Summer in Paradise Downtown West Palm
CONE-Y ISLAND AND OTHER SUMMER IN PARADISE ELEMENTS ARE “CONE-FIRMED” A-MAZING
Summer in Paradise kickoff draws crowd downtown in celebration of West Palm Beach’s icon status
While the first day of summer is a few weeks away, the City of West Palm Beach has already kicked off the sunshine season with the launch of its fifth annual Summer in Paradise (SIP) campaign. Opening to a large crowd last week, attendees of the Clematis by Night Summer in Paradise kickoff were able to get a first look at this year’s festivities, including Cone-y Island, an oversized maze crafted by Frank Navarrete out of construction materials. The play on words is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the Clematis Streetscape project, which is currently transforming the 100 and 200 blocks of Clematis Street into a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape. In its always-fun spirit, the Community Events Division has embraced the construction, encouraging visitors to get out of their comfort “cone” and enjoy the construction-themed events and fun surprises.
“This year’s Summer in Paradise theme is occasionally iCONE-ic, always iconic,” said Mayor Keith A. James. “The slogan is in reference to our City’s occasional ‘pardon our dust’ period while our City is improving, but how we always maintain icon status. I am grateful to the Community Events Division for their plan to turn the construction into ‘funstruction’ and to the Clematis Streetscape team for their efforts to plan a thoughtful pedestrian corridor for all to enjoy. Businesses are open and fun is to be had. I encourage everyone to come downtown this summer!”
During the kickoff, visitors to the Great Lawn also had an opportunity to check out other artistic elements, including a collection of cones designed with appreciation for each of the merchants on the 100 and 200 blocks, “King Cone,” “Tyrannosaurus Rex” and iconic 3D window displays, all created by renowned artist Bruce Sutka.
While the iconic orange traffic cone will signal road work ahead, it will also be a key image in the City’s branding and Summer in Paradise activations. Each activation plays on the word cone and activities include:
- Cone-y Island | Open daily from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., June 6 – August 1 on the Great Lawn
A summer-long maze created by nationally recognized prop master, Frank Navarrete, will be configured out of construction materials with interactive play zones, shade areas and water misters on the Great Lawn.
- Cone Checkers | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily and during special event hours through August 1
Come play checkers on a giant checkerboard with cones converted into checker pieces.
- Cone in the Zone | Mondays – Sundays from June 9 – July 31
The Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach is hosting a fun, summer twist on ‘Elf on the Shelf’ inspired activation. The public is encouraged to come in and search the stacks to locate Mr. Coney McConerson, the Library’s decorated mini orange construction cone, who will be hiding in the Library all summer long. Find Coney, bring him to a customer service desk and win a prize!
- Kid’s Cone Zone | During various events from June 6 – August 1
Big City of West Palm Beach trucks and construction vehicles will be on display for kids to touch and explore. Dates include the June 14 and July 12 Screen on the Green events, starting at 7 p.m.
- SnowCONE Saturdays | Weekly from noon – 2 p.m. from June 8 – July 27
Waterfront visitors can claim a free small snow cone on Saturdays throughout SIP, while supplies last. Location of snow cone giveaway will be announced weekly on the City’s social media pages.
- Orange Out | Weekly on Fridays through July 26
Downtown employees are encouraged to wear “traffic cone” orange on Fridays to win prizes. The more out of their comfort “cone,” the bigger the reward!
- Pop-up surprises all summer long, including dance performances, prize giveaways and artistic flares
Visitors are especially encouraged not to miss the “Clematis Cone Heads,” a posse of cones who will spread spontaneous cheer on the 100 and 200 blocks – especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
In addition to activations on the street, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is hosting a variety of promotions and social media contests to engage visitors and promote the business – all which remain open – on the 100 and 200 blocks. The promotions include:
Visitors to downtown are encouraged to get out of their “comfort cone” and go to the “Dig Zone.” When visitors spend $10 or more 10 times at any participating “Dig Zone” business – those located on the 100 and 200 blocks of Clematis Street – they will be eligible for a DowntownWPB swag bag, totaling more than $150 in goodies.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to follow the DDA on Facebook for an opportunity to showoff their wit and humor by providing captions to Clematis Streetscape photos. Contests runs weekly on Tuesdays through July 29 and winners will score a $100.
- Hashtag Contest
Social media savvy guests are encouraged to snap a photo of one of Summer in Paradise’s iCONE-ic Cones on the 100 and 200 blocks, and then share on social media (Twitter, Instagram or Facebook) with the hashtags #SOiCONEic and #DowntownWPB. Posts will be entered to win a once-a-month drawing for a $300 prize. Contest runs from June 15 – October 31.
Summer in Paradise activities will take place along the West Palm Beach waterfront at 101 N. Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, Florida. The two-month long promotion, which runs through Thursday, August 1, also includes twice the number of bands weekly at Clematis by Night from 6 – 9 p.m., monthly Screen on the Green movies on June 14 and July 12, and monthly Sunday on the Waterfront concerts on June 16 and July 21. For more information about Summer in Paradise and other waterfront events, visit wpb.org/events or call 561-822-1515. For more updates on the Clematis Streetscape project, please visit www.wpb.org or follow the City of West Palm Beach on Facebook @CityofWPB and on Twitter and Instagram @westpalmbch.
About the City of West Palm Beach’s Summer in Paradise:
“Summer in Paradise” is produced by the City of West Palm Beach Department of Parks and Recreation. Collaborators include West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority, Arts & Entertainment District, Visit Palm Beach, SkyBike, Northwood Village, Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, Historic Northwest Neighborhood, Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, Rosemary Square, United Way of Palm Beach County and Palm Beach Outlets. The goal is to showcase West Palm Beach as an international destination full of events, activities, art, entertainment, shopping, dining and overall fun. “Summer in Paradise” collectively includes two months of events and happenings in the Northwest Neighborhood, Northwood Village and Downtown West Palm Beach from June 6 – August 1