Twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks changed the nation forever, the City of Panama City will bring the community together for a solemn morning of remembrance.

The 25th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Ceremony will be held Friday, September 11, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Panama City Marina. The public is invited to attend and join local leaders, military personnel, first responders and community members in honoring the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

The ceremony is being presented by the City of Panama City in partnership with Bay County, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Tyndall Air Force Base. Organizers say the observance will also recognize the countless families, first responders, service members and communities whose lives were forever affected by the attacks and their aftermath.

A Quarter-Century of Remembrance

September 11, 2026 marks exactly 25 years since the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Virginia and United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania.

There’s a sweet little spot in Lynn Haven where breakfast cravings and dessert cravings can happily coexist. La Pera’s Sweet Shop, located at 529 Ohio Avenue, combines the nostalgia of an old-fashioned neighborhood ice cream shop with New York-style bagels, baked treats and over-the-top desserts.

The idea behind La Pera’s is about more than simply serving something sweet. The shop says its mission is to bring families together through timeless treats and create a place where kids, parents and grandparents can share the familiar tradition of going out for ice cream. Its playful patriotic theme carries throughout the brand with phrases like “Celebrating Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Ice Cream” and “United We Scoop.” 

Come for the Ice Cream — Stay for the Bagels

Ice cream may get top billing, but one of La Pera’s most interesting foodie twists is its New York bagel program.

or many of us in Panama City and throughout Bay County, Labor Day weekend means an extra day with family, perhaps a trip to the beach, a backyard cookout, shopping at a local market or simply enjoying a little time away from work.

But behind the long weekend is a much deeper story.

Labor Day is ultimately about people, the men and women who get up every day, go to work, provide for their families and help keep their communities moving forward.

This year, Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7, 2026, and it gives us an opportunity to recognize those contributions both nationally and right here at home.

Why We Celebrate Labor Day

Located at 13919 Highway 77 in Southport, Florida, La Pera’s Country Market sits along one of the area’s primary north-south routes, making it a convenient stop for residents of Southport, Lynn Haven, northern Bay County and travelers heading toward Highway 20 and points farther north.

A Local Name with Bay County Roots

The La Pera name may already be familiar to Bay County residents.

The family behind La Pera’s Sweet Shop in Lynn Haven has built its business around an old-fashioned philosophy of food, family and community. La Pera’s Sweet Shop describes its mission as bringing families together through timeless treats while combining New York traditions with Florida Panhandle hospitality.

That same appreciation for a welcoming, neighborhood-oriented experience makes the Country Market concept a natural fit for Southport.

Rather than the feel of a large supermarket or national chain, a country market offers something different, the opportunity to slow down, browse, discover something interesting and support a locally connected business.

If you have been thinking about adding a four-legged member to your family, this Labor Day weekend may be the perfect time to meet your new best friend.

Bay County Animal Control is currently full and is asking the community for help finding homes for the dogs and cats in its care.

To encourage more local families to adopt, all adoption fees are being waived from Thursday, September 3 through Tuesday, September 8, 2026, for available dogs and cats.

The shelter currently has 36 dogs and 28 cats available for adoption — 64 animals hoping someone will walk through the door and choose them.

There are animals of different ages, sizes and personalities, which means potential adopters have an opportunity to find a pet that fits their household and lifestyle.

A longtime Panama City food-truck favorite is planting deeper roots in the community. Tri-R-Tips BBQ is celebrating a new chapter in September 2026 with a grand-opening weekend at No Name Lounge & Bayside Bistro in Historic Downtown Panama City.

The partnership brings Tri-R-Tips' Hawaiian-style barbecue together with one of downtown's most recognizable waterfront hangouts, giving diners a chance to enjoy big barbecue flavors, cold drinks, live music and views of St. Andrew Bay all in one stop.

According to Historic Downtown Panama City's September event schedule, Tri-R-Tips is serving at No Name Lounge & Bayside Bistro throughout the opening weekend, beginning Friday, September 4. Friday's festivities pair the barbecue with live music from Venture from 7 to 11 p.m., followed by Greenhead on Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. Tri-R-Tips is also scheduled to serve Sunday, September 6. 

From Food Truck Favorite to Downtown Partnership