Ode to Boca

A unique opportunity for residents to
reflect on their connection to the city

Ode to Boca is designed to transform your zip code into an occasion for place-based, lyrical celebration. It’s a civic storytelling initiative that celebrates the heart and soul of Boca Raton through poetry, place, and public expression. Launched as part of the City’s Centennial, the program invites residents to write personal odes to their home following reflections that highlight the people, places, and experiences that define our community.

Write your Ode to Boca

Ode to Boca

What begins with a creative prompt becomes a powerful poetic homage to shape the city. Through the Ode to Boca program, selected poems are transformed into art installations, placemaking projects, and interactive experiences that turn personal voice into public space. Ode to Boca ensures that the story of Boca Raton is not only told, but seen, felt, and shared for generations.

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Create your own Ode to Boca today

How to Ode to Boca

It’s easy! Five lines, with each line containing the number of words based on your zip code.

  1. Using the link below, start by writing the numbers of your zip code down the left side of the page.
  2. Each number represents how many words should be in that line of the poem.
  3. Use each line to describe your zip code, neighborhood, or community—think about words, phrases, or feelings that reflect your connection to the area.
Submit Your
Ode to Boca

Tip: If your zip code includes a zero, that line is a wild card!
You can leave it blank, use an emoji or symbol, or include any number of words from 1 to 9.

Ode to Boca Installations

Background 
Inspired by O,Miami’s and WRLN’s original ZipOde poetry program, The City of Boca has partnered with O,Miami in creating Ode to Boca, and empowering our community to express their unique perspectives through poetry. The initiative aims to collect 100 place-based poems, which will be
selected for civic publishing. This collaboration enhances the cultural fabric of Boca Raton during the Centennial and beyond.

Learn more…

Ode to Boca Initiatives

Partnership with PBC Schools

We have partnered with Palm Beach County School District to ensure the Ode to Boca program is engrained in students’ curriculum from K-12. Over 400 odes have been submitted through this partnership

Public Workshops

In partnership with the City, O,Miami has hosted a variety of workshops around the community to engage residents, students and businesses with the Ode to Boca program.

  • CocoFest activation at BRiC
  • FAU, Lynn University
  • Boca Street Fest
  • Juneteenth event at Hughes Park
  • More to come!
Learn More…

Community Involvement

Our community partners have been an integral part of engaging with the OTB program. Here are some ways they are participating.

  • Boca Raton Museum of Art hosted a workshop for their employees to pen Odes.
  • Boca Regional Hospital is actively engaging their employees in a competition with prizes.
  • BRiC encouraged their tenants to write odes using their zip code. Winners were selected as part of an art exhibit.
  • Boca Raton Airport shared some of their odes on social media to encourage the community to participate.