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Heading down to the white sand beaches and blue waters of Destin for the 4th of July week. Went 2 years ago, and the fireworks people had were spectacular. This year, we will be looking to pick some up along the way to Destin from ECP (Panama City Airport).

Is anyone familiar with the area? Are there good firework stands along the way to pick some up? I was looking on google maps and I found this "superstore" but it's 1.5 hours away from our beach house in Florala, Alabama. Im sure the trek would be worth it, but others in my party have already expressed a dis-interest in driving out there. Most feasible would be some stands along the way, although I know we will pay a lot more for a less selection.

Also,
Any must go to eateries? 2 years ago we didnt really find/get out to see too much away from the beach house. We mostly cooked all of our meals. This time, I want to get my eat on. Let me know if you know a good spot.

swellvermin wrote:Heading down to the white sand beaches and blue waters of Destin for the 4th of July week. Went 2 years ago, and the fireworks people had were spectacular. This year, we will be looking to pick some up along the way to Destin from ECP (Panama City Airport).

Is anyone familiar with the area? Are there good firework stands along the way to pick some up? I was looking on google maps and I found this "superstore" but it's 1.5 hours away from our beach house in Florala, Alabama. Im sure the trek would be worth it, but others in my party have already expressed a dis-interest in driving out there. Most feasible would be some stands along the way, although I know we will pay a lot more for a less selection.

Also,
Any must go to eateries? 2 years ago we didnt really find/get out to see too much away from the beach house. We mostly cooked all of our meals. This time, I want to get my eat on. Let me know if you know a good spot.

I am pretty sure fireworks are illegal in Florida except or like sparklers and little BS like that. So, the Florala place is gonna be the closest place.

Also, if you don't want to be around a bunch 15-22 year olds acting like hooligans, stay out of PCB as much as possible.

autiger730 wrote:I am pretty sure fireworks are illegal in Florida except or like sparklers and little BS like that. So, the Florala place is gonna be the closest place.

I think only certain ones like M80s and crap like that.

There is a firework stand on every corner come 4th of July full of good stuff.

Not sure about up in Destin though.

Destin is like heaven for the Alabama/Louisiana/Mississippi crowd. I had never heard of it til I met my wife.

DRiccio21 wrote:Destin is like heaven for the Alabama/Louisiana/Mississippi crowd. I had never heard of it til I met my wife.

It is. It's redneck Miami Beach during summer times and spring break.

autiger730 wrote:Also, if you don't want to be around a bunch 15-22 year olds acting like hooligans, stay out of PCB as much as possible.

Only flying into panama city....staying in Destin. So....np lol

McGuires definitely and I think there's a place Corey went to in Orlando thats down there as well called Hogs Breath Saloon. Also Ft Walton beach has a good set of bars/restaurants right at the beach

DRiccio21 wrote:Destin is like heaven for the Alabama/Louisiana/Mississippi crowd. I had never heard of it til I met my wife.

Bama/LA/Miss have some pretty crappy beaches for the most part. So for those down south, Destin is the nicest/closest beach they can get to.

I've never been myself but you're 100% right, almost all of my friends took yearly family vacations to Destin.

We went to PCB last month

Stayed at a Splash Resort, great resort for kids

DRWebs wrote:McGuires definitely and I think there's a place Corey went to in Orlando thats down there as well called Hogs Breath Saloon. Also Ft Walton beach has a good set of bars/restaurants right at the beach

Will check this out for sure.

Also, it looks like this is place I will be going too. Easily dropping $500 in here http://buddysfireworks.com

http://miami.about.com/od/governmentcit ... lorida.htm

Basically, only sparklers are legal to use. You have to have a permit for anything else. Stores/stands get away with selling them by making you sign a waiver. I kinda just figured it was illegal because you see stores scattered along the FL border in Alabama. Same here along the Georgia border. I worked at a big store off I-20 for several 4ths and New Years "seasons" as a teenager.

autiger730 wrote:http://miami.about.com/od/governmentcit ... lorida.htm

Basically, only sparklers are legal to use. You have to have a permit for anything else. Stores/stands get away with selling them by making you sign a waiver. I kinda just figured it was illegal because you see stores scattered along the FL border in Alabama. Same here along the Georgia border. I worked at a big store off I-20 for several 4ths and New Years "seasons" as a teenager.

Yeah thats how it was a couple summers ago. Only the little BS stuff from the grocery stores were what we found. This year, im going hard on the beach. I dont recall seeing any stands along the way last time either.

Good luck not getting arrested.

autiger730 wrote:Good luck not getting arrested.

EVERYONE on the beach had illegal fireworks, the beach police came rolling through and just told everyone to shut it down after about an hour or so. Theres no way they were arresting the whole beach. Im not going to keep my whole stash all in one place, either. No way im letting that many fireworks get scooped up. I mean, thanks for your kind words, and luck giving...but I dont think that would happen. Do you?? You probably know better than I do; why you gotta scare a nigga?

Apparently, they changed the law. From what I've read, if you aren't using them to scare animals off your farm it is a felony.

Shit. I just saw this. I live 30 min north of Destin. You won't catch me anywhere near Destin on the 4th though. Too damn many people. It was fun when I was younger. Now I just see it as too much traffic.
You will have to go to Alabama to get fireworks and it is about 1 1/2 hours from Destin. The place in Florala isn't the best. There is a place on I-10 about 15 min across the Florida/Alabama state line that is much better with a better selection. Shelton's Fireworks is the name.
As far as restaurants, you should probably hit McGuires. The food is ok but the bar and atmosphere is worth it.

autiger730 wrote:Apparently, they changed the law. From what I've read, if you aren't using them to scare animals off your farm it is a felony.

I get them every year. The cops around here won't bother you.

OracleHCR wrote:Shit. I just saw this. I live 30 min north of Destin. You won't catch me anywhere near Destin on the 4th though. Too damn many people. It was fun when I was younger. Now I just see it as too much traffic.
You will have to go to Alabama to get fireworks and it is about 1 1/2 hours from Destin. The place in Florala isn't the best. There is a place on I-10 about 15 min across the Florida/Alabama state line that is much better with a better selection. Shelton's Fireworks is the name.
As far as restaurants, you should probably hit McGuires. The food is ok but the bar and atmosphere is worth it.

Ahhh good to know!!!