By Barbara Palmgren
There are extraordinary moments in time that we remember.
Most people know where they were when President Kennedy was assassinated. They know where they were on 9/11 when the Twin Towers came down, part of the Pentagon was destroyed and brave Americans forced a plane to crash into the ground rather than strike a target in Washington, D.C. They remember special visits or places in 1976 when we celebrated the Bicentennial of our nation.
And now many will remember this special night: June 12, 2026. The gala at the Rigdon Center in Fort Walton Beach to reenact the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The celebration was organized by the Okaloosa County America 250 Commission, led by Chair Graham W. Fountain and Vice Chair Mitzi Henley. As a commission member and trustee of the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, I was honored to help plan the event. The museum is also hosting the yearlong exhibit, Celebrate America 250! The Revolution.
The America 250 Commission has scheduled more patriotic events throughout the year. A few of these include a Faith Community Event, a Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra performance at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, a Heroes and First Responders event honoring our military and first responders and a Patriots Grand Parade in Crestview.
What amazed me was seeing the majority of several hundred dinner guests clothed in period attire of the era, including your publishers and Walton County residents Scott and Lori Miller. And not just dresses and uniforms, but white wigs of all shapes and sizes. Most of those portraying the signers of the Declaration stood and walked up to the document looking as though they were the actual individuals, ready to sign for liberty despite the costs.
I was seated at a table with Valparaiso Mayor Joe Morgan, who proudly portrayed signer John Hart of New Jersey and walked forward to sign alongside Parker Destin, who portrayed George Washington, at the table where the historic document awaited signatures. Close by was Scott Miller portraying signer George Clymer of Pennsylvania, and another friend, Niceville Mayor Dan Henkel, portraying Benjamin Harrison V of Virginia.
Friends from other parts of Northwest Florida attended as well, including retired South Walton High School Principal Alexis Tibbetts, a renowned educator in both Okaloosa and Walton counties.
At the podium, emcee Bernard Johnson Jr., External Affairs Manager for Florida Power & Light; Mary Katharine Goddard, portrayed by Honorable Ginger Madden, State Attorney for Florida’s 1st Judicial Circuit; and Reverend George Whitefield, portrayed by Mel Ponder, president of Northwest Florida State College, shared descriptions of the signers, including their professions and the size of their families.
When all 56 signers were seated, the Honorable Patt Maney, Florida House Representative for District 4, invited everyone to rise with champagne glasses in hand and toast the signers and our Declaration of Independence. A large and beautiful cake was then cut and served, followed by the drone show and cannon salute.
More America 250 events are planned throughout Okaloosa County, offering residents across Northwest Florida opportunities to celebrate our shared history and heritage. Follow the Okaloosa County America 250 Facebook page and visit Life Media publications or GetTheCoast.com/America250 for upcoming events.
Happy Birthday, America!
