The Okaloosa County America 250 Commission has postponed Saturday’s Patriot’s Day events, including the 1 p.m. pre-parade celebration and concert and the Grand Parade, citing weather forecasts predicting rain and a high probability of thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday.
- Commission Chairman Graham Fountain said in a Tuesday press release that the commission plans to reschedule a similar event later in the celebration year. Make-up events are likely in the fall after students return to school, he said.
The Okaloosa County Department of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service and the event’s law enforcement and public safety team strongly recommended against holding the celebration or parade in rough weather, according to Fountain.
Fountain said stage setups, electrical sound equipment, military flyovers, singers and musical instruments could not safely be operated in the rain, and that no indoor alternative site could accommodate the scope of the program and expected attendance.
“Although Mayor Whitten, City Staff, and I share your disappointment in this decision, please understand our concern for the safety of our citizens and event participants has to outweigh our desire for the Patriots’ Day events,” Fountain said.
The chairman thanked commission staff, volunteers, musical artists, Crestview city staff and event workers for their work preparing for the events.
Future rescheduling announcements will be shared through media outlets, Facebook, city and county websites and Get The Coast.
