It’s Fall in Destin! As the cooler weather arrives, it’s time to prepare for the Fall festivals in Destin!

October 1st marks the beginning of Destin’s premiere fishing event of the year, The Destin Fishing Rodeo.

Throughout the month of October, the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village will play host to over 30,000 great fisherman as they compete to reel in the biggest game fish. Over $100,000 will be awarded in cash and prizes, and practically every game fish will be recognized. Wether you’re trolling inshore for king mackerel, offshore for marlin, or going deep for grouper, you will be eligible to win. Plus, every Saturday in October is Shark Saturday, and the largest shark will win a cash prize!

You don’t want to miss out on the rodeo action and weigh-in fun! The rodeo is free for all anglers fishing aboard a registered vessel, like the Destination, so make your reservations now to participate in the most popular tournament on the Gulf Coast! The weigh-ins are open to the public, and held every day in October, from 10AM to 7PM, on the harbor boardwalk near AJs.

Fall in Destin always begins with the Destin Seafood Festival. It’s a local tradition.

This year, the 37th Annual Destin Seafood Festival will officially begin on Friday, October 4th at four o’clock, and will run throughout the weekend, showcasing some of the best seafood Destin has to offer.

Destin’s seafood festival tradition began in 1978, founded by the Charter Boat Association’s Women’s Auxiliary as a fundraiser for the local fisherman, and a way to attract visitors to the area. Thirty-seven years later the Destin Charter Boat Association carries on the tradition, and the festival has grown into a huge celebration of Destin’s rich marine heritage.

Over sixty-thousand people are expected to attend this year, for the most amazing local seafood, live music, fireworks, arts, crafts, and all around family fun.

The weekend of October 16-19, is one of the South’s most celebrated festivals, The 39th Annual Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival, in the neighboring town of Niceville.

Back in the days when the small town of Niceville was a nice little fishing village known as Boggy Bayou, local fisherman relied substantially on mullet, and poled flat-bottomed skiffs on the bay at night, listened for the jumping fish, and cast their nets. The mullet was then salted and preserved in fish barrels, and sold or traded to farmers from Florida and Alabama for vegetables.

This family friendly festival celebrating the mullet, and old Boggy Bayou traditions, was named one of the top 12 food festivals in the nation, and boasts three days of jam-packed fun with a large selection of food, including mullet, unique handmade arts and crafts, fun amusement rides and games, and top-notch musical entertainment.

Kick back and relax in between bites, and watch your favorite college football team aboard the Destination, via Direct TV!