Posted on 6/28/2024
If you have plans to come down for America's 248th birthday bash this year on July 4th, 2024, South Walton's Scenic 30A is the place to be—especially to experience the festivities while enjoying a good old-fashioned patriotic parade!
The idyllic, picture-perfect coastal villages along this famous scenic route hearken back to a charming golden Americana-styled holiday. The magical memories you may have experienced in your youth may be revisited here and shared with your children for a wonderful creation of their own.
Almost all of these meticulously planned villages are less than a few decades old, each brimming with its own enchanting personality. They share the extraordinary distinction of being located along the shimmering white sand and crystalline beach beside the glowing, jewel-toned waters of the Gulf. This sugary shore is the only one in the nation to receive the acclaimed Blue Wave Beach Status for having the longest contiguous coastline that exemplifies pristine cleanliness and natural beauty.
Seasonal festivals abound here, but there is no question that our peak season is Summer. Hands down, the biggest holiday this time of year is Independence Day. Many of our most impressive Ocean Reef Resorts vacation homes and condos are located along 30A in Dune Allen Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Blue Mountain Beach, Grayton Beach, Seagrove Beach, Seacrest Beach, and Inlet Beach.
Once, there were several patriotic parades in towns along our shores. Seaside had a very well-attended July 4th Parade, as did WaterColor and Rosemary Beach. Today, the original town, dating back to the 1860s and that started it all, is the only one to still boast a red, white, and blue parade. That town is Grayton Beach!
Grayton Beach 4th of July Parade
Grayton Beach, where one of our friendly Central 30A Ocean Reef Resorts office is located at 15 Pine Street, hosts its own old-fashioned parade, and it is a "come one, come all" affair! Everyone is invited to take part in this festive, free-spirited event. Expect to see decorated jeeps, cars, trucks, golf carts, scooters, boats, and bikes, or come down with your own festive vehicle for fun patriotic participation. We're very proud to participate in this community celebration. Don't forget to pop into our office at 15 Pine Street for icy cold refreshments and holiday spoils, before, after, or during the parade. Be sure to get there early because these "floats" must be lined up no later than 8:00 am since this parade starts at 8:30. It will begin at the corner of Magnolia and Defuniak Street and wind through the charming historic downtown Grayton Beach village center near the Zoo Gallery and the Red Bar, then making its way through the heart of the town up north past our office to AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar—it will be quite a spectacle to behold!
Seaside Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Spectacular
When you're all done marching around in Grayton, you may want to pop over to the Seaside Amphitheater for their July 4th Block Party, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm! It's basically everything you love about a parade wrapped around Central Square, the town center. You'll find fun for the kids, stilt walkers, face painting, a hot dog eating contest, live music, and a July 4th bike decorating contest! At 9:00 am, the REP will give a patriotic performance on the stage, and later in the evening, Sinfonia Gulf Coast will perform a pop concert to harken in a fireworks show over the Gulf. It's a full day of freedom and fun!
If you haven't been able to make reservations with Ocean Reef Resorts for this Independence Day, don't worry—the 249th celebration in 2025 and the beautiful beaches are always here for your perpetual enjoyment. Have some fun taking a look at all the places you may stay with us by using our wonderful website. Multiple photos, detailed descriptions, seasonal rates, aerial location views, and calendar availability are listed for each one. In the meanwhile, Happy Birthday, America!
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Gileah Taylor's Slow Parade: Your 30A Summer Soundtrack
Speaking of parades, as the last float rounds the corner and the festivities begin to quiet, the perfect time emerges to savor the reflective tunes of Gileah Taylor’s Slow Parade. This album not only captures the essence of 30A but extends the celebration into a musical journey that echoes the tranquil beauty of our coastal evenings.
