From David Volz
Oakland Park is getting ready for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, and the community is invited to be part of it! Join the City of Oakland Park on Friday, July 3, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at City Centennial Park, 3900 NE 3rd Avenue, for the Penutimate Semiquincentenial All-American Picnic.
This special celebration will kick off Independence Day weekend and help mark two major milestones: Oakland Park’s 97th birthday and the countdown to America’s 250th birthday. The event will also feature the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Oakland Park Library, an exciting addition to City Centennial Park and a significant investment in learning, technology, and opportunities for generations to come.
The festivities begin at 4 p.m. with the ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by tours of the new facility. Guests can explore expanded educational and workforce resources, flexible gathering spaces, and new technology designed to serve Oakland Park for generations. The family-friendly celebration continues with free food, live music, activities, games, prizes, giveaways, a photo booth, Sensory Village, face painting, and a cash bar until 7 p.m. The temporary library is closed as staff move into the Oakland Park Library at City Centennial Park. The library will open with a ribbon cutting during the grand opening celebration on Friday, July 3, and regular library operations will resume the following week.
The City of Oakland Park has once again earned national recognition for excellence in budgeting, receiving the Government Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its Fiscal Year 2026 budget. This marks the 22nd consecutive year the city has received the prestigious award. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest form of recognition in government budgeting. It recognizes local governments that meet rigorous national standards and prepare budget documents that serve as effective policy documents, financial plans, operations guides, and communication tools. This recognition reflects the City Commission and staff’s continued commitment to transparency, sound financial practices, and responsible long-range planning.
