Good morning, Panama City.

At Holy Nativity Episcopal Church on Sunday, the Rally Day event blessed about 50 backpacks for students with prayers for guidance and safety and served fried chicken and sides—songs of praise and a giant water slide helped send the kids into the new school year with hope.

Panama City Beach will host the inaugural Faith Festival on Oct.

18 at 10 a.m. at Aaron Bessant Park — local Christian leaders will lead the event for The Ark ministries to support safe playground equipment, with live music, food trucks, vendors, a prayer tent and children’s activities.

Panama City is set to open its first Dutch Bros coffee shop in a redeveloped location on Highway 77 after the former Burger King building was sold and demolished — the new store, the first in the Panhandle, will offer coffee, energy drinks, tea, and more while its opening date has not yet been announced.

Panama City Ballet is hosting auditions — inviting dancers of all ages to show their skills for a new Nutcracker season.

The ballet plans rehearsals at three local studios and a live performance December 12-14 at the Helen Blackburn Arnold Auditorium, with tickets on sale in September.

Panama City Police said drivers must slow to 20 mph in school zones as the new school year begins — they explained that zones start 30 minutes before and end 30 minutes after the final bell and that drivers must yield to pedestrians and school buses.

BCPL Virtual Book Club: The Grey Wolf

10:30-11:30 a.m. — Bay County Public Library — Registration required — Explore 'The Grey Wolf' by Louise Penny in a friendly Zoom discussion.

Class G License Requalification Training

7-11 a.m. — Gulf Coast State College North Bay Campus — Cost details not provided — Stay compliant with your Class G license through essential re-qualifying training.

Dale Jones Comedy Show

8:30 PM – 7:00 PM — Beaches Comedy Club — Tickets are non-refundable — Experience a night of high-energy comedy with Dale Jones featuring improvised and animated performances.

Teen Game Night

4:30-6:30 p.m. — Bay County Public Library — Registration required — Engage in exciting Switch gaming with peers in a fun, relaxed environment.

Digital Literacy Class: Computer & Internet Basics

9:30-11:00 a.m. — Bay County Public Library — Free entry — Learn the essentials of using a PC and navigating the internet confidently.