Daphne Plans Big Year Long Centennial Celebrations
By Isabella Gomez
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
October 8, 2026
DAPHNE, Ala. The city by the bay is turning 100 and celebrations are already planned for Daphne to celebrate a yearlong centennial celebration that city leaders say will be one of the largest communitywide observances in Daphne’s history.
The city, which was incorporated nearly 100 years ago with a population of just 500 residents has come a long way and developed into a city with a population that’s around 32,000 and growing rapidly.
“We have events that we do at Lott Park and May Day, but as a celebration of just Daphne itself, it’s probably one of the first ones,” Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune said Wednesday during a kickoff event for the city’s 100th anniversary at Daphne City Hall. “This centennial is at the right time for people to come together and be a part of the community.”
There are plenty of events planned throughout the year.
The city unveiled its 100th‑anniversary logo and introduced its mascot, Clawdius the crab, while outlining plans to celebrate Daphne’s past, present, and future.
The mayor also said that centennial-themed beverages and activities will be showcased at local restaurants, bars and other businesses throughout the year.
“We are really excited about this,” LeJeune said.
Among the highlights will be the reopening of Bayfront Park and the debut of the new Bayfront Amphitheater in April. The venue’s first scheduled event will be Eastern Shore Repertory Theatre’s production of “The Little Mermaid” from May 6–8, 2027.
“It worked out perfectly,” LeJeune said of the amphitheater’s opening during the centennial year. “People have talked about an amphitheater for 30 years. To open it as part of the centennial celebration, I mean, God has blessed Daphne and continues to bless Daphne.”
The amphitheater is a centerpiece of the Bayfront Park redevelopment project, which received a $7.2 million Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) grant through the state. The city is funding the remainder of the roughly $16-million first phase of the project.
Other events planned during the centennial celebration include:
Centennial Gala on July 10, 2027, at the Daphne Civic Center. Daphne’s official incorporation date is July 8, 1927.
“Spirit of Daphne” Parade on Sept. 25, 2027. LeJeune said the Disney-style parade will feature performances highlighting key moments in the city’s history.
Centennial Concert in October 2027 at the Bayfront Amphitheater.
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