Bay County Chamber of Commerce

Lynn Haven City Hall Grand Opening
2023-10-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Lynn Haven City Hall, 825 Ohio Ave., Lynn Haven, Florida, 32444, United States
LYNN HAVEN ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING OF NEW CITY HALL/POLICE DEPARTMENT AND EOC BUILDING

On October 10, 2018, Category 5 Hurricane Michael made a direct hit on Bay County – destroying nearly everything in its path, including many government buildings within our city. Now, exactly five years later, the City of Lynn Haven is excited to announce a Grand Opening Celebration to commemorate the completion of the new City Hall, Police Department, Emergency Operations Center, and Chamber will be held on October 10, 2023, at 10 AM at 825 Ohio Avenue.

The community is invited to help celebrate this momentous day for the city. Parking for the event will be available at the Senior Activity Club and the First Baptist Church of Lynn Haven parking lots. Shuttle services will be available to accommodate the highly anticipated number of attendees. The opening ceremony will begin promptly at 10 AM in the courtyard with opening remarks from City Manager Vickie Gainer and Mayor Jesse Nelson, along with remarks from special guests and a ribbon cutting with the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Following the opening ceremony, tours of the new building will be coordinated by city staff, and hors d’oeuvres and light refreshments will be served by Vittles Catering.

The City of Lynn Haven celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony that commenced the project’s construction on May 19, 2021. The new two-story building is approximately 42,228 -gross sq. ft. In addition, the circa 1928 two-story historic City Hall portion (approx. 5,600 – gross sq. ft.) has been restored. The city’s rebuild and restoration of its facilities began in 2020 with the remodeling and construction of buildings and other facilities to include, the Lynn Haven Garden Club, Lynn Haven Senior Activity Center, Cain Griffin Ballfields which included a new concession stand, batting cages and a new Splash Pad, Sports Complex Ballfields and concession stand, The Charlie J. Smith Gymnasium, city parks, fire station #1, public works building, to name a few.

While reflecting on the completion of this historic milestone, Lynn Haven City Manager Vickie Gainer states, “We have come a long way since October 10, 2018. We know that this is a historic day for the city and the residents of Lynn Haven. It marks a memorable moment for our community that will last forever. Everyone has waited for this day to come, and it was important for the city to invite the community out to celebrate the reopening of the municipal building. We will never forget the devastation, the struggles and obstacles caused by Hurricane Michael, but we continue to look forward to a bright future for the city.”

For any questions or additional information about the Grand Opening Celebration, please contact the Marketing & Communications Department at communications@cityoflynnhaven.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Vickie Gainer, Lynn Haven City Manager

Email: vgainer@cityoflynnhaven.com

Phone: (850) 890-7712

Blair Jennings, Marketing & Communications Manager

Email: bjennings@cityoflynnhaven.com

Phone: (850) 257-3780

Lynn Haven City Hall Grand Opening
2023-10-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Lynn Haven City Hall, 825 Ohio Ave., Lynn Haven, Florida, 32444, United States

Pirates of the High Seas Fest 2023
2023-10-06 16:00 - 21:00 | Pier Park, 600 Pier Park Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida, 32413, United States
The Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest is setting sail from October 6-8, 2023!

The annual event celebrates the legacy of the pirates who once roamed the Gulf of Mexico and pillaged the Emerald Coast, telling the tale of Dominique Youx and his krewe of loyal buccaneers through staged pirate battles and storytelling.

Pirate-fans can enjoy online and in-person activities, including a digital pirate costume contest, an in-person and online treasure hunt, parades, live music fireworks, Renaissance vendors and activities, and more in Panama City Beach.

Swing 2 Save Golf Tournament
2023-10-06 09:00 - 17:00 | Bay Point Golf Club, 4701 Bay Point Rd., Panama City Beach, Florida, 32408, United States
We are excited to announce that on Friday October 6, 2023, Humble House Ministries of Panama City will be having our first annual Swing 2 Save Golf Tournament with local EMS and Firefighter personnel.

The event will be held at Bay Point Golf Club. We are contacting you for your financial support, and we politely ask that you consider being a sponsor. We need your help meeting the financial needs of saving lives and families. Your sponsorship will save families while simultaneously advertising for your business. The Humble House Ministries’ mission is to help those in addiction by providing a safe residential environment, disciplining them through bible center teaching and equipping them to live God honoring lives. Your generous donation is a major way to impact the lives of families in Bay County. This year alone, with community support we have been able to pull 10 children out of foster care and restore their families! We are proud to partner with the local EMS and Firefighters whose mission is also focused on saving lives. Deadline to register as a sponsor is Sept. 8th, 2023.

Please email humblehouseministriespr@gmail.com or humblehousenews@gmail.com with any questions you may have.

Roy Crecelius Golf Tournament
2023-10-06 08:00 - 17:00 | FL
The Central Panhandle Association of Realtors® (CPAR) is pleased to announce our annual Roy Crecelius Golf Tournament. On October 6, 2023, the tournament will be held at Panama Country Club.
All proceeds of the tournament will benefit the Friends of Clifford Chester Sims Veterans Home & the Family Service Agency of Bay County. Clifford C. Sims Veterans Home is a gold seal award recipient, caring for the daily needs of our elderly local veterans. The Family Service Agency of Bay County provides support and resources to homeless families and families in need throughout the Bay County Area.
Attendees will enjoy an incredibly fun golf game, prizes, raffles, breakfast, lunch, a bloody mary bar & After Party. On-site registration and breakfast will begin at 8 am, with a shotgun start at 9 am. There will be awards for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place, closest to the pin, longest drive & more!
Registration is open now and CPAR is seeking both golf teams and sponsors for the event. In 2022, this tournament raised $20,000 for Sims Veterans Home and it is CPAR’s goal to raise even more in 2023! To register or explore sponsorship opportunities, interested parties can conveniently access the online team & sponsorship Registration at www.cpar.us/golf. For additional information or inquiries, kindly contact CPAR at (850)763-8078.

First Friday
2023-10-06 07:30 - 09:00 | FSU PC, 4750 Collegiate Dr., Panama City, Florida, 32405, United States
Come to the Chamber’s most popular event and experience networking, refreshments, and learn how our partners are Building a Better Bay!

Program TBD

16th Annual Fisher House Helping Heroes Gala
2023-10-05 17:00 - 22:00 | Destin FWB Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548, United States
Hospitality and Hope – an annual FUNdraiser hosted by the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast supporting the Eglin Fisher House. Footprint of care is from Panama City to Pensacola, and MANY veterans from the Panama City area are cared for at Eglin Hospital.
Sean Dietrich, the featured speaker is a columnist, novelist, and podcast host, known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Newsweek, Southern Living, Garden and Gun, The Tallahassee Democrat, Good Grit, South Magazine, Alabama Living, the Birmingham News, Thom Magazine, The Mobile Press Register, and he has authored thirteen books, and is the creator of the Sean of the South Podcast.
Come as You Are Dress (hint; a put-together, casual, and cool look)

Symphony in the City
2023-10-05 12:00 - 14:00 | City of Panama City, 501 Harrison Ave., Panama City, Florida, 32401, United States
Join us Oct 5th at 12:12pm to enjoy a musical lunch break with the PCSO’s “Symphony in the City” concert at City Hall in downtown Panama City. This free concert will feature the PCSO Woodwind Duet & Trio with Music Director Sergey Bogza on piano, Acya Cetin on flute and Katsuya Yuasa on Clarinet. Admission is free. Light snacks and refreshments provided.

St. Andrews Bodega Grand Opening
2023-10-05 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Andrews Bodega, 2513 Jenks Ave., Panama City, Florida, 32405, United States

Central Panhandle Fair is BACK!
2023-10-04 18:00 - 22:00 | Bay County Fairgrounds, 2230 15th St., Panama City, Florida, 32405, United States
The fair is taking place from October 3-7 at the Bay County Fairgrounds in Panama City.

It’s the first time the fairgrounds have hosted the event since Hurricane Michael five years ago.

There will be a car show, arts and crafts, live animals, activities and much more.

“We’re going to have a lot of events going on here. Rides, Ferris wheels, other rides, we’ll have cotton candy, of course, the police officers, all sorts of food will be here, the vendors will be here, and a lot of rides for the children also,” said Tony Vincent, General Manager of the fair.

Officials want attendees to know that there will be some changes when it comes to getting into the fair.

There will be no weapons of any kind allowed at the fairgrounds.

Officials say there will be metal detectors at the front gates.

Anyone wishing to enter must pass through the security check in order to gain admission.

“Don’t bring a knife, and don’t bring a gun, and use common sense. Everything will go well, shouldn’t be a difficulty or a problem,” said Jim Hixson, President of the Central Panhandle Fair Board of Directors.

Increased safety measures are important for the well-being of everyone in attendance.

Officials want to remind everyone to be on their best behavior so that events like the fair can continue to take place.

$10 – $30 Various Ticket Options – See Description For More Info

Oktoberfest 2023
2023-09-30 15:00 - 22:00 | Downtown Panama City, Harrison Ave., Panama City, Florida, 32401, United States
Get ready for Historic Downtown Panama City’s 35th Annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 30th from 3-10 PM!

Live music, beer, and food!

Oktoberfest Craft Beer Tasting
2023-09-29 18:00 - 22:00 | Destination Panama City, 101 W. Beach Dr., Panama City, Florida, 32401, United States
Raise a glass to Destination Panama City’s 3rd Annual Oktoberfest Craft Beer Tasting, kicking off the 35th Annual Panama City Oktoberfest weekend! Live music will fill the air on the #LovePC lawn while guests enjoy unlimited access to craft beers, ciders, and meads outside the Destination Panama City Visitor’s Center(opens in a new tab). Pair your favorites with a tasty meal from on-site local food trucks (food not included in ticket price)! Our portfolio will feature one-off, rare, seasonal craft beer not found anywhere else in the area.

All attendees over 21 years of age must provide a valid I.D. (Under 21 years of age MUST have “Under 21 Ticket” and be accompanied by 21+ TICKET HOLDER). Children 5 and under are free.

Listing of confirmed breweries coming soon!

FSU Collegiate School Grand Opening
2023-09-29 12:30 - 13:30 | FSU Collegiate School Panama City, 2430 St. Andrews Blvd., Panama City, Florida, 32405, United States

T-Mobile Grand Opening
2023-09-29 11:00 - 12:00 | T-Mobile PC, 504 E. 23rd St., Panama City, Florida, 32401, United States

IAC Sporting Clay Tournament
2023-09-29 08:00 - 13:00 | Bay County Shooting Range, 10900 Steel Field Rd., Panama City Beach, Florida, 32413, United States
Industry Appreciation Celebration Sporting Clay Tournament

To sponsor this event, click here.

Unity of Panama City Grand Opening
2023-09-28 16:00 - 17:00 | Unity of Panama City, 309 W. 5th St., Ste B/C, Panama City, Florida, 32401, United States

Education Encore
2023-09-22 09:00 - 16:00 | Gulf Coast State College, 5230 W. Hwy. 98, Panama City, Florida, 32401, United States
Education Encore is offered by Continuing Education at Gulf Coast State College and provides non-credit enrichment education classes on a variety of topics for active and senior adults. The learning environment is fun and stress-free while offering diversity, insight, and wisdom.

FSU Coastal & Marine Laboratory 2023 Fall Lecture Series
2023-09-21 19:00 - 20:00 | FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St. Teresa, Florida, 32358, United States
After a summer hiatus, we are back with our lecture series! Join us on September 21st and October 12th!

While we encourage in-person attendance, this lecture will also be available to be viewed virtually!

Please use this link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/94874680953Contact Jared Fuqua at jfuqua@fsu.edu with any questions.

Lynn Haven Fall Concert Series
2023-09-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Sharon Sheffield Park, 901 Ohio Ave., Lynn Haven, Florida, 32444, United States
This six-week long series brings families together for a good time, live music, and delicious treats offered by local food trucks. This is an opportunity to support your community and highlight your business!

Heavy Metal Tours - Central Moloney
2023-09-20 13:30 - 15:00 | FL
Learn more about the industries available in the community by joining us on one of our Heavy Metal Tours! Please click here to register.

Heavy Metal Tour - Chevron
2023-09-20 09:30 - 11:00 | FL
Learn more about the many industries that our community has to offer on one of our Heavy Metal Tours!

Please click here to register.

Industry After Hours
2023-09-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Coca-Cola Bottling Company, 2825 Forester Trail, Panama City, Florida, 32405, United States
The Industry Appreciation Celebration continues with Industry After Hours, a “spin-off” of our monthly Business After Hours event. Come out and connect with other Chamber members while enjoying free food, spirits, door prizes and more at a great evening social.

IAC After Hours will take place at Coca-Cola Bottling Company United on September 19, 2023, located at 2825 Forester Trail, Panama City, FL 32405 from 4-6 p.m.

For more information on Industry Appreciation Celebration or to serve on the Task Force, please contact Elizabeth Smith at 850.215.3779 or Elizabeth@baychamberfl.com.

Florida SBDC at UWF Presents “Starting a Business” – Crestview
2023-09-19 12:00 - 15:00 | Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Dr., Crestview, FL, 32539
Have an idea for a business, but not sure where to start? Take the first step with the Florida SBDC’s “Starting a Business” workshop. In this workshop, we will discuss the fundamentals of launching your new venture, including how to determine feasibility and legal structures, licensing and permitting, funding options for your business and basic marketing strategies to help you get started! Location: Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Dr, Crestview, 32539. Fee: $50. To register, visit our website at www.sbdc.uwf.edu and click on “Training & Events”. Presented by John Emsing, Assistant Director, Florida SBDC at UWF. Sponsored by Cadence Bank and Wells Fargo.

Golf FORE Education
2023-09-16 08:00 - 14:00 | FL
Join us for our Annual Golf FORE Education Tournament at Panama Country Club. All proceeds benefit the programs of the Bay Education Foundation. Your support truly changes lives. Thank you for your commitment to our students, teachers and employees of Bay District Schools.

IAC Awards Breakfast
2023-09-15 08:00 - 09:30 | FSU PC, 4750 Collegiate Dr., Panama City, Florida, 32405, United States
Industry Appreciation Celebration Breakfast

To sponsor this event please, click here.

Florida SBDC at UWF Presents “Recruit the Best! - Recruitment Strategy for Leaders and Hiring Managers” Online Webinar
2023-09-12 09:00 - 10:15 | Online
Join us for “Recruit the Best! – Recruitment Strategy for Leaders and Hiring Managers” when we will discuss recruitment in practical terms. Recruiting is a vital business function that can be improved easily! Leaders and hiring managers often throw out job ads as afterthoughts-never putting meaningful thought into their needs and the future of their business. When properly planned and orchestrated, recruiting can save time and ensure strong business outcomes. The objectives of this training are to provide useful tools and education on the following: Employer Branding; The Role of Workforce Planning; How to Prepare Strong Job Descriptions and Ads; Screening and Interviewing; The Selection and onboarding Process; measuring Recruitment Success. You will walk away with a better understanding of the value of a recruiting plan, its purpose, and how to fundamentally improve your business’s compliance, culture, and results! No fee. To register, visit sbdc.uwf.edu and open “Training & Events”. Speaker: Philip Carillo, MBA, SHRM-CP, is the Director of HR Services for empact hr, a division of Crescent. Sponsored Cadence Bank and Wells Fargo.

Florida SBDC at UWF Presents “Starting a Restaurant or Food Truck”
2023-09-11 09:00 - 12:00 | UWF, 11000 University Pkwy, Bldg 76a, Room 102, Pensacola, FL, 32514, United States
If you’re considering starting a food service business, our workshop “Starting a Restaurant or Food Truck” is for you! Whether a restaurant, food truck, catering, or coffee shop, this course will provide the basic guidelines for starting your business. We will provide:
– Aspects for a complete business plan
– Understanding of licensing and permitting
– Board of Health guidelines including
– Sources of funding and considerations for financing
– General pre-opening timelines
and many other considerations as you prepare to launch your business!
Location: UWF Emerald Coast Campus, 1170 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Bldg. 2, Rm 221, Fort Walton Beach, 32547. Fee: $50. To register, visit sbdc.uwf.edu and open “Training & Events”. Presented by Terry Mauer, Associate Director, Florida SBDC at UWF. He has held leadership positions in both corporate and independent hospitality organizations. For the majority of the past decade, he has devoted his time to assisting independent restaurateurs to develop, launch, and expand new and existing lodging, food and beverage, and entertainment concepts throughout the region. Sponsored by Cadence Bank and Wells Fargo.

FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory Presents Evening at the Edge of the Sea 2023
2023-09-09 17:30 - 19:30 | FSU Coastal and Marine Laboratory, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St. Teresa, Florida, 32358, United States
Learn about the wondrous sea life along our pristine shores and shallows. The evening kicks off with a brief overview of local ecology followed by a walk along the exposed tidal flats to see an array of fascinating creatures.

https://marinelab.fsu.edu/outreach_education/nature-workshops/exploring-nature-coastal-nature-workshops/evening-at-the-edge-of-the-sea/

Krewe of St. Andrews Fall Festival 2023
2023-09-08 17:00 - 22:00 | St. Andrews, Beck Avenue, Panama City, Florida, 32401, United States
Join us for The Krewe of St. Andrews Fall Festival 2023! Live music, food trucks, and more!

Lynn Haven Announces Grand Opening of Rails to Trails
2023-09-08 10:00 - 11:00 | FL
The City of Lynn Haven is excited to announce the Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony date for the Rails-to-Trails project will be September 8, 2023, at 10 AM. Due to limited parking at the event site, parking and shuttle services will be available at Palo Alto Church of Christ at 3119 U.S. 231, Panama City, FL 32405 from 9 AM-11:30 AM.

Along with the ribbon cutting, a trailhead dedication ceremony will be held to honor and name the second trailhead after Ray Wishart, a longtime Lynn Haven resident and Mosley High School teacher who was a frequent cyclist was struck by a semi-truck in 2016 that ended his life. The first trailhead was named after Frances Wittkopf, a former city commissioner in 2019.

In collaboration with FDOT’s Sun Trail Program and local non-profit Friends of Bay County Trails, the city created a multi-use public trail that extends a 12-foot-wide asphalt path over three miles along the old railroad tracks from SR-390 and Georgia Avenue to U.S. Highway 231. Rails- to-Trails will provide pedestrians and non-motorized transportation (omitting electric wheelchairs), including, but not limited to, bicycles, roller skates, scooters, and running shoes. The path includes amenities such as benches, multi-station fountains, bicycle repair stations, and lighting poles. The trail operates seven days a week from dawn to dusk.

This project ties into the statewide, shared use, nonmotorized SUN Trails Program which aims to connect trails across Florida. To fulfill the sizeable vision for the Lynn Haven Rails-to-Trails project, its construction was carried out in two phases. First, in 2015, the city secured a grant of $268,000 for the project’s first phase. It funded the preliminary engineering and design of the trail and was approved for phase two in 2018. The second phase included an FDOT grant of $4.3 million to complete the project’s construction.

In 2017, the torch was passed to Vickie Gainer, then the grant manager of the project and to see the first phase to completion. “It has been a long time coming for city and resident of Lynn Haven,” stated City Manager Vickie Gainer. “The support and involvement from former commissioners, FDOT, city staff, engineers and most of all our resident’s involvement has helped make the long-awaited Rails to Trails project come to fruition.”

For any questions on the Rails to Trails Grand Opening, please contact the Marketing & Communications Department at communications@cityoflynnhaven.com.

MEDIA CONTACTSVickie Gainer, Lynn Haven City ManagerPhone: (850) 248-0612Email: vgainer@cityoflynnhaven.comBen Janke, Director of Economic Development and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)Phone: (850) 248-0701Email: bjanke@cityoflynnhaven.com
