Happy 250th Birthday, America! - Mexico Beach eNewsletter | JULY 2026

Happy 250th Birthday, America! It’s the biggest birthday celebration of the year, and everyone is invited to celebrate along The Unforgettable Coast®! America’s 250th birthday is an extraordinary milestone, and Mexico Beach is the perfect place to enjoy it with spectacular fireworks, a family-friendly fun run, relaxing beach days, and endless opportunities to make lasting memories. Whether you’re building sandcastles, searching for seashells, casting a fishing line, or simply soaking in one of our unforgettable sunsets, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate summer. If you're visiting the beach this month, or anytime this summer, remember that it’s H-O-T on the coast. Stay hydrated, apply sunscreen often, take breaks from the sun, and enjoy the slower pace that makes Mexico Beach so special. We hope you have a safe, relaxing, and memorable Independence Day as we celebrate 250 years of America together!

And the Winner Is... Up for grabs last month were a t-shirt, gift card, and goodies from Caribbean Coffee & Café, and the lucky winner is Joan S., from Lincoln, NE. Congrats, Joan!   JULY GIVEAWAY This month’s giveaway is a goodie box from Mexico Beach Sweets. The sweetest place on the beach, Mexico Beach Sweets offers a wide variety of candies, hand-dipped ice cream, milkshakes, toys, games, and much more. There is something that everyone in the family will enjoy. Plus, who said you can’t have ice cream for breakfast? To place your name in the hat, send an email with your contact info to Kathy at kathy@mexicobeach.com.

MEET MEXICO BEACH This month, we’re delighted to introduce (or reintroduce) the Shell Shack, one of Mexico Beach’s oldest running family-owned businesses. Since 1965, the Hunter family’s Shell Shack has been the go-to place for fresh seafood with their in-house seafood market, souvenirs, novelty gifts, seashells, and more. Open seven days a week, with friendly staff who can assist you with any seafood or gift purchase, they even pack seafood for travel! Be sure to stop by the Shell Shack next time you’re in town and say hello to the Hunters.

BEST BLAST ON THE BEACH JULY 4 Celebrate Independence Day in Mexico Beach with the Best Blast on the Beach, an unforgettable Fourth of July fireworks spectacular. The dazzling display will light up the night sky beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, with fireworks launched from the beach near the intersection of Highway 386 and Highway 98 (near the county line). With miles of pristine shoreline, you’ll enjoy a spectacular view from just about anywhere along the beach.

FARMERS & CRAFT MARKET JULY 11 & 25 Come spend the morning at the Mexico Beach Farmers & Craft Market at Parker Park, located at 2500 Highway 98. Vendors will include produce, fresh jellies, one-of-a-kind crafts, and much more. Each market is sure to have new vendors, so be sure to come every time. If you’d like to be a vendor, sign up now. This market is put on by the Special Events for Mexico Beach, Inc.

ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST NOW–JULY 31 It’s time to showcase your talent and the beauty of Mexico Beach that you’ve all captured over the years. The Annual Mexico Beach Photography Contest opens for submissions on April 1 and runs through July 31, 2026. Photographs can be from past visits taken within the city limits of Mexico Beach. Entry is free, just send in those pictures! Click here for more information.

READ ABOUT ALL EVENTS HERE

A FRIENDLY REMINDER: Mexico Beach is a Leave No Trace community, and we appreciate your assistance in helping us keep our beaches clean. Any items left on the beach unattended from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. will be removed and disposed of by the City of Mexico Beach. Items include, but are not limited to, tents and tent frames, beach chairs, coolers, umbrellas, toys, etc. Also, please fill in any holes before you leave and please remain off the sand dunes and out of the sea oats to ensure their continued nourishment. There are boardwalks and walking paths that can be accessed to reach the beach. Your assistance with these requests will keep our beaches beautiful and pristine. For full details on this ordinance or questions, click here or contact City Hall at (850) 648-5700.

OYSTERS WILLIAMSBURG We publish it with the compliments of the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association cookbook (MBARA.org). INGREDIENTS 1 quart oysters (cooked in their liquor) ½ cup butter ½ cup flour 1 ½ tsp. salt 1 ½ tsp. paprika ¼ tsp. pepper ½ green pepper, finely chopped ½ clove garlic, finely chopped 1 tsp. lemon juice 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 medium onion, finely chopped Dash of cayenne pepper Cracker crumbs DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. On the stovetop, place oysters on the half-shell in a pan and heat slowly over low heat. In a separate pan, melt butter, then add flour, stirring constantly until light brown. Add salt, paprika, pepper, and cayenne to the flour mixture. Cook for three minutes, while stirring. Add onion, pepper, and garlic and cook until soft. Combine the mixture with the oysters, lemon juice, and Worcestershire, and place it in a greased baking dish. Top with cracker crumbs and bake for about 30 minutes until bubbly. Remove from the oven and serve with your favorite hot sauce.

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE USA Here are some fun facts about America that might give you a little “a-ha” moment: There have been 27 versions of the American flag. New York City has more people than 38 of the 50 States. The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world. The tallest mountain in the world from base to peak is in Hawaii. George Washington never ran for president. St. Augustine, FL, is the oldest city in the U.S. Alaska has more volcanoes than any other state. There was a short-lived United States Army Camel Corps. The Gateway Arch is the tallest monument in the U.S. South Florida is the only place in the world where crocodiles and alligators live together in the wild.

MEXICOBEACH.COM

http://live.oysterradio.com/