The Market Shops will host its Eighth Annual Bloody Mary Festival, benefiting Habitat for Humanity – Walton County, on Saturday, October 14. The annual event, powered by Step One Automotive Group, will feature unlimited tastes of South Walton’s most creative and innovative bloody marys, made with Distillery 98’s Dune Laker Vodka, served by the finest establishments along the Emerald Coast.
For a $60 donation to attend, guests are invited from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enjoy up to 20 of the area’s most coveted bloody marys served in specialty cups provided by Compass Builders of Florida. Restaurants confirmed to compete for the 2023 title of “Best Bloody Mary in South Walton” include Auston’s on 98, The Beach House, Big Bad Breakfast, Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer, Camille’s at Crystal Beach, Chanticleer Eatery, Chef’s Bistro 30A, Chiringo, Faber/Slick Mick’s, The Henderson, Louis Louis, Marina Café, Outcast Bar and Grill, Ovide, The Red Bar, Ruby Slipper Café, Signature Catering of 30A, Soleil, and more. There will be a highly coveted first-, second-, and third-place People’s Choice Award that is chosen by each guest in attendance, with votes tallied by Hill Coleman, CPA. A panel of food critics and local celebrities will judge each bloody mary to select the winners for the most delicious and most creative. Each bloody mary will also be scored on their creative toppings for the “Best Bloody Accoutrement” award. Awards will be handmade by local artist, Maxine Orange.
Apart from the bloody marys, there will be plenty of food from the various restaurants located directly in The Market Shops, including Ben and Jerry’s, Chicago Hot Dogs, Hunter’s Chicken and Burgers, Maple Street Biscuit Company, Parlor Doughnuts, Pizza by the Sea, and Tuscany Italian Bistro, along with shopping opportunities from Fit2Run, the Runner’s Superstore and Escapology.
For the non-bloody mary aficionado, local craft brews will flow from Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, along with spiked seltzer by Palm Folly. Prosecco, provided by Gulf Water Wines, will also be poured from the Bubbly Bar courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, and the Hyatt Place by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard. Guests can cool off at the hydration station provided by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty. Ascension Sacred Heart Primary Care will also be serving non-alcoholic beverages for guests to enjoy. A lounge area with additional seating and cornhole games provided by Vacayzen will be set up on the main lawn, along with SEC football streaming on the big screen, courtesy of Abora Insurance Group.
While sipping bloody marys, guests can enjoy an interactive photo booth courtesy of Legendary Marine, music by DJ Dad, a custom trucker hat bar by Hawley 30A, and a cigar bar by Shore Thing Cigars. Headlining the event will be a live performance from the local 80’s rock band, Catalyst.
Parking will be available at The Market Shops on the day of the festival but is expected to fill up fast. There will be additional parking available at The Beach House located on the south side of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and a complimentary shuttle, provided by Emerald Coast Luxury Transportation, will travel to and from the festival from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“The 8th Bloody Mary festival will be our biggest and best, and we’re proud to host,” said Bob Duncan, managing partner of The Market Shops. “Come join the fun and help support the awesome work of Habitat for Humanity – Walton County.”
For guests traveling from out of town, there will be special room rates available by the festival’s official lodging sponsors including the Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, The Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, and The Hyatt Place Sandestin. Visit www.themarketshops.com for more details.
Tickets are currently on sale through Eventbrite for the pre-sale price of $60 or can be purchased the day of the event at the door for $75. To learn more about The Market Shops Bloody Mary Festival and to buy tickets, visit www.themarketshops.com. If you would like to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity – Walton County on the day of the event, please email volunteer@waltoncountyhabitat.org.
Over the past seven years, the annual event has raised over $120,000 for local charities. Money raised during the eighth annual event will benefit Habitat for Humanity – Walton County, a local nonprofit housing organization that works toward building and improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live.
“We are grateful for The Market Shops’ continued support in helping us make a permanent impact in our local community,” said Teresa Jones, executive director of Habitat for Humanity – Walton County. “This funding will help us accomplish a record year by building six houses for deserving families!”
Special thanks to additional sponsors including 30A, 30AEats, 30A Television, 30A Beach Guide, 850 Magazine, Beachworx, Blush Boutique, Brenna Kneiss Photography, Coast 93.3, Coastal Luxury Magazine, Emerald Coast Magazine, Faces Pensacola, Good Grit Agency, Good Grit Magazine, Gulf Coast Food and Wine, Gulf Coast Restaurants, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, Life Media Group, Mingle, Proffitt PR, Resort Resale, Scarlett Magazine, SoWal.com, Tallahassee Magazine, VIP 30A Magazine, VIP Destin Magazine, Visit South Walton, and Z96.