The SEASIDE Institute™ has announced the recipients of the 2026 SEASIDE Prize™, a recognition reserved for those whose work has shaped the fields of architecture, urban planning, and community development. The prize is awarded annually to individuals whose contributions have a lasting impact on how places are built and experienced.
In the heart of DeFuniak Springs, where arrivals once stepped from the train and into a season of music and welcome, Henry Park is opening a new chapter. Long a gathering place for travelers, townspeople, and musicians alike, the historic park now stands renewed—its restoration honoring both the community that shaped it and the future it continues to invite.
Every Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend since 2010, the 30A Songwriters Festival has turned South Walton’s quiet winter season into a destination built around music, storytelling, and community. On this episode of the HWY 331 Podcast, host Kerri Parker sits down with festival producers Jennifer Steele and Russell Carter to reflect on 17 years of a songwriter-focused festival that has become a cultural and economic cornerstone for Walton County.
When the holiday season arrives, DeFuniak Springs comes alive like nowhere else in Northwest Florida. Its historic downtown, spring-fed lake, and Victorian architecture become the backdrop for a twinkling winter wonderland that draws families, friends, and travelers from across the region. But don’t just take our word for it—locals who have loved this town for years share why Christmas here feels truly magical. From horse-drawn carriage rides to festive markets and dazzling light displays, their voices guide you through the ultimate roadmap to holiday cheer in Walton County.
There’s a moment — just as the sun slips behind historic buildings and mature trees — when Lake DeFuniak becomes a mirror. The century-old homes that curve around its shore soften into silhouette, and then suddenly, with the flick of a switch, Christmas Reflections comes to life. Millions of twinkling lights ripple across the water of one of only two nearly perfect spring-fed lakes in the world.
Veterans Day is a time to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces across generations. From the battlefields of World War II to the jungles of Vietnam, the deserts of the Middle East, and the more recent deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, each era of service holds unique stories of resilience, dedication, and sacrifice.
