Cheers to 150 Years: Daytona Beach Honors Its Past, Present and Future

Daytona’s Sesquicentennial Birthday!

This July marks the United States of America’s 250^th birthday since the Declaration of Independence in 1776. As a proud resident of Daytona, this July also marks the 150^th birthday of the incorporation of the City of Daytona Beach. 

According to the city’s website, Daytona Beach was founded in 1870 and officially became a city when it was incorporated in 1876. Most sources agree that it received its name from its founder Matthias D. Day, a business tycoon from Mansfield, Ohio. Ironically, this is a town where I spent many summers with my grandparents while growing up in Ohio myself! In 1926, the three separate towns of Daytona, Daytona Beach and Seabreeze merged as the City of Daytona Beach that we know today.

The city has several events planned to remember the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future. The first is “A Message to the Future: Sesquicentennial Time Capsule Ceremony” on Saturday, July 18 from 11 AM to 1 PM at the newly opened Fire Station No. 1 Community Room (420 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach).

According to the city’s press release, “As part of Daytona Beach's yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, the time capsule will be filled with contemporary items that capture life in Daytona Beach in 2026. Once sealed, the capsule will remain unopened for 100 years, with plans to open it on July 18, 2126. Residents attending the ceremony will also have the opportunity to write a personalized message to future generations. These messages will be collected and placed inside the time capsule, allowing community members to leave their own reflections and comments for those who will open the capsule in July 2126.”

The rest of the events will take place over the weekend of July 24-26 at locations found throughout Daytona:

Illuminate the Decades: live entertainment and drone light show

Friday, July 24, 2026 from 7 to 9 PM at the Daytona Beach Bandshell (70 Boardwalk)

Main Street's Cheers to 150 Years: Community festival on Main Street with an evening concert at the Bandshell

Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 5 to 11 PM on Main Street & at Daytona Beach Bandshell

Our City, Our Story: Community Day: Family-friendly activities, entertainment, community organizations and vendors

Sunday, July 26, 2026 from 11 AM to 7 PM at the Midtown Recreation Complex (925 George W. Engram Blvd.) 

You can learn more about the City of Daytona Beach’s history and the events happening throughout July by checking out their website at DaytonaBeach.gov. Happy birthday to both Daytona Beach and the USA!