rare Universal Electric Stove, collections of household items, electric fans dated from 1906 and advertising from days gone by. Admission is $2; free for HMNF members and children under 4. An opening reception will be held from 10 am. to noon Sept. 11.