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Mary Pinnock retires after 35 years; helped build West Palm Beach event calendar
Summary
Mary Pinnock retired after 35 years as the city's community events manager; she helped launch the Green Market, expand the holiday "sandy tree," and oversee 4th on Flagler and other city events.
Mary Pinnock, the longtime community events manager for West Palm Beach, celebrated her retirement after 35 years with a waterfront party and a final public event she helped produce.
Pinnock began working for the city in 1989 and was one of the organizers behind the city's early Green Market, which she helped set up in roughly six weeks at the request of then-mayor Nancy Graham, according to remarks on the city's This Is Your West Palm Beach program. The market has since grown into an award-winning event with more than 100 vendors and many people applying for spots each year.
Pinnock also helped develop the holiday "sandy tree" that evolved from a simple Christmas display into an elaborate seasonal installation and added supporting characters and attractions. The broadcast described the sandy tree as having "grown to 700 tons," a figure offered in celebratory remarks rather than as a precise measurement.
Over her tenure, Pinnock oversaw 4th on Flagler, the city's Independence Day celebration with live entertainment and fireworks, arts showcases, Screen on the Green film nights and appearances by visiting sports figures. The Valerie Tyson Band performed at Pinnock's retirement party.
Speakers at the retirement event praised Pinnock's long service and creativity. The broadcast did not provide details on Pinnock's next steps or any formal succession plan within the city's events office.
