Visit Panama City Beach has announced that the show will go on for their premier springtime event, UNwineD. Held on March 20-21, the fifth annual event will feature craft beer, wine and spirits from around the world in addition to mouth-watering creations from some of the area’s leading chefs. The Gulf of Mexico serves as the backdrop for this stylish garden party and live concert, which showcases Panama City Beach’s contagious passion for the people, places and cuisine that make the city worth celebrating.
The weekend’s festivities open on Friday night with a celebratory soiree. Ladies and gents arrive from all over the country outfitted in their finest fashions to the elegant affair. Held under the festival’s signature white tent, this exclusive, curated experience for 200 food and wine aficionados will feature Chef Kelsey Barnard Clark, the most recent winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef.” Born and raised a “Gulf Southerner” from nearby Dothan, Alabama, Kelsey got her start in the food industry as a middle school student with a baking obsession and catered her first wedding at age 15 before attending the Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park, New York. Today, Kelsey runs her restaurant and catering company KBC, creating dishes inspired by southern classics with her French techniques sprinkled throughout. She will be joined by mixologists from the region who will delight the crowd with their specialty cocktails, as well as other local chefs who will be showcasing their signature items in inventive ways.
UNwineD’s Grand Afternoon Tasting takes place on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. and features more than 40 purveyors sampling craft beer, spirits and wines from North America, South America and Europe. Guests will have the opportunity to discover new brands and meet regional brewers and wine vendors. Throughout the day, Panama City Beach restaurants will be offering tasty bites ranging from Southern classics to fresh seafood caught locally. In between noshes, guests can browse local shops and boutiques at the Art and Vendor Row or stop by a southern themed tent brimming with home décor, cookbooks and more. UNwineD culminates with an evening Picnic in the Park & Concert at the Aaron Bessant Park amphitheater from 5-7 p.m. This year’s headliner, American alternative rock band Death Cab for Cutie, will take the stage following opening entertainment from Joywave. Panama City Beach’s UNwineD festival is not-to-be-missed, especially with Death Cab for Cutie on the mic.
Panama City Beach continues to closely monitor updates from federal, state and local officials regarding COVID-19. The festival is taking precautionary measures at this time, including providing more hand-sanitizing and hand-washing stations.
While in Panama City Beach, visitors can experience endless dining options, arts offerings and a myriad of water sports and outdoor activities, including chartered fishing excursions, airboat adventures, dolphin cruises, exploring secluded Shell Island or camping, hiking or biking in St. Andrew’s State Park. With 320 days of sunshine annually, this resort town is a destination that suits families, retirees, couples and adventurers of all ages and is located within driving distance to major southern metropolitan areas.
