DeFuniak Springs Visitors Center

05/20/2022

TODAY is the DAY! We kickoff LakeFest at 11:00 this morning with a Fish Fry sponsored by the VFW Post 4437 and we continue til' dark with music by , Today's Yesterday Band, Shane Owens Country, and a spectacular light show by Ben Merrell - Pro Hydroflight Athlete! Come on out! Bring a blanket or folding chairs for the best seats on the lakeyard!

-->>Friday, May 20, 2022

9:00 a.m. Primitive tent camping set-up begins -Circle Drive

11:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. - LAKEFEST FISH FRY- Fish, Fries, Beans, Coleslaw, and Hushpuppies

5:00 p.m. DJ CO-LOCK- In the Mix

5:15 p.m. Ben Merrell, Hydro flight athlete performs - watch Ben throughout the evening and all day Saturday

5:30 p.m. Live Entertainment by TODAY'S YESTERDAY BAND

7:30 p.m. Live Entertainment by SHANE OWENS

-->>Saturday, May 21, 2022

7:00 a.m. Triathlon- Begins behind the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood at the boat ramp.

7:00 a.m. All Vendors check-in, Live Oak Avenue and Circle Drive

8:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m. check-in for Chautauqua Classic Car Show - NE Corner of East Main Avenue and Circle Drive

8:00 a.m. -Noon Farmers Market- Baldwin Avenue between 8th Street & 9th Street

8:00 a.m. Registration for all water sports competitions begins
9:00 a.m. OPENING CEREMONIES - DJ CO LOCK -stage
Welcome and Invocation - Mayor Bob Campbell
Introduction of Walton County Queens
Introduction of DeFuniak Springs Queens

9:00 a.m. EVENTS & ACTIVITIES by area:

Walton County Heritage Museum, Circle Drive, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Kids Activities - Camp Kids - between stage and pier by Presbyterian Church
Paddle Sport Races - Command Post - between stage and pier by Presbyterian Church
10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Chautauqua Classic Car Show and Public Voting (10 am-2 pm). Begins at NE Corner of E. Main and Circle Drive at Chipley Park

10:00 a.m. EVENTS & ACTIVITIES:

Entertainment, DJ CO-LOCK- In the Mix
Big Kahuna Paddle Challenge Registration begins
Cardboard Boat Registration begins
10:15 a.m. Hydro Flight Demonstrations, Lake DeFuniak

10:45 a.m. Big Kahuna Paddle Challenge- Time Trials Begin

11:00 a.m. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT - Stage

Lucky Duck on the water, Lake DeFuniak
12:00 p.m. Cardboard Boat Competition begins

1:00 p.m. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT-

2:30 p.m. Introduction of dignitaries/special guests

Introduction of 2022 LakeFest Queens
3:00 p.m. AWARD PRESENTATIONS

Car Show
Watersport Races
Big Kahuna Voyager Race
Cardboard Boat Race
Lucky Duck Winners
4:00 p.m. LakeFest Parade Circle Drive, Line-up/staging on East Main Street (look for signs)

5:30 p.m. LakeFest 2022 concludes until May 2023 - Hope you have enjoyed your day and we will see you in 2023!

All vendors should be closed, have their area cleaned, and be vacated by 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 22, 2022
Noon: Camping concludes
All campers should have their campsites clean and vacated by noon.

05/18/2022

Come early! Stay Late! We kickoff LakeFest on Friday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. with a Fish Fry hosted by the VFW Post 4437.

05/18/2022

Look at all the yummy food vendors coming to LakeFest!

Getchewabox 😋 City Streets Food Truck 😋 Colada Central 😋Smoke N’ Butts BBQ 😋 Thai2Go 😋 Repicci's Italian Ice & Gelato of the Panhandle 😋 I C SNOW 😋 Ranch House Kitchen 😋 I C SNOW 😋 Curry in a hurry 😋 The Ice Box Shaved Ice 😋 Troy's Gators 😋 Rolls & Boba 😋 Maria's Kitchen

It's not too late, get your product sold to over 5,000 visitors. Register today! https://www.defuniaksprings.net/.../Become-a-LakeFest-Vendor

05/16/2022

We kickoff LakeFest 2022 on FRIDAY at 11:00 a.m. Join us for an afternoon fish fry and an evening concert with Shane Owens Country and Today's Yesterday Band! Bring the family!

04/20/2022

REGISTER YOUR ENTRY FOR THE LakeFest PARADE TODAY!
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Second and Main Streets, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
2:30pm Line-Up / Check-In
4pm Parade
ONLINE Parade Registration Form: https://www.defuniaksprings.net/.../Participate-in-the...

03/31/2022

ARE YOU READY?!?! Don't Delay - Register Today for our Annual Chautauqua Car Classic! All Cars, Trucks and Motorcycles welcome!
https://www.defuniaksprings.net/1107/Chautauqua-Classic-Car-Show

Bring the family for a weekend of fun, food, and friends!

11/29/2021

Official 2021 Christmas Reflections ornament available for $20 at Christmas Reflections main gate location (3 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs, 5:30pm-9pm nightly through New Year's Eve) or during business hours at City Hall's Utility/Billing Department. Thanks for supporting Christmas Reflections 2021!

11/29/2021

Festival of Trees 2021 is a display of beautifully decorated Christmas trees at the historic Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, 95 Circle Drive in DeFuniak Springs, FL. Free admission. This event is hosted and orchestrated by the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood Foundation in partnership with the City of DeFuniak Springs.
Proceeds collected from organizations and businesses submitting a decorated tree go to the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood Foundation for the maintenance and restoration of the historic Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These funds and any additional donations from this event will be provided to the City of DeFuniak Springs for the restoration and maintenance of this beautiful and historic building.

Schedule
November 26 (Friday), 8am - 9pm
November 27 (Saturday), 8am - 9pm
November 28 (Sunday), 5pm - 9pm
November 29 (Monday), 5pm - 9pm
November 30 (Tuesday), 5pm - 9pm
December 1 (Wednesday), 5pm - 9pm
December 2 (Thursday), 5pm - 9pm
December 3 (Friday), 5pm - 9pm
December 4 (Saturday), 8am - 9pm
December 5 (Sunday) 5pm - 9pm

08/13/2021

DeFuniak Springs Mayor Bob Campbell declared a Local State of Emergency at 2:45 p.m., August 13, 2021, for the potential impact of Tropical Storm Fred.

Walton County government officials stated earlier in a release that the county is not currently under evacuation orders and no shelters are open. Decisions on evacuation orders and shelter openings may be made later by Walton County government leaders based upon storm track and intensity.

To find your evacuation zone, please visit: https://bit.ly/2E3lnyC

Now is the time to act. Please make sure that you have the following prepared:
• Disaster Supply Kit - https://www.co.walton.fl.us/553/Disaster-Supply-Kit
• Know your Family Plan - https://www.co.walton.fl.us/552/Family-Plan
• Register for Emergency Alerts – http://www.alertwalton.org
• Social Media: www.facebook.com/WaltonCountyEM

08/11/2021

In town for a while and want to help? Call the City's public works department at (850) 892-8534. Individuals and groups welcome!

The City of DeFuniak Springs is gearing up for Christmas Reflections 2021 and is asking for volunteers to assist with setup of nearly 10 million holiday lights on weekdays, 8am-4pm between September 1 and November 30. Inmate labor crews traditionally provided by area corrections facilities assisted with Christmas display installations, but limited availability of these services this year will place a heavier responsibility on the City’s public works department.

“This provides the City a great opportunity to partner with individuals, community organizations and students needing community service hours to learn something new,” says City Manager Robert Thompson. “Our experienced public works team leaders can instruct volunteers on how to display holiday decorations, which can be beneficial to people who want to safely decorate their own yards and businesses. I think this is a win-win opportunity for our entire community.” Setup with volunteers includes wrapping trees with Christmas lights and assisting with placing large displays throughout the grounds at Chipley Park.

Groups and individuals can sign up for volunteer hours on the city’s website at https://www.defuniaksprings.net/1346/Volunteer or by calling Kim Hagen or Kristie Siegler at the DeFuniak Springs Public Works Department at (850) 892-8534 to schedule a time to volunteer.

05/15/2021

KIDS! Go to the train depot during LakeFest festival Saturday, May 15 from 10am until and pick a rubber duck out of the pool! Every kid is a winner. For ages 10 and under. Find out what you'll win by stopping by the Walton Heritage Museum - out front. Remember, every kid is a winner!

05/14/2021

Friday, May 14, 5pm-10pm (TONIGHT!) on Lake DeFuniak: NIGHTTIME KAYAKING during the "live" concerts at the nearby Amphitheatre by Today's Yesterday Band and Country Singer Jeff Bates! Concerts begin at 6pm. Jeff Bates at 7pm. Free admission and parking. Those with kayaks encouraged to illuminate their kayaks with glowsticks or flashlights. Boat ramp at the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, 95 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs, FL next to LakeFest festival's "Camp Kayak." Full event schedule at https://www.defuniaksprings.net/1101/LakeFest-2021.