HWY 331

In this episode of the HWY 331 Podcast, host Kerri Parker sits down with Diane Pickett, the founder and visionary behind Summit on the Circle—an immersive cultural event returning April 23–26 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.

Now in its second year, Summit on the Circle brings together nationally recognized performers, scholars, artists, and civic leaders for a four-day experience centered around storytelling, music, art, and meaningful conversation. With themes tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States, this year’s Summit explores how culture shapes the American story; From indigenous voices and Gullah Geechee traditions to film, technology, and live performance.

In this conversation, Diane shares the inspiration behind the Summit, why real-life gatherings matter more than ever, and how this event is helping spark a cultural reawakening in North Walton County.

You’ll also learn what to expect throughout the weekend: from hands-on art workshops and historic home experiences to live music, interactive sessions, and a community-wide ice cream social by the lake.

Whether you're local to the Florida Panhandle or planning a spring getaway, this episode gives you everything you need to know about one of the region’s most unique cultural events.

 Tickets: $55 for the full weekend (Friday–Sunday programming) Location: Historic Lake DeFuniak & downtown DeFuniak SpringsDates: April 23–26, 2026

Review the Schedule here.

Purchase tickets online or at check-in Friday morning at the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood.

This episode is made possible by Ocean Reef Resorts, Morgan Stanley, and North Walton Doctors Hospital.

This episode of the HWY 331, we connect you to Parker McClellan as he explains the rapid growth of Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. From new nonstop flights to a major terminal expansion, Executive Director Parker McClellan shares what it means for travel, tourism, and the future of Northwest Florida.

Every Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend since 2010, the 30A Songwriters Festival has turned South Walton’s quiet winter season into a destination built around music, storytelling, and community.

On this episode of the HWY 331 Podcast, host Kerri Parker sits down with festival producers Jennifer Steele and Russell Carter to reflect on 17 years of a songwriter-focused festival that has become a cultural and economic cornerstone for Walton County. They share how intentional curation, in-the-round performances, and deep community partnerships shaped the festival — and why its partnership with the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County is essential to sustaining year-round arts programming.

The conversation also offers insider insight into the 2026 lineup and what first-time attendees can expect from a weekend that transforms neighborhoods, venues, and listening rooms into an immersive musical experience — drawing visitors not for the weather, but for the music.

In this episode of the HWY 331 podcast, host Kerri Parker speaks with Megan Harrison, President and CEO of the Walton County Area Chamber of Commerce. They discuss the importance of leadership, community growth, and the challenges faced by small businesses in Walton County. Megan shares her journey in chamber leadership, the upcoming 'Next Big Thing' event, and the need for collaboration within the community. They also touch on the significance of mentorship and the infrastructure challenges that impact local businesses. The conversation emphasizes the chamber's role in connecting businesses and fostering a thriving community.

THE NEXT BIG THING EVENT

What if a theater could do more than entertain—what if it could connect an entire community? That’s exactly what Anna Fisher, Associate Artistic Director of the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, is doing in Walton County. Since 2012, Anna has helped grow ECTC from a small after-school program into a thriving professional theatre that now spans Walton County—from their headquarters in Miramar Beach at Grand Boulevard, to the historic theater in DeFuniak Springs, and most recently, to Freeport. ECTC is bringing children, families, and neighbors together through the magic of live performance. In this episode, we connect you with Anna to hear her story, the vision behind the theatre, and why being part of this community is an experience you won’t want to miss.

On this episode of the HWY 331 Podcast, we are joined by Cecilia Canut, Program Manager for Keep Walton County Beautiful—an official affiliate of Keep America Beautiful that now operates under Walton County Tourism. We talk about how this initiative was born, the community partnerships it’s building, and why sustainability, education, and litter prevention matter so much to both locals and visitors. We also dive into some of their biggest projects—like post-holiday cleanups, educational outreach in schools, and signage highlighting native wildlife—and how everyone, from students to businesses to families, can get involved. Cecilia shares her passion for protecting what makes Walton County special, and even gives us her 30-second elevator pitch for inspiring high schoolers to care about their community. This is a conversation about pride of place, showing up for where you live, and making sure future generations can enjoy this beautiful part of Florida. So listen in and connect with Cecilia Canut.

00:00 Introduction to Keep Walton Beautiful

02:02 The Mission and Vision of Keep Walton Beautiful

04:12 Community Engagement and Projects

07:18 Getting Involved: Volunteer Opportunities

10:43 Inspiring the Next Generation

12:51 Personal Journey and Community Impact

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In this episode we connect you with Christian Wagley, a science-rooted environmental advocate working with Healthy Gulf organization. Christian brings a deeply personal connection to this work, sharing a childhood memory fishing with his grandfather —when he first witnessed the loss of a thriving yellow perch population to pollution. That early experience ignited a lifelong commitment to protecting water and communities.

In this conversation, we explore what it means to pursue science-driven advocacy and how that expertise is rooted in place. 

Christian breaks down how outdated zoning codes still favor sprawl over smart, human-scale community design, and why citizen engagement is critical now to ensure the county’s long-term resilience.

He also offers actionable opportunities—like Florida’s Solar Energy Loan Fund (SELF) and federal clean energy incentives—for households and leaders to build healthier, more sustainable communities together.

If you care about coastal resilience, community planning (Walton 2040), and our future, this episode is for you.

What if the most profound detour of your beach vacation... was a perfect circle?

Not metaphorically. A literal, spring-fed, mathematically rare, perfectly round lake...hidden just off HWY 331.

Victorian homes. A downtown where you cross the tracks into something authentic. 

This isn’t just a place. It’s a pattern. Of stillness. Of return. Of history, art, and the kind of beauty you don’t scroll past—you walk through.

On this episode of the HWY 331 podcast – Lake DeFuniak. A circle worth circling back for!

It’s a quick listen—and it just might become the most meaningful part of your beach vacation.

This episode is all about the power of coming together—about what can happen when business owners stop seeing each other as competition and start seeing each other as community. At the heart of that mission in Freeport, Florida, is the Freeport Merchant Association—and at the heart of that is today’s guest, William “Bill” Blanken.

Bill is a business strategist, a leadership developer, and the current president of the Freeport Merchant Association. He brings decades of experience in organizational growth and team-building, and he’s using that to help shape a more connected, more collaborative Freeport business community.

In this episode, we’ll talk about what the association is doing, how local businesses are lifting each other up, and why collaboration isn’t just good for your bottom line—it’s good for the soul of your city.

Whether you’re a business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just someone who wants to see your hometown thrive, this one’s for you.

Let’s dive in and connect with Bill Blanken.

Some say the South is all sweet tea and front porch stories, but if you’ve read F. Diane Pickett’s work, you know better. Her novels don’t just whisper Southern history—they grab you by the collar and drag you through the grit, grace, and downright fight of strong-willed women who refuse to be tamed. Today, we sit down with the legendary storyteller, preservationist, and force of nature herself—Diane Pickett. Diane is a woman who doesn’t just tell history—she shapes it. 

Her latest book, while marketed as fiction, is rooted in real-life events and serves as a cautionary tale about the fragility of women's progress.

Our discussion also delves into the importance of preserving Southern culture, history, and etiquette, with Diane emphasizing the loss of traditional courtesies in the digital age. She passionately speaks about the upcoming "Summit on the Circle" in DeFuniak Springs, a three-day event celebrating Southern heritage through live music, art demonstrations, storytelling, and even a pig roast. She highlights the significance of historic preservation, her partnership with the University of West Florida, and her vision for bringing cultural and economic revitalization to the town.

Diane also shares her admiration for Tony Vallee, a city council candidate dedicated to preservation efforts, and an invitation to meet him on her front porch. How Southern! 

So grab your sweet tea and connect with  Diane Pickett in this episode of the HWY 331 podcast. I am your host, Kerri Parker.

The Tea Wasn't Always Sweet on Amazon

Summit on the Circle Details and Tickets

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