Warm weather, sun-kissed skin, and blissful beach days have arrived: Summer 2023 is finally here! This season, we’ve scouted fresh trends to cover you for boat days, wedding season, casual farmer’s market runs, and everything in between. We’re not suggesting you buy a whole new closet (although we fashion-lovers at VIE can vouch for that), but instead, pick up a few new staple pieces from our favorite small businesses at 30Avenue to upgrade your wardrobe. Whether vacationing in Europe or simply dreaming of Mediterranean blues, read on for this season’s freshest trends and best finds from these beautifully curated local boutiques.

Emerald Coast Storytellers, a local writers group that has shown impressive growth since their inception last July, will be hosting their One-Year Anniversary celebration at Grand Boulevard’s Emerald Coast Theatre Company on Friday, July 14th.

The Zoo Gallery, a prominent art venue in Grayton Beach, is excited to announce a unique event with Butch Anthony, the creator of the Museum of Wonder and The World's First Drive Thru Museum. This exclusive engagement will take place on Tuesday, June 27, from 4 to 6pm.

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.

VIE’s editor-in-chief Lisa Marie Burwell joined long-time friends, singer-songwriter/Broadway star Morgan James and Sinfonia Gulf Coast music and artistic director Demetrius Fuller, in the stunning Alys Beach home of Bryan and Tina Corr for a meet and greet on May 28. James and Fuller took center stage for a patriotic summer kick-off concert at the Alys Beach Amphitheater.

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.

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.

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.