MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (October 24, 2017) – The Market Shops, located at the entrance to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, hosted The Market Shops 3rd Annual Bloody Mary Festival benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Walton County on Saturday, October 7, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The third annual event featured unlimited tastes of the Emerald Coast’s most creative and innovative Bloody Marys made with Cathead Vodka and served by the finest restaurants and bars on the Panhandle.

Check Presentation Photo From L to R: Habitat for Humanity – Walton County’s Executive Director, Teresa Imdieke; Habitat for Humanity – Walton County’s Board Vice President, Jimmy Chambers; Proffitt PR President, Jessica Bracken and Proffitt PR Marketing Assistant, Lexi Willcoxon. (Photo by Mackenzie Amos)

Participating restaurants included 790 on the Gulf, Baytowne Provisions, Big Bad Breakfast, Bud & Alley’s Restaurant, Camille’s at Crystal Beach, Hog’s Breath, Louis Louis, LuLu’s Destin, Redd’s Fueling Station, Restaurant Paradis, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Shades Bar and Grill, Signature Catering of 30A, The Bistro at Courtyard Marriott, and The Henderson.

 

A limited number of VIP tickets were sold, which included valet parking by 30A Valet, a private VIP lounge sponsored by Emerald Coast Magazine outfitted with elevated bites, specialty cocktails, and large screen televisions streaming SEC football. Guests also enjoyed local food for purchase by Back Beach Barbecue, local craft brews from exclusive beer sponsor, Grayton Beer Company, a Bubbly Bar presented by Berkshire Hathaway HomeService PenFed Realty, Hydration Station by Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, live music by the Luke Langford Band, a commemorative photo booth with Epic Photo Co. sponsored by My Vacation Haven, special shopping options from the merchants of The Market Shops, and one vote for the People’s Choice Award for the Best Bloody Mary in South Walton.

 

A panel of select food critics and local celebrities judged each Bloody Mary and selected the following winners for the most delicious and most creative:

Winners line up! From L to R: People’s Choice Winner: LuLu’s Destin; 1st Place Judge’s Award: The Henderson; 2nd Place Judge’s Award: Restaurant Paradis and 3rd Place Judge’s Award: Signature Catering of 30A. (Photo by Land • Air • Sea Productions)

1st Place Judge’s Award – The Henderson

2nd Place Judge’s Award - Restaurant Paradis

3rd Place Judge’s Award – Signature Catering of 30A

 

There was also a highly coveted People’s Choice Award which went to LuLu’s Destin. All awards were custom made by local artist, Velia Lala Fine Art and Design. Uber and the Sunshine Shuttle Company were on hand for safe rides home and guests were offered to make it a staycation by booking a discounted stay with our official lodging partners, Courtyard Marriott and Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa.

 

Special thanks to additional sponsors which include 8 Fifty Productions, 30A.com, 30AEats, 30A Television, Cathead Vodka, Eloquent Signs, Emerald Ladies Journal, Good Grit Magazine, Gulf Coast Restaurants, Hill Coleman CPA, Proffitt PR, SoWal.com, SoWal Life, VIP Destin Magazine, VIP Pensacola Magazine, and Visit South Walton.