Spring Is Coming! - The E-Newsletter from the City of Mexico Beach

Spring Is Coming! Sunshine and the spring breeze are heading our way, and we are ready! With warmer weather come beach days and tan lines. Back on February 28, the Special Events for Mexico Beach hosted the 26th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off, and it was a huge success. Those who came enjoyed great gumbo, live music, and sweets galore. Proceeds from the event go to the July 4th Best Blast on the Beach fireworks show. A special thank you to the volunteers with Special Events, who work many hours to put on this successful celebration. Also, a big thank you to all the teams that entered and those who came out to support the event. Laissez les bons temps rouler! 2026 Gumbo Cook-Off Winners Best Gumbo – Individual Division 1st: God’s Gumbo (First Baptist Church of Mexico Beach) Mexico Beach, FL (pictured) 2nd: Tide Swamp Cookers – Mexico Beach, FL 3rd: Howell’s Hole – Mexico Beach, FL   Best Gumbo – Business Division 1st: BBQ Monsters – Perry, GA 2nd: Flying Harpoon – Port St. Joe, FL  3rd: Holiday Builders or Bust – Mexico Beach, FL   People’s Choice Tide Swamp Cookers – Mexico Beach, FL   Best Team Spirit Krewe Des Cowboys – Panama City, FL   Best Decorated El Gov Roux Krew – Mexico Beach, FL

And the Winner Is... Up for grabs last month was a Visa gift card compliments of Aqua Pearl Beach House, and the lucky winner is Christine K. from Naperville, IL. Congrats, Christine!   MARCH GIVEAWAY This month’s giveaway is a beach bag with drink koozies from The Sea Pony. Just one short block from the beach, The Sea Pony is a luxury townhome that blends upscale comfort with thoughtful amenities. This vacation rental is ideal for families, couples, and remote workers. To place your name in the hat, send an email to Kathy at kathy@mexicobeach.com.

MEET MEXICO BEACH This month, we are delighted to introduce Two Gulls Gifts, located in the colorful shops on Highway 98. They offer apparel, unique jewelry, and quaint little gifts that will spark fond memories of Mexico Beach for years to come. Next time you’re out, be sure to stop by and peruse—with new inventory arriving often, you never know what wonderful souvenir you might find!

FARMERS & CRAFT MARKET MARCH 14 & 28 Come spend the morning at the Mexico Beach Farmers & Craft Market at Parker Park, located at 2500 Highway 98. Vendors will include produce, fresh jellies, one-of-a-kind crafts, and much more. Each market is sure to have new vendors, so be sure to come every time. If you’d like to be a vendor, sign up now. This market is put on by the Special Events for Mexico Beach, Inc.

FORGOTTEN COAST EN PLEIN AIR PAINT-OUT MARCH 20–29 This nationally recognized event brings together internationally acclaimed artists to capture the stunning landscapes and rich heritage of our beloved coast. Now in its 21st year, Forgotten Coast en Plein Air Paint-Out continues to honor the beauty, culture, and spirit of the last vestige of authentic “Old Florida.” Enjoy ten days of free and ticketed events, exhibits, and activities for art lovers and collectors throughout the area.

ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST APRIL 1–JULY 31 It’s time to showcase your talent and the beauty of Mexico Beach that you’ve all captured over the years. The Annual Mexico Beach Photography Contest opens for submissions on April 1 and runs through July 31, 2026. Photographs can be from past visits taken within the city limits of Mexico Beach. Entry is free, just send in those pictures! Click here for more information.

UNFORGETTABLE WEDDING VOW RENEWAL APRIL 11 We cordially invite all married couples to RSVP for a magical celebration of love and commitment! Join us on the beach at Canal Park to celebrate generations of love with a special, complimentary vow renewal ceremony. This event is complimentary. Come reaffirm your vows and create lasting memories in an unforgettable vow renewal beach setting. Learn more or register here.

READ ABOUT ALL EVENTS HERE

A FRIENDLY REMINDER: Mexico Beach is a Leave No Trace community, and we appreciate your assistance in helping us keep our beaches clean. Any items left on the beach unattended from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. will be removed and disposed of by the City of Mexico Beach. Items include, but are not limited to, tents and tent frames, beach chairs, coolers, umbrellas, toys, etc. Also, please fill in any holes before you leave and please remain off the sand dunes and out of the sea oats to ensure their continued nourishment. There are boardwalks and walking paths that can be accessed to reach the beach. Your assistance with these requests will keep our beaches beautiful and pristine. For full details on this ordinance or questions, click here or contact City Hall at (850) 648-5700.

JAMAICAN BBQ SHRIMP We publish it with the compliments of the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association cookbook (MBARA.org). INGREDIENTS 36 jumbo shrimp 2 Tbsp jerk seasoning, divided 4 Tbsp canola oil, divided 1 cup diced carrots 1 cup diced yellow onion 1 cup diced celery 1 lb. brown sugar 4 can fire-roasted tomatoes 1 cup pineapple juice 1/2 cup orange juice DIRECTIONS In a large, heavy-bottomed pot over low heat, add 3 Tbsp oil and the brown sugar. When the sugar starts to caramelize, add the vegetables and cook until they’re just tender. Add juices, tomatoes, and 1 Tbsp jerk seasoning. Simmer for 90 minutes. Heat the grill, then toss the shrimp with 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp jerk seasoning. Grill shrimp. Put sauce on the plate, place the shrimp on top, and garnish with deep-fried julienned sweet potatoes (optional).

CANINE WISDOM Those who have dogs know they are wonderful companions, and we think we can understand what they are thinking. Here are some selected dog thoughts and opinions: If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater, suggest that he wear a tail. —Fran Lebowitz Dogs teach us a very important lesson in life: the mailman is not to be trusted. —Stan Ford Anybody who doesn’t know what soap tastes like has never washed a dog. —Franklin Jones Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s friend. Inside a dog, it’s too dark to read. —Groucho Marx If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving them only two biscuits. —Phil Pastoret Unknown/Anonymous Quotes: Whoever said you can’t buy happiness forgot about puppies. The only person who understands me is my dog. You can trust your dog to guard your house, but never trust your dog to guard your sandwich. Choosing a dog may be the only chance you get to pick a relative. Dogs are like humans, only without the flaws.

TYING THE KNOT We’ve often heard this saying used to declare that two people are getting married. Dating back to ancient Celtic customs, couples would hold hands while someone else would bind the couple’s hands together with a ribbon or cord. This was to signify that those two people were now tied to each other, engaged, and to be married.

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