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Good morning!
The award-winning Emerald Coast Rodeo returns to NWFSC in Niceville on Nov. 6-7. Destin City Council approved responses to the state as it seeks a lease of Holiday Isle State Park, and The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island has added a new Columbus Day Weekend celebration to its fall lineup. Niceville moved to 2-0 in district play with a 34-33 win over Tate, and Destin invites residents to its annual Open House with a fish fry and live music on Oct. 21.
PARKS+REC
Destin Council approves responses to state as it seeks lease of Holiday Isle State Park
The Destin City Council held a special meeting on Sept. 23 to approve the city’s answers to seven questions from a state lands official, the latest step in its effort to lease the four-acre Holiday Isle State Park property.
The official, Brad Richardson of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, wrote the day before that “this will be a direct lease between the Board of Trustees and the City of Destin.” No lease had been signed as of the meeting, and any change to Okaloosa County’s designation as manager would require state approval.
The city’s proposal includes beach volleyball courts, 54 more parking spaces and day-use docks at $5 per hour, with improvements estimated at $3 million to $4 million.
Richardson’s email came six days after the Destin City Council and the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners reached an agreement at a Sept. 16 conflict resolution meeting in Shalimar. The city offered free parking at city lots and parks to all Okaloosa County residents if the city gains management of the property, and the county voted 5-0 to send a letter supporting city management to the Board of Trustees, with a copy to DEP.
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GAMES
WordroW: September 29, 2026
WordroW is brought to you by Fort Walton Beach Chiropractic – keeping your mind sharp and your spine aligned, one game at a time.
Can you guess today’s 5-letter word in six tries?
WordroW is Get The Coast’s daily word puzzle featuring local words, places, and phrases from our community. You have six guesses to find the mystery word – green letters are correct and in the right spot, yellow letters are in the word but wrong position, and gray letters aren’t in the word at all.
EVENTS
Destin invites residents to annual Open House with fish fry, live music Oct. 21
The City of Destin will hold its annual Open House from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Community Center on Stahlman Avenue in Destin.
The event will include a fish fry, live music, a caricature artist, a photo booth and more. Residents are invited to stop by, meet City staff and enjoy the afternoon. There is no cost to attend.
This year’s theme is “red, white & blessed (blue),” an Americana celebration honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary.
SPORTS
Niceville moves to 2-0 in district play with 34-33 win over Tate
The stakes couldn’t have been higher for Niceville against Tate, and the Eagles came through with a 34-33 win at home that moved them to 2-0 in district play. If Niceville had lost, it in all likelihood would have missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000, which speaks to how loaded Class 5A, Region 1 is.
THINGS TO DO
The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island adds new Columbus Day Weekend celebration to fall events lineup
The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island is rolling out a new Columbus Day Weekend celebration this fall, expanding a seasonal lineup that already includes the annual Labor Day Fireworks show and the 11th Annual Tricks & Treasures Halloween event.
The new Columbus Day Weekend programming runs from Monday, Oct. 5 through Sunday, Oct. 11 and features a pirate-themed show, a beachfront movie night, karaoke and a fireworks finale over the Gulf. All events are free and open to the public.
- Pirate Show: Monday, Oct. 5, 5:30–8 p.m.
- Movie on the Beach: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 8 p.m.
- Karaoke: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7–10 p.m.
- Karaoke: Sunday, Oct. 11, 7–10 p.m.
- Fireworks Show: Sunday, Oct. 11, 9 p.m.
WEATHER
Today’s weather outlook
TODAY: Sunny, with a high near 86. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
TONIGHT: Clear, with a low around 74. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.
THINGS TO DO
Award-winning Emerald Coast Rodeo returns to NWFSC in Niceville Nov. 6-7
The Emerald Coast Rodeo will return to Northwest Florida State College’s Niceville campus for two nights of competition Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7, the college announced Monday.
Now in its fourth year, the signature fall tradition on campus features professional rodeo competitors in bull riding, barrel racing, roping and other rodeo events.
The Professional Cowboys Association named the Emerald Coast Rodeo Best Rodeo in Its Division for 2025, recognizing the event for excellence in event execution, community engagement and professional rodeo presentation.
“We are proud to bring an award-winning event to our campus that celebrates community, creates lasting memories for families and welcomes visitors from across the Emerald Coast to experience Northwest Florida State College,” said NWFSC President Mel Ponder.
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Tuesday! Help us shape the future of local news and make a meaningful impact on your community. Click here to learn how you can support us!
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Jared
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