Summit on the Circle
Summit on the Circle 2026
Broadening the Conversation
The second annual Summit on the Circle built on the momentum of its inaugural year, expanding both its scope and vision as attendees gathered in DeFuniak Springs for a weekend of culture, storytelling, and shared exploration.
Centered around the theme Culture, Art, and Community Across America’s 250 Years: Stories That Shape Us, the 2026 Summit invited participants to examine the many voices, traditions, and experiences that have shaped the American story. Across four days of programming, guests engaged with presenters, performers, and community leaders through conversations on cultural heritage, technology, film, social connection, civil discourse, and the power of personal storytelling.
From live performances and workshops to thoughtful discussions and community gatherings, the Summit continued to create space for learning, reflection, and meaningful connection in one of Florida’s most distinctive historic settings.
As Summit on the Circle continues to evolve, the 2026 gathering reinforced its growing role as a place where history, culture, and community come together—honoring the past while inviting new conversations about the stories that shape us all.
A Look Back at the 2025 Summit
April 23–26, 2026
The second annual Summit on the Circle expanded into a four-day cultural experience, inviting guests to explore the stories, traditions, and conversations that have shaped America across generations. Throughout the weekend, attendees gathered for performances, presentations, workshops, and community socials in the heart of historic DeFuniak Springs. Highlights included:
Thursday Evening
Opening lakeside performance by The Sinus Rhythm Band at the Pickett Gazebo
Friday Conversations
Morning welcome with coffee and refreshments
Cultural discussion on Indigenous influence in American history with Ann Tucker
Presentation on Scottish and Irish cultural contributions with Dewey Ray
Evening performance by Anita Singleton Prather and Aunt Pearlie Sue and the Gullah Kinfolk
Interactive storytelling workshop, My Grandmother Was So Fly!, with Gena Williams
Presentation exploring America’s earliest settlements
Saturday Experiences
Morning welcome and community gathering
Storytelling and performance with Shelby Hofer
Presentation on the impact of film on American culture
Discussion on America’s technological evolution with Dr. Guillermo Francia III
Interactive youth panel on social media and modern communication
Evening reception followed by a live concert from The Midnight Cricket Club
Additional workshop sessions and storytelling experiences throughout the day
Sunday Gatherings
Civil discourse workshop led by Braver Angels
Community ice cream social, art show, and hat party on the Chautauqua porch
Closing lakeside performance by Shelby Hofer at the Pickett Gazebo
Together, these experiences created a weekend of reflection, conversation, music, and community—continuing the Summit’s tradition of bringing people together through culture, storytelling, and shared experience.
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