Communities across Flagler County came together on the Fourth of July for the 2026 United Flagler Fourth, a daylong celebration honoring the 250th anniversary of American independence. The event was organized through a partnership between the City of Palm Coast, Flagler County Government, the City of Flagler Beach, and the City of Bunnell, with help from volunteers, veterans, first responders, and local businesses.
The celebration began in the morning with the annual Stars and Stripes Parade in Flagler Beach, hosted by the Rotary Club of Flagler Beach. Despite the summer heat, residents gathered along A1A to watch floats, walking groups, and community organizations pass by. The Rotary Club handed out several awards, including Best Spirit to Flagler Palm Coast High School Athletics, Best Walking Display to the Flagler Republican Executive Committee and Aaron Baker, Best Float to the Seawolf Privateers, and the Judge’s Choice Award to the Phuncoast Parrot Heads.
In the afternoon, festivities moved to Flagler Executive Airport for “Fireworks Over the Runways.” The event featured food, entertainment, and family activities. A formal ceremony opened with the Presentation of Colors by American Legion Flagler County Post 115, led by Edward Beier and carried out by veterans of the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. Melanie DiMartino sang the National Anthem.
One of the day’s more personal moments came when Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris asked a six-year-old Palm Coast resident to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterward, the mayor gave the child a commemorative challenge coin. The ceremony also included a longstanding Palm Coast tradition: a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, performed by elected officials and public safety representatives from around the county.
This year’s event also introduced two new additions. The City held its first Hot Dog Eating Contest, sponsored by Hot Diggity Dogs and Shakes, in which ten contestants had ten minutes to eat as many hot dogs as possible. Palm Coast resident Clint won the contest after eating ten hot dogs, receiving what City of Palm Coast Multimedia Associate Patrick Appolonia called a “10-karat plastic, 3D-printed trophy.”
City of Palm Coast Communications and Marketing Manager Shannon Martin commented on the event, saying, “I can confidently say the first-ever Hot Dog Eating Contest exceeded expectations, mostly because our expectations were simply that everyone would keep the hot dogs down.” She also thanked those involved, adding, “Not all heroes wear capes. Some are just really hungry.”
In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, organizers also added a warbird showcase, featuring historic military aircraft flying over the airport before the night’s fireworks display, which began at 9 p.m.
All activities, parking, and admission were free to the public. City officials thanked the many partners who helped make the event possible, including the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Coast Public Works, and Flagler County Volunteer Services.
Palm Coast City Manager Mike McGlothlin reflected on the celebration, stating, “This incredible celebration would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our City staff and the many partners who came together to make United Flagler Fourth such a success.” He added that the city hoped “everyone who joined us had a wonderful time celebrating together.”
City officials described the event as a reflection of regional cooperation, from the morning parade in Flagler Beach to the fireworks finale over the airport runways that evening.
