Community Events

– The Fort Walton Beach Police Department will honor National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW) from April 12 through April 18, 2026, recognizing the “heroes under the headset” who work around the clock to keep the community safe.

• Email [email protected] to request a dispatcher to adopt. You will receive a follow-up email with assignment details.
• Items may be mailed or dropped off at the Fort Walton Beach Police Department during the week of April 12–18:
  Fort Walton Beach Police Department
  7 Hollywood Blvd NE
  Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

The Fort Walton Beach Police Department thanks the community for helping make National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week a meaningful celebration each year.

Contact:
Kira G. Huyghue
Email: [email protected]

Join the Fish Fry Fundraiser on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Liza Jackson Park – Dog Park Parking Lot, 338 Miracle Strip Parkway SW in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Plates are $20 each and can be picked up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit One Hopeful Place, with every ticket purchased providing a sheltered participant with a full day of meals—helping make a difference one life at a time.

Stop by Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson for an Adopt & Shop event on April 18th from 11 AM to 3 PM! Spend the day with PAWS enjoying a fun outing where you can meet adorable adoptable pets while browsing and shopping. You never know—you just might leave with your new best friend!

Turtlefest:  This family-friendly festival will be an unforgettable evening where guests will enjoy endless entertainment, unlimited food and drinks, and fun activities for all ages. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and greet their favorite Gulfarium residents and make a real difference in the lives of endangered sea turtles. Guests are invited to celebrate marine conservation and the incredible work of the Gulfarium C.A.R.E. Center at the Annual CARE on the Coast Sea Turtle Festival.

Join MidSouth Bank for a fun-filled Customer Appreciation Day on April 23rd from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at their Fort Walton Beach location! This exciting, pirate-themed celebration will feature live music, treasure hunts, children’s savings activities, prizes, and a complimentary lunch provided by Omni Broadcasting and Lenny’s Subs. Guests can also enjoy a special appearance by the Billy Bowlegs Krewe and meet the bank’s very own “Treasury Specialist.” Bring the whole family for an afternoon of adventure, entertainment, and community appreciation at 768 Beal Parkway NW!

Join MarineMax for their Boats and Boil Customer Appreciation Event on Saturday, May 9th from 11 to 3!

Come check out the latest Grady-White boats—built for adventure, powered for the Gulf—and while you’re here… grab a plate!

We’re serving up over 500 pounds of fresh, delicious crawfish—so bring your appetite and your crew.

Boats, crawfish boil, and good times—it’s all happening at MarineMax of Fort Walton Beach on Highway 98 across from Whataburger!

Don’t miss it—May 9th, 11 to 3. MarineMax of Fort Walton Beach… where your next adventure begins.

The 69th annual Blessing of the Fleet will be held on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 14, at the docks behind Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer on Destin Harbor. Organized by Immanuel Anglican Church, the free public event begins at 4 p.m. with a captains’ praise and worship service under a large tent, followed around 5 p.m. by a clergy-led procession to bless registered vessels. Commercial fishing boats, safety vessels, and recreational watercraft operated by captains who earn their living on the sea are invited to participate, with registered captains receiving a traditional blue cross-and-dove Blessing of the Fleet flag. Last year, more than 130 vessels were blessed, and captains can register in advance by submitting their vessel and contact information via email or phone. A community fish feast will start around 5:15 p.m., supported by Ariel Seafood, Brotula’s, and local sponsors, with suggested donations benefiting the event, and T-shirts available for purchase; free parking is offered at Brotula’s all day and at a nearby city lot beginning at 2 p.m.

The Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival takes place each year in Fort Walton Beach along Florida’s scenic Emerald Coast and celebrates its 70th anniversary as a family-friendly, pirate-themed tradition. Named after the legendary pirate William Augustus Bowles, also known as Billy Bowlegs, the event features several signature moments, including Thursday’s Pre-Invasion, Friday’s Pirate Skirmish between the Krewe of Bowlegs and the city’s mayor, Saturday’s dramatic Pirate Landing as Captain Billy Bowlegs and his crew attempt to seize the city, and Monday night’s Torchlight Parade. The festival also offers a variety of attractions such as a popular treasure hunt, fireworks, live music, an arts and crafts show, and a wide selection of food from local vendors.