Search
Close this search box.

Drone show dazzles at Destin’s 40th birthday celebration

The City of Destin’s 40th Birthday Bash lit up the night sky Saturday with a spectacular drone show, marking the highlight of the evening’s festivities at HarborWalk Village. The aerial display featured “Destin” and “Happy 40th Birthday” in lights, alongside images of sailboats, sharks, dolphins, the American flag, surfers, and a lighthouse. The drone show, a first for […]

The City of Destin’s 40th Birthday Bash lit up the night sky Saturday with a spectacular drone show, marking the highlight of the evening’s festivities at HarborWalk Village.

  • Three hundred drones illuminated the sky, forming various shapes, designs, and messages to commemorate the city’s four decades of incorporation.

The aerial display featured “Destin” and “Happy 40th Birthday” in lights, alongside images of sailboats, sharks, dolphins, the American flag, surfers, and a lighthouse.

The drone show, a first for the city, took place at 8:15 p.m. as part of a slate of activities that began at 5:30 p.m. with a confetti pop. The celebration also included live music, cupcakes, and a fire spinning performance by Autumn Lyfe to close out the evening.

Prior to the event, Tamara Young, City of Destin Public Information Director, had expressed enthusiasm for the celebration. “It’s one of those events where there should be something for everyone, no matter the age,” Young said. She also noted the recent recognition of Destin’s harbor as the second-best in the nation.

  • To encourage community-wide participation, parking fees were waived for the evening at HarborWalk Village and all City-owned lots.

The birthday bash, which ran from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., also featured stilt walkers and live music by Tobacco Road, in addition to the drone show and fire spinning performance.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“The Big U! The NMU supplied the unlicensed crew and when we lost this ship and its jobs and when U.S. Lines went bankrupt, we were on our way to...”
Respond
“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
Respond
“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”
Respond
“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
Respond
“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”
Respond
“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
Respond
“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”
Respond
“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
Respond
“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”
Respond