The Market Shops Ninth Annual Bloody Mary Festival, powered by Step One Automotive Group, was held on Saturday, October 12 and raised $37,600 for Habitat for Humanity – Walton County.
The shopping center was transformed into a bustling festival ground to host over 800 attendees and a variety of local vendors. Festive tomato-themed balloon décor, courtesy of Mingle and the Good Grit Agency, greeted guests as they entered The Market Shops courtyard and grand lawn, each full of restaurants, vendors, and merchants from the shopping center. Event goers made their way around the tents sampling each Bloody Mary, complete with over-the-top accoutrements, and served in specialty cups sponsored by Compass Builders of Florida.
The sold-out event showcased 14 of the finest restaurants and bars on the Emerald Coast, each serving unlimited tastes of their most creative, original bloody marys made with Distillery 98’s Half Shell Vodka. Participating restaurants included The Beach House, Big Bad Breakfast, Bitterroot, Chanticleer Eatery, Down Island Gulf Seafood Restaurant, Emeril’s Coastal Italian, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, The Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa, Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi, Louis Louis, Mozey’s Mobile Catering and Cuisine, Ovide, The Red Bar, The Ruby Slipper Café, and Soleil.
Upon check-in, guests received a token to vote for the coveted People’s Choice Awards for the “Best Bloody Mary.” At the end of the event, votes were tabulated by Hill Coleman, CPA and the following local restaurants were chosen as the winners:
1st Place People’s Choice Award – Down Island Gulf Seafood Restaurant
2nd Place People’s Choice Award – The Red Bar and Louis Louis
3rd Place People’s Choice Award – Jackacuda’s seafood and Sushi,
A panel of select food critics and regional media also judged each Bloody Mary and selected the following winner as the most delicious and most creative. Along with their pick for the “Best Accoutrement” award.
Judge’s Choice Award – The Red Bar and Louis Louis
Best Accoutrement – Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi
All awards were custom made by local artist, Maxine Orange.
In addition to the Bloody Marys, guests sipped on local craft brews served by Idyll Hounds Brewing Company, sponsored by Foil + Pin Parlour, along with spiked seltzer from Palm Folly and champagne from Good Clean Wine at the Bubbly Bar, courtesy of Courtyard by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, Hyatt Place Sandestin at Grand Boulevard, and Residence Inn by Marriott Sandestin at Grand Boulevard. There was also a Hydration Station serving cold water throughout the afternoon, courtesy of BankPlus.
Guests also had the opportunity to enjoy numerous food options throughout the festival from the various restaurants located directly within The Market Shops, including Ben & Jerrys, Jon Smith Subs, Parlor Doughnuts, Pizza by the Sea, and Tuscany Italian Bistro. There were also shopping opportunities on the lawn, courtesy of Fit2Run, Foil + Pin Parlour, Krewe Eyewear, and Naples Soap Company, as well as vendor booths from Escapology and Edward Jones.
The Grand Lawn was transformed into the ultimate tailgating experience, courtesy of Vacayzen and Shofar Productions, with lounge seating and a jumbo screen live-streaming college football. Throughout the event, guests sampled cigars from Shore Thing Cigars, took photos in the interactive photobooth sponsored by Legendary Marine, and danced to 80’s rock band, Catalyst, on the main stage, sponsored by The Market Shops and DJ Dad in the courtyard, sponsored by DR Horton.
“The Market Shops is honored to host this unique and fun-filled event that brings together local businesses and neighbors and contributes to the mission of Habitat for Humanity in Walton County,” said Bob Duncan, managing partner of The Market Shops.
Since its inception, The Market Shops Bloody Mary Festival has raised over $241,000 for various local charities. For the past seven years, Habitat for Humanity – Walton County has been the beneficiary of the annual event. The money raised through ticket sales, donations, and sponsorship from this year’s festival will go directly toward Habitat for Humanity – Walton County’s efforts to build and provide homes for working families in the area.
“We are proud to be the benefactor of such an amazing event,” said Teresa Jones, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Walton County. “All of the proceeds will directly go to helping us build homes for hard working families that live and work right here in our community.”
The Market Shops would like to thank all of the volunteers from Habitat for Humanity as well as the additional sponsors who helped make this event possible, including 30A, 30AEats, 30A Girls Who Eat, 360 Blue, 850 Business Magazine, The 850 Foodie, BonHom, Bracken Law, Buffalo Rock, Cumulus Broadcasting, Destin the Beautiful, Emerald Coast Luxury Transportation, Emerald Coast Magazine, Frill Seekers Gifts, Good Grit Magazine, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, Hannah Martin of Coastal Luxury Real Estate, Life Media, Resort Resale, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Scarlett Magazine, The Scout Guide, SoWal.com, Tallahassee Magazine, To Do In Destin, UPS Santa Rosa Beach and Grand Boulevard, VIP 30A Magazine, VIP Destin Magazine, and Visit South Walton.