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Finding Fun in Crestview Florida

Crestview has been blessed with a diverse population and history that give way to an equally varied culture. The area’s history dates back to before the colonization of the New World. Many local museums help to maintain and document the heritage of the area. Carver-Hill Museum works to preserve the African-American influence in the Crestview Area. Other museums include the Baker Block museum (located four miles west of Crestview in Baker, Florida); the Heritage Museum in Valparaiso, Florida; the Air Force Armament Museum on Highway 85; and the Indian Mound Museum in downtown Fort Walton Beach.

Okaloosa Walton College (OWC) campus in Niceville houses an arts center. The center is 120,000-square feet and provides complexes that remain unrivaled in the entire region— catering to both students and the public. The facilities, at a cost of $20 million, feature a 1,650-seat theater that hosts an annual series of touring Broadway shows, a 195 seat Sprint Theatre (providing flexible space for smaller productions) and a 2,000-square foot dance studio. The fine arts complex includes an art wing, which houses the college’s multi-million dollar, permanent collection as well as hosts traveling exhibits. The music wing features rehearsal halls for the symphony orchestra, jazz band and symphonic band; a recording studio; a recital hall; music theory and composition room and choir rehearsal halls.

One contributing organization, the Old Spanish Trail Festival Society, works to maintain the Trail’s history while educating others on its rich heritage. The society hosts a festival each year and its park and pavilion are home to a variety of festivals, fairs and competitions each of which attract thousands of people.

Other area organizations dedicated to maintaining the area’s history, heritage and culture include The Fort Walton Beach Art Museum Association, Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, First Arts, The Arts and Design Society, Northwest Florida Ballet, Northwest Florida Symphony Chorus, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Emerald Coast Community Band, Emerald Coast Barbershop Chorus and many others.