America250 in the Florida Keys
Monroe County is proud to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with community-wide experiences that honor our nation’s history while showcasing the unique spirit of The Florida Keys. From local events and patriotic displays to historic storytelling and vibrant public spaces, the celebration brings residents and visitors together along iconic places like U.S. 1 and our waterfront communities. Discover how the Keys’ rich heritage, culture, and creativity come to life as part of this nationwide milestone.
Big Pine Key
National Travel & Tourism Week & America250 Kickoff (May 4, 2026)
Join us in Big Pine Key for a one-of-a-kind community celebration kicking off National Travel & Tourism Week and America 250!
Meet local conservation and ecotourism partners who help protect and preserve the Keys’ unique environment, and learn how tourism and stewardship go hand in hand. Bring your conch horn and join Master of Ceremonies Clinton Curry as we kick off the celebration with a traditional conch horn call!
This free, family-friendly event celebrates the people, businesses, and natural beauty that make the Florida Keys so special.
Big Pine Key
Murph Workout at Big Pine Key Community Park (May 25, 2026)
Start training now! The public is invited to join Monroe County Fire Rescue, Veterans Affairs, and Parks and Beaches in a Murph workout at Big Pine Key Community Park on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Registration is at 8:15 a.m., with the workout beginning at 9 a.m. The event honors the legacy of Lt. Michael Murphy, a U.S. Navy SEAL who died in Afghanistan in 2005. All fitness levels are welcome. The event is free, but donations to the Key West Military Affairs Committee will be accepted at www.keywestmac.com. Participant waiver required. Weighted vests and red, white, and blue attire are encouraged as the county begins to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
Big Pine Key
America250 Fireworks (July 3, 2026)
The Lower Keys Rotary Club will host Independence Day festivities on Friday, July 3, starting at 5 p.m. at Monroe County-owned Big Pine Community Park, mile marker 31. There will be vendors, food, beverages, games, family activities, and entertainment. Fireworks will begin around 9 p.m. Admission is free. No coolers, pets, or personal fireworks are allowed.
Key West
America250 Fireworks (July 4, 2026)
Since 1976, the Rotary Club of Key West has presented Key West’s annual fireworks show. Staged from the Edward B. Knight Pier overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, where White Street meets Atlantic Avenue, fireworks begin at 9 p.m. on July 4.
Marathon
America250 Fireworks (July 4, 2026)
A full day of beachside activities begins with a patriotic parade at 11 a.m., July 4, from Marathon High School to Sombrero Beach, followed by fireworks at approximately 9 p.m., hosted by the City of Marathon and the Rotary Club of Marathon. US1 Radio 104.1 will play patriotic music along with the fireworks display. Viewers are encouraged to watch from the beach or even offshore of Sombrero Beach by boat. Admission is free.
Islamorada
America250 Fireworks (July 4, 2026)
The Upper Keys Rotary Club and the Village of Islamorada will co-host an Independence Day Celebration at Founders Park, mile marker 87, starting at 5 p.m., Saturday, July 4. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Admission is free.
Key Largo
America250 Fireworks (July 4, 2026)
The Key Largo Chamber of Commerce hosts its 50th annual July 4 parade starting at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at mile marker 98.2 and end at mile marker 100. Northbound lanes will be closed from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. This year's parade theme is the country's 250th birthday. Immediately following the parade, the community is invited to Key Largo Park for the Freedom Fest Picnic, featuring free hot dogs, kids' activities, food and drink vendors, and more. At approximately 9:30 p.m., the annual fireworks can be seen over Blackwater Sound, and the public is encouraged to view from their favorite bayfront establishment.
AMERICA250: New Catalog Brings Back Keys History Out of the Vault into Public View
The Florida Keys History Center has launched a new online catalog, opening public access to rare documents and photographs just as the nation begins celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Based at the Key West Library, the center has preserved Monroe County history since 1960. The digital collection includes early Key West memoirs, church records, directories, yearbooks, newspapers, oral histories, and a newly donated 1917 to 1918 Naval Air Station photo album.
Nearly 25,000 images are already online with more added regularly, creating a growing resource for researchers and history enthusiasts.
Visit keyslibraries.org/keyshistory and click “Our Collection” to explore
*Photo Credit: Naval Air Station Key West Photo Album 1918-1919. Florida Keys History Center, Monroe County Public Library.
A Moment in Time: Keys History Unearthed
History came full circle in Key West as a time capsule buried by local students in 1976 was uncovered at the former May Sands School. What began as a gifted class project nearly 50 years ago became a meaningful community moment, connecting past and present through artifacts, stories, and the voices of students across generations.
Inside the capsule, a snapshot of 1976 came to life, from newspapers and cassette recordings to handwritten letters, all carefully preserved and shared with today’s students. The celebration continued as the community came together to begin a new time capsule, filled with items and messages for future students to discover in 2051.
This special event reflects the strong sense of community, history, and connection that defines the Florida Keys, where stories are not only remembered, but carried forward for generations to come.
