Food, Wine and Music in Historic
Downtown Panama City

Come join the fun at this month's Heard it on Harrison as singers and songwriters compete in a music competition! Participants are vying for a chance to play at the One Harrison Food + Wine Festival. Co-writer of the multi-platinum award winning song "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line will kick off the night with a performance at 6 PM. Heard it On Harrison is held on the first Friday of each month.

One Harrison Food + Wine Festival is the premier event in Northwest Florida, set in charming Downtown Panama City on the Marina, overlooking the bay. The festival will take place over two days offering a variety of flavors and experiences unique to Panama City's community. Join us to interact and dine with an array of local chefs, culinary personalities, artisans, wine enthusiasts, and craft beer and cocktail experts, all while complemented by a diverse lineup of musical acts and exciting activities for everyone to enjoy. Kick off the weekend on Friday, August 11, at the Sunset Soiree and enjoy a waterfront sunset tasting under the stars. Join us on Saturday, August 12, for the main Grand Tasting event. Sip on local libations and savor a delicious assortment of local cuisine from some of the best restaurants the Panama City area has to offer. Guests will also enjoy listening to live musical entertainment, culinary demonstrations, wine seminars, pop up retail shops, and an artisan market where local artists will showcase their creations. This event is not one to be missed! For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the website.

Discover more events by visiting our website.

Aw, shucks! It's all about oysters
Panama City

Celebrate National Oyster Day and the debut of the new Panama City Oyster Trail on August 5. Visit our website to download the trail map for a full list of locations. Make sure to use #PCOysterTrail so we can follow along!

Watch the Destination Panama City Oyster Trail video starring Panama City's own National Oyster Shucking Champion, Honor Allen. Honor was born and raised in Panama City and has been working at Hunt's Oyster Bar since he was 18, where he shucks about 1,000 oysters a day. Stop in to say hello and order a plate of ice-cold oysters. Stay tuned to destinationpanamacity.com to follow Honor's bid for the international title this September in Galway, Ireland.

Beginning as a small fishing village in the Florida panhandle, Panama City quickly became a bustling hub of tourism for the Emerald Coast. Featuring an abundance supply of fresh, local seafood, visitors can expect to find the best that Florida has to offer! Oysters are a delicacy enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. Not only are they a tasty treat, but they also support the economy of Panama City and promote a stable ecosystem in the bay. Did you know that Gulf Coast oysters don't change much in flavor throughout the year? Gulf Coast waters stay warm and never cool down much. Because of the warm waters, the oysters never go dormant or have to store up a glycogen food supply like oysters in northern areas. They stay mild and somewhat soft all year round, which means you'll never find a shortage of oysters in Panama City!

Sample your way through the Oyster Trail to taste the different oysters that Panama City has to offer. Local restaurants serve up the tasty dish in almost every way, from raw oysters to baked or fried, with a unique spin on flavors at each restaurant you visit. At Gene's Oyster Bar, oysters are served on the half shell and shucked right in front of you! If you're looking for oysters with a little punch, try the cajun baked oysters at Captain's Table Fish House or enjoy a po' boy topped with oysters from Millie's Cafe. Chef Chris Infinger at g. Foley's creates a unique flavor combination serving fried oysters with smoked chili aioli, andouille sausage, and red pepper. Panama City doesn't disappoint with culinary options, and you'll find something to please every palate!

Artists Amber and Kyle Scheumann

Panama City's sparkling blue waters and breathtaking sunsets are the perfect inspiration for creativity. As a result, talented artists of all stripes and colors call Panama City home. Every month, we feature the handmade objects and inspiration of this creative core. This month, meet candle makers Amber and Kyle Scheumann.

Meet PC Artists Amber and Kyle Scheumann

How long have you been doing this and how did you get started?
We are a husband and wife team and have been making candles since October 2015. My mom makes goat milk soap. We were selling her products at the market and we decided we wanted to make something ourselves. We researched candles and it grew from there.

How did you learn the craft?
We are self-taught and have learned as we go. We did research and talked with other candle makers. It was a lot of trial and error.

How has your work and technique evolved over time?
When we first started, we had six scents and one candle size. We now have 30 scents, candle warmers, and wax. We started off melting wax on our stovetops and could only make ounces at a time. We now have a melter and can melt 60 pounds of wax at once. We are in 14 stores in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas.

What are your current focuses or themes?
Our main focus is to continue to grow so we can do more wholesale, but continue to be in shops and online as well.

How do you source your materials?
Everything is store bought, but we design and print our labels ourselves.

How does living here in Panama City influence your work?
We came to Panama City from 2007 to 2008 for the Air Force, then came back in 2015. Since we had been to this area before, we knew we liked it and came back. Being in Panama City has allowed us to work in all
seasons in different markets.

At what point were you inspired to share your skills with others?
We don't teach, but our ultimate goal is to have a brick and mortar store to sell our candles and have candle making classes.

The Destination Panama City Visitors Center is now open! Visit us at 1000 Beck Avenue for free local information.