City staff outline yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, propose ambassador committee

City communications and marketing staff presented a draft program on Feb. 19 for a yearlong sesquicentennial celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of Daytona Beach and asked the City Commission to approve formation of a volunteer ambassador committee to help promote events and secure sponsorships.

Julie Barley, coordinator of the Communications and Marketing Department, described a package of activities, digital initiatives and fundraising approaches that staff say could be rolled into events already on the city calendar and into a three‑day signature weekend next summer. “This is gonna be a year long celebration,” Barley told commissioners, describing recurring event tie‑ins such as the mayor’s fitness challenge, the Easter Beach Run, the crab and seafood festival and the Christmas parade.

Barley said staff propose a sesquicentennial ambassador committee made up of residents, business owners or business agents who would provide feedback and assist with promotion and sponsorship cultivation. Under the proposal each commissioner would recruit and nominate one member, the mayor would nominate two members and the city manager would nominate one member; all appointees would be confirmed by the commission. The committee’s term would run until Jan. 1, 2027, and meetings would be scheduled as needed but at least quarterly. Barley said staff will bring a resolution back at the next meeting to create the committee if the commission wants to proceed.

Planned highlights presented by staff include:

- A three‑day signature weekend around July 26 (the city’s founding date), with a free Friday concert at the bandshell, a food and vendor‑filled Saturday and a community‑oriented Sunday at Daisy Stocking Park; Saturday night fireworks would accompany a bandshell performance.

- Digital engagement such as an augmented‑reality “Agents of Discovery” trail for parks, a sesquicentennial website and online shop for merchandise, and AI‑enhanced mayoral portrait audio displays for a dedicated website and City Hall exhibits.

- A scholarship program proposal to select 10 students from Daytona Beach high schools (five from Mainland High School and five from Seabreeze High School) using options ranging from essays to school‑based selections and school pep‑rally style competitions.

- Milestone and business‑spotlight campaigns (“Milestone Monday”), a commemorative published book covering the year’s events and a suite of printed and mural timeline materials for distribution.

Commissioners praised the plan and offered minor editorial requests. Commissioner Harris called the presentation “awesome.” Commissioner Reid urged staff to include residents across the city and to use the celebration to reinforce community pride and unity: the celebration, Reid said, can “make our citizens feel good about who they are.” Assistant City Manager provided scheduling estimates and said staff hoped to appoint the committee by April and to begin meetings in May so promotion could begin before the celebrations kick off in early 2026. Staff will return with a resolution to create the ambassador committee and the draft committee charter.