The Okaloosa County America 250 Commission held its first meeting Thursday, Feb. 5, in Shalimar to begin planning a year-long slate of events marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
- The commission, established by resolution of the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 20, is charged with providing activities for residents and visitors throughout the 2026 calendar year.
It is made up of 18 members representing organizations including the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, Florida State America 250 Commission, the Florida Historical Commission, Okaloosa County School District, local chambers of commerce, the Okaloosa League of Cities, local military bases, Scouting America Northwest Florida, the Billy Bowlegs Association, first responders, the NAACP and five at-large appointees of the County Commission. Community volunteers interested in serving as support staff also attended.
“We have a rich history that deserves to be recognized both nationally and in Okaloosa County,” said commission Chairman Graham Fountain. “We can all come together, pause and reflect on the contributions made by our patriot ancestors who fought and died to create our great republic and those many heroes that continue to make the United States of America a true example of freedom throughout the next 250 years.”
Several events are already in the planning stages, with additional events to be added and adjusted throughout the process:
- Feb. 20 — The All Sports Association will kick off a new military award in honor of patriots.
- Feb. 28 — The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce will host a Heroes Dinner honoring the military. For tickets, call the chamber at 850-244-8192.
- March 23 — Conexion Media will host an America 250 International Festival.
- May 9 — Patriots Day will be held in downtown Crestview with a grand parade and America 250 celebration at the courthouse.
- June 12 — A patriotic drone show at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Rigdon Center from 6 to 10 p.m. with a community tailgate at Freedom Tech Center/Fairgrounds. That evening, the Choctawhatchee Bay chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will host a gala at the Rigdon Center following the drone show. The gala is open to anyone with purchased tickets.
- July 4 — Local municipalities will hold fireworks.
- October — The Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce plans to organize a “Remember 9/11” event with a patriots focus.
- Nov. 11 — Veterans Day program at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center on Okaloosa Island at 9 a.m., an 11 a.m. ceremony at Beal Memorial Cemetery and a 1 p.m. Veterans Day parade in Mary Esther.
The commission is also encouraging attendees and participants at events to dress in colonial and continental-era attire, including civilian wear, colonial military uniforms, dresses, tricorn hats and ladies’ bonnets.
“Part of the fun in paying tribute to the colonial/continental period of our history is learning more about our founders and ancestors and dressing in period attire at America 250 events,” said Vice Chairman Mitzi Henley.
Organizations wishing to have their events posted publicly can find submission instructions on the official Okaloosa America 250 website at getthecoast.com/America250. The commission also encourages organizations to add @OkaloosaCountyAmerica250 as a co-host on Facebook to help promote events, and to submit photos, flyers, logos and other assets at https://bit.ly/Okaloosa250Assets.
For questions, contact Fountain at america250@myokaloosa.com or 850-830-0002. For information about the May 9 grand parade and celebration in Crestview, contact Melissa Carter, Crestview special events manager, at carterc@cityofcrestview.org or 850-974-8136.
The commission will operate through Jan. 31, 2027.
