The city of Fort Walton Beach has selected local artist Christina Donahoe as the winner of its downtown entrance sign design competition, as announced during the city council meeting on May 20.
The city awarded her a $5,000 prize.
Donahoe’s winning design will be used for a new entrance sign at U.S. Highway 98 and Eglin Parkway Southeast, just west of the historic Gulfview Hotel Center.
The sign will serve as a prominent welcome to the downtown district and will be part of a broader beautification initiative that includes new landscaping.
Her design features a paddleboard and wave, symbolizing the area’s close connection to its waterways. It also incorporates key local elements such as the 1,200-year-old Indian Temple Mound and the fighter jets often seen in the skies over Fort Walton Beach.
“We had a lot of wonderful entries that were deserving of the award,” said Alisa Burleson, Community Redevelopment Agency administrator, in a news release. “We thank all those who participated for their efforts and great ideas.”