F

riends of Eden hosted its annual Camellia Festival at Eden Gardens State Park in Santa Rosa Beach on 
February 16. Centered around the blooming of the Camellias, it makes for a perfect time to celebrate the 
beauty and history of the park. With over 3,000 varieties of Camellias nationwide, and 300 varieties in 
the Eden Gardens State Park, it’s a beautiful colorful walk to see just how different they all can be. This 

annual event is free to the public with paid parking admission, along with the schedule for the Camellias that include 
presentations, demonstrations, and even waxing the blooms. This year Dog Man Du and Summer Kitchen also sold 
food and drinks and “The Shakedown” provided live music from 11-1PM. The perfect weekend event with family, a 
date, or even to enjoy taking photos of all the blooms on a mid-morning walk. If you haven’t visited this park, it’s a 
wonderful little getaway filled with greens, blooms, and history tucked in side of Santa Rosa Beach. 

Friends of Eden Gardens State park was founded in 1968 as a volunteer organization to “assist the state park staff 

to repair, maintain, and enhance the park.” Since then they’ve contributed tens of thousands of hours in labor to 
maintain the park and even raise funds to keep it up and going. The next time you need a little time with family and 
friends, the tranquil park could be the perfect spot.

photos & story by

Shanna Magnuson

   VIP Destin at Eden Gardens State Park

Camellia Festival

Annual

March 2019   |   79 

Megan Pickle & Ronnell Inandan

Teresa Robbins & Angela Jones

Brenda Barnes & Elaine Courtney

Tracy & Joe Gatto 

Bob Saucier & Gail Pizar 

Bob & Angela Alford 

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2/26/19   10:37 PM