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Press Kit: Trivia

Trivial Tidbits to Absurd Anecdotes

Surprisingly, the sun rises and sets over Destin * Fort Walton Beach * Okaloosa Island.

Acclaimed as the "Number One Beach in the South" and one of the top five "Favorite Family Vacation Destinations" by the readers of Southern Living for twelve consecutive years.

Deemed the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village," the tiny Southern town of Destin boasts ten saltwater world records. Also hailed as the "Billfish Capital of the Gulf," Emerald Coast waters yield more billfish each year than all other Gulf ports combined.

More than 60 percent of the famous 24 miles (38km) of sugary sands stretching along the Destin * Fort Walton Beach * Okaloosa Island coast will be preserved in a sweeping, natural state -- forever.

Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina and Georgia are closer to the Emerald Coast than the Emerald Coast is to Key West.

Destin harbor is the largest and most elaborately equipped with more than 200 charter boats in Florida.

A circus trapeze artist led the 2,113-passenger rescue of the luxury cruise ship Thracia -- a 31,000-ton (27,900t) liner which sank off the Northern Gulf on April 12, 1927. The star of the Big Top then opened an eclectic eatery, Harry T's Boathouse, which is adorned with the ship's salvaged furnishings and fixtures -- the reward for his lifesaving heroics.

The "old salt" saying goes: "the bluer the water, the bigger the fish." Attracting anglers world-over, the area sports the speediest deep-water access on the Gulf -- up to 100-foot (30m) depths within 10 miles (16km).

There are always at least 20 species of tasty fish available during various seasons -- over four times more than most destinations.

Fort Walton Beach was a civil war campsite, which dreamed of fortress stature, and it is separated from the Gulf by the Santa Rosa Sound and Okaloosa Island.

The largest collection of prehistoric Southeastern Indian ceramics in the world -- more than 6,000 pieces -- is found at the Heritage Cultural Center and Museum.

Once a pirate's playground, the area's coast has hosted infamous buccaneers such as William Augustus Bowles -- better known as Billy Bowlegs. In 1799, he formed the State of Muskogee which controlled the Gulf shores and was envied by the Spanish, English and Americans. Area folklore tells of tremendous treasures buried by Captain Bowlegs throughout the beaches and riverbeds.

Now brimming with watering holes, the Emerald Coast couldn't offer the very first visitors a cool drink. Spanish explorer Panfilio de Narvaez landed in 1628 to simply search for a quick sip. The Creek Indians chased the conquistador back to the boat -- his thirst unquenched.

Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach is the largest Air Force base in the free world, encompassing more than 550,000 acres of three counties.

Additional information concerning tidbits and trivia is available by calling the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. at (800) 322-3319 or (850) 651-7131 or by visiting www.destin-fwb.com.

Year 2008
For More Media Information
Michelle Kelly / Kerry Anne Watson
The Zimmerman Agency
(850) 668-2222
media@destin-fwb.com


Press Kit General Overview Accommodations Meetings Activities Attractions Acclaims Dining Environmental Fast Facts Golf Weddings Special Events Trivia Spring Break Resources Image Library Archives News @lerts Search Contact Consumer site	Press Kit: Trivia Trivial Tidbits to Absurd Anecdotes Surprisingly, the sun rises and sets over Destin * Fort Walton Beach * Okaloosa Island. Acclaimed as the "Number One Beach in the South" and one of the top five "Favorite Family Vacation Destinations" by the readers of Southern Living for twelve consecutive years. Deemed the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village," the tiny Southern town of Destin boasts ten saltwater world records. Also hailed as the "Billfish Capital of the Gulf," Emerald Coast waters yield more billfish each year than all other Gulf ports combined. More than 60 percent of the famous 24 miles (38km) of sugary sands stretching along the Destin * Fort Walton Beach * Okaloosa Island coast will be preserved in a sweeping, natural state -- forever. Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, South Carolina and Georgia are closer to the Emerald Coast than the Emerald Coast is to Key West. Destin harbor is the largest and most elaborately equipped with more than 200 charter boats in Florida. A circus trapeze artist led the 2,113-passenger rescue of the luxury cruise ship Thracia -- a 31,000-ton (27,900t) liner which sank off the Northern Gulf on April 12, 1927. The star of the Big Top then opened an eclectic eatery, Harry T's Boathouse, which is adorned with the ship's salvaged furnishings and fixtures -- the reward for his lifesaving heroics. The "old salt" saying goes: "the bluer the water, the bigger the fish." Attracting anglers world-over, the area sports the speediest deep-water access on the Gulf -- up to 100-foot (30m) depths within 10 miles (16km). There are always at least 20 species of tasty fish available during various seasons -- over four times more than most destinations. Fort Walton Beach was a civil war campsite, which dreamed of fortress stature, and it is separated from the Gulf by the Santa Rosa Sound and Okaloosa Island. The largest collection of prehistoric Southeastern Indian ceramics in the world -- more than 6,000 pieces -- is found at the Heritage Cultural Center and Museum. Once a pirate's playground, the area's coast has hosted infamous buccaneers such as William Augustus Bowles -- better known as Billy Bowlegs. In 1799, he formed the State of Muskogee which controlled the Gulf shores and was envied by the Spanish, English and Americans. Area folklore tells of tremendous treasures buried by Captain Bowlegs throughout the beaches and riverbeds. Now brimming with watering holes, the Emerald Coast couldn't offer the very first visitors a cool drink. Spanish explorer Panfilio de Narvaez landed in 1628 to simply search for a quick sip. The Creek Indians chased the conquistador back to the boat -- his thirst unquenched. Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach is the largest Air Force base in the free world, encompassing more than 550,000 acres of three counties. Additional information concerning tidbits and trivia is available by calling the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. at (800) 322-3319 or (850) 651-7131 or by visiting www.destin-fwb.com.
	Year 2008 For More Media Information Michelle Kelly / Kerry Anne Watson The Zimmerman Agency (850) 668-2222 media@destin-fwb.com