Don’t-Miss Events

MAY 5–MAY 7: SUNFEST, downtown West Palm Beach along the waterfront. It’s our big one, the annual music festival here people have grown up with, featuring the best setting a festival could ask for—the West Palm waterfront along Flagler Drive. This year, the festival has cut its number of days, the fireworks and the art show in order to invest more in talent—and we are loving the lineup, which includes the Chainsmokers, Flo Rida, Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, The Killers and many more.

“We are spending 15 percent more than last year on talent, with fewer headline acts,” said Executive Director Paul Jamieson.“We believe the quality overall is improved and hope that our fans agree.” Current pricing starts at $70 for a one-day pass, and $130 for a three-day pass. A full artists lineup and schedule can be found online at sunfest.com/lineup. For more information about SunFest, email info@sunfest.com or call 1/800-SUNFEST.

JUNE 8–JUNE 11: THE PINK RETREAT, various locations from Palm Beach to Jupiter. Think of this weekend as the ultimate girls’ getaway, doused with lots of Lilly Pulitzer and full of shopping, paint-and-sip events, walking tours, sunrise yoga, afternoon tea, boating adventures and way more. This year, the PGA National Resort will be the host hotel, with special perks and amenities available for those staying at this property. There are many activities and tours, and it’s an a la carte menu, but be reassured you’ll have access to many affordable aspects of the Palm Beach-Lilly experience, as well as opportunities to make new friends. Visit thepinkretreat.com for a full description of events.

What is your favorite thing about summer, the time of year everyone loves to hate?

“My favorite part of Boca summers is dropping my four kids off at surf camp, horseback riding camp, soccer camp and tennis camp, where it is 100 degrees. … and then going straight to my 69-degree office. They come back exhausted, and I couldn’t be more refreshed!”

—Alex Price, National Director of Community Investment, Office Depot

“As we run from A/C to A/C, summer gives us a chance to slow down a touch and focus on family, friends and being thankful we live in paradise!”

—Jay Brandt, Vice President of Development, George Snow Scholarship Fund

“I’m a triathlete and would compete in the Loggerhead Triathlon in August every year when I lived in Juno Beach. My favorite thing about summer is swimming in a much kinder, gentler (and flatter!) ocean; it’s refreshing!”

—Katrina Brandenburg, Communications Manager, Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce

UMBRELLA: Anything that calls itself a “system” instead of a plain old umbrella is probably pretty good. The beachBUB All-In-One Umbrella System has a UPF of 50+, with a towel hook, carrying case, shovel, sand bags and sand gopher to keep the umbrella fixed and stable in the sand. It weighs nine pounds, which is hefty for an umbrella— but worth it on those windy days that can send most umbrellas careening. About $160.