Bill Baggs: National Lighthouse Day

Historic lighthouse tours, poetry, crafts and new digital exhibits mark a community celebration at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. The event takes place Friday, August 7 at the Cape Florida Lighthouse compound. Presented by Friends of Cape Florida, the program commemorates the lighthouse’s 200th anniversary, the United States’ 250th anniversary and the Village of Key Biscayne’s 35th anniversary.

The evening also marks the first-phase reopening of the Cape Florida Interpretive Museum inside the Keeper’s Cottage. Activities include lighthouse climbs, a virtual 360-degree tour, interactive poetry with O, Miami and Key Biscayne Poetry Share, art projects, refreshments and light bites. Visitors can also view AI-assisted videos exploring Cape Florida history and a hologram of park namesake William Calhoun Baggs.

Admission to the community event is free, but tickets are required and the regular park entrance fee applies. A $15 donation is suggested for nonmembers, with proceeds supporting Friends of Cape Florida programs and preservation projects. The lighthouse grounds include gravel and sandy surfaces, so appropriate footwear is recommended.