Calling all Creatives and Music Lovers!

Celebrate your creativity with us at the Panama City Creative Con on September 22-23 at the Marina Civic Center. Now in its 9th year, this Creative Conference connects and inspires creative minds of all ages. Fun for the whole family, Creative Con features a star-studded guest list, including famous actors, producers and animators from some of the world's most popular movies and TV series! For more information and a full schedule of events, visit their website here.

September is the final month to join us for the Backstage Pass Concert Series. This is a unique experience allowing audience members to enter through the backstage and share the stage with local bands. The series showcases a variety of local talent in a range of music styles including blues, jazz, country and rock. For more information and to view the September lineup, click here.

Now is the time to begin planning your stay in Panama City to attend the Strummin' Man Ukulele Festival on October 12-14 and One Harrison Food + Wine Festival on November 2-3. Strummin' Man, hosted by the St. Andrews Ukulele Orchestra, brings ukulele musicians and fans from around the world to Panama City for three full days of music, food and entertainment! One Harrison Food + Wine Festival is Northwest Florida's premier event with local libations, savory cuisine and live entertainment on the waterfront. These are events you don't want to miss!

Discover more events by visiting our website.

Two-time US Oyster Shucking
Champion!

Did you know Panama City is home to back-to-back National Oyster Shucking Champion, Honor Allen? And he isn't slowing down anytime soon. After his agile shucking skills recently brought him another win at the Milford Oyster Shucking Competition in Milford, Connecticut, he's now preparing to represent the US for the second time in Galway, Ireland at the International Oyster Opening Competition. So, what has Honor been up to since he last competed in Galway and how is his second attempt at becoming the World Champion different? We've got the inside details here!

What did you learn in the last year that you will apply this year?
I'm continuing to learn from last year and looking forward to this year. I've been learning about the different species of oysters and that they each have a different technique to opening them and even use a different knife. This year, I plan to go out of my comfort zone and shuck more how the Europeans shuck oysters, using their techniques and tools to open the oysters.

How have you spent the last year? What competitions have you been in?
I competed at the Milford Oyster Shucking Competition in Connecticut where I met Patrick McMurray. He holds a Guinness World Record for most oysters opened in a minute and he also once won the championship title at the the Galway Oyster Festival. I got to shuck oysters with him. Everyone is very willing to help you learn more. I'm feeling more comfortable each step of the way.

Coming from small beginnings, Honor stays humble, even with his newfound fame. Closing off our interview, Honor wanted to send a big thank you to everyone who continues to support and cheer him on along the way. "It's an amazing platform to be able to carry on to the next festival," Honor said. "Everybody is so nice and has welcomed myself and all of the other competitors. It's a very humbling experience and a blessing to be able to compete." When he isn't competing, you can find Honor shucking oysters behind the bar at local Hunt's Oyster Bar.

Embrace Autumn Panama City