The 2023 Gulf Coast Jam Presented by Jim Beam wrapped up under a stunning full moon in beautiful Panama City Beach Sunday night. A record-setting sellout of 30,000 country music fans were rocked by superstars Kenny Chesney, who stepped up to headline after vocal cord injury forced Morgan Wallen to cancel, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown, HARDY, and over 20 other artists.

Dearest Reader, the VIE Team thoroughly enjoyed celebrating the intersection between past and future along with the announcement of the winners of this year's Digital Graffiti festival at Le Bon Ton, An Artistic Garden Affair in Alys Beach, Florida, on May 19, 2023. We donned our best Bridgerton-inspired frocks and partook in sips from Gulf Water Wines and Coastal Coffee Bar Co., savory and sweet treats from The Salty Butcher and On The Fly PCB, and the musical stylings of a string quartet and pianist by Top Hat Live, aka The Whistledowns.

With great excitement, Chef-Owner Nikhil Abuvala and Seaside Community Development Corporation are pleased to announce the highly anticipated opening of The Daytrader Tiki Bar & Restaurant in idyllic South Walton beach neighborhood, Seaside, Florida. The Daytrader will begin welcoming guests on Tuesday, May 23. 

The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) is pleased to announce that the 18th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family raised $3.5 million for children in need in Northwest Florida. Hosted April 28 and 29 to a sold-out crowd of more than 600 guests, proceeds from the auction benefit DCWAF’s 16 partner children’s charities in Northwest Florida.

Thursday, April 20, the 2023 Southeast Designers and Architect of the Year Awards (SEDY) were presented by ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center) and VERANDA to firms and individuals from across the Southeast who exemplify the highest level of talent in the categories of architecture, contract design, and residential design. Reviewed by a celebrated group of judges, winners were picked from a group of 26 regional finalists spanning five states and were announced at a private gala.

When the real estate developers at Corr Group created 30Avenue, its mission was to provide Northwest Florida locals and visitors with an upscale indoor-outdoor destination for shopping, dining, entertainment, and office locations. 30Avenue has always been a go-to location for South Walton’s best restaurants, and over the past year they have continued to impress with their new additions in the culinary scene. From global cuisine to Southern comfort foods, 30Avenue boasts a generous selection of casual and fine dining options to enjoy.

Art Month Walton County, an initiative led by the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County and sponsored in part by Visit South Walton, will provide a full month of creative offerings in May, including the “Under The Sea” fundraiser for the Underwater Museum of Art, 35th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival, Longleaf Writers Conference, Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach, The Sound of Music at Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Open Mic Night with Emerald Coast Storytellers, Sinfonia Goes Pop in Alys Beach, events at The Foster Gallery, and more. All happenings take place in Walton County and are part of the Art Month mission to bring together communities, organizations and businesses to present quality and diverse arts entertainment.

Emerald Coast Storytellers, a local creative writers group, is launching a series of Story-Pairing Dinners in 2023. The first event will be held on Tuesday, February 7 from 5-8 p.m. at Hotel Effie, located within Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Start planning your 2023 visit to 30A today! Whether you desire a specific amenity like a private pool, golf cart, or Gulf front location or seek to stay in a specific 30A community, booking in advance ensures you reserve the best possible home-away-from-home for your beach vacation.

Tickets are now on sale for the Ascension Sacred Heart Foundation’s 2023 Emerald Ball to benefit Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, the event is Saturday, February 4 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort Golf and Spa and is presented by Howard Group, Grand Boulevard, and Silver Sands Premium Outlets.

For five decades, the resort set on the spectacular Emerald Coast has drawn visitors to its beautiful white-sand beaches, made from quartz carried from the Appalachian Mountains twenty thousand years ago. After fifty years, it's no surprise that the largest resort to be situated on Florida’s Gulf Coast remains the ultimate destination for generations of coastal adventurers, families, couples, reunions, winter vacationers, and getaways.

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, the all-encompassing resort located along Northwest Florida’s Gulf coast, announces Angelina Covington as the newly appointed General Manager. Covington brings a strong knowledge of the hospitality industry and the local area to the role, in which she will focus on improving the overall guest experience, managing revenues, and overseeing the hotel’s daily operations.