You Can Still Help WPB Salute Our Troops
Deadline to Dedicate a Flag and Salute Our Troops is Extended
(June 20, 2008 – West Palm Beach, FL)  The City of West Palm Beach is extending the deadline to dedicate an American flag in honor of a loved one through the “Salute Our Troops” flag program.  There is still time to dedicate one of the flags that will wave proudly over the Flagler Drive waterfront and honor the US Armed Forces during the 4th on Flagler celebration.  The opportunity to participate in this unique and memorable dedication will now end on Friday June, 27th at 5:00 p.m.

The public is invited to commemorate a flag in honor of a veteran or those currently serving in the Armed Forces.  For a minimum suggested $50 donation, anyone can dedicate a flag to a loved one currently serving in the military, a veteran, a specific troop, or even pay tribute to all who have served our county.  Each person that dedicates a flag will have an opportunity to commemorate the flag with a special sign that includes a personal message and will receive a certificate to represent their commemoration.  Those who are interested in commemorating a flag can register or download an application on the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach website at www.forgottensoldiers.org.  

All proceeds from the 4th on Flagler Salute Our Troops flag program will be donated to Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc. (FSO), a Palm Beach County-based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization which continually encourages and inspires our armed forces serving overseas by sending monthly care packages and letters of encouragement for as long as they are deployed.  Since its inception in October 2003, FSO has grown to be a nationally recognized organization and has sent over 20,000 care packages.  The military personnel who have been recipients of these packages know that they are definitely not “forgotten.”

The 4th on Flagler Salute Our Troops flags will be installed along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach and will be on display July 3 and 4, 2008.  In an effort to maximize funds for FSO, more than one commemoration will be accepted for each flag.  For more information about payment or about the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc., please call 561-369-2933 or visit www.forgottensoldiers.org.  For more information about the Salute Our Troops flag program, please call the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division at 561-822-1515.  

4th on Flagler is celebrating two decades of fun!  This free event is the area’s biggest and best 4th of July celebration featuring two stages of non-stop entertainment, a kid’s area, food and refreshments, the unfurling of a giant American Flag, the Firefighters’ Splash & Dash, and a spectacular fireworks extravaganza.  Residents and visitors can enjoy the fireworks, food, concerts and fun along our City’s stunning waterfront.  4th on Flagler will be held on Friday, July 4th from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. along Flagler Drive in Downtown West Palm Beach, with the National City Fireworks Show taking place at 9:00 p.m.  This event is produced by the City of West Palm Beach Mayor’s Office, Division of Community Events and is sponsored by National City, Wild 95.5 fm, Kool 105.5 fm, Mia 92.1 fm, The Gater 98.7 fm, WJNO 1290 am, The Palm Beach Post, La Palma, Florida PennySaver, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Palm Beach County, The Town of Palm Beach, Jimmy John’s, Budweiser, Coca-Cola and the West Palm Beach Marriott.  4th on Flagler is a FREE event that is open to the public.  For more information, please call
(561) 822-1515 or visit www.wpb.org/4th.

Clematis by Night Summer Schedule Announced

(May 22, 2008 – West Palm Beach, FL)  Looking for the area’s Hot Spot to Chill?  Clematis by Night is it!  Join us every Thursday night at the coolest hangout in downtown West Palm Beach from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. in Centennial Square.  This FREE weekly event features the area’s best rock, r&b, reggae, Latin, blues, soul and swing music.  Clematis by Night is the place to be every Thursday for great music, a taste of mouth-watering foods, sidewalk shopping for the trendiest items around, and fun in the fountain.  (more…)

FREE Event on Memorial Day Weekend
Save Alotta Money when you spend Sunday At the Meyer

(May 19, 2008 – West Palm Beach, FL) – Regular patrons to The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer concert series affectionately refer to these wonderful, family-friendly events as “SAM.”  This year, while residents are concerned about their spending and watching every dollar, SAM will not only signify the typical good times and great entertainment, but this popular nickname will also stand for “Save Alotta Money!” 

Ways to “Save Alotta Money” when you spend “Sunday At the Meyer”:
FREE Concert featuring great entertainment
FREE Parking at all City parking lots, meters and garages
FREE Kid’s Activities with lots of fun including hoola hoops, sidewalk chalk, etc.
FREE Treats from the Mayor as she passes out fresh baked cookies to the crowd
FREE Chance to Win a $250 CityPlace gift Certificate & an NYC getaway with $1000 shopping spree!

Residents do not need to pinch their pennies any more!  They can come and enjoy Sunday afternoons at the Meyer with with Fab Tunes, A Cool Scene and Good Vibes along the picturesque Flagler Drive waterfront in downtown West Palm Beach - all for FREE!  Guests are also welcome to bring their own blankets, lawn chairs and coolers, or they can also purchase food and beverages at the concert for reasonable prices.     

This Memorial Day weekend, The City of West Palm Beach is kicking off its 2008 SAM concert series with southern rock legends, the Atlanta Rhythm Section:

PERFORMER: ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION
www.atlantarhythmsection.com
DATE:  Sunday, May 25, 2008
TIME:  4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
LOCATION: Meyer Amphitheatre in Downtown West Palm Beach

This band has been part of the Southern Rock scene for more than 30 years and is usually paired with contemporaries Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers. Their biggest hits include So Into You, Champagne Jam, Imaginary Lover, and Spooky.  But there’s so much more musical diversity to these accomplished studio musicians that include comparisons to the Eagles, Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac.  With 15 albums of outstanding songwriting and performances, The Atlanta Rhythm Section represents all the good things the phrase “classic rock” implies.  Opening for ARS is Florida’s favorite party band, The Fabulons, with covers of classic tunes.

UPCOMING SAM CONCERTS:
JUNE 22  HOT BRASS MONKEY
JULY 27  CARLOS OLIVA & LOS SOBRINOS DEL JUEZ
AUGUST 24  THE LANDSHARKS
SEPTEMBER 28  THE AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES SHOW
OCTOBER 26  LEGENDS OF DOO-WOP  

**ENTER TO WIN CITYPLACE SHOPPING & A NEW YORK CITY GETAWAY**
Guests to The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer can enter to win a $250 gift certificate at each concert good for shopping at CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach.  Guests can also enter for a grand prize New York City getaway that includes a $1000 shopping spree in the Big Apple courtesy of CityPlace.   KOOL 105.5 listeners will also have an opportunity to win $50 CityPlace gift certificates during the week of the concert.   

TREATS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Lois Frankel will continue her tradition of passing out cookies to the crowd during the band breaks.  This crowd pleaser allows guests to introduce themselves and become familiar with the Mayor in a casual and friendly atmosphere. 

CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT
There will be lots of fun, interactive games and activities for children at each concert including hoola hoops, sidewalk chalk, limbo contests, coloring books, and bubbles – all for FREE. 

SPONSORS
The Palm Beach Post, La Palma, The Palm Beach Daily News, Florida PennySaver, KOOL 105.5 FM, West Palm Beach Marriott, Newsradio 1290 WJNO, Coca-Cola, MIA 92.1 FM, WPBF TV 25, CityPlace, and National City.

The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer is bringing Fab Tunes, A Cool Scene and Good Vibes to downtown West Palm Beach.  This FREE family-friendly concert series is held from May through October on the 4th Sunday of each month, and features a variety of national and regional recording artists.  Located along the picturesque Flagler Drive waterfront in the Meyer Amphitheater, The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer provides an ideal setting for good times and great entertainment.  Guests are welcome to bring their own blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers, or they can also purchase food and beverages at the concert.  The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer is produced by the City of West Palm Beach, Mayor’s Office – Division of Community Events.  For more information, please call 561-822-1515 or visit www.wpb.org.
-###-

For Additional Information:
Amaryvis “Ryvis” Sierra
Marketing Coordinator
Mayor’s Office, Community Events Division
Office:  (561) 822-1522
E-mail:  asierra@wpb.org

50 Flags will Salute Our Troops & Raise Funds for Soldiers Overseas

(May 12, 2008 – West Palm Beach, FL)  The City of West Palm Beach is getting ready to show its Stars and Stripes along Flagler Drive as it launches the “Salute Our Troops” flag program for a second year.  Due to the popularity of the program last year, the City will once again honor the US Armed Forces with 50 American flags waving proudly over the Flagler Drive waterfront during its 4th on Flagler celebration.  The Salute Our Troops flag program allows the public to honor and remember those who have served our country and also helps raise needed funds for Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc. (FSO), a non-profit organization that supports our troops currently serving overseas.

The public is invited to commemorate a flag in honor of a veteran or those currently serving in the Armed Forces.  For a minimum suggested $50 donation, anyone can dedicate a flag to a loved one currently serving in the military, a veteran, a specific troop, or even pay tribute to all who have served our county.  Each person that dedicates a flag will have an opportunity to commemorate the flag with a special sign that includes a personal message and will receive a certificate to represent their commemoration.  Those who are interested in commemorating a flag can register or download an application on the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach website at www.forgottensoldiers.org.  Registration deadline is Friday, June 20th at 5:00 p.m.

All proceeds from the 4th on Flagler Salute Our Troops flag program will be donated to Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc. (FSO), a Palm Beach County-based 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization which continually encourages and inspires our armed forces serving overseas by sending monthly care packages and letters of encouragement for as long as they are deployed.  Since its inception in October 2003, FSO has grown to be a nationally recognized organization and has sent over 20,000 care packages.  The military personnel who have been recipients of these packages know that they are definitely not “forgotten.”

The 4th on Flagler Salute Our Troops flags will be installed along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach and will be on display July 3 and 4, 2008.  In an effort to maximize funds for FSO, more than one commemoration will be accepted for each flag.  For more information about payment or about the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Inc., please call 561-369-2933 or visit www.forgottensoldiers.org.  For more information about the Salute Our Troops flag program, please call the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division at 561-822-1515.  

4th on Flagler is celebrating two decades of fun!  This free event is the area’s biggest and best 4th of July celebration featuring two stages of non-stop entertainment, a kid’s area, food and refreshments, the unfurling of a giant American Flag, the Firefighters’ Splash & Dash, and a spectacular fireworks extravaganza.  Residents and visitors can enjoy the fireworks, food, concerts and fun along our City’s stunning waterfront.  4th on Flagler will be held on Friday, July 4th from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. along Flagler Drive in Downtown West Palm Beach, with the National City Fireworks Show taking place at 9:00 p.m.  This event is produced by the City of West Palm Beach Mayor’s Office, Division of Community Events and is sponsored by National City, Wild 95.5 fm, Kool 105.5 fm, Mia 92.1 fm, The Gater 98.7 fm, WJNO 1290 am, The Palm Beach Post, La Palma, Florida PennySaver, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Palm Beach County, The Town of Palm Beach, Jimmy John’s, Budweiser, Coca-Cola and the West Palm Beach Marriott.  4th on Flagler is a FREE event that is open to the public.  For more information, please call (561) 822-1515.

Get Ready for Some Fab Tunes, A Cool Scene and Good Vibes!
The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer Announces 2008 Concert Season

(April 24, 2008 – West Palm Beach, FL) – The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer is bringing back Fab Tunes, A Cool Scene and Good Vibes to downtown West Palm Beach with a fantastic musical line up for its 2008 concert season. This year’s entertainment schedule includes a return to the 50’s & 60’s, a tribute to the Bee Gees, beach band fun, Latin superstars, southern rockers and some local favorites. The great musical variety, ideal outdoor setting and inviting atmosphere bring people from all over to enjoy one of the greatest free concert series the City offers. This season guests can also enter to win shopping giveaways with $250 CityPlace gift certificates awarded at each concert and a grand prize New York City getaway with $1000 shopping spree included. These FREE family-friendly concerts are held on the 4th Sunday of each month (May through October) from 4:30 to 7:30 pm at the Meyer Amphitheatre in downtown West Palm Beach.

The City of West Palm Beach is pleased to announce the entertainment schedule for the upcoming 2008 season of The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer as follows:

MAY 25  ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION www.atlantarhythmsection.com
This band has been part of the Southern Rock scene for more than 30 years and is usually paired with contemporaries Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers. Their biggest hits include So Into You, Champagne Jam, Imaginary Lover, and Spooky. But there’s so much more musical diversity to these accomplished studio musicians that include comparisons to the Eagles, Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac. With 15 albums of outstanding songwriting and performances, The Atlanta Rhythm Section represents all the good things the phrase “classic rock” implies. Opening for ARS is Florida’s favorite party band, The Fabulons, with covers of classic tunes.

JUNE 22 HOT BRASS MONKEY www.hotbrassmonkey.com
This nine piece horn band is a bona fide hit in South Florida playing all your party favorites. HBM is comprised of some of South Florida’s finest musicians who take pride in reproducing the great classic horn influenced hits from Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Santana, KC & the Sunshine Band and many more. Their “No Monkey Business” approach to musical entertainment along with their high energy, horn arrangements, rotating lead vocals, creative harmonies, and dance rhythms characterize this extremely popular local band.

JULY 27 CARLOS OLIVA & LOS SOBRINOS DEL JUEZ  www.carlosoliva.com
Carlos Oliva and “The Judge’s Nephews” have secured their place in Latin music history in the US and is known as one of the founders of the “Miami Sound”, a musical style developed by the fusion of rock, jazz, samba, son, guaracha and other Cuban rhythms. Carlos is the face and sound of Miami music having worked with and influenced numerous musicians including the Miami Sound Machine. The rhythm and liveliness of Carlos Oliva and The Judge’s Nephews are contagious and their performances are truly memorable. Opening for Carlos Oliva is Ernesto Fernandez, an up and coming Latin jazz flutist reminiscent of his world-renowned predecessor, Nestor Torres.

AUGUST 24 THE LANDSHARKS  www.landsharksband.com
Are you ready for some summer fun? Come and see a fantastic show, listen to great music and have an incredible time with this fun, interactive Beach band. Having played with Jimmy Buffett and the Beach Boys, and everywhere from Disney to Superbowl Victory parties, if there is fun to be had you can bet that the Landsharks will be there! This band defines a “Landshark” as anyone who is ready to have a good time – so bring your tropical shirts, your anything goes attitude and a smile as you get ready for the most fun you can have on land or water!

SEPTEMBER 28 THE AUSTRALIAN BEE GEES SHOW www.abgshow.com
Get ready for some Sunday Night Fever! The Australian Bee Gees Show captures the look, the sound, the energy, the personality and the magic that defines one of the most successful and adored acts in musical history – the Brothers Gibb. The Australian Bee Gees Show has been named as the definitive live celebration of four decades of wonderful music written by the Bee Gees. They have played to capacity houses around the world, cementing their reputation as an exceptional live concert act and the world’s leading Bee Gees show.

OCTOBER 26 LEGENDS OF DOO-WOP  www.thelegendsofdoowop.com
Their names are legendary and their music is timeless. Three former lead singers and one essential “Mr. Bass Man” make up a veritable “Who’s Who” of legendary rock ‘n’ rollers. The members of the Legends of Doo-Wop have an amazing four songs in the Top 100 All Time Greatest Hits, released by WCBS radio in New York City. Some of their legendary hits include Just To Be With You, Gloria, 16 Candles, and Stormy Weather. The Legends of Doo-Wop play to sold-out venues across the country. The fabulous foursome brings tight harmonies, smooth vocals and some of the best sounds heard since the early days of rock ‘n’ roll. Opening for these legends will be Karen Allen with a soulful tribute to Motown.

**ENTER TO WIN CITYPLACE SHOPPING & A NEW YORK CITY GETAWAY**
Guests to The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer can enter to win a $250 gift certificate at each concert good for shopping at CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach. Guests can also enter for a grand prize New York City getaway that includes a $1000 shopping spree in the Big Apple.

TREATS FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Lois Frankel will continue her tradition of passing out cookies to the crowd during the band breaks. This crowd pleaser allows guests to introduce themselves and become familiar with the Mayor in a casual and friendly atmosphere.

CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT
There will be lots of fun, interactive games and activities for children at each concert including hoola hoops, sidewalk chalk, limbo contests, coloring books, and bubbles – all for FREE.

CALENDAR LISTING
The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer
4th Sunday of the Month: May through October
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Meyer Amphitheatre – Downtown West Palm Beach
FREE Outdoor Concert featuring a variety of national and regional recording artists, children’s entertainment and treats from the Mayor along the Flagler Drive Waterfront in Downtown West Palm Beach. For more information call 561-822-1515 or visit www.wpb.org/sam.

SPONSORS
The Palm Beach, Post La Palma,
The Palm Beach Daily News, Florida PennySaver,
KOOL 105.5 FM, West Palm Beach Marriott,
Newsradio 1290 WJNO, Coca-Cola,
MIA 92.1 FM, WPBF TV 25,
CityPlace.

The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer is bringing Fab Tunes, A Cool Scene and Good Vibes to downtown West Palm Beach. This FREE family-friendly concert series is held from May through October on the 4th Sunday of each month, and features a variety of national and regional recording artists. Located along the picturesque Flagler Drive waterfront in the Meyer Amphitheater, The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer provides an ideal setting for good times and great entertainment. Guests are welcome to bring their own blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers, or they can also purchase food and beverages at the concert. The Palm Beach Post Sunday at the Meyer is produced by the City of West Palm Beach, Mayor’s Office – Division of Community Events. For more information, please call 561-822-1515 or visit www.wpb.org/sam.

Get your baskets ready for some of Florida’s best strawberries as the West Palm Beach GreenMarket presents The Strawberry Festival on Saturday, February 9 from 10:00 am to noon.  There will be a bountiful harvest of fresh local strawberries as well as some delicious, homemade strawberry shortcake with fresh vanilla cream and newly picked strawberries prepared by WPB GreenMarket Chef, John Carlino.  Guests can purchase the fresh and delicious strawberry shortcakes for $5 with all proceeds benefiting Hospice of Palm Beach County.  The WPB GreenMarket will also be raffling off two roundtrip tickets on JetBlue airlines; guests can register for the tickets in the center of the market.

Hospice of Palm Beach County (HPBC), founded in 1978 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), has cared for nearly 65,000 patients and their families and averages 1,050 patients daily throughout Palm Beach County.  A leading provider of hospice care, HPBC serves as a model for other programs nationwide.  HPBC’s mission is to provide premier healthcare services to people nearing the end of life. Services are designed to enhance quality of life by focusing on the specific individual needs of both patients and families.  For more information about HPBC, please call (561) 227-5140 or visit www.hpbc.com.

The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is the area’s original and most popular green market.  Each Saturday over 60 vendors offer a variety of farm fresh fruits and vegetables, tropical and native plants, fresh-cut flowers, artisan foods, and much more from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm in Downtown West Palm Beach.  Guests can also sit and enjoy their made-to-order breakfast or lunch at the GreenMarket Café.  The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is dog-friendly and offers free parking in the Banyan Street Garage until 2:00 pm.  The West Palm Beach GreenMarket is produced by the City of West Palm Beach, Mayor’s Office - Division of Community Events and is sponsored by The Palm Beach Post, The Palm Beach Daily News, WIRK 107.9 fm and Sunny 104.3 fm.  For more information about the West Palm Beach GreenMarket, please call 561-822-1515.

Take a trip around the world and learn what you can do to save it!

 Get ready to take a trip around the world for FREE at Kaleidoscope 2008, an interactive multicultural festival that showcases the cultural diversity in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County.  Kaleidoscope 2008 will “Go Green,” a new event theme that is teaching students about the hottest topic impacting the world and their future – how to protect the environment.  The “Go Green” theme will bring awareness and education of efforts both at home and abroad to become more eco-friendly. 

CALENDAR LISTING:
Kaleidoscope 2008– Go Green!
Featuring the Tito Puente Jr. Orchestra
Sunday, January 27, 2008
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Centennial Square and the East Library Grounds in Downtown West Palm Beach
FREE!
Produced by the City of West Palm Beach in partnership with the School District of Palm Beach County
For more information:  561-822-1515 or www.wpb.org/kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope 2008 is a family-friendly celebration of many cultures produced by the City of West Palm Beach in partnership with the School District of Palm Beach County.   Students in Palm Beach County schools work for months with local cultural organizations to learn about a specific country and then create an authentic representation of that country in the form of a “village” which the public is invited to tour at the event.  Kaleidoscope has been judged the “Best Educational Event” and “Best Community Outreach Event” by the International Festivals & Events Association.  This year’s event will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Centennial Square and on the East Library Grounds in Downtown West Palm Beach.  Features include continuous live authentic cultural entertainment on two stages, 18 different villages from around the world, interactive activities for children, ethnic food and refreshments, and an international bazaar.  Participating sponsors include National City, Palm Beach County, The Palm Beach Post, La Palma, 97.9 fm WRMF, Comcast, the West Palm Beach Marriott, SouthWest Airlines, the Children’s Services Council, Coca-Cola, and Columbia Restaurant. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (561) 822-1515 or visit www.wpb.org/kaleidoscope

(December 21, 2007 – West Palm Beach, FL)  Clematis by Night will celebrate New Times in the New Year as West Palm’s Hot Spot to Chill begins 2008 with new event hours.  Starting in January 2008, this highly-popular, award-winning, weekly fountain-side concert series will take place on Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:30 pm in Centennial Square, Downtown West Palm Beach.  The new hours will give event patrons more time to get to the start of the event and more time to stay and social with their friends in a pleasant, outdoor environment.

Clematis by Night draws thousands of people from all walks of life every Thursday to the downtown area.  “Our new hours will give everyone a little extra time to get out of work or to get out of the house and make it to this fantastic community event,” said Mary Pinak, Community Events Manager for the City of West Palm Beach.  “We think this will be good for our concert goers and good for the downtown business community as well,” Pinak continued.

Clematis by Night is a FREE weekly concert series that features the area’s best rock, R&B, reggae, Latin, blues, soul and swing music.  Clematis by Night is the place to be every Thursday for great live music, a taste of mouth-watering foods, sidewalk shopping of the trendiest items around, and fun in the fountain.  Clematis by Night is produced by the City of West Palm Beach and brought to you by Wachovia, Clear Channel Radio, The Palm Beach Post, La Palma, Schumacher Automotive, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, Heineken, Samuel Adams, the West Palm Beach Marriott, and many others.  For more information about this event or for an entertainment schedule, please call the City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division at 561-822-1515 or visit the website at www.clematisbynight.net.

The following is the road closure schedule for the “Clematis by Night Holiday Lighting and Mayor’s Parade” on Thursday, November 29, 2007:

Clematis Street will be closed from Rosemary Avenue west through the Sapodilla Avenue intersection beginning at 1:00 p.m. for parade setup.

Clematis Street will be closed from Flagler Drive to Olive Avenue beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Clematis Street will be closed from Olive Avenue to Rosemary Avenue beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Clematis Street will remain closed between Flagler Drive and Olive Avenue until approximately 10:00 p.m.  The remainder of Clematis Street will reopen to traffic upon the conclusion of the parade, at approximately 6:30 p.m.

On Thursday, November 29, Clematis by Night will officially kick off the holiday season and light up downtown West Palm Beach with its annual Holiday Lighting.  The City of West Palm Beach has partnered with the Downtown Development Authority and KOOL 105.5 fm to create a special evening filled with lots of holiday wonder and enchantment.  The Holiday Lighting event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the 100 to 500 blocks of Clematis Street. Some special features at the Holiday Spot to Chill will include the following: 

PARADE at 5:30 PM
This year’s holiday celebrations will include the 2nd annual West Palm Beach Mayor’s Parade presented by KOOL 105.5 fm.  This magical parade will start at 5:30 p.m. in the 500 block of Clematis Street and will travel east on Clematis Street under a bright canopy of lights to Flagler Drive.  The parade will feature lots of excitement and surprises including the Shriners of Palm Beach County with an amusing array of entertainment, cheerleaders and dancers from the Treasure Coast Dancers, the Lake Worth High School marching band, the Forest Hill High School marching band, and the West Palm Beach Fire and Police Departments.  Other participants include the Diva Duck, Gracie Street with a Girl Scouts hayride, Roxy’s special mini cart, and Santa’s Trolley filled with elves.

The parade will also feature a number of floats presented by Good Samaritan Medical Center, the International Polo Club Palm Beach complete with polo players, the South Florida Fair with an animal and fair themed float, and Ballet Florida with a Nutcracker themed float.  The parade would not be complete, however, without a visit from everyone’s favorite North Pole resident – SANTA, who’ll be riding on the United States Marines Corps’ Toys for Tots float.  Also featured in the parade will be local television personalities from WPTV NewsChannel 5 and radio listeners’ favorite personalities from KOOL 105.5 fm, Wild 95.5 fm, Gater 98.7 fm, Classy 92.1 and WJNO Newsradio 1290 am.  The grand marshals for this year’s parade are Mo & Sally from KOOL 105.5 fm and West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel. 

TREE LIGHTING at 7:00 PM
Mayor Frankel and Mo & Sally from KOOL 105.5 fm will flip the switch immediately following the parade to officially light up downtown West Palm Beach.  This year they will light up a real 38-foot Norway spruce from Beech Mountain, North Carolina, the tallest real tree to be displayed in Palm Beach County, as well as a menorah and a kinara in Centennial Square.

COOKIE DECORATING WITH FLORIDA CULINARY
Kids can get into the spirit and have some fun decorating their own holiday cookies with the help of student chefs from the Florida Culinary Institute.  Kids at Clematis by Night can make and take their very own holiday cookie treats for FREE at the Florida Culinary booth in Centennial Square while supplies last.

VISIT SANTA’S TROLLEY
After the parade, kids can make their way to Santa’s Trolley in the 200 block of Clematis Street and visit with Santa and his helpers.  Kids will have the opportunity to go over their wish list with Santa and take their own photo with Santa or have their photo taken by the Children’s Coalition to download from the Clematis by Night website.

TOYS FOR TOTS
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program will be at the event collecting new, unwrapped toys to distribute as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community.  Guests to Clematis by Night can help needy children experience the joy of Christmas and deliver a message of hope by dropping off their new, unwrapped toys off at the USMC tent in Centennial Square.

CLEMATIS STREET ACTIVITIES
Clematis Street will also become festive with lots of holiday cheer and activities.  Kids can enjoy lots of FREE holiday games and activities including Santa hat decorating, face painting, and a game master with lots of fun diversions. After the parade, kids can stop by the Resource Deport booth in the 200 block to make and take their own unique Santa hat while supplies last.  The street will also feature stilt walkers dressed in costume and free holiday cookies next to Santa’s Trolley!

CLEMATIS BY NIGHT – HOLIDAY LIGHTING
Clematis by Night is the Holiday Spot to Chill this season!  This year’s holiday celebrations in downtown West Palm Beach will include a magical parade down Clematis Street under a canopy of lights that covers five blocks.  Then guests can watch as Mayor Frankel flips the switch and officially lights up a real holiday tree as well as a menorah and a kinara in Centennial Square.  There will be plenty of cool winter fun and excitement with kid’s activities, live entertainment, a visit from Santa’s and many more holiday surprises. 

The Clematis by Night Holiday Lighting is produced by the City of West Palm Beach in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority and KOOL 105.5 fm and brought to you by The Palm Beach Post, Wachovia, Clear Channel Radio, WPTV NewsChannel 5, Schumacher Automotive, the Corvette Club of the Palm Beaches, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, Heineken, Samuel Adams, the West Palm Beach Marriott, and many others.  For more information, please contact the City of West Palm Beach, Community Events Division at 561-822-1515