Two free waterfront festivals bring music and vintage culture to downtown West Palm Beach

Two free festivals recently used the downtown West Palm Beach waterfront to showcase local music, vendors and eighties-themed attractions, filling a gap left by the indefinite break of Sunfest.

Organizers staged the 561 Music Festival at the Meyer Amphitheater with about 20 area bands across two stages and a broad vendor presence offering clothing, jewelry and art. An unnamed festival organizer told the broadcast, "We're very passionate about the music scene. We're very passionate about the creativity of the original music scene. We, found out that Sunfest wasn't gonna happen this year, and, we decided to take, take that opportunity and keep the music going at the waterfront." Sheryl Khan, the segment's reporter, noted the festival included vendors selling children's books, including titles by an NFL player identified in the segment as Bridal Bryant.

Vintage Vibes, described in the segment as "powered by Love the Palm Beaches in collaboration with the City of West Palm Beach and the Downtown Development Authority," focused on eighties-themed music and attractions. The broadcast listed eighties tribute bands such as Rubix, a fully stocked arcade with classic games like Pac-Man and Frogger, arts and crafts, a lineup of classic cars and food trucks along Flagler Drive, and a mini roller rink.

Sheryl Khan summarized the events' appeal: "Everybody loves the art. Everybody loves to shop, and everybody loves to eat. A given that everybody loves music. And hopefully, the first downtown stops for these totally awesome festivals won't be the last." The segment did not provide event dates, attendance figures or permit details.

Why it matters: the two free festivals provided public entertainment and vendor opportunities on the waterfront while Sunfest remains on hiatus, according to the segment. Further planning, funding or scheduling information was not specified in the broadcast.