West Palm Beach is nixing two popular longtime community events along the city’s downtown waterfront, saying they will be replaced with “more diverse and engaging experiences.”
The two events, “Screen on the Green” and “Sunday on the Waterfront,” have drawn people to gather along Flagler Drive downtown for at least 15 years.
Screen on the Green was a Friday night movie event that targeted families with free, child-friendly showings once a month. The final event is a Sept. 12 showing of “The Pacifier,” starring Vin Diesel.
Sunday on the Waterfront was a free concert series that brought musical performances to the Meyer Amphitheatre one Sunday a month. The final event will be a Sept. 21 concert by the Florida R&B and pop band Mischief.
City leaders aim for events ‘in more areas of our city’
Charlie Eaton of West Palm Beach (r) and Maryland Silk dance to the tunes of Neil Diamond performed by Rob Garrett during a Sunday on the Waterfront concert in downtown West Palm Beach in 2012.
Both events have been ongoing at least since 2010 and endured through three mayoral administrations, pausing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The city has not said why it’s canceling the long-running programs, but a spokesperson said the city is looking to create new events “beyond our downtown waterfront.” City administrators will be unveiling “new and reimagined events” next year, the spokesperson said.
Families watch a free movie showing at West Palm Beach’s Screen on the Green, a free longtime downtown event, in this undated photo.
“While ‘Screen on the Green’ and ‘Sunday on the Waterfront’ have been beloved traditions, we’re excited to refresh our programming to bring more diverse and engaging experiences to residents and visitors alike, in more areas of our city,” said Kathleen Joy, the city’s communications director.
Commissioner Christy Fox, who represents the city’s downtown, did not respond to a message seeking comment.
Andrew Marra is a reporter at The Palm Beach Post. Reach him at amarra@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm cancels ‘Screen on the Green,’ ‘Sunday on the Waterfront’
