A fireworks finale on tap as HarborWalk honors longtime Destin boat captain

HarborWalk Village is dedicating its Sept. 2 celebration to longtime Destin boat Capt. Bobby Lee Walter.

"It is fitting that we conclude our Red, White & Blue Celebration for this season, by honoring a gentleman so closely connected with the historic Destin Harbor and the rich heritage of Destin fishing fleet," said Legendary Inc. marketing director Jamie Marie Hall.

Capt. Bobby Walter was born Jan. 7, 1936 in Oklahoma.  He has been a charter boat captain for almost 50 years and his first boat, the "Miss Diana," was built buy his father in 1960. In those days, the Destin charter fishing fleet fished no more than 25 miles offshore and no further east then Sandestin.

He helped organize the first Sailfish Tournament in Destin and has won the Destin Fishing Rodeo in the past with a king mackerel.

On rough days, charters fished on the bay, Capt. Walter remembers. He would catch crabs before going to school in the morning and sell the crabs. Folks would pay him 35 cents for a dozen.

Walter also remembers a few hurricanes. He said they all came back down to the Destin harbor and helped each other get their boats back in service, which almost always included pulling one boat off another.

Capt Bobby Lee Walter has three children and many grandchildren.

Although Walter is limited to land most of these days, he longs for the time he spent in the Gulf of Mexico. Walter can still remember the names of all his old boats, who owned them and who captained them.

"As with all of us, Captain Bobby has fond memories of the old Destin, and is highly loved and respected by his fellow fisherman. Capt Bobby Lee Walter is truly a hero in our community and in the world's luckiest fishing village," Hall said.

The event concludes the Red, White and Blue Celebrations at HarborWalk Village. The celebrations highlight the efforts of people who go above and beyond, demonstrating heroism and loyalty within our community. The celebrations feature WWII-era mini air show and free local entertainment and children's activities. The Highsteppers Dance troupe performances are part of the annual tradition. The big finale for each celebration is a spectacular fireworks display over Destin Harbor at 8:30 p.m. Weekly fireworks displays have been sponsored by Buffalo Rock- Pepsi MAX and Cox Communications and WOLF 105.5.

The Red, White and Blue celebration is a the kick-off to a weekend of entertaining happenings at HarborWalk Village.  Friday night is Family Fun Fest. Saturday night includes a live concert on the outdoor stage by Departure, A Journey Tribute Band, kids activities and exciting prize giveaways. Sunday night will be Operation Inspiration.  Operation Inspiration is a gathering of community leaders sharing a positive and motivating message through spoken word and song. This week will feature a performance from Collin Ray and Forrest Williams Band. 

All events are free and open to the public.