Springtime is prime time to visit Florida’s Gulf Coast. Perdido Key, a 16-mile-long strip of sugar-white sand and turquoise water just a half hour west of Pensacola, offers one of the few remaining stretches of pristine wilderness along the Gulf Coast, with nearly 60 percent of the island set aside for conservation.
From April 2-5, this friendly, seaside village will also play host to the Perdido Key Wine and Art Festival at Villagio Town Centre, at 13700 Perdido Key Dr.
The event, now in its sixth year, will kick off Thursday,
April 2 at
5:30 p.m., with a “Taste of Perdido” gala featuring live music, wine sampling and some of the best food on the Gulf Coast.
Jazz guitarist Pat McCann will be the featured performer, and Connie Blum will be the featured artist. Blum’s artistic mediums are one-of-a-kind glass, mosaic and jewelry pieces. Tickets for gala will be $25 per person or $45 per couple and must be purchased in advance online or at the Visitors Information Center, located at 15500 Perdido Key Dr.
The fun will continue throughout the weekend, with live music, local art and wine specialists pouring varietals from all over the world and sharing their knowledge during tastings held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday. During Saturday’s event, Villagio will also play host to an arts and crafts fair, with local artisans exhibiting their wares, live music and — of course — more wine.
“We will feature a different region every day, so guests will be able to sample more than two dozen wines during the course of the festival,” event coordinator Lori Raisch said.
Tickets for Friday and Saturday’s tastings are $15 and may be purchased online, at the Visitors Information Center or at the door. Admission includes a collectible wine glass and five tasting tickets. Additional tasting tickets will be available for $2 each.
“Visitors can enjoy all four days of the event and still have time to experience all that the Perdido Key area has to offer, including the beautiful beaches located right across the street from the festival site,” Raisch said.
Beyond the beach, sun-starved vacationers can also seek refuge at Big Lagoon State Park, a natural playground located just minutes from the sugar-white sands of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. With nature trails, beaches, bays and a three-story observation tower, the park beckons visitors in search of the great outdoors.
There’s no shortage of opportunities for exploration indoors, too. At nearby Naval Air Station Pensacola, visitors can view more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft during a tour of the National Naval Aviation Museum — the largest of its kind. Naval Air Station Pensacola is also home to the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum. The climb to the top is well worth the panoramic views of the Pensacola Bay Area.
And while the Key offers plenty to do, it is also only a short drive from the bustling, historic seaport of Pensacola.
This city by the sea — first settled by Spanish Conquistador Don Tristan De Luna in 1559 — is steeped in colonial history and maritime tradition. These days, it is also a city on the rise and is fast becoming the cultural and political capital of the region.
Walk the tree-lined streets of downtown Pensacola and you will find cannons and colonial architecture — reminders of the city’s storied past — interspersed with trendy boutiques, cafes and eateries. Pensacola also boasts a rich cultural life — with a professional opera, symphony and ballet company all within reach.
For more information about the festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.visitperdido.com/events/wine-art-fest/.