By Lori Leath Miller
As America approaches its 250th birthday, Okaloosa County is preparing to celebrate in a way that’s both deeply patriotic and unmistakably local — with fireworks in the sky, colonial coats in the crowd and its continued, year-long effort designed to bring history to life for an entirely new generation.
And next up on that growing calendar of celebrations? A gala unlike anything our area has seen before.
On June 12, the Okaloosa Commission 250 will host its highly anticipated “250th Birthday of America Gala & Drone Show” at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Rigdon Center, formerly known as the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds. The event will blend colonial-era pageantry with modern spectacle — creating what organizers hope will become one of the signature patriotic experiences of the year.
The evening, set for 6–10 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m., promises far more than a traditional dinner event. Guests can expect a colonial feast, live entertainment, 1776 reenactments, music, dancing and a patriotic drone show designed to illuminate the ideals of freedom, unity and resolve.
The invitation itself describes the experience as “1776 Meets 2026,” encouraging attendees to step into an evening “where the bold spirit of our nation’s founders meets the brilliance of modern America.” Guests are even encouraged to wear semi-formal or colonial attire — from tricorn hats and military uniforms to elegant gowns and bonnets — helping transform the event into a living celebration of America’s founding era.
But beyond the gala’s grandeur is a much bigger story unfolding across Okaloosa County.
The America 250 movement marks the semiquincentennial — 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. While national celebrations are taking place across the country, Okaloosa County leaders wanted to ensure the local community had a meaningful role in commemorating the milestone.
That vision led the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners to establish the America 250 Commission earlier this year. Formed by county resolution on Jan. 20, 2026, the commission is tasked with organizing events throughout the year that honor America’s founding principles while educating, engaging and inspiring local residents and visitors alike.
The commission officially held its first organizational meeting Feb. 5 in Shalimar, launching what has quickly become one of the area’s most ambitious community-wide patriotic initiatives.
Leading the effort is Chairman Graham Fountain, president of the Sons of the American Revolution, alongside Vice Chairman Mitzi Henley of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Choctawhatchee Bay Chapter. Together with 18 appointed commissioners and more than 50 volunteers, the group represents a wide cross-section of Okaloosa County leadership and civic life.
Participants include representatives from the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution (Choctawhatchee Bay Chapter), West Florida Daughters of the American Revolution, Tourist Development Department, Okaloosa County School District, Florida State Historical Commission, chambers of commerce, the Okaloosa League of Cities, local military installations, Scouting America, first responders, the Billy Bowlegs organization, NAACP leadership and county-appointed at-large members.
In many ways, the structure mirrors the spirit of the original colonies themselves — diverse groups coming together around a shared purpose. “We have a rich history that deserves to be recognized both nationally and in Okaloosa County,” Fountain said during the commission’s inaugural meeting. “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.”
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.
And while history is certainly central to the effort, organizers say they also want these events to feel celebratory, interactive and fun.
Future America 250 events already in planning include expanded Fourth of July celebrations with local municipalities, a patriotic-focused “Remember 9/11” event organized by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber this fall and a full Veterans Day lineup Nov. 11 featuring ceremonies and a parade across the county.
Organizers are also encouraging local businesses, nonprofits and civic groups to participate by hosting their own themed events and partnering with the commission through social media and community promotions.
To have an event added to the Life Media calendar, organizers may contact Cali Hlavac at To Do in Destin at cali.hlavac@gmail.com and Shantelle at shantelle@francesroy.com. Organizers can also visit getthecoast.com/America250 for submissions.
Organizations are also encouraged to add @OkaloosaCountyAmerica250 as a co-host on Facebook to help expand visibility and community engagement.
Businesses and event organizers interested in advertising America 250-related events may also contact Scott Miller at Scott@LifeMediaGrp.com for promotional opportunities through local media partnerships and community outreach campaigns.
One especially fascinating detail woven throughout the campaign is the commission’s tribute to “The 56” — the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Organizers point out that these founders represented nearly every profession imaginable: merchants, ministers, farmers, musicians, physicians, military leaders, printers, lawyers and scientists. In other words, America’s founding wasn’t built by one type of person — but by ordinary citizens willing to step into extraordinary moments.
Perhaps that’s part of what makes the America 250 celebration resonate so strongly here on the Emerald Coast.
In a community shaped by military service, patriotism, volunteerism and small-town pride, the celebration feels less like looking backward — and more like reconnecting with the ideals that still unite Americans today.
For questions, please email the Commission’s Chairman, the Hon. Graham W. Fountain at america250@myokaloosa.com or call (850) 830-0002. Submit photos, flyers, logos and other assets for your event at https://bit.ly/Okaloosa250Assets For gala information, tickets and schedule of events, visit Get The Coast America 250 or on Facebook at @OkaloosaCountyAmerica250.
