A stage:
10:30- Blue Eclipse
11:10- Element 55
11:50- Storage 24
12:30- Aerias
1:10- Mid Summer Classic

B stage:
10:50- Steel Fading
11:30- Dead Ringers Guild
12:10- Red Hour
12:50- Shadow Life
1:30- Mara Dona

Weekend Wednesday is all about giving you an early start on the weekend. All the events and specials throughout the weekend all in one place and posted on hump day so you may plan accordingly. Below is enough fun to keep your weekend full and exciting.

Labor Day Weekend!

Weather Report

Friday, High 87 – 30% Chance of Rain

Saturday, High 88 – 30% Chance of Rain

Sunday, High 86 – 40% Chance of Rain

Thursday September 3rd 2009

Seaside Amphitheater – Central Square Cinema OUTDOOR movies – 7:30PM

Visual Arts Center – Faces and Facets photography contest

Edgewater Beach Resort – Grand Master Lee’s Battle at the Beach – Martial Arts Competition 6PM

Grand Lagoon Fireworks – Sunset

Margaritaville – Barry Fish Band LIVE

Spinnaker’s – OCEAN STREET LIVE Rock

Club La Vela – No Cover Til 12 & $2 You Pick Em Shots

Club Oxygen – Ladies Night – Ladies free til 12 $1 draft

Friday September 4th 2009

Friday Fest Downtown Panama City – Live Music, Great Shopping

Visual Arts Center – Faces and Facets photography contest

Edgewater Beach Resort – Grand Master Lee’s Battle at the Beach – Martial Arts Competition – Weapons Certification

SEASIDE – Summer’s Edge: Labor Day Weekend Celebration – Dread Clampitt LIVE 6-8PM

Coconuts – 5th Street Poker League 4pm – 8pm

Club Oxygen – Labor Day Party – No Cover 8-10PM, $2 Drinks 8-10PM – Element 55 & DJ Flyboy

Margaritaville – Lennie Jennings LIVE

Hofbrau Beer Garden – Free Beer Friday – Free Beer at 6 pm

Spinnaker’s – Red Carpet Friday -Walk The Red Carpet! Ladies 21+ FREE All Night. Free Champagne 10-12.

Club La Vela –  No Cover for Ladies 18+ til 12 PLUS Free Screwdrivers for Ladies 21+ til 11

Saturday September 5th 2009

Boardwalk Beach Resort – EVP Pro Volleyball Competition – All Day

Rosemary Beach - “Kids Rock The Block!” Party – 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Western Green “FREE”

Edgewater Beach Resort – Grand Master Lee’s Battle at the Beach – Martial Arts Competition ALL DAY

Club La Vela – Mrs. Club La Vela Bikini Contest 12:00

Coconuts – 4pm Happy Hour

SEASIDE – Summer’s Edge: Labor Day Weekend Celebration – Art Harris & the Z-Tones (6:00-8:00PM)

Margaritaville – Jason Grandy LIVE

Club La Vela – No Cover for Ladies 21+ til 12 PLUS Free Screwdrivers til 11

Club Oxygen – Labor Day Party – No Cover 8-10PM, $2 Drinks 8-10PM – Element 55 & DJ Flyboy

Hofbrau Beer Garden -Strong Man Contest

Sunday September 6th 2009

Boardwalk Beach Resort – EVP Pro Volleyball Competition – All Day

Shores of Panama – Lights n’ Luau Labor Day Celebration (Luau Buffet and Entertainment)

SEASIDE – Summer’s Edge: Labor Day Weekend Celebration -  Bedtime Stories (8:00PM)

Martin Theatre – MIMI AND THE HEARNDOGS LIVE (jazz/blues)

Margaritaville – Jason Grandy LIVE

Merchants of Rosemary Beach – Moonlight & Movies on the Western Green 8:15PM

Club La Vela – 11-5 Pool Party

Club La Vela –  No Cover for Ladies 18+ til 12 PLUS Free Screwdrivers for Ladies 21+ til 11

Club Oxygen – Labor Day Party – No Cover 8-10PM, $2 Drinks 8-10PM – Element 55 & DJ Flyboy

Spinnaker’s – Sindustry Sunday – All SIN & VIP & SUPER Cardholders get $2 Premium Drinks 11pm-close.

Our Suggestions:

The weather should hold up for Labor Day weekend and fun will be had by all. Families looking to get in on the festivities, take a day trip over to Rosemary Beach and Seaside. The Summer’s Edge Labor Day Weekend Celebration will be family fun for all ages with everything from music to movies to crafts for the kids in the Seaside Amphitheater.

For all you love-birds out there, head over to Shores of Panama “Light n’ Luau” Labor Celebration where the food with be tasty and when the sun goes down, the night will be filled with laid back good times.

Clubbers, Club Oxygen will be charged to go with DJ FlyBoy and Element 55 spinning out the best dance tracks. Club La Vela wil lbe hosting an exciting Ms. Club La Vela pageant and bikini contest that should be scintillating.

Have a happy Labor Day weekend everyone and remember if you want to add an event to Weekend Wednesday just email me cebo@toocreative.com

Weekend Wednesday is all about giving you an early start on the weekend. All the events and specials throughout the weekend all in one place and posted on hump day so you may plan accordingly. Below is enough fun to keep your weekend full and exciting.

Weather Report

Friday, High 87 -  40% Chance of Rain

Saturday, High 87 -  30% Chance of Rain

Sunday, High 86  – 40% Chance of Rain

August 27 – 30 Things To Do

Thursday August 27th 2009

Seaside Amphitheater – Central Square Cinema OUTDOOR movies – 7:30PM

Martin Theatre – Tenth Avenue North – LIVE

Grand Lagoon Fireworks – Sunset

Margaritaville – Chuck Lawson LIVE

Spinnaker’s – Latin Night w/ DJ Sabor

Club La Vela – No Cover Til 12 & $2 You Pick Em Shots

Club Oxygen – Ladies Night – Ladies free til 12 $1 draft

Friday August 28th 2009

Friday Fest Downtown Panama City – Live Music, Great Shopping

Visual Arts Center – Faces and Facets photography contest

Gaskin Park, Wewahitchka – Florida Catfish Classic

Coconuts – 5th Street Poker League 4pm – 8pm

Club Oxygen – Unforgiven – 2-4-1 Everything til 9

Marina Civic Center – Backstage Pass Concert Series: Cash Money - Jamericana

Margaritaville – Lennie Jennings LIVE

Hofbrau Beer Garden – Free Beer Friday – Free Beer at 6 pm

Spinnaker’s – Red Carpet Friday -Walk The Red Carpet! Ladies 21+ FREE All Night. Free Champagne 10-12.

Club La Vela – Ladies Night – No Cover for Ladies 18+ til 12 PLUS Free Screwdrivers for Ladies 21+ til 11

Saturday August 29th 2009

Coconuts – 4pm Happy Hour

Margaritaville – Jason Grandy LIVE

Club La Vela – Wrong Way LIVE – Tribute to SUBLIME

Hofbrau Beer Garden -Strong Man Contest

Sunday August 30th 2009

Martin Theatre – BLUE RIBBON HEALERS LIVE

Margaritaville – Beach Mice -  LIVE

Club La Vela – 11-5 Pool Party

Spinnaker’s – Sindustry Sunday – All SIN & VIP & SUPER Cardholders get $2 Premium Drinks 11pm-close.

Our Suggestions:

It’s going to be a great weekend on Panama City Beach. Families, if you are looking to get out Thursday night head across the inlet bridge to Seaside and enjoy the Central Square Cinema. Remember to bring your blankets, chairs and picnic baskets. All movies are G-rated classics the kids will love.

For all you love-birds out there, head to downtown Panama City and enjoy the Visual Arts Center’s Faces and Facets photography contest starting on Friday and going throughout the weekend. You’ll see some of the most amazing art Panama City and the local area has to offer. While walking downtown stop by “The Place”, a Panama City restaurant that has been around for years, and have a tasty lunch.

Clubbers, Club La Vela is hosting “Wrong Way” a Sublime tribute band. If you know anything about the legendary band Sublime, you know the music will be fantastic and the vibes relaxing and fun.

Have a happy weekend everyone and remember if you want to add an event to Weekend Wednesday just email me cebo@toocreative.com

Weekend Wednesday is all about giving you an early start on the weekend. All the events and specials throughout the weekend all in one place and posted on hump day so you may plan accordingly. Below is enough fun to keep your weekend full and exciting.

Weather Report

Friday, High 88 50% Chance of Rain

Saturday, High 88 40% Chance of Rain

Sunday, High 89 20% Chance of Rain

August 20-23 Things To Do

Thursday August 20th 2009

Pier Park Summer Concert Series: Geneva – 80′s Rock

Grand Lagoon Fireworks – Sunset

Pineapple Willy’s Pier Bar – The Movement – Reggae

Margaritaville – Chuck Lawson LIVE

Club La Vela – No Cover Til 12 & $2 You Pick Em Shots

Club Oxygen – Ladies Night – Ladies free til 12 $1 draft

Friday August 21th 2009

Friday Fest Downtown Panama City – Live Music, Great Shopping

Coconuts – Benefit for Michael Harris – 11 AM 50% of sales go to benefit injured volunteer

Coconuts – 5th Street Poker League 4pm – 8pm

Club Oxygen – Unforgiven – 2-4-1 Everything til 9

Marina Civic Center – Backstage Pass Concert Series: Isn’t It Romantic

Margaritaville – Lennie Jennings LIVE

Hofbrau Beer Garden – Free Beer Friday – Free Beer at 6 pm

Pineapple Willy’s Pier Bar – The Movement – Reggae

Spinnaker’s – Red Carpet Friday -Walk The Red Carpet! Ladies 21+ FREE All Night. Free Champagne 10-12.

Club La Vela – Ladies Night – No Cover for Ladies 18+ til 12 PLUS Free Screwdrivers for Ladies 21+ til 11

Saturday August 22th 2009

Club La Vela – Snatch w/ DJ Nesta

Coconuts – 4pm Happy Hour

Margaritaville – Jason Grandy LIVE

Pineapple Willy’s Pier Bar –The Movement – Reggae

Hofbrau Beer Garden -Strong Man Contest

Sunday August 23th 2009

Margaritaville – Dirty Livin’ LIVE

Club La Vela – 11-5 Pool Party

Our Suggestions:

It’s going to be a great weekend on Panama CIty Beach. Families looking for something fun to do, it will be a perfect weekend to hit Pier Park and spend the afternoon. Laser Craze and Maze is opened and ready for you to showcase your skills. Spend some time out on the newly finished pier and have dinner at Redbrick Pizza before a movie at the Grand.

For all you love-birds out there, Grand Lagoon fireworks begin Thursday night at sunset, which is a wonderfully romantic prelude to dinner at the Boatyard.

Clubbers, Red Carpet Friday at Spinnaker’s encourages you to dress to impress then walk the red carpet! Ladies 21+get in FREE all night. And just for showing up enjoy free champagne and Chocolate from 10-12.

Have a happy weekend everyone and remember if you want to add an event to Weekend Wednesday just email me cebo@toocreative.com

Weather Report

Things To Do

Thursday August 6th 2009

Pier Park Summer Concert Series: Beach Mice

Pineapple Willy’s Pier Bar – Biscuit Miller Band Live

Margaritaville – Chuck Lawson Live

Club La Vela – 80′s Night – No Cover 21+ 9-11

Club Oxygen – DJ Doc Roc – Ladies free til 12 $1 draft

Friday August 7th 2009

Hofbrau Beer Garden – Free Beer Friday – Free Beer at 6 pm

Pineapple Willy’s Pier Bar – Biscuit Miller Band Live

Marina Civic Center – Backstage Pass Summer Concert Series: Gulf Jazz Society

Visual Arts Center – In Search of Norman Rockwell’s America **LAST WEEKEND**

Club La Vela – Bikini Beach Bash – No Cover if wearing a Swimsuit

Saturday August 8th 2009

Panama City Downtown – Main Street Striders and Old-Fashioned Sidewalk Sale

Coconuts – UFC Fight/ Stuff the Truck -  Bring a food item for the needy as your cover

Pineapple Willy’s Pier Bar – Biscuit Miller Band Live

Hofbrau Beer Garden -Strong Man Contest

Spinnaker’s – Sex and The City Saturday – Ladies Free til 12

Sunday August 9th 2009

Spinnaker’s Afterburn Cantina

Our Suggestions:

A chance of rain all weekend, but should have lots of sunshine peeking through clouds. Families should get out this weekend by heading over to St. Andrew’s State Park, maybe grab some bikes and ride the tour or hitch a ride on the tour boat over to the island for some “getaway” fun.

For all you love-birds out there, Club La Vela’s 80′s night will be good fun and dancing like you’re Kevin Bacon in Footloose. Thursday night concert at Pier Park is the perfect way to watch the sun set.

Clubbers, who could pass up free beer at Hofbrau? Not me. And Spinnaker’s Sex and the City Saturday will be an event you don’t want to miss.

Have a happy weekend everyone and remember if you want to add an event to Weekend Wednesday just email me cebo@toocreative.com

Weather Report

Things to Do

Thursday

$30 on the 30th – Boost the economy by going out and spending $30.00. Discounts everywhere!

Pier Park Summer Concert Series: The Donnie Sundal Project

Friday

Club La Vela Live Concert – Ying Yang Twins –7PM

Club Oxygen – 2-4-1 Everything 7-9 – Ladies Drink FREE 10-1

Liza’s Kitchen – Cooking Class Inspired by the movie “Julia and Julia”

Marina Civic Center – Backstage Pass Summer Concert Series: Leading Edge

Visual Arts Center – In Search of Norman Rockwell’s America

Willy’s Pier Bar – JOEY GILMORE BAND Live in Concert

Spinnakers – Latin Night w/ DJ VLADI

Saturday

Club La Vela – The Frontier’s “Journey Tribute Band” Live Concert

Willy’s Pier Bar – JOEY GILMORE BAND Live in Concert

Betsy Ann Riverboat – Dockside Comedy Show

Spinnaker’s – Ladies Night – Free Cover

Sunday

Willy’s Pier Bar – JOEY GILMORE BAND Live in Concert

Our Suggestions

Possible rain expected: Family’s might want to try heading out to the Grande to catch a movie or over to RockIt Lanes for skating and bowling. For couples, this might be a perfect weekend for dinner on the Lady Anderson or a concert at Pineapple Willy’s Pier Bar. For you club-goers Club La Vela has two great concerts this weekend and Oxygen has two-for-one Friday night.

Best Drinks: Sharky’s Beach Bar
Do you know what the “Watermelon Crawl” is? If you don’t, you should. Sharky’s, located on Front Beach road, during the day is a relatively quiet seafood restaurant serving up  everything from mahi-mahi, shrimp, scallops, and even fresh Apalachicola Oysters. But when the sun goes down on Panama City Beach, and the live music kicks in, Sharky’s transforms into one of the most exciting bars on the beach and the drinks have a lot to do with it. The best drink, maybe in the entire universe, is the Watermelon drink. Basically, they cut a watermelon in half, hollow that thing out and fill it with enough liquor to take out a NFL football team. By the time you and your buds drink it up, you’ll be doing the Watermelon Crawl for the rest of the night.

Most Flirt-Encouraging: Sandpiper Beacon’s Tiki Bar
Sandpiper Beacon is a popular hotel on Panama City Beach known and loved for many reasons, but none more than its very tropical, highly-stimulating Tiki Bar. This Polynesian style oasis is perfect place to dance, drink and meet someone worth flirting with. In fact, once you descend the planks to a dance floor surrounded by bamboo, palm trees  and the sweet-salty smell of the gulf, you’ll believe you’re are the most desirable person in the place. They’ve got karoake, Lanakilas hula and Samoan fire knife dancers that make you feel like you’re on some tropical island where inhibitions abscond with the ocean. You’ll definitely want to flirt, but it may surprise you how many people will flirt back.

No Nonsense: Ms. Newby’s
Sometimes you just want to go to a bar, have a drink with friends and avoid the crowds and the crazies. While some may be fine with going to a fancy martini bar or having a few drinks with dinner, most people want a real bar. That bar, at least as far as Panama City Beach is concerned, is Ms. Newby’s. What began as a liquor store has, over the years, transformed into PCB’s #1 good-times tavern. Bikers, breakers and locals all hanging out under one roof, that’s Ms. Newby’s. The drinks are hard, the music is good and the people police themselves. That’s about all you could ever ask for in a bar.

Most Exciting: Club Oxygen
New bars and clubs pop up on Panama City Beach all the time. Rarely do they have staying power as they become overwhelmed by the PCB nightlife staples that have drawn crowds for years. If a new bar or club can stay open, you know its legit. One such place that has proven itself to be not only legit, but can stomp with the big boys is Club Oxygen.  Located on Front Beach Road, this indoor/outdoor hotspot is putting a fresh new spin on Panama City Beach nightlife. The music is hot, the place is always packed and the vip lounge is consistently littered with famous people.

Craziest Antics: Coyote Ugly
You’ve seen the movie. You seen the girls dancing on bar tops and crowds screaming mad while some guy gets tequila poured down his throat. Well, while you may think that’s just movie magic, you’ve obviously never been to a real Coyote Ugly. Panama City Beach’s now infamous Coyote Ugly, located on Front Beach Road, is known for throwing down an insane party every night of the week. In fact, everything you saw in the movie is like a Disney version compared to what really happens on Panama City Beach. But don’t say we didn’t warn you; Coyote Ugly is one crazy good time.

Local Favorite: Spinnaker’s Beach Club
When locals want to get out and party and don’t want to be mobbed by the crowds, they head to one spot and that’s Spinnaker’s Beach Club. During the day it’s an amazing restaurant, serving up treats at the Paradise Grill or the beachside Cantina taco & tequila bar. At night it transforms into one of the most exciting club experiences in NW Florida. The Groove Room, The VIP Lounge and the Rock Arena provide enough room to get your dance on, the drinks are inexpensive and powerful and the atmosphere is all about having a good time.

Sportiest: Pineapple Willy’s Pier Bar
There are lots of places on the beach to watch the big game. Only one place lets you watch the big game on 360 degrees worth of HDTV, while serving up Fat Tuesday drinks. That place is Pineapple Willy’s Pier Bar. Known because of the adjacent restaurant, the Pier Bar is a recently opened component that is quietly taking over the sporting community on Panama City Beach. Not only are the all the games crisply displayed on huge televisions, but each table gets its own speaker box to make sure you hear the game you want to hear. While you’re team is crushing its opponent, you get to kick back and have bucket of BBQ ribs right on the gulf.

Top 10 Reasons to Vacation on Panama City Beach

10. Weather
Do you know the average temperature for Panama City Beach? No? 78°. That’s right, a magnificent 78°, which I’ll bet for some of you is warmer than your summer days. Early spring begins late January where you will find “snowbirds” (winter vacationers) walking the beach, tanning and building sandcastles. Summer temperatures are in full swing by April, warming the gulf enough for water sports and excellent fishing. And the Fall, my personal favorite, keeps the nights a cool 68 – 75° , perfect for seasonal outings and dinner cruises.

9. Ripley’s Believe or Not Museum
Who doesn’t love a good ol’ shrunken head? But after a while even tiny skulls get boring. Panama City Beach’s “Ripley’s” has an added feature that’s sure to liven things up. A 4-D movie zooms you deep into a mine cave and up into space. Its totally fun. What’s even more amazing is that they even have a booth that transforms human beings into hermit crabs. Okay, that last bit wasn’t entirely true…but you’re welcome to believe it anyway…OR NOT!

8. Club La Vela
If clubs are your thing, there’s no better place to dance and play than the “Largest Club in the US”. Club La Vela has several themed rooms, each with its own atmosphere, ambiance, feel, and audience. You’ll find Hip-Hop, and High-Energy dance fans in the Thunderdome, you’ll see techno-lovers and trendy people in the Underground, Nightgallery, and in Galaxy Club dancing to Break Beats, Progressive House, Chicago Hard House, and Jungle. They even have Live Rock, a Sportszone and a Foam room. You’ll think you’ve died and gone to super-club heaven.

7. Pompanos Restaurant
Whenever tourists approach a local and ask where they can get fresh, delicious seafood, almost unfailingly, the answer is Pompanos Restaurant. Everything about Pompano’s exudes laid back beach. Located at the entrance to Front Beach Road, from the palm frond ceiling fans to the nautical theme, Pompanos doesn’t miss a beat. Startlingly fresh seafood, skillfully cut sushi and an atmosphere so relaxed and tropical you’ll want to take off your shirt and shoes and kick back. But, please, do remain clothed.

6. St. Andrews State Park
Perennially on top 10 lists for America’s most beautiful beaches, St. Andrews State Park is absolutely breathtaking. And there’s a great deal more to the park than beach. Vacationers get into nature and enjoy alligator ponds, nature trails, shell island tours, camp grounds and some of the best fishing in town. There are few things better on Panama City Beach then spending an afternoon at St. Andrews State Park, renting a jet ski and a snorkel and truly having an adventure. You’ll see dolphins, alligators, all sorts of marine life…definitely worth being called “World’s Most Beautiful Beach”.

5. Gulf World Marine Park – Panama City Beach
Have you ever wanted to swim with a dolphin? No, not a rubber-floaty shaped like a dolphin, an actual “Flipper” underwater mammal? Would you like to? If you answered yes, the place for you is Gulf World Marine Park on Panama City Beach. They offer full access to dolphin habitats allowing you to get pulled by a dorsal fin or get a dolphin kiss. They also offer opportunities to be a trainer for a day and learn what its like to take care of these awesome animals. But that’s not all. Not only can you swim with the dolphins, but hang out with sea lions, parrots, alligators, sting rays, sharks, sea turtles, penguins, reptiles and even Elvis. Yep, you heard right, Elvis.

4. Willy’s Pier Bar a.k.a The Pier Bar at Pineapple Willy’s
Show of hands; how many people like food, music, sports and beach? Good, that’s everyone. P. Willy’s Pier Bar rocks, literally and figuratively. A new addition to the Pineapple Willy’s restaurant, Pier Bar is the ultimate after-hours spot. All the best blues bands, awesome food and drinks and a better view of the beach than you can get on a postcard. Not as rowdy as a club, Pier Bar has just the right blend of laid back and exciting to make for an awesome night out. Pineapple Willy’s Pier Bar also made the top 5 places to watch the game list.

3. Firefly – Panama City Beach Restaurant
Good food can be found in many places. Great food, however, cannot. You might’ve had a dream once where you thought you had great food. It wasn’t great food. You haven’t enjoyed truly great food until you’ve tasted Firefly’s Espresso-braised Free-range Texas Boar Shank. Firefly is one of the most elegant dining experiences on the beach. The food is upscale, the setting is intimate and you will not find a trendier place for Martini’s. Also try the Ahi Tuna with the soy-lime ginger sauce. You’ll swear off cooking for a week.

2. Pier Park – Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach’s recent and biggest addition is Pier Park, an outdoor mall and entertainment boardwalk. Tourists and locals alike absolutely love Pier Park. If not for the great stores, then for the state-of-the-art movie theater, or the most unique restaurants in all of NW Florida, or the outdoor amphitheater with live summer shows. It can be any of those things, but my guess is everyone loves it because of the choo-choo train. Who doesn’t love a choo-choo train? Pier Park stands alone complete with festivals, events, rallies and all sorts of cool stuff normal “malls” just don’t have. Not to mention it’s on the beach. Come to PCB and go to Pier Park. If you don’t go to Pier Park you haven’t really vacationed on Panama City Beach.

1. The Beach
Were you expecting anything else? Panama City’s Beach is the number one reason to vacation on Panama City Beach. Show us an all around better beach that doesn’t require a passport and a vacation guide named Reynard who, for some odd reason, prefers banana hammocks over board shorts. Panama City Beach is without rival in that category. Although world renowned for its Spring Break season, after the students have gone back to school, the beach transforms; gone are all the beer cans and Mardi gras beads and what remains is a quiet, sparkling paradise. PCB has a dedicated Tourist Development Council that puts a lot of money and care into making PCB an enjoyable, relaxing experience for vacationers.

These are our reasons…

What are yours?

The Concert is 18+

Advance Tickets on Sale for $35.00 Here

Club La Vela is located at 8813 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408

[mappress]

For more information call: (850) 235-1061
Website: www.clublavela.com
E-Mail: Kristin@clublavela.com

Chances are, if haven’t visited Panama City Beach in a few years, on your next visit you may not recognize the place. Repeat tourists have often told me stories of how they remembered Panama City Beach. They exalt places like the old Hangout and the fun their kids had at Miracle Strip—even long-graduated Spring Breakers and their tales of transforming our beach into Northwest Florida’s largest rave.

When cruising down the “Strip,” gone are the mom and pop hotels and random snowcone huts; gone are the giant chicken wire and plaster figures that towered over roadsides. Gone, even, is good ol’ Petticoat Junction (some of you may not remember that one).

Much has changed. In fact, since I was young, Panama City Beach is completely different. But, just because there aren’t as many goofy golfs (and I love goofy golf) doesn’t mean the beach’s changes are bad.

Note what many consider to be upgrades. In place of the mom and pop hotels and various “huts” are truly majestic condominiums. These stylish structures bring an under-appreciated elegance to the beachside. There are less small retail stores and more shopping plazas. The Miracle Strip amusement part is now a relic, the dome of the old Abominable Snowman ride still visible over the green fence, but its joy and laughter moved slightly westward to Pier Park. Some of the old bars and hangouts are gone, only to be replaced by better bars, trendier restaurants and hangouts for all ages.

The charm of the staples remain with places like Shipwreck Island Water Park, Club La Vela, Spinnakers, Shuckum’s, Schooners, Gulf World Marine Park, Zoo World and Pineapple Willy’s, but recent additions like Pier Park, RockIt Lanes, Oxygen, the PCB Aquatic Center and other may add to the value of the whole beach.

In my opinion, that last statement may be truer than most people realize. Don’t get me wrong, the popularity of the entire destination hinges on the charm of the old Panama City Beach. But, as a lifelong resident, I love watching the change. The condominiums aren’t just big view-hogging edifices; they have amazing accommodations and advanced amenities. Because of them, the rest of the beach has been forced to keep up. The remaining hotels and motels have changed their décor and added to their amenities. Take the Holiday Inn Sunspree for example. Over the last three years they’ve added The Aqualand playground, a new beautiful convention and business center, the Sunset Lounge and upgraded all the rooms and bedding. This was a direct result of competition from nearby condominiums. And that’s not all. Even the grounds of the seven mile long strip conceded, becoming cleaner and better maintained in order to keep up with the overall “new look.” These changes have made the whole of the beach cleaner and nicer.

Panama City Beach is on the verge of great things, truly providing services tourists can’t get anywhere else. And with the new airport on the way and ongoing rumors of expanding Pier Park into a more “amusement-like” arena, more first-rate advancements are on the horizon. But what do you think of the changes? Do you like the new-look PCB or do you prefer the old-style beach? Let us know and we’ll make sure your concerns hit the right ears.

Thanks to Tim Hollis for an awesome, and sadly nostalgic, book “Florida’s Miracle Strip.” If you would like to purchase his book, click HERE.