Bill Baggs Birthday Bash at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park – Key Biscayne, FL

What Would Bill Baggs Do?

Protecting Democracy Through Local Journalism.

As we honor Bill Baggs on his birthday, we also look to the future of journalism inspired by the Press Forward initiative. Just as Baggs believed in the power of a free and fearless press to strengthen democracy and protect our communities, Press Forward seeks to ensure local journalism continues to thrive. Together, we celebrate Baggs’s enduring influence and recommit ourselves to the essential role of news in preserving freedom, justice, and the environment.”

DATE: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

TIME: 6:00PM to 8:00PM

LOCATION: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Lighthouse Compound Keeper’s Cottage

TICKETS: This is a FREE event with park entry fee. Ticket required to be on the guest list.

WHAT TO EXPECT

6:00PM REFRESHMENTS and lite bites

o Enjoy the newly painted Cape Florida Lighthouse, the oldest historic structure in Miami-Dade, preparing to celebrate her 200th birthday in December.

o View rarely seen photos and clippings of Baggs and his time as Miami News editor.

o Meet Craig and Mahoney Baggs , William Calhoun Baggs’ sons.

o Get to know the author of the Baggs biography “A Nervous Man Shouldn’t be Here in the First Place” – Amy Paige Condon. Signed books will be available for purchase.

o Watch the Emmy winning Bill Baggs Documentary by Patrick and Ann Longstreth, based partially on the biography, produced by Theordora Long (26 min) or save our QR code to watch at your convenience.

6:45PM PRESENTATION: HoloPod(R) of William Calhoun Baggs – Technology and teaching tools to demonstrate his relevance and “bring Bill Baggs to life”.

7:00PM PANEL DISCUSSION: What Would Bill Baggs Do? The Future of Journalism and Democracy.

8:00PM Event ends.

BECOME A MEMBER of the FRIENDS OF CAPE FLORIDA (go to FriendsCapeFlorida.org/membership).

Subscribe to our newsletter to never miss what’s going on in th park: FriendsCapeFlorida.org/subscribe

Sponsored by the Friends of Cape Florida.

Rain or shine.

Release​By entering the premises of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) event or activity, you (and any persons you act as guardian) consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on web sites, or any other purpose by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) and its affiliates and representatives. You release the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) its volunteers and officers, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. By entering the premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF) or the person or entity designated to do so by the Friends of Cape Florida Inc. (FOCF). You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the premise.