Panama City Beach

Latest News

Pub crawl

The Pier Park bars - Dick's Last Resort is the latest addition - keep the phone ringing at AllStar Transportation, which has two lines taking calls: 249-TAXI (8294) and 249-RIDE (7433). Owner Charles Hancock said he wants "to initiate a pub crawl. You can prepay for multiple trips from bar to bar to bar. You can go back safely and know you have hit every top watering hole." Panama City Beach is spending almost $100,000 to bring in extra law enforcement during Spring Break. Don't take a chance, just call a cab. The AllStar fleet even offers a limo, so you can travel in style.

Get 'Suntan'

Join thousands at Spinnaker Beach Club on March 13-14 when Luke Bryan returns for Spring Break shows! Enter CMT's Luke Bryan Spring Break Sweepstakes (grand prize: week-long hotel accommodation in PCB, tickets to one of the shows and meet & greet, autographed Luke prize package and chance to join him on stage) by 11:59 p.m. CT Feb. 23: http://www.cmt.com/community/sweepstakes/2012/luke-bryan-condo/
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Ultimate Spring Break?

Seahaven Resort is offering "the Ultimate Spring Break" package, complete with a room for you and your friends, Panamaniac Club Card, Seahaven Beach Party Pass, Spinnaker's MTV Celebrity Ticket, a Spring Break "Swag Bag" and a free shuttle all over the beach for only $301 per person, per week.

Mardi Gras: Rain or Shine

Rain never stopped pirates and it won't stop the Krewe of Dominique Youx from throwing Mardi Gras at the Beach. Captain Rob Lienhop, shown with Queen Cumi Walsingham (her husband, Gary, owns the PCB WonderWorks and Ripley's), says they're "a little nervous," but unless there's lightning, they will go on! Les Bon Temps Rouler!

Giant invasion?

This might be a picture of what we will be looking at on Beck Avenue in St. Andrews. A giant wheelbarrow is being crafted with 6-foot steel wheels for the entry to the community garden and farmers market. The ongoing construction of "Everyman's Wheelbarrow" begins Feb. 25 when the St. Andrews Waterfront Farmers Market reopens. While the wheelbarrow pictured above in Hokitiki, New Zealand, was a tribute to the jewel mining industry, this one is designed to be the largest operational wheelbarrow on the planet. One thing is for sure, it will be pretty obvious where to find the community garden.

Spring Break 'Sweat'

Country star Eric Church, who was nominated for a Grammy with "Chief," is bringing his "Blood, Sweat & Beers" to Spinnaker Beach Club on March 11.

Grouper a Gulf staple

What is it about grouper? It's a go-to staple at Bay County restaurants, where Uncle Ernie's owner Sean Lyon has noticed "everybody is just on a mission for grouper." During the winter, they sell 300 pounds a week, more than doubling those numbers in the summer for one fish. Capt.'s Table around the corner is known for its grouper cheeks and throats. Sue Herring of J. Michael's, known for its Grouper Nouveau, thinks grouper is popular because it's just "melt in your mouth fish" that's "caught in local waters." Buddy Gandy, who has been in the business 60 years, thinks the craze started because grouper was so abundant. Tarpon Dock Seafood Market sells all kinds of grouper, from yellow edge to red and black. Sometimes they have had to use forklifts for big catches, two Warsaw Groupers weighed in at 347 and 328 pounds.

Gag grouper fishing has been closed since November, but a new five-month season for recreational harvesting of gag grouper was approved for July 1 through Oct. 31. Captain Scott of MadFish Charters likes grouper's "ambush attack." If you go out with him on a boat right now, you most likely will be fishing for trigger fish, white snapper and amberjack, another one of his favorites.

Apalach hosted SI Swimsuit Models

The annual Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition debuting next week features images captured in Apalachicola and nearby St. George Island. Check out the behind-the scenes story here. The photo shoots, if not the models, were kept under wraps since last October.

Pull up a bar stool

Uncle Ernie's owners Sean Lyon and his cousin Erin Pigneri, third generations in the family business, recently purchased a Brunswick bar from Chicago for the remodel because "we both like to drink and wanted a cool bar to sit at." Maybe Al Capone drank at it, maybe not, but you sure can - from margaritas to craft beer. And then you can head upstairs to the martini bar.

Spring Break deal

From March 3-23, Grand Panama Beach Resort is offering a one bedroom with a Gulf view condo that can sleep up to 6 at $199/night. Every guest gets a free HIP card to Harpoon Harry's, $20 value. Got a crowd? The 3 bedroom Gulf front at $339/night sleeps up to 10. Book it at http://bookit.com/us/florida/panama-city-beach-spring-break/.

Resort Destinations has something for everyone! Large Gulf front estate homes, properties with private pools, Gulf front condos and pet friendly properties. Resort Destinations also has properties that are Spring Break friendly, with a minimum age requirement of 21 or older. We offer flexible payments and deposits and are accredited with the BBB. Please visit our main website at www.bookthegulf.com or give us a call at 1-866-213-6928 for more information. We look forward to having you stay with us!

Spring Break Scavengers

From March 4-24, students at eligible colleges and universities who are spending their Spring Break on Panama City Beach can participate in scavenger hunts and win up to $10,000. Register for the contest here at the PCB Convention and Visitors Bureau website by Feb. 3.

Seeking a Bikini Record

The Tourist Development Council wants to make history this Spring Break by gathering more bikini-clad women in a single parade than anywhere else has ever done before. We think they can win it. Check out our bikini shots from 2011 if you have any doubt.

PCB a Top Budget Destination

Panama City Beach was named one of the top three places in the world to visit for college students trying to stretch their meager Spring Break vacation dollars. The local area was in the top tier listed by budget travel site CheapFlights.com because "accommodations are relatively cheap and very easy to find." >>Details here.

Event Calendar

The Emerald Coast (from Panama City and Panama City Beach on the east to the towns of 30A in the west) hosts fun and entertaining events every day. PanamaCity.com (and our apps for Droid and iPhone) feature the most comprehensive local events calendar.

Friday Fest Returns March 2

Downtown Panama City comes alive with Music, Food, and Fun on the first Friday of the month, starting in March and running through November. Local shops and restaurants stay open late and the festivities run until 10 p.m., providing a great opportunity to shop, eat and have a great time. Whether you are a regular, or you've never been... grab a friend, grab your family, and join us for Friday Fest! For more details, or to volunteer at Friday Fest, visit PCFridayFest.com.

Send Us Your Events

Wednesday, February 22
10:00am	Watercolor, Drawing and Painting @ CityArts Cooperative
11:00am	National Margarita Day @ Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
05:30pm	Noah's Ark Community Gathering @ Noah's Ark Christian Retreat
Thursday, February 23
10:30am - 12:30pm	Apricot Pork Tenderloin Cooking Class @ Somethin's Cookin'
01:00pm - 06:00pm	Artists in Action @ CityArts Cooperative
05:30pm - 10:00pm	FL Rays night at Bruno's Pizza @
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Community Pillars @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Paint Your Art Out @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
06:00pm	Snowbird Night @ Shuckums Oyster Pub and Grill
06:30pm - 09:00pm	Boating Skills and Seamanship Advanced Training Class @
06:30pm - 08:30pm	Figure Drawing @ CityArts Cooperative
06:45pm - 07:45pm	Beginner Belly Dance @ CityArts Cooperative
Friday, February 24
All Day Event	Lian Zhen Exquisite Watercolors Wkshop @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
All Day Event	Gulf Coast Beach Collegiate Fastpitch Classic @ Frank Brown Park
10:15am	Drawing and Painting Classes @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
11:00am - 01:00pm	Soup Du Jour Cook-off @ Panama City Beach Senior Center
01:00pm - 06:00pm	Free Art Fridays @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 09:00pm	Spring Training at the Beach Baseball Tournament @
06:00pm - 09:00pm	Toast For The Paws - Wine and Craft Beer Tasting - Silent Auction @ Wine Dog
07:00pm - 10:00pm	4th Annual Bay Breeze Performing Arts Invitational @
07:00pm	Bay Breeze Performing Arts Invitational @
07:00pm	Lehnert Chamber Players @
07:30pm	Almost Maine @ Kaleidoscope Theatre
07:30pm	Blip: Blues and Lindy in the Panhandle @ CityArts Cooperative
07:30pm	GCSC Theatre Presents 'The Big Goodbye' @ Gulf Coast State College
07:30pm	Jim Witter: Piano Men 2 @ Martin Theatre
07:30pm	Red Stocking Revue @ Panama City Marina Civic Center
Saturday, February 25
All Day Event	Panama City Strawberry Music Fest @ Bay County Fairgrounds - Central Panhandle Fair
All Day Event	Florida - Alabama Fastpitch Softball Challenge @ Frank Brown Park
All Day Event	Gulf Coast Beach Collegiate Fastpitch Classic @ Frank Brown Park
07:30pm	Red Stocking Revue @ Panama City Marina Civic Center
08:00am - 09:00pm	Spring Training at the Beach Baseball Tournament @
08:00am - 01:00pm	St. Andrews Waterfront Farmers Market @ St. Andrews Marina
09:00am - 02:00pm	Noah's Ark Craft Fair @ Noah's Ark Christian Retreat
10:00am - 02:00pm	Camellia Festival and Heritage Day @ Eden Gardens State Park
10:00am - 02:00pm	Thunder Angels Motorcycle Swap Meet @ Ms. Newby's
10:15am	Drawing and Painting Classes @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
10:30am	Chef Billy Redd @ Somethin's Cookin'
12:00pm - 06:00pm	Author Chuck Barrett Book Signing @ Books By The Sea
06:30pm	Gay Film Night @ CityArts Cooperative
07:00pm	The Return: Best of the Beatles @ Gulf World Marine Park
07:30pm	Almost Maine @ Kaleidoscope Theatre
07:30pm	GCSC Theatre Presents 'The Big Goodbye' @ Gulf Coast State College
07:30pm	Roller Derby @ Skate Factory
Sunday, February 26
All Day Event	Panama City Strawberry Music Fest @ Bay County Fairgrounds - Central Panhandle Fair
All Day Event	Gulf Coast Beach Collegiate Fastpitch Classic @ Frank Brown Park
08:00am - 05:00pm	Spring Training at the Beach Baseball Tournament @
02:00pm	Almost Maine @ Kaleidoscope Theatre
02:00pm	GCSC Theatre Presents 'The Big Goodbye' @ Gulf Coast State College
04:00pm	Rigoletto @ Panama City Marina Civic Center
06:00pm	Meaning of Life in Movies: Release Party @ CityArts Cooperative
09:00pm	Party With A Purpose: Grown n Sexy Dance @ Bay Banquet Hall
Monday, February 27
09:00pm	Party With A Purpose: Grown n Sexy Dance @ Bay Banquet Hall
06:30pm - 09:00pm	Boating Skills and Seamanship Advanced Training Class @
07:00pm	My Life On Enconfina Creek @ Bay County Public Library
Tuesday, February 28
08:00am - 05:00pm	Kids Art Lessons @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Paint Your Art Out @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
06:30pm	A Night in New Orleans @ Black Angus
Wednesday, February 29
10:00am	Author Barbara Nowell Book Signing @
10:00am	Watercolor, Drawing and Painting @ CityArts Cooperative
05:30pm	Noah's Ark Community Gathering @ Noah's Ark Christian Retreat
Thursday, March 01
12:30pm	Dr. Michael Shermer, Skeptic magazine @ Gulf Coast State College
01:00pm - 06:00pm	Arab-esque on Exhibit @ CityArts Cooperative
01:00pm - 06:00pm	Artists in Action @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Community Pillars @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Paint Your Art Out @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
06:30pm - 09:00pm	Boating Skills and Seamanship Advanced Training Class @
06:30pm - 08:30pm	Figure Drawing @ CityArts Cooperative
06:45pm - 07:45pm	Beginner Belly Dance @ CityArts Cooperative
Friday, March 02
All Day Event	Phar Fletcher @ Schooners
All Day Event	6th Annual Archaeology Fair @ Bay County Public Library
09:00am - 01:30pm	Acrylic Painting Workshop: Jennifer Bonaventura @ Gulf Coast State College
10:15am	Drawing and Painting Classes @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
01:00pm - 06:00pm	Free Art Fridays @ CityArts Cooperative
04:30pm - 07:00pm	Wine Tasting @ Somethin's Cookin'
05:00pm - 08:30pm	'Lead By Example' Art Exhibit, Meet the Artist @ Main Street Gallery of Art
06:00pm - 10:00pm	Friday Fest @ Downtown Panama City
07:00pm - 10:00pm	Seaside Half-Marathon and 5K Pre-Party @ Alys Beach
07:30pm	Blip: Blues and Lindy in the Panhandle @ CityArts Cooperative
Saturday, March 03
All Day Event	Phar Fletcher @ Schooners
All Day Event	6th Annual Archaeology Fair @ Bay County Public Library
All Day Event	30A Wine Festival @ Alys Beach
08:30am - 04:30pm	About Boating Safely Boating Class @ Treasure Island Marina
09:00am - 03:00pm	Spring Fling @ Panama City Beach Senior Center
10:15am	Drawing and Painting Classes @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
11:00am - 08:30pm	Shells and Tales / Ales and Tales @
12:00pm - 09:00pm	Best of Beach Art Show and Dance with the Cats @ Panama City Beach Senior Center
07:30pm	Swan Lake @ Panama City Marina Civic Center
Sunday, March 04
All Day Event	30A Wine Festival @ Alys Beach
03:00pm	Local singers/songwriters @ Martin Theatre
06:00pm	Music at St. Andrew @
Monday, March 05
06:30pm - 09:00pm	Boating Skills and Seamanship Advanced Training Class @
Tuesday, March 06
08:00am - 05:00pm	Kids Art Lessons @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Paint Your Art Out @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
07:30pm	Cinema Under the Stars: Kung Fu Panda 2 @ Alys Beach
Wednesday, March 07
10:00am	Watercolor, Drawing and Painting @ CityArts Cooperative
01:00pm - 04:00pm	Drawing Basics of Faces and Figures @
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Forrest Williams Band @ Alys Beach
Thursday, March 08
01:00pm - 06:00pm	Artists in Action @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Community Pillars @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 10:00pm	Hogs and Grogs @ Downtown Panama City
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Paint Your Art Out @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
06:30pm - 09:00pm	Boating Skills and Seamanship Advanced Training Class @
06:30pm - 08:30pm	Figure Drawing @ CityArts Cooperative
06:45pm - 07:45pm	Beginner Belly Dance @ CityArts Cooperative
09:00pm	The Crackers of Comedy Tour @ A&M Theatre
Friday, March 09
All Day Event	Gulf Coast Home and Garden Expo @ Bay County Fairgrounds - Central Panhandle Fair
09:30am - 11:30am	Exploring Drawing: Jennifer Bonaventura @
01:00pm - 06:00pm	Free Art Fridays @ CityArts Cooperative
07:30pm	Blip: Blues and Lindy in the Panhandle @ CityArts Cooperative
07:30pm	Chas Sandford @ Martin Theatre
Saturday, March 10
All Day Event	Gulf Coast Home and Garden Expo @ Bay County Fairgrounds - Central Panhandle Fair
07:30am	Girl Scouts Birthday 5K and 1-mile @
09:00am	Art Workshop @ CityArts Cooperative
10:00am - 04:00pm	Highland Games and Scottish Festival @ Grace Presbyterian Church
10:15am	Drawing and Painting Classes @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
06:30pm	Gay Film Night @ CityArts Cooperative
07:00pm - 11:00pm	Luck of the Irish Dance @ Panama City Beach Senior Center
Sunday, March 11
All Day Event	Gulf Coast Home and Garden Expo @ Bay County Fairgrounds - Central Panhandle Fair
Monday, March 12
06:30pm - 09:00pm	Boating Skills and Seamanship Advanced Training Class @
07:00pm	Audubon Society: Lake Powell, Bay County Gem @ Panama City Garden Club
Tuesday, March 13
All Day Event	Luke Bryan @ Spinnaker Beach Club & Paradise Grill
08:00am - 05:00pm	Kids Art Lessons @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Paint Your Art Out @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
06:30pm	Essentially Ellington @ Black Angus
Wednesday, March 14
All Day Event	Luke Bryan @ Spinnaker Beach Club & Paradise Grill
10:00am	Watercolor, Drawing and Painting @ CityArts Cooperative
Thursday, March 15
01:00pm - 06:00pm	Artists in Action @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Community Pillars @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Paint Your Art Out @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
06:30pm - 09:00pm	Boating Skills and Seamanship Advanced Training Class @
06:30pm - 08:30pm	Figure Drawing @ CityArts Cooperative
06:45pm - 07:45pm	Beginner Belly Dance @ CityArts Cooperative
07:00pm	Little Black Dress @ Boatyard
Friday, March 16
01:00pm - 06:00pm	Free Art Fridays @ CityArts Cooperative
04:30pm - 07:00pm	Wine Tasting @ Somethin's Cookin'
07:30pm	Blip: Blues and Lindy in the Panhandle @ CityArts Cooperative
07:30pm	The Nerd @ Kaleidoscope Theatre
Saturday, March 17
10:15am	Drawing and Painting Classes @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
04:00pm - 06:00pm	Meet the Artists: Arab-esque @ CityArts Cooperative
07:30pm	Classical and Celtic @ Panama City Marina Civic Center
07:30pm	The Nerd @ Kaleidoscope Theatre
Sunday, March 18
02:00pm	The Nerd @ Kaleidoscope Theatre
Monday, March 19
06:30pm - 09:00pm	Boating Skills and Seamanship Advanced Training Class @
Tuesday, March 20
08:00am - 05:00pm	Kids Art Lessons @ CityArts Cooperative
08:00am - 05:00pm	Panama City Artists Program @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Paint Your Art Out @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
Wednesday, March 21
10:00am	Watercolor, Drawing and Painting @ CityArts Cooperative
Thursday, March 22
01:00pm - 06:00pm	Artists in Action @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Community Pillars @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 08:00pm	Paint Your Art Out @ Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
06:30pm - 09:00pm	Boating Skills and Seamanship Advanced Training Class @
06:30pm - 08:30pm	Figure Drawing @ CityArts Cooperative
06:45pm - 07:45pm	Beginner Belly Dance @ CityArts Cooperative
Friday, March 23
01:00pm - 06:00pm	Free Art Fridays @ CityArts Cooperative
06:00pm - 09:00pm	Chautauqua Wine Tasting @ Downtown Panama City
07:30pm	Blip: Blues and Lindy in the Panhandle @ CityArts Cooperative
07:30pm	The Nerd @ Kaleidoscope Theatre