WPB Firefighters To “Hang Out” on Phillips Point
Jun 30, 2009 - 4th on Flagler, Community Events, Fire Department, Mayor's Office
Firefighters to Practice Their 4th of July Rappel Down New Building
WHO: City of West Palm Beach Fire Rescue Department
WHAT: Practice Run of Rappel & Flag Unfurling for 4th on Flagler
If you see WPB firefighters hanging off the side of Phillips Point, there is no need for alarm and there is no emergency. The City’s firefighters will simply be practicing their annual 4th on Flagler rappel and flag unfurling at a new location.
The 4th on Flagler event site has moved slightly south this year along Flagler Drive due to construction of the new West Palm Beach waterfront project. The 2009 event site will be on Flagler Drive from Fern Street to Lakeview Avenue, with additional activities in Trinity Park.
Due to the move, WPB firefighters had to relocate their unique 4th on Flagler tradition to Phillips Point, where guests can watch the firefighters unfurl a giant four-story high American flag as they rappel down the building. After the flag unfurl, all guests are then invited to salute our country and pledge allegiance to the flag. The management team at Phillips Point has been more than happy to host the firefighters this year as they become familiar with their new location and try a few practice runs before the big night on the 4th of July.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Phillips Point Building, 777 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
**Firefighters will rappel down the East Tower, on the north side of the building. Reporters and photographers can view the rappel and flag unfurling from Trinity Park.**
FUN FACTS:
This is the 7th year the City of West Palm Beach Firefighters have unfurled the giant flag.
It takes a total of 8 firefighters to safely rappel and unfurl the giant flag.
The firefighters will use approximately 1500 feet of rope for the rappel and flag unfurl.
The firefighters will practice approximately 10 times on three different days before the event.
The giant flag is 50 feet long, which is approximately four stories high.
Portion of Flagler Drive closed for Stormwater work
Jun 30, 2009 - Mayor's Office, Public Utilities, Traffic
When: Beginning Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at 6:00 a.m.
Affected Area: Flagler Drive between Banyan Blvd. and Fern Street
Due to necessary stormwater improvements, Flagler Drive will be closed between Banyan Boulevard and Fern Street beginning Tuesday, June 30, 2009, at 6:00 a.m. The road is expected to reopen by September 30, 2009.
All residents, business and their customers will have access to their destinations near the construction area. The City has coordinated with local businesses and residences in an effort to minimize the project’s impact. The new City public docks along Flagler Drive will remain open to the public throughout the road work. The project will not affect the City’s 4th on Flagler festivities which will be located between Fern Street and Lakeview Avenue.
Northbound traffic on Flagler Drive will detour at Fern Street to Olive Avenue. Southbound traffic on Flagler Drive will detour at Banyan Boulevard to Narcissus Avenue.
