Scouting America’s Gulf Coast Council, with the support of the Okaloosa County America 250 Commission, is inviting the public to experience a one-of-a-kind free event at the America 250 Heritage Festival and Scouting Expo on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Rigdon Center (formerly the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds).
This day-long event will be open to the public at 9 a.m. and feature:
Historical reenactments from multiple American military conflicts.
Dignified flag retirement ceremonies (Public is invited to bring flags for retirement)
Museum displays.
Food trucks.
Live entertainment.
A multitude of other vendors and exhibits provided by community partners.
“The Gulf Coast Council is proud to be able to bring the best of Scouting to Northwest Florida families,” said Council Executive and CEO Chris Sams. “Scouting America was created to celebrate what makes our Country great by guiding youth toward a future where they are leading this country according to the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.”
Scouts will be camping throughout the weekend on the fairgrounds property to prepare for the public event on Saturday and to continue to build their Scouting skills by cooking their own food and working together in patrols to keep the grounds clean, learn about the history of the United States and to join the public in celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
Photo Contest (Accepting submissions Sept. 7-Oct. 4, 2026)
During the event, the public is invited to help choose the winners of the “Celebrate America in Nature” Photo Contest by voting for their favorite nature images taken by photographers across Northwest Florida. To enter the photo contest, please visit the contest website for rules and to submit your photos at https://gulfcoastcouncil.org/america-250-heritage-festival/
More details can be found on the Gulf Coast Council website: https://gulfcoastcouncil.org/
About the Gulf Coast Council
The Gulf Coast Council serves the youth of eleven counties in Florida and Alabama and is made up of the Pensacola Bay District, Choctawhatchee District, Lake Sands District and Longleaf Pine District. For 99 years, Scouting has transformed the lives of thousands of youth across the Florida Panhandle and South Alabama area. This impact is made possible through the generosity of volunteers, families, community members, and businesses who believe that building strong character and leadership in youth leads to stronger, more productive lives.
