Pensacola, Fla. – Visit Pensacola is excited to announce that six Pensacola events have been named to the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.
“These awards are a reflection of the incredible community that we have in the Pensacola Bay Area. With named events that span July to December, it’s exciting to see the activities provided for locals and visitors that make this a desirable place to live and visit year-round,” President of Visit Pensacola Steve Hayes said. “If you haven’t attended one of these events, they’re a must-see that you should add to your list.”
Each year, the best events across the Southeast compete to receive the prestigious Top 20 Events designation. Through a nomination process, Southeast Tourism Society chooses the Top 20 events in the Southeast for each month of the year and publishes this list of winners quarterly.
The events named to the list include the following:
Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Airshow
The roar of the engines, the streamers of smoke, every formation in perfect symmetry. Whether they are flying high at practice or soaring through a spectacular air show, it is always a thrill to see the Blue Angels cut across Pensacola skies. Each July, Pensacola Beach plays host to Red, White & Blues week, four days of exhilarating air acrobatics over the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Sertoma’s 4th of July Celebration
Whether you like a Fourth steeped in history or soaked in sunshine, Pensacola dazzles during its Independence Day celebrations. All-day in historic Seville Square, festival activities entertain with food, arts and crafts, a hot dog eating contest and more. Down the street, don’t miss an exciting FREE Sparks & Stars performance from the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra at the Hunter Amphitheater in Vince Whibbs Community Maritime Park at 7:30 pm. The festivities will culminate with an amazing firework show over Pensacola Bay at 9 pm, perfectly synchronized with music broadcast on CatCountry 98.7.
Pensacola Beach Songwriter’s Festival
Join the fun on Pensacola Beach as some of the country’s best songwriters liven the crowd with great music, intriguing stories, and fun facts based on top hits. Each October find out the stories behind some of your favorite songs while you enjoy delicious food, ice cold drinks, and the beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico.
Frank Brown International Songwriter’s Festival
Hear an old favorite or discover the next big thing at the Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival, headquartered at the Flora-Bama Lounge, which straddles the Florida-Alabama state line.
For more than 30 years, songwriters have migrated south in November for this meet-up of Grammy Award-winning lyricists and up-and-coming stars of tomorrow. They take to the stage each night to share their songs and stories in settings from quiet, intimate performances to raucous, sing-along parties.
Winterfest
Every December, Downtown Pensacola transforms into a winter wonderland through the magic of Pensacola Winterfest. No, Pensacola doesn’t see a lot of snow, and yes, it’s been known to wrap palm trees in strings of colored lights. None of that means it doesn’t appreciate a good cup of hot chocolate, holiday cheer and celebrating the winter season – it simply does it the Pensacola way with Winterfest! It’s historic streets become Christmas Town, complete with thousands of twinkling holiday lights, elves, Santa, and more.
Snowball Derby
Short track car racing fans love Five Flags Speedway and December’s annual Snowball Derby. The 300-lap Super Late Model race, which began in 1968, draws some of the biggest names in short-track racing, becoming a proving ground for NASCAR’s future stars. The half-mile, banked asphalt venue puts the fans right on top of the action.
For more information on events and activities in the Pensacola Bay Area, visitwww.visitpensacola.com.