About the October 20 Civic Pride Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Forward DeFuniak Presents Civic Pride Night Featuring The Lake That Built a Town
Florida City Week gathering will bring residents together for a documentary screening and community conversation in DeFuniak Springs’ historic theater
DeFuniak Springs, Fla. — September 21, 2026— Forward DeFuniak will present Civic Pride Night on Tuesday, October 20, at 5:30 p.m. at the Historic DeFuniak Springs Theater. The evening will feature a community screening of The Lake That Built a Town, followed by a conversation with several of the local residents and historians featured in the documentary.
Held during Florida City Week, Civic Pride Night invites residents to gather around the history, identity and shared experiences that make DeFuniak Springs distinctive.
Produced by HWY 331, The Lake That Built a Town explores how one body of water shaped the identity of DeFuniak Springs. At the center of the town lies Lake DeFuniak, a rare, nearly perfect circle of water that has long served as the community’s gathering place and cultural heart.
Through intimate interviews and cinematic storytelling, the film traces how the lake influenced settlement, architecture, civic life and personal memory. What emerges is a portrait of a Southern town built around water, shared experiences and traditions formed along its shore.
“Civic Pride Night creates an opportunity for residents to gather, learn and reflect on what makes DeFuniak Springs special,” said Dr. Melinda Henderson of Forward DeFuniak. “The evening reflects our commitment to civic engagement and to preserving and celebrating the historic and cultural assets of our community.”
Established in 2017, Forward DeFuniak is a nonprofit civic, charitable and educational organization. Its work includes encouraging community participation, supporting economic vitality and helping preserve the history and culture that distinguish DeFuniak Springs. The organization is sponsoring the theater rental and presenting Civic Pride Night as part of Florida City Week.
Observed statewide October 19–25, Florida City Week encourages residents to learn more about municipal government, recognize the people and places that contribute to community life and become more engaged in the cities they call home.
“Civic pride grows when people understand the stories beneath the places they pass every day,” said Kerri Parker, founder of HWY 331 and producer of the film. “Lake DeFuniak has been a gathering place, a witness to generations of community life and an enduring part of how this town understands itself. Experiencing the film together gives that story another opportunity to connect us.”
Following the screening, audience members will be invited to participate in a moderated conversation with individuals featured in the documentary. The discussion will offer additional insight into the town’s history, the experiences preserved in the film and the continuing relationship between place, memory and civic identity.
In telling DeFuniak Springs’ story, The Lake That Built a Town reflects a larger truth about small-town America: the places that shape community life and collective memory are where identity takes root and where the story of a town is continually renewed.
Event Details
What: Civic Pride Night featuring The Lake That Built a Town and a moderated community Q&A
When: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Florida Chautauqua Theater, 848 Baldwin Avenue, DeFuniak Springs, Fl. 32435
Admission: Free and open to the public
RSVP: Seating is limited.
About Forward DeFuniak
Forward DeFuniak, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) civic, charitable and educational organization established in 2017. The organization works to encourage civic engagement, support the economic vitality of the area, advocate for constructive solutions and preserve DeFuniak Springs’ distinctive historic and cultural assets. Forward DeFuniak brings residents, volunteers and community organizations together around opportunities to strengthen the city and surrounding area.
About The Lake That Built a Town
Produced by HWY 331 with grant support from the SOWAL Foundation, The Lake That Built a Town is a short documentary exploring the role of Lake DeFuniak in shaping the settlement, architecture, traditions and identity of DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Through interviews with historians, civic leaders and longtime residents, the film preserves the stories and shared memories formed along the lake’s shore. Learn more at thelakethatbuiltatown.com.
About HWY 331
HWY 331 is a Walton County media platform created to connect and uplift the community through meaningful local storytelling. Its work includes original films and videos, feature stories, podcasts, social media and a community calendar highlighting the people, places and ideas shaping Walton County. Learn more at HWY331.com.
Media Contact:
Kerri Parker
Founder, HWY 331
Kerri@hwy331.com
(850) 543-8690