Good morning, Panama City.

Panama City will host the July 4th Salute Freedom festival from 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM downtown and along St. Andrews Bay, featuring live music, family activities, food trucks, and a fireworks display at 9:00 PM.

Attendees can also enjoy VIP events—offering reserved seating, a seafood boil, and waterfront views—as part of the celebration of American independence.

An estimated 50,000 motorcyclists have come to Panama City Beach for the spring Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally—held at Frank Brown Park, the Harley-Davidson dealership, and near Sharky’s Restaurant on Front Beach Road.

Officials ask drivers to be extra careful on U.S. 98, Back Beach Road and State Road 390 due to more traffic and active work zones, and a 'Back the Blue' parade honoring fallen officers will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. from Beef O’ Brady’s parking lot.

Bay County will host several yard sales this weekend from May 2 to 4 offering locals opportunities to buy and sell items.

Events include a church sale at First Baptist Church of Callaway on May 2 from 7am to 2pm; massive sales in Panama City at 5615 Wallace Rd on May 2 from 11am to 6pm and on May 3 from 10am to 4pm; an estate sale at 112 Queens Cir on May 3 from 7:30am to 1:30pm; and a multi-family sale in Blountstown near Calhoun Coffee Company on May 3 with another estate sale at 5615 Wallace Rd on May 4 from 10am to 3pm.

Today, the Bay Economic Development Alliance announced that Oxford Technologies Corporation will launch a new manufacturing plant in Bay County by leasing a facility on Highway-231 and investing over $7.5M to create 40 jobs — the company makes parts for Black Hawk rotor blades to support local aviation — a move expected to boost regional manufacturing.

On April 10th, 2025, BCSO deputies responded to Bridge Plaza Apartments after a victim reported being kidnapped by Latrance Battle—who posed as an ICE agent, snatched her phone, and was later arrested on charges including kidnapping and impersonating a law enforcement officer.

David Earl Gipson, accused of brutally attacking two women and beating a victim’s relative in Washington County, appeared in court on Wednesday and was denied bond — he faces charges of aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, sexual assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping and may also face murder charges.

Downtown Panama City is hosting its annual Star Wars Week celebration with free family events that began April 30 and will run through May 4.

Today the event features a murder mystery and costume contest while upcoming days include a cosplay party, game tournaments, a scavenger hunt and a pub crawl — organized by the Bay Arts Alliance and the 501st Legion.

Cinco de Derby Celebration

4-7 PM — 30Avenue — Tickets available — Experience the thrilling fusion of the Derby and a Cinco de Mayo fiesta with a Big Hat Contest and piñata-smash fun.

20Th Century

Kaleidoscope Theatre - 207 E24th St, Lynn Haven - Ken Ludwig’s hilarious adaptation of the classic comedy by Ben Hecht and Charles McArthur. The stakes are simple: will Oscar Jaffe, the egomaniacal Broadway director, con his erstwhile and glamorous leading lady, Lily Garland, into signing up for his next Broadway show? It should be a piece of cake, except that Oscar is bankrupt and Lily is now a movie star. It all takes place aboard the Twentieth Century Limited from Chicago to New York, so the clock is ticking.

Florida Hot Tub Expo

May 15-29 — Central Panhandle Fair in Bay County — Check pricing on various hot tubs and transform your backyard into a personal oasis.

May the Cards Be With You!

6:30 PM - 10:30 PM — 4728 Bylsma Cir, Panama City, FL — Bring a dish to share — Enjoy a night of card games with friends and great food.

Paint Night at House of Henry

6-8:30 p.m. — House of Henry Irish Pub and Restaurant — All materials included — Create strawberry vibes while sipping and painting in a fun atmosphere.

Corey Hall Live Performance

6 PM – 12 AM — Burgunbarrel — Check website for ticket prices — Experience the soulful sound of Gulf Coast musician Corey Hall blending blues and folk elements.

Night of Poets

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Panama City Center for the Arts — No refunds — Experience an evening filled with captivating poetry, music, and art performances that celebrate creativity and expression.

Seashells and the Sound of the Sea

5-6 p.m. — Bay County Public Library — Free entry — Discover the captivating history of seashells and their significance in nature and culture with expert insights from environmental journalist Cynthia Barnett.

Gulf Coast Jam Country Music Festival

May 29- June 1 — Frank Brown Park — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the vibrant country music scene over four days in beautiful Panama City Beach.

Jelly Roll Live Performance

12-4 a.m. — Frank Brown Park — Tickets TBA — Experience genre-bending songs from the rising star Jelly Roll.