Your Guide to Celebrating Fourth of July in South Walton

Here on Scenic Highway 30-A, July Fourth is not only a national holiday, it’s a deep-rooted local tradition. From all-day beach parties on Grayton Beach to symphonies and fireworks shows, this is one of the busiest weekends in the area.

For my family, this is the assumed “schedule” that we go by each year:

PHOTO: Cole Taylor, Grayton Coast Properties

1. Wake up at 5:30 a.m. to brave the fierce battle for the best spot on Grayton Beach.

2. After helping my dad set up our stuff on the beach, we go on a short run down each road in Grayton in advance of the parade to scope out the other decorated cars and see if we have any chance at being honored as the best float. (Unfortunately, this has never happened).

3. Arriving back from our run, we frantically wake up the lazy members of the Taylor family, explaining that we have exactly 30 minutes to make the best float in Grayton Beach.

4. Throwing on our best red, white and blue bathing suits, we grab duct tape and the box of Fourth of July decorations and get to work, while dad yells not to rip the paint off of the Jeep. (This happens every year).

5. The Grayton parade starts around 8:30 a.m., with plenty of candy-throwing and children waving from the sides of the road.

6. The parade ends around 9:15 a.m. at Grayton Coast Properties, my aunt, Kitty Taylor’s business. They serve watermelon and popsicles for everyone who shows. When all of the watermelon is gone, we all agree to go home, pack our coolers, and “meet ‘ya at the beach.”

So after reading this, I’m sure you’re ready to weigh out your options and create your own 30A traditions for your family. In addition to Grayton Beach, there are plenty of events planned all over South Walton, and they’re included below. Happy Fourth!

Looking for more freedom-centric fun? Here’s the full-line up of local activities:

ALYS BEACH

6 – 9 p.m. 4th of July Concert featuring Celebrity Allstars Band

9 p.m. Fireworks

GRAYTON BEACH

8:30 a.m. Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade

Decorate your bikes, golf carts, cars, jeeps, boats, scooters, etc. and take part in the parade. Parade line up starts at 8 a.m. at Red Bar. Everyone is welcome! After, enjoy watermelon and lemonade at Grayton Coast Properties.

ROSEMARY BEACH

7:30 a.m. Bike Decoration Contest & Breakfast at North Barrett Square

8:30 a.m. Bike parade through the Town Center

9 a.m. Family field day on Western Green

Sack races, water balloon toss, games, prizes and more! 

6 p.m. The Like Totally Hep Cats on Western Green

3-9 p.m. Independence Day Party and Cookout at Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge

8:45 p.m. Fireworks on the beach

Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome.

Check out this awesome drone video by Beau Babics that perfectly captures the festivities at Seaside: