Feels Like Summer! - The E-Newsletter of the City of Mexico Beach

Feels Like Summer! What’s summertime at the beach like? Well, it’s warm, sunny, and sandy, with plenty of room for everyone to enjoy. Our beaches make the perfect summer getaway, with local shops offering last-minute essentials like beach towels and sunscreen. Our restaurants are ready to serve cool libations and local favorites. Just remember, manners matter. We know you’re excited to hit the beach or ready to grab a meal after a long day in the sun, but summertime is a busy season for our beach business. Take a breath, relax, and know you’ll be welcomed with the friendly hospitality that makes Mexico Beach so unique. After all, you’re on beach time now. And while you’re enjoying our beautiful shoreline, help us keep it pristine by taking all your belongings and trash with you at the end of your beach day, filling in any holes dug in the sand, and being respectful of your beach neighbors. Enjoy your summer on The Unforgettable Coast®!

And the Winner Is... Up for grabs last month was a gift bag from Bracewell’s Flooring & Fencing, and the lucky winner is Sara G. from Foley, AL. Congrats, Sara!   JUNE GIVEAWAY This month’s giveaway is a T-shirt, a gift card, and other goodies from Caribbean Coffee & Café. Caribbean Coffee & Cafe began with a simple mission: bring the vibrant energy and rich flavors of the Caribbean to our community. A coffee haven with certified organic, fair-trade beans, hand-crafted espresso drinks, fresh-baked pastries, sandwiches, and more. Come grab a taste of the Islands, right here at the beach. To place your name in the hat, send an email with your contact info to Kathy at kathy@mexicobeach.com.

MEET MEXICO BEACH This month, we’re delighted to introduce the Mexico Beach Department of Public Safety – Fire Rescue. These dedicated men and women work each day to help keep our residents and visitors safe by providing fire and rescue services throughout our community. The Fire Rescue Department is also the proud host of the GollyWhopper Classic. Proceeds from the annual fishing tournament benefit the department by helping support continuing education, equipment needs, and public educational materials. The department assisted in taking over the tournament in 2024 and was fully hands-on as tournament directors in 2025. Looking ahead to another amazing tournament this year, the Fire Department will once again be preparing Boat Ramp Park for the GollyWhopper Classic on June 27. Those interested in registering for the tournament can find information online at MexicoBeach.com/event/gollywhopper-classic. If you see our firefighters out and about, be sure to say hello and thank them for their service to our community.

GOLLYWHOPPER CLASSIC JUNE 27 Join the excitement at the GollyWhopper Classic! Mexico Beach’s ultimate fishing tournament is back. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or casting a line for the first time, this action-packed event offers incredible fishing, friendly competition, and a shot at cash prizes. With divisions for all skill levels, including a dedicated youth division, it’s the perfect way to get the whole family involved in the excitement.

FARMERS & CRAFT MARKET JUNE 13 & 27 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.

ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST NOW–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.

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.

BARBECUED SHRIMP We publish it with the compliments of the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association cookbook (MBARA.org). INGREDIENTS 2 dozen large shrimp, headed and shelled 1 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 tsp. black pepper ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. crushed red pepper ½ tsp. dried thyme leaves ½ tsp. dried rosemary leaves, crushed ½ tsp. dried oregano leaves 1 stick plus 5 Tbsp butter 1 ½ tsp. minced garlic 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ½ cup fish bouillon ¼ cup beer at room temperature French bread DIRECTIONS Combine 1 stick of butter, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, red pepper, thyme, rosemary, oregano, garlic, and Worcestershire in a large skillet over high heat. After the butter has melted, add the shrimp. Cook for 2 minutes, and shake the pan while cooking. Add remaining butter and fish bouillon. Cook for 2 more minutes. Add beer, then cook, shaking the pan for another minute. Remove from heat. Serve with crusty French bread for dipping. Enjoy!

TYING THE KNOT Weddings are a special moment, and the vows are an important part of the ceremony. Here are some humorous promises couples made during their wedding ceremony: I vow to always let you have the last blueberry pancake. I promise to unclog the drain even though you’re the only one of us who has long hair. I love you truly, madly, and deeply. Maybe we should get married. I promise not to snore too loud. I promise not to steal too many of your fries. I promise to somehow get to the end of this thing without ugly crying. I vow to protect you from spiders as long as we both shall live. I promise not to force you to watch a ‘Gilmore Girls’ marathon. I vow to love you even when you’re old and still playing Xbox. I promise to take Instagram-worthy photos of you.

MEXICOBEACH.COM

http://live.oysterradio.com/