SWCC Back to Nature Festival. Oct 16-18 [video and schedule added]

**Teresa** · 09-04-2009, 03:43 PM

SWCC Back to Nature Festival
Oct 16-18

The beaches, forests, and waterways of Beaches of South Walton are the setting for the 8th annual South Walton Community Council Back to Nature Festival to be held October 16, 17 & 18.

“The South Walton Community Council (SWCC) hosts the festival to inspire people to join us in our mission to preserve and protect the extraordinary natural resources of our area,” said Chandra Hartman, program chair of this year’s event. “Our diversity extends far beyond the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico to include the Choctawhatchee River and Bay, several rare coastal dune lakes, a state forest full of trails, and four unique state parks.”

During the weekend, there will be a variety of programs offered, allowing participants to experience the many unique natural aspects of Beaches of South Walton.

Programs include:

Kayak along the calm waters of a coastal dune lake and experience the wonder of this rare ecosystem found in only two other places in the world.
Learn about mole crabs, beach mice, and other elements of beach ecology at Grayton Beach State Park—ranked as one of the best beaches in America.
See how history and nature blend at Coffeen Nature Preserve--a beachfront facility in Destin where rockets were tested during World War II.
Honor the sunrise with an early morning yoga/meditation session on the beach.
Take a river tour and learn about the flora, fauna, and early residents who lived along the Choctawhatchee River.
Learn the history of the town of Grayton Beach or Historic Point Washington on a walking tour led by a long-time resident who will share stories about the eccentricities and experiences of life at the beach in another era.
View wildlife in its natural habitat without leaving your kayak, as you explore underwater environments of a dune lake from a clear bottomed boat.
Take a hike through Point Washington forest with a naturalist to identify the wildflowers that bloom in the fall.
Explore the world of the Florida Alligator at Topsail State Park.
Try yolo boarding!
Take a bird walk with Nonie of Nonie's Ark
Join the Historic Pt Washington walking tour and walk about to historic sites, homes and local cemetaries.
Walk along the shores of Deer Lake State Park, a rare gem of the Emerald Coast with its undisturbed dunes, swaying oats, and shore birds.

Each event is led by local experts who guide participants and help them understand the ecology and special features of local natural and historic areas. Check back for event details and schedule.

SWCC

**Teresa** · 09-05-2009, 11:45 AM

8th Annual Back to Nature Festival
2009 Schedule of Events

Friday Night
7:00 – Welcome Night at Bud & Alley’s

Saturday
6:45 Sunrise meditation with Jimmi wZ
7:00 Deer Lake Shorebird & Beach Walk
9:00 Choctawhatchee River Safari
9:00 A Longleaf Hike through Point Washington State Forest
9:00 Tracking the Wild Critters
10:00-4:00 Family Fun Day
12:00 Choctawhatchee River Safari
1:00 Fall Wildflowers and Forest Ecology
3:30 Shoreline Planting at Cessna
4:00 Labyrinth in the Sand
6:00 until Camp Fire

Sunday
6:30 Sunrise meditation with Jimmi wZ
10:00 Yolo boarding
11:00 Western Lake Kayak
11:00 Coffeen Nature Preserve Hike
2:00 Coffeen Nature Preserve Hike
2:00 Historic Pt. Washington Walking Tour
4:30 Hogtown Bayou Sunset Paddle
5:45 Gator Watch at Topsail State Park

above schedule just released by SWCC. go to the SWCC website for event descriptions.

**kurt** · 09-20-2009, 09:18 AM

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHFUWogVQdI"]YouTube - dimensions: 2008 Back to Nature Festival[/ame]

**Douglas the Intrepid** · 09-20-2009, 09:40 AM

I originally read this as SWGB's Back to Nature Festival! lol! Now THAT would be an event I am sure...

**Jdarg** · 09-21-2009, 09:09 AM

The Family Fun Fest was so much fun last year! I wonder if Rep Comic is up for a sack race while wearing a pumpkin head re-match this year?

**Teresa** · 09-21-2009, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by Douglas the Intrepid

I originally read this as SWGB's Back to Nature Festival! lol! Now THAT would be an event I am sure...

you may have something there!

**kurt** · 09-26-2009, 04:39 PM

Back to Nature Festival Features Family Fun Day

Santa Rosa Beach, FL – October 1, 2009

Fall is the perfect time of year for the South Walton Community Council’s Back to Nature Festival. Held the weekend of October 16-18, the festival will be filled with activities that celebrate the natural beauty of South Walton County.

Created especially with kids in mind, The Family Fun Day event will be held again this year, on Oct. 17, from 10 am – 4 pm at the Seaside Amphitheater. Entry is free.

Interested in conservation, gardening, and education? Come see what local individuals and organizations are doing to protect our natural communities. Learn about the mission and educational outreach of the South Walton Community Council and register for Back to Nature events. Arix Zalace will share the importance of using turtle flashlight stickers on night beach walks. Discover the importance of honeybees with Clear Creek Farms. John Kratt will be on hand to offer naturally grown heirloom vegetable plants and discuss best growing practices for our region. Find out what the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, IFAS-Sea Grant Marine Science, the Surfriders Foundation, and the Master Gardeners do. They will have a variety of touch tanks, displays, and information. Nonie’s Ark will be present from 2:00-4:00 pm with her wonderful collection of animals and abundant knowledge of biodiversity. Be sure to visit the Seaside Neighborhood School’s edible Corner Garden located next to the Lyceum.

Interested in healthy living and good food that’s good for you? Visit the Seaside Farmer’s Market vendors and other local food establishments. Raw & Juicy will be offering organic fruit and vegetable juices and other raw foods for purchase. You’ll have an opportunity to talk to Jen about the benefits of eating raw foods. If locally made, seasonal preserves or certified organic and free-range eggs are your passion, Twin Oak Farms can help fill your reusable shopping bag. For coffee lovers, Amavida will offer samples of their freshly roasted, fair trade and organic coffees and for the kids, custom fair trade T-shirts. Pie in the Sky will offer up yummy gluten-free baked goods. Tamales, free-range beef jerky, or watermelon candy anyone? Bare Your Sole will be serving these tasty treats. “Bee” sure to pick up some local honey from Clear Creek Farms. Moonlight Micro-Farm and Susan Horn of Artisan will bring curious and informative samplings of sprouts, seeds, foraging foods, herbal teas, fermented foods, and solar oven fare. Stay clean and smelling sweet naturally with soaps and lotions made by the Soap Peddler. Artesano Jewels brings handcrafted jewelry made from natural materials from Peru, and be sure to check out Emily Gibson’s handcrafted hemp jewelry.

For healthy living, both you and your dog can get a relaxing massage with licensed massage therapists Shannon Faulk and James Vonderheide. Also offering Thai foot reflexology and gift certificates. Author of “Wellness Wisdom” and founder of Healing Path, Alice McCall will be giving free talks throughout the day on natural health and healing. Susanne Morrone educator and creator of Natural Health Chat will discuss the benefits of living whole foods, herbs, and plants.

Interested in learning ways to reduce your impact on the planet? The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Stalwart Homes are knowledgeable, local sources for information about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and green building. They will have information available on how we can all incorporate green practices into our lives and homes. Arix Zalace will display his live worm farm and educate on the importance of vermiculture. Learn about biodiesel with Tim Dutrow.

Interested in art, music, and fun activities to do with the kid’s? From 10:00 am to 1:00 pm enjoy streaming live DJ music from 30A Radio, our community radio station. Kari Dokken will charm us with her sweet vocals, and James Wisniewski will engage the audience with flutes and other musical instruments from around the world. From 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm, America's Caribbean Jam Band,Coconut Radio will be performing live at the amphitheater for an afternoon of acoustic deliciousness. Mary Derricotte brings popular face painting and hair wraps back to the event. Stop by the Recycled Art Co. booth for kids crafts made from recycled materials. Book an art party with Abrakadoodle and create fun and educational art projects. Visit the Roots, Rocks, and Rainbows booth by PermaKat and local home schoolers for a puppet show and information about permaculture (permanent culture + agriculture.) Get your hoop groove on with Chandra, Jordan, and Rachel, who will be sharing hoola hooping basics throughout the afternoon. Potato sack races and lots of other spontaneous and fun activities will abound.

Please join us in making this a fun event and showing support for the SWCC and the work they do for our natural and human communities. The SWCC will also be accepting registrations to other Back to Nature events during the Family Fun Day. Family Fun Day is sponsored by the SWCC, the Merchants of Seaside, and the Seaside Farmers Market vendors. For more information about the Family Fun Day event, please contact Chandra Hartman at 850-534-4488 or chandra@cfhdesignstudio.com. For more information about the Back to Nature Festival, please contact SWCC at www.southwaltoncc.org or 850-314-3749. For accommodations, please contact the Seaside Cottage Rental Agency at www.cottagerentalagency.com or 866-966-4365. The Back to Nature Festival is part of Autumn Tides, a series of fall events held in Beaches of South Walton. To learn more visit, www.beachesofsouthwalton.com.

**kurt** · 10-09-2009, 02:24 PM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 7:00 P.M. ---OPENING NIGHT OF THE BACK TO NATURE FESTIVAL FEATURES SEASIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL MUSICIAN AND INSTRUCTOR, JIMMY WARD, AT BUD AND ALLEY’S RESTAURANT --FREE

Santa Rosa Beach, FL – October 16,2009

All are invited to attend the opening celebration of the 8th annual Back to Nature Festival at 7 p.m., Friday October 16, in the herb garden behind Bud and Alley’s restaurant in Seaside. Enjoy fabulous food and a cash bar. Take the opportunity to register for events. Meet event leaders and fellow participants. Enjoy live music by Jimmy Ward. FREE.

Jimmy teaches music at the Seaside Neighborhood School. “Over the years, Mr. Ward's singing and playing have entertained audiences in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Reno, Key West and New York. He has opened for Dave Brubeck, Jean-Luc Ponty, George Benson, Larry Graham, Dennis Hooten, Gary Burton and other notables. Today, Jimmy's guitar and vocal stylings rejuvenate listeners in venues throughout the southeast.“

**Chandra** · 10-13-2009, 02:43 PM

A big thanks to Kurt & Tootsie for keeping the forum up to date with Back to Nature information!

We added a new event this year, just for kids - Surf School!

Please see below.

Blue Mountain Surf, Inc. is proud to announce that "Surf School" will be in session as a part of this years "Back To Nature Festival"!
Surf School is a beachside educational program for children ages 6 to 12.
Surf School will provide Surfing Instruction and hands on education regarding: *Water Safety*Ecology*Science*Art*Craftmanship* and more!

Class size: limited to 12 students. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!

The Surf School program is open to boys and girls who are good swimmers and love the beach. Designed to be way more than just a surfing lesson, your child will learn how waves are formed, what turtles eat, how to spot a rip-current and more�.all while having a blast at the beach ! The curriculum for each subject has been specifically created for SURF SCHOOL. The primary goals of SURF SCHOOL are to:

Introduce children to the healthy and confidence inspiring sport of surfing.

Foster a sense of personal stewardship regarding beach and marine resource management.

Provide a safe and exciting opportunity for learning and creative expression.

Explore the broad range of occupations and academic interests related to surfing, beach management, and the coastal community.

Introduce aspects of historical, as well as, modern-day surf culture.

Promote friendly, environmentally responsible, coastal community living.

To see videos, pictures, and learn more about the Blue Mountain Surf School visit www.BlueMountainSurf.com

**carmen** · 10-14-2009, 09:59 PM

Hello all. Just returned from a Back to Nature planning committee meeting and want to encourage you to sign up for activities for the coming weekend. Please read through the
posts on this thread for information and then go to the SWCC website to sign up. And please join us at Bud and Alley's herb garden on Friday night for music and information about the events. SWCC has done an amazing job of protecting the environment in Walton County, and these events educate and celebrate the resources we have here.

**Teresa** · 10-15-2009, 11:38 AM

Opening night of the Back to Nature Festival at Bud & Alley'sFriday Oct 16
7pm

Fabulous food and cash bar
Live music

details from SWCC:

All are invited to attend the opening celebration of the 8th annual Back to Nature Festival at 7 p.m., Friday October 16, in the herb garden behind Bud and Alley�s restaurant in Seaside. Enjoy fabulous food and a cash bar. Take the opportunity to register for events. Meet event leaders and fellow participants. Enjoy live music by Jimmy Ward. FREE.

Jimmy teaches music at the Seaside Neighborhood School. �Over the years, Mr. Ward's singing and playing have entertained audiences in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Reno, Key West and New York. He has opened for Dave Brubeck, Jean-Luc Ponty, George Benson, Larry Graham, Dennis Hooten, Gary Burton and other notables. Today, Jimmy's guitar and vocal stylings rejuvenate listeners in venues throughout the southeast.�

For more information about the Back to Nature Festival, please contact SWCC at www.southwaltoncc.org or 850-314-3749.

**Chandra** · 10-17-2009, 06:53 AM

Thanks to all for coming out and joining us at Bud & Alley's last night. We had a big crowd, wonderful food, and great music by Jimmy Ward. If anyone would like to sign up, we still have several events that are not full. You can sign-up online, sign-up at our booth at Family Fun Day, or meet at the location of the event.

Please come out TODAY for Family Fun Day at the Seaside amphitheater from 10-4 p.m. We will have live music all day starting with James Wisniewski (Jimmi wz), Kari Dokken, and Coconut Radio. Lots and lots of fun activities, farmers market vendors, and other nature related infotainment.

See you there!!

Chandra