THE BIG FISH:  HarborFest

Join in a celebration of the rich heritage of Destin's historic harbor and the kick-off of the 62^nd annual Destin Fishing Rodeo. HarborFest features a non- stop line-up of live music, art, kid's parades, kids games, local and regional food, fishing, fireworks and fun both days- Saturday, October 2, from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, October 3, from noon to 6 p.m. For the sports fan we have over 60 wide-screen TV's available from AJ's to Dancing Iguana for all our football fans on this big game weekend.  All events (including parking) are free and open to the public.

THE BAIT:  Entertainment Abounds

Sauce Boss    Long Reef     Heritage 

THE BAIT:  Entertainment Abounds

Rockin' The Rodeo-Saturday and Sunday don't miss the amazing Bill Wharton, "The Sauce Boss" performing on the main stage at HarborWalk Village, sponsored by Payne Chiropractic Wellness Center. Since 1990, the Sauce Boss has cooked gumbo for his audiences, all for free, while simultaneously playing his own swampy Florida blues. A Sauce Boss event transcends a musical performance. It's a soul-shouting picnic of rock & roll brotherhood, involving everyone. And at the end of the show, everyone eats.

On Saturday, the HarborWalk Village Stage, features live performances by Donnie Sundal and his new band, Boukou Groove, Lektric Mullet with Ricky Lee Phelps from 7 - 9 p.m.  Commander's Palace offers Caroline for a cool cocktail and great tunes from 7pm. Harry T's, Poppy's Crazy Lobster and Dancing Iguana have live entertainment and football all weekend.

Sunday starts off with the Sauce Boss on the Village Stage from 1:00-3:00 pm and the sounds of Heritage, a pop/reggae style band from 4 - 6 p.m. and Long Reef, a hot new Aussie rock band, from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Payne Chiropractic Wellness Center is sponsoring the HarborWalk Village Stage.

AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar- rocks with local favorites Mike and the Micros, Black Eyed Blonde and on Sunday, Jones and Company.

For both days of HarborFest, WPSM 9l.1 FM radio will be hosting  singer/songwriter performances on the West Harbor stage with Christian artists Phil Stacey and Heather Williams to name a few.

THE ART OF FISHING:  Artists On Display

Fifteen artists from the area will be on display throughout HarborWalk Village showing and selling their works of art in all mediums to include oil, acrylics, mixed media, photography, jewelry and more.

THE GUPPIES:  Bring The Kids On Down

Kids are center stage at the free family-friendly green festival with plenty of activities and shows just for the little ones. Captain Papillion, the 'enviro-pirate', will spin pirate tales with music and storytelling, alongside 40 Fathoms Caribbean Steel Drum Band and an Exotic Parrot Show where children can hold parrots.

HarborFest will benefit the Destin Fishing Museum and Alaqua Animal Refuge. There is ample parking in the Emerald Grande's parking garage. Emerald Grande and area hotels will be offering discounted HarborFest Get-Away hotel packages for the weekend, call 1-800-676-0091 for details.

HarborFest is sponsored by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association as part of their  month long Back to the Beach "Fall Back to Summer" promotion.

For further information and entertainment line-up, visit www.HarborWalkDestin.com, www.EmeraldGrande.com, or call the Event Hotline at 1-850-424-0600.