Good morning, Panama City.

One Panama City family welcomed baby girl Juniper at 8:26 a.m. on New Year’s Day at HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital+ she is the first baby of 2026 and her parents look forward to introducing her to their pets.

The 10th Annual Cape San Blas Polar Plunge is a free community event set to accept donations for the Volunteer Fire Department — organizers hope to surpass last year's 300 participants as they plan for a bigger splash.

More details on timing and location will follow soon.

Panama City Beach celebrated New Year's Eve with an 8 p.m. beach ball drop (with 15,000 beach balls, live music, fireworks, food vendors and a kids zone) at Aaron Bessant Park (an event that brought families together as they marked the start of 2026 with new resolutions).

The Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage announced Oaks By The Bay Park — a nearly five-acre site on the St. Andrews Bay waterfront at the south end of Beck Avenue — as its newest member site in Panama City that offers scenic views and a window into Indigenous history.

Panama City Beach Mardi Gras & Music Festival will feature a lively Mardi Gras at the Beach Parade, live music, food truck vendors and family fun at Aaron Bessant Park on Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m. during the weekend of Jan.

30 to 31.

Bay County students in grades 6–12 advanced to the Department round in the VFW patriotism contests after winning in District 17; winners from the Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests may soon receive scholarships and a trip to Washington (D.C.) to be honored.

Fighting conchs with strong spiral shells are found in shallow waters off Panama City Beach, where they burrow or move slowly along the ocean floor; they defend territory aggressively — yet remain harmless to humans and help clean up detritus.

Rosenwald Documentary Red Carpet Event

6-9 p.m. — Florida State University Panama City — Free entry — Experience the premiere of the Rosenwald documentary with a night of film and star-studded excitement.

Great Pages Circus

1-2:30 p.m. — Central Panhandle Fair in Bay County — Cash only — Experience thrilling acts and family fun at this exciting circus event.

PCB Mardi Gras and Music Festival

11 a.m.-3 p.m. — Pier Park — Free entry — Celebrate Mardi Gras with music, prizes, and festive activities for all ages.