Happy 100th birthday to this iconic beachside Brevard city
Cocoa Beach, likely the most well-known city in Brevard County, is celebrating its 100th birthday this month.
The coastal, beach town is known by many as surfing legend Kelly Slater’s hometown, a spring break destination and the setting of the TV show “I Dream of Jeannie.” But there’s probably some things about this 100-year-old city you might not know.
“There is so much more to Cocoa Beach than just the beach,” said Cocoa Beach Mayor Keith Capizzi. “A lot of people come to the beach and they think it’s a cool little town, but there’s also the river side, the trees, mangroves and dolphins, the river is completely overlooked and it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the city.”
A weeklong centennial celebration is planned to coincide with the fourth of July, including a drone show instead of fireworks for Independence Day.
Here are five things you might not know about Cocoa Beach.
Native Americans were the first settlers to Cocoa Beach
Long before Cocoa Beach was officially a city, Native Americans settled on the land. The Native Americans were eventually replaced by Spaniards. Following the Civil War, freed slaves came to Cocoa Beach. In 1888, land was purchased by a group of men from the city of Cocoa. Local attorney Gus Edwards is credited with bringing development to the area. He bought a bus in 1924 and used it for beach tours. Edwards was the first mayor of Cocoa Beach, which was officially founded June 5, 1925.
Driving on the sand was once allowed in Cocoa Beach
Back in the day, Cocoa Beach was known as the World’s Greatest Speedway. In 1924 racing cars was a common occurrence on the sand of Cocoa Beach. Driving on the beach here ended in 1969.
TV show “I Dream of Jeannie” was set in Cocoa Beach
The popular 1960s show “I Dream of Jeannie” took place in Cocoa Beach, although it was not filmed on the Space Coast. In the show, astronaut Capt. Tony Nelson, played by Larry Hagman, finds a genie bottle that contains Jeannie, played by Barbara Eden. Cocoa Beach has an I Dream of Jeannie Lane and Eden has visited the city many times over the years, especially to help with marathons.
In the show, Nelson and Jeannie lived 1020 Palm Drive. In real life, Cocoa Beach has a Palm Lane and a Palm Avenue but no Palm Drive.
Kelly Slater isn’t the only world-famous celebrity who lived in Cocoa Beach
Many know Cocoa Beach as the home of 11-time surfing world champion Kelly Slater, but there are other celebrities who have called this place home. In the late 1970s, before he rose to fame as the wrestler Hulk Hogan, Terry Bollea managed a bar in Cocoa Beach. Soccer star Ashlyn Harris was a Cocoa Beach resident and a standout at nearby Satellite Beach High. Professional wrestler George, “The Animal” Steele called Cocoa Beach home for many years.
Cocoa Beach’s community playhouse has been around for 66 years
Surfside Players of Cocoa Beach was founded in April 1959. The group of thespians put on its first production, The Moon is Blue, roughly one year later at the Cocoa Beach Fire House. In the years that followed, productions were put on at churches, motels and the beach. The theater moved into its own building in January 6, 1963. These days the non-profit puts on a variety of performances in a 250-seat theater.
Schedule of events for Cocoa Beach’s 100th anniversary
July 5
- 9 a.m. Pickleball tournament
- 9 a.m. Aquatic Center open swim
- 6 p.m. Street Party – live music by Hot Pink, NASA speakers and food trucks
- 9: 30 p.m. – The Drone Light Show Spectacular. Best viewing is anywhere within a 3 – 5 mile radius of City Hall.
July 6
- Golf tournament
- Country Club open house
July 11
- Friday Fest
- Pilot meet and greet
July 12 and 13
