Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Orange Beach has been officially recognized as an Alabama Semiquincentennial City. The certification is issued by the Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission and the American Village as part of the America 250 Alabama Initiative. Orange Beach Elementary and Orange Beach Middle/High School have also earned the distinction of America250Alabama Semiquincentennial Schools. The recognition underscores the city’s commitment to celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Orange Beach will host community events honoring this milestone. The programs will end with Fourth of July celebrations and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. City leaders aim to make the celebration both meaningful and memorable for residents and visitors alike.

Later this month, the city will introduce a new memorial brick program at the Orange Beach Veterans Memorial. The program allows individuals to honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces by purchasing engraved bricks for $200 each. City officials say more details will be available as the program launches in late March.

By joining the statewide America 250 Alabama Initiative, Orange Beach becomes part of a larger effort to celebrate the nation's founding. Organizers view this year as a unique chance to reflect on U.S. history and community values. As festivities continue, the city will announce additional events leading up to Independence Day and beyond, uniting residents in pride and remembrance.

Planned events and programs include the following:

(Events and programs are subject to change.) 

• Thursday, May 7th - National Day of Prayer: Churches throughout the community will gather at the Coastal Arts Center at noon to observe the annual National Day of Prayer. 
• Saturday, May 9th - Patriotic C.A.K.E. Day: This year’s Coastal Alabama Kids Entrepreneurs (C.A.K.E.) Day will encourage all participants to have a patriotic theme to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Led by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, the free program is open to elementary school students in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. A Money Matters Workshop is planned for participating students on Saturday, March 28th, from 9-11 a.m. at the Coastal Alabama Community College’s Gulf Shores campus. A Build-A-Stand Day is planned for Saturday, April 25th, from 9-11 a.m. at the RE/MAX office in Gulf Shores. On Saturday, May 9th, students will put the skills they’ve learned in the workshops to a real-world test as they open their businesses to the public. A list of “Safe Stand Locations” will be available for students to select from on May 9th. Interested students can click here to sign up. Follow the Coastal Alabama Kid Entrepreneurs Facebook page for updates. 
• Monday, May 25th (Memorial Day) - Veterans Memorial Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: The City of Orange Beach will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Veterans Memorial at the Municipal Complex on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th, at 9 a.m. 
• Monday, May 25th - Great American Mailbox Challenge program kickoff: The Orange Beach Garden Club will host the Great American Mailbox Challenge and encourage everyone in the community to participate by patriotically decorating their mailboxes. Mailboxes need to be decorated by Memorial Day, May 25th. Judging will take place during the week following Flag Day on June 14th. The winners will be announced on the Fourth of July. Nomination forms will be available on the city website beginning on May 25th. 
• Monday, May 25th - Business Window Decorating Contest: The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber will be organizing a Business Window Decorating Contest. It’s expected to follow the same judging schedule as the Great American Mailbox Challenge. Details TBA. 
• May - Bow Making Workshop: In May, Orange Beach Parks and Recreation will hold a Bow Making Workshop to help the community decorate their mailboxes. The workshop will be held at the Orange Beach Community Center, and participants will learn how to make large bows (plus tips on how to attach them to mailboxes). Participants will leave with a custom patriotic-themed bow that can be used on your mailbox or even your door during the Great American Mailbox Challenge. 

Events and programs are subject to change, and more details will be shared as dates approach.

Click here for the latest information and updates for events in Orange Beach. For events planned across Alabama, click here.