Home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Panama City has more to offer than just surf and sand. While other areas of the country might be hunkered down due to frigid temperatures, Panama City is just getting the year started with these five hot and must-visit events during February 2022 highlighted by the team at Panama City Toyota.
Food Trucks of America Food Truck Festival
Image via Flickr by Me in ME
On Feb. 5 and 6, the Food Trucks of America Food Truck Festival takes place at Aaron Bessant Park at 600 S. Pier Park Dr. Intending to introduce the community to gourmet food trucks and the small business owners who operate them, the two-day event is the ideal family-friendly event. Prices vary depending on how many days you plan to visit, if you want VIP access, and whether you plan to have a couple of beers.
As of early January 2022, some of the food trucks slated to attend include the following:
- Bee Smoothie: For something a little healthier, stop at this food truck that serves real fruit smoothies without dairy products.
- GetChewaBox: Serving traditional and non-traditional po’boy sandwiches, this food truck is run by a Panama City native. The most popular dishes are the Rich Boy, which has fish and crabmeat, and the Rich Girl, which has shrimp and crabmeat.
- Melissa’s Kusina: This food truck serves Filipino-American cuisine, including pork belly adobo braised in Filipino soy sauce, garlic, peppercorn, and vinegar and served over a bed of Jasmine rice.
- My Ohana: Bringing Pan-Asian cuisine to this festival, this truck was named the 2021 Finest Food Truck on the Emerald Coast by the NW Florida Daily News. Try the Karaage, which is Japanese-style fried chicken in a spicy Korean sauce and topped with Kewpie mayo. The Beef Bulgogi is also a must-try, and it features thin slices of beef marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil.
- Pineapple Island: This truck, which bills itself as “Fit for a King and His Queen,” specializes in serving beverages in a hollowed-out fresh pineapple. Around the rim of the pineapple are the interior rings of the delicious fruit, giving you practically an entire meal.
- Thai Taste Express: Stop at this food truck to enjoy Thai-inspired dishes, including shrimp, chicken, and pork dumplings. Another popular choice is the chicken green curry served with Jasmine rice.
- Thai 2 Go: The truck’s owner grew up cooking in her home country and now serves a specialty dish called larb, which is widely eaten in Thailand and Laos. Other menu items include many types of curry and spring rolls.
- The Grub Slinger: Make sure you check out this blue food truck on Saturday, since it’s the only day the truck is scheduled to attend. Enjoy seafood with a southern flair, such as house-smoked tuna dip as well as shrimp and grits. Customers also line up for its loaded fries, which are smothered in chicken, cheese, salsa, pico de gallo, and cilantro creme.
Panama City Beach Mardi Gras And Music Festival
Combine the excitement of Mardi Gras with the stunning views of the emerald waters and white sands, and you have the Panama City Beach Mardi Gras and Music Festival. This two-day family-friendly event occurs on Feb. 11 and 12 at Pier Park in conjunction with the Krewe of Dominique Youx’s Mardi Gras at the Beach parade.
On Friday, the event kicks off at 4 p.m. with float tours on Pier Park Drive and the Kids Fun Zone at the Grand Theater Plaza. You won’t want to miss the adorable Kids Parade at 6 p.m., followed by the Opening Ceremonies and Kids’ Costume Contests on the Celebration Stage. Live music on opening night is performed by Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band. Fireworks off the Russell-Fields City Pier end the festivities at 8:30 p.m.
A Mardi Gras 5K and Fun Run at Frank Brown Park at 8 a.m. begin the festival’s second day. Other bands taking the stage include The Guess Who, Swingin’ Medallions, and Waylon Thibodeaux, known as the “Louisiana Rockin’ Fiddler.” If you missed the fireworks the previous evening, you have another shot at 7 p.m.
Bird Walk With Audubon
Head over to Conservation Park, which is just west of State Road 70 and north of Panama City Beach Parkway, on Feb. 12 for a Bird Walk With Audubon. This free event sponsored by the Bay County Audubon Society takes place from 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Bring your binoculars, mask, snacks, and drinks. If you don’t have binoculars, the group has a few to spare. Although the 2.5-mile walk is on a dirt road, it’s wide and wheelchair-accessible. Each walking group is limited to 10 people, and depending on the number of participants, there might be several groups.
SEG Bridal Show
Held on Feb. 20 from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Sheraton Palm City Beach Golf and Beach Resort, the SEG Bridal Show helps connect soon-to-be-married couples with all the wedding resources they might need. Florists, bakers, caterers, photographers, travel agents, and managers of rental facilities all gather for this one-day event. Pre-sale tickets are $10, while those at the door are $15, with $2 of every ticket sold donated to Beach Care Services, which is a nonprofit that helps local people in need.
CAUSEway Car Show Cruizin’ For Kids
Now in its second year, the CAUSEway Car Show Cruizin’ for Kids is put on by the nonprofit 850 Crew Car Club. The 2022 event takes place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 26 at 501 Harrison Ave., with the city agreeing to shut down part of Beck Avenue to allow for more vehicles to be highlighted. All proceeds from the event go toward local children battling cancer, with the 2021 event raising more than $30,000. Food, drinks, and T-shirts are available for purchase, and prizes are awarded to the top vehicles.
What do you think of these five February events worth checking out in Panama City? Did Panama City Toyota highlight all the ones you’re familiar with? If not, please let us know so we can add it to our list. We want everyone to know what fun events are happening in the area.
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