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.
