Okaloosa to help celebrate 500 years of Florida

VALPARAISO — Okaloosa County is looking for residents who want to help celebrate Florida’s 500th anniversary.

Viva Florida 500 officially kicks off Jan. 1.

“It’s an all-year celebration,” said Kathy Newby, the county’s public information officer.

Newby and several other community leaders have formed a Viva Florida 500 committee that will meet in the coming weeks to organize local events.

The state has provided each of its 67 counties with a time capsule to fill with items unique to them.

 “We invite anybody to be involved,” Newby said. “We don’t want to do this time capsule in a vacuum.”

Newby said some of the ideas being considered are recipes and black and white photos.

Technology such as DVDs might also be an option, she added.

“I just think it’s a great opportunity,” Newby said. “We want people to reflect on what makes Okaloosa County unique.”

The committee will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Valparaiso Library at 459 Valparaiso Parkway.

For more information about the Viva Florida 500 celebration, go to the Okaloosa Viva Florida 500 page on Facebook or to www.fla500.com.

WANT TO ATTEND? Okaloosa County’s Viva Florida 500 committee will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Valparaiso Library at 459 Valparaiso Parkway.

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Kari Barlow at 850-315-4438 or kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KariBnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa to help celebrate 500 years of Florida