Are you thinking of planning an old-fashioned picnic along Destin's Emerald Coast or the beaches of South Walton for the upcoming July 4th? Well, here at Ocean Reef Resorts we have some wonderful ideas to help you find the perfect picnic spot for family and friends. If you want to have your own wonderful private picnic to celebrate Independence Day you will be happy to know that many of our distinctive vacation rental properties have outdoor space complete with patios, grills, sundeck, and even Tiki Bars. Imagine preparing a picnic feast to enjoy right on the beach at one of our beautiful beachfront homes. The smell of the salty air, the soothing sound of the surf, and the sensational sparkling views of the jewel-toned water will surely stimulate your appetite! Even many of our luxurious gulf-front condominiums offer tables and grills for guests to use and they are almost always poolside.

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Grayton Beach 4th of July Parade

Set between towering pines, rare Coastal Dune Lakes, and the shimmering Gulf of America, Grayton Beach is one of the area's most iconic beach towns. Known for its funky art galleries, laid-back vibe, and historic beach cottages, this small but spirited community has been marching to the beat of its own drum since the late 1800s—and that character shines brightest at the 4th of July Parade in Grayton Beach.

If you are not in the mood to cook or grill then you may have it all "brought in" by Sarah Ks Gourmet which can be delivered right to your "home away from home". Sarah K is a vivacious young chef who became a culinary phenomenon among locals when she opened her business a few years ago. Now she is receiving national acclaim and recognition as well. Readers of Emerald Coast Magazine selected Sarah K's Gourmet as the Best of the Best from 2006 to 2013. She received an award for preparing the "Top Five Best Crab Cakes" in the entire nation in Taste of Home magazine. Gourmands rave about her Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and they are extraordinarily delicious. Sarah has now been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, The Weather Channel, national radio shows, and over the internet. Glowing articles have been written about her food and published in The Northwest Daily News, Destin Log, Walton Sun, Souvenir Magazine, Destin Magazine, The Beachcomber, Condo Living Magazine, Coastal Angler, and the Emerald Coast. She offers ultimate "comfort food" like a cheesy Broccoli Supreme Casserole, Twice Baked Potatoes, Baked Potato Casserole, Macaroni and Cheese, or Macaroni and Cheese Bites. This latter dish is also great as an appetizer since it includes forty-two bite-sized macaroni and cheese morsels which are flash fried a crispy golden brown color. Since you are planning a Destin beach picnic you may want to get some orders of her famous Chicken Salad, Home Made Potato Salad with Southern Mustard, or Baked Potato Salad with sour cream, bacon, and chives. All you have to do is visit our concierge to check out her menu and place an order. Everything is delivered to you hot or cold in aluminum trays. Hot dishes or ready-to-bake items are ready to go in the oven for a few minutes while you sip on some wine or a favorite libation in the anticipation of a wonderful meal. You may take all the credit for these gourmet goodies by telling your guests that you baked it yourself. (Which of course you did!) If you do want to prepare some of your picnic items yourself, Sarah has given us a few great picnic recipes to share with you.

PICNIC PERFECT PASTA SALAD 
16oz (one package) tri color spiral pasta
 Pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, cut on the diagonal
8oz sliced salami
8oz sliced ham
8oz sliced provolone cheese
One half of a small red onion thinly sliced
One small jar pimento-stuffed olives, sliced and drained (5.75 oz)
One small can of black olives, sliced and drained (2.25 oz)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
8oz bottle of Italian salad dressing
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse.  Combine all ingredients and toss to coat.  Cover and refrigerate overnight for best flavor.

COLORFUL SOUTHERN CORNBREAD SALAD
8oz package of corn bread/muffin mix
2 (15.5 oz) cans of corn, drained
2 (15.5 oz) cans of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15.5 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
2 (15.5oz) cans of kidney beans, rinsed and drained
One pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, cut on the diagonal
1 medium green pepper, seeded and chopped
1 medium red pepper, seeded and chopped
1 medium yellow pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup chopped green onions
12 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups (8oz) shredded cheddar cheese
Dressing
8oz sour cream
1 cup mayo
1 envelope ranch dressing
Combine the dressing ingredients until well blended. 
Prepare the cornbread according to package directions.  Cool completely and crumble.  Combine remaining salad ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss just before serving. 

PATRIOTIC STRAWBERRIES
24 large, ripe strawberries
12 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 C. powdered sugar
24 blueberries
Mint leaves
Beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until fluffy and well mixed. 
Slice strawberries in half lengthwise and hollow out the center.
Use a pastry bag or a baggie with the corner cut out & pipe the cheese mixture into the strawberries. Place a blueberry and mint leaf in the center of the cheese mixture in each strawberry.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

If you want to take your picnic somewhere to enjoy fireworks for a public celebration there are a number of places to go. Both Seaside and Rosemary Beach in South Walton along Scenic 30A are planning fireworks festivities along with a musical accompaniment. Each of these charming beachside communities has village greens to lay out your blanket and chairs to enjoy the views. The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin is planning their annual July 4th celebration which of course concludes with a dynamite display of fireworks. If you are staying at one of our rental properties at Sandestin you may want to picnic at Jolee Island which is right next to Baytowne Village. A wide pedestrian bridge connects it to the shore and trails lead to several secluded picnic spots. On the north side of this little island, you can watch the fireworks go off over the marina and see them mirrored in the water below. For guests staying at one of our properties on the gulf side at Sandestin head on down to the beach for your picnic since they also shoot off fireworks over the water there. If you are staying in Destin you may picnic at one of the beachside picnic pavilions at James Lee Park on Scenic Gulf Drive in Destiny near The Crab Trap or just spread your blanket on the sugar-white beach. Here you will see the main fireworks show in the distance over the Destin Marina as well as a fireworks show in the other direction over the gulf at Sandestin. In between these main shows, you will delight in seeing kids up and down the beach playing with sparklers and also seeing some private fireworks behind some of the beachside mansions which can be rather impressive.

Or as we said, you may just want to have your own fun family picnic celebration right at your Ocean Reef Resorts "home away from home." You will create marvelous memories for family and friends to cherish until the next time since you will probably want to make this an annual summer tradition. Happy Birthday, America!