Okaloosa County's 250th Birthday of America Gala & Drone Show

Disclaimer: We are promoting this event on behalf of a local chamber member. This event is not managed or sponsored by the Destin Chamber.



Happy Birthday, America!
As we begin celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation, we invite you to join us in this historic milestone. The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners has established the America 250 Commission, a dedicated group of 18 appointed commissioners and more than fifty volunteers committed to organizing and supporting events throughout 2026. Together, they will honor our Founding Fathers and their enduring principles, recognize our patriotic ancestors, commemorate the Revolutionary War era, and promote education and community awareness across Okaloosa County.

We encourage you to follow the Okaloosa County America 250 Facebook page and explore the full schedule of events on the “Get the Coast” website at www.getthecoast.com/america250.

The Commission held its organizational meeting on February 5, 2026, in Shalimar, where members began planning a year of meaningful celebrations designed to engage our community and inspire participation in this once-in-a-generation anniversary.

Our community will come together to mark this occasion with several signature events:
• The Patriots Day America 250 Grand Parade and Celebration will take place on May 9, 2026 at 4:00PM, along Main Street in Crestview, Florida. (Parade Sign Up: loom.ly/vgtY48w Volunteer Sign Up: loom.ly/vRbRlqU )
• On June 12, 2026, we will host an elegant Gala Dinner from 6:00 to 10:00 PM, featuring a special 1776 reenactment.
• The evening will include a spectacular Patriotic Drone Show at the Rigdon Center in Destin–Fort Walton Beach (1958 Lewis Turner Blvd).

We warmly invite you to be part of this unforgettable Gala experience, which includes VIP seating for the Drone Show. The evening will feature a lively social hour, a formal dinner, an immersive reenactment, and a festive celebration with music and dancing.

The fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence represented a remarkable cross-section of early American society—leaders, merchants, physicians, lawyers, surveyors, scientists, printers, farmers, landowners, musicians, military leaders, and ministers. We would be honored for you and/or your business to join us in this tribute to “The 56.”

We welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss how you can play a meaningful role in this celebration. Our Vice Chair, Mitzi Henley of the Daughters of the American Revolution, will be reaching out soon. We look forward to celebrating together and hope we can count on your support.

In God We Trust and E Pluribus Unum,

Hon. Graham W. Fountain, Chair
County Commissioner, 
State Police Colonel and Undersheriff (ret); President-SAR, Emerald Coast of Florida

Mitzie Henley, Vice Chair 
Daughters of the American Revolution
Emerald Owner/Operator, Sports Clips