Town of Shalimar

08/22/2026

Tomorrow 12:30pm inside the armament museum.

GUS TART: The Okaloosa NAACP will host a dedication ceremony on Aug. 22 to honor Augustus “Gus” Tart, a formerly enslaved man and early pioneer of Northwest Florida.

The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the Air Force Armament Museum at 100 Museum Drive on Eglin Air Force Base. A musical prelude will begin at 12:30 p.m.

The Okaloosa NAACP is partnering with the Town of Shalimar, the Shalimar Library, the Okaloosa County America 250 Commission, local leaders and various community organizations to put on the event.

The ceremony will feature historical presentations sharing Tart’s story as told by representatives of the Brooks family, the Shalimar Library and the NAACP Special Research Committee.

Tart was born enslaved in South Carolina in 1840. He gained his freedom and moved to the area now known as Okaloosa County around 1864, where he worked as a cook for John Thomas Brooks, one of the founders of Fort Walton Beach.

In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt granted Tart 135.5 acres of land under the Homestead Act of 1862.

Tart’s 135-acre property included what is now Meigs Middle School, the Okaloosa County Courthouse Annex, the Ocean City-Wright Fire Department station, the Shalimar Library and surrounding residential streets.

Full story: https://getthecoast.com/dedication-ceremony-set-to-honor-northwest-florida-pioneer-augustus-gus-tart/

08/17/2026

📣 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 📣

Mayor Mark Franks Appointed President of the Florida League of Cities

The Town of Shalimar is proud to recognize Mayor Mark Franks on his appointment as President of the Florida League of Cities (FLC) for 2026–2027. This is an extraordinary accomplishment for Mayor Franks, the Town of Shalimar, and the entire Okaloosa County community.

Mayor Franks’ position as President of the Florida League of Cities is a tremendous asset to the Town of Shalimar. His involvement at the statewide level gives him a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing municipalities throughout Florida.

The Town of Shalimar congratulates Mayor Mark Franks on this significant achievement and recognizes the dedication, leadership, and commitment that have led to this opportunity.

Having the Mayor of Shalimar serve as President of the Florida League of Cities is a remarkable distinction for our community. It is a testament to Mayor Franks’ commitment to public service and to his ability to represent the interests of municipalities on a statewide stage.

The Town of Shalimar is proud to have Mayor Mark Franks serving as President of the Florida League of Cities and is proud that Shalimar’s voice is being represented at the highest levels of municipal leadership in the State of Florida.

This accomplishment is not only a milestone for Mayor Franks—it is a milestone for Shalimar.

08/14/2026

We love hearing positive feedback!

A big thank you to our maintenance crew for their dedication and hard work in keeping our town beautiful. ☀️ 🌴 ☀️

08/14/2026

08/11/2026

08/11/2026

🏫 BACK TO SCHOOL REMINDER! 🚔

As our students head back to school, the Shalimar Police Department would like to remind everyone of our school zone hours and speed limits.

⏰ School Zone Hours: 6:30 AM – 2:45 PM
🚸 Lights Flashing: 20 MPH
🚗 Lights NOT Flashing: 40 MPH

Please slow down, stay alert, and watch for students, parents, buses, and increased traffic in the area.

We wish all of our students, teachers, staff, and families a safe and happy start to the new school year! 📚✏️

07/17/2026

The Town of Shalimar was honored to host last night's joint dinner for the OCLOC and the NWFLC. The evening provided a wonderful opportunity for local leaders to come together, strengthen regional partnerships, and discuss the important issues facing our communities.

We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make this event a success. Thank you to our Town staff, volunteers, and all those who worked behind the scenes to ensure a welcoming and enjoyable evening.

We would also like to thank Representative Patt Maney for serving as our guest speaker and Florida League of Cities President Holly D. Smith for delivering an inspiring keynote address. We appreciate your leadership and your commitment to Florida's municipalities.

A special thank you to our generous local sponsors for helping make this event possible: Waste Management, VFW Post 7674, Moose Lodge 2193, Twisted Grape Wine Bar & Café, Infuse IV Hydration & Wellness, Regions Bank, Painted Rose Salon, Deb's Coffee, Coastal Chiropractic, and Waterworx Car Wash. Your continued support and investment in our community are truly appreciated.

Finally, thank you to everyone who attended. We were proud to host this event and look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen our communities and serve the residents of Northwest Florida

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙

Today, we celebrate 250 years of American independence and the freedoms, courage, and resilience that have shaped our nation since 1776.

As we honor this historic milestone, we're grateful for our community, our residents, and the opportunity to serve you.

From all of us at the Town of Shalimar, we wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and memorable Fourth of July. Here's to celebrating our nation's past, present, and bright future!

🎆 Happy 250th Anniversary, America! 🇺🇸

06/30/2026

$1,500,000 in state funding for the Shalimar Park Project has been approved by the Governor.

'DOWD PARK' IN SHALIMAR: Okaloosa County Commissioners unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the Town of Shalimar on Tuesday that lays out the framework for acquiring, designing, building and operating a new waterfront park at the northeast corner of the Shalimar Bridge.

The agreement is the next step in a process that began on March 3, when the board approved a $3 million purchase and sale agreement for the 1.7-acre property at 901 Eglin Parkway North, owned by John R. Dowd Jr.

The property is slated to become “Dowd Park,” named for longtime county attorney John R. Dowd Sr., and would carry a 40-year deed restriction requiring public park use.

The interlocal agreement, which the Shalimar Town Commission approved at its April 14 meeting, formalizes the funding split for the estimated $6.5 million project. The state legislature would contribute $1.5 million through an appropriation currently being pursued during the 2026 session, the Town of Shalimar would contribute up to $1.5 million using its allocated tourism development tax dollars, and the county would cover the remainder at an estimated $3.5 million.

The sketch shows a trail system winding through the property’s mature live oaks, multiple pavilions, a stormwater retention pond in the low area where a house once stood, a small playground, parking, restrooms, a waterfront observation platform, a shallow wading area with a floating barrier, and a residential buffer along the southern boundary.

The project remains contingent on the state legislative appropriation, an appraisal that meets or exceeds 90% of the $3 million purchase price, the completion of due diligence items, and the board's final approval of those items before closing, which is targeted for no later than Oct. 31.

Full Story: https://getthecoast.com/okaloosa-county-shalimar-formalize-partnership-for-new-dowd-park-with-interlocal-agreement/