Fall in Love with Fun In Panama City Beach

Florida Destination Offers Bounty of Autumn Events 

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (July 21, 2009) – Want to savor Florida’s finest seafood, take in live concerts by the sea, view art exhibits or experiences the joys of hot rods and motorcycles? No matter how you like your fun, chances are good you’ll find it in Panama City Beach, Fla. (http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com).

Add to the mix the destination’s predictably sunny skies and 27 miles of pristine white-sand beaches, and you’ve got a glorious good time for all. Panama City Beach beckons every member of your family and their friends with this lineup of unique 2009 fall events:

-- Schooners' Lobsterfest (Fri. – Sun., Sept. 18 - 20) – The Annual Lobster Festival & Tournament makes good its claim of being Florida’s “biggest Three-Day Lobster Festival.” Now in its 20th year, this culinary extravaganza features huge, freshly caught lobsters prepared every mouth-watering way imaginable, and the Annual Schooners Sand Sculpting Contest. The event draws thousands of divers and lobster lovers from all over the Southeast. Awards and lobster feast take place Sun., Sept. 20. Proceeds from this year’s event go to the Children's Home Society of Florida and the Florida Aquatic & Marine Institute.

Location: Schooners' Beach Club, 5121 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach

-- Thunder Beach Autumn Motorcycle Rally (Thurs. – Sun. Sept. 24 - 27) – Known as "The Most Biker Friendly FREE Rally in the U.S.,” Thunder Beach draws as many as 65,000 bikers, vendors and exhibitors from around the country. The event promises full-throttle fun with scenic rides, great food, live music, contests, giveaways, vendor exhibitions and more. Parking and admission are free.

Location: Venues throughout Panama City Beach

-- Oktoberfest (Fri. – Sun, Oct. 2 - 4) - The Annual Oktoberfest transforms quaint downtown Panama City into a bustling German-style village. From accordion players to carnival rides and sausage eating contests, this Uber-Strassen-Fest has it all. Large food tents are concentrated near the bandstand. Food enthusiasts will be serenaded by local musicians of a variety of styles, so practice your polka. Oktoberfest offers plenty to keep the little ones busy, while the adults savor a huge selection of beer. Carnival rides, face-painting, clowns and other family activities are part of the fun. More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the event, from the ceremonial tapping of the kegs to the Oom-Pah-Pah band concerts.

Location: Grace Avenue, Panama City

-- Panama City Beach Seafood, Wine and Music Festival (Fri. – Sun., Oct. 9 - 11) – Take in Panama City Beach’s signature fall festival during the Columbus Day Weekend. This family-friendly event features top entertainment, including performances by country singer and “Dancing with the Stars”’ Julianne Hough, the legendary Styx, plus Grand Funk Railroad and John Anderson. Festival-goers will get a true taste of the Gulf Coast, savoring culinary treats as well as fine wines from around the world. You’ll discover how Panama City Beach earns its nickname – the “Seafood Capital of the South.”

Location: Frank Brown Park ,16200,Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach

-- Madonnaro 2009 (Fri. – Sun. Oct. 16 - 18) – Bravo! Pier Park proudly presents Madonnaro 2009, an Italian street painting festival. Sponsored by the Visual Arts Center, the event promises a full weekend of painting by amateur and professional artists. New this year, a special kids area will invite children to create their own masterpieces on the sidewalks of Pier Park, Northwest Florida’s largest shopping, dining and entertainment venue, located in the heart of Panama City Beach. 

Location: Pier Park, 600 Pier Park Drive, Panama City Beach

-- Jazz by the Bay Festival (Fri. – Sat., Oct. 16 - 17) – Take in a free, two-day jazz festival by the Gulf Jazz Society. The Ninth Annual Jazz-By-the-Bay Festival takes center stage in the historic St. Andrews section of Panama City. Noted jazz artists will regale with a full range of styles, including mainstream, classic, Dixieland, Latin and blues.

Location: Oaks-By-the-Bay Park, 10th and Beck Avenues, Historic St. Andrews

-- Taste of the Beach (Fri., Nov. 6) - Add taste and texture to your weekend getaway with this fabulous feast showcasing more than 300 wines and samplings from Pier Park restaurants. Wine and dine with top local restaurateurs and vintners from around the world. Cheers!

Location: Pier Park, 600 Pier Park Drive, Panama City Beach

-- Emerald Coast Cruizin’ Car Show (Mon. – Sat., Nov. 9 -14) - Bring your family and friends for a long weekend of all things automotive, with music, food and fun all in high gear. The South's Best Blast from the Past, Emerald Coast Cruizin’ attracts more than 3,000 classic cars, hot rods, custom cars and trucks to beautiful Panama City Beach.  This week-long family fun event features cool car displays, Cruizin’ for Cash, Night Cruizin’ and the MEGA Swap Meet, where you’ll find everything from hubcaps to headlights and unique auto accessories.

Location: Frank Brown Park, 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach

-- Holly Fair (Thurs. – Sun., Nov. 12 - 15) - One of the largest holiday events on the Gulf Coast, Holly Fair showcases live entertainment, scrumptious holiday treats and unique gifts and specialty items from merchants across the country. Voted “Best of the Bay,” the event offers something for everyone, from Christmas carols and decorations to incredible edibles and handcrafted gifts. This unique, four-day shopping extravaganza is hosted by The Junior Service League of Panama City, with proceeds going to local charities.

Location: Boardwalk Beach Resort, 9450 S. Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach

For more on fall happenings, visit http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/see/events/ or join the destination on Facebook or Twitter.com at PCBeach for up-to-the-minute event info.

About Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Me
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