Welcome to Vero Beach

Welcome

Vero Beach is a special place. But we’re telling you something you already know. Whether natives or transplants, we have all chosen this town or other parts of beautiful Indian River County to be our home.

In many ways, we have the best of both worlds, enjoying both the quiet familiarity of smalltown life and the vibrant cultural atmosphere usually found in larger cities.

Retirees are drawn to Vero Beach for its golf, beaches, and relaxed coastal lifestyle; at the other end of the spectrum, many of Vero’s pioneer families, now in their fourth, fifth, and sixth generations, continue to reside here.

A typical day in Vero Beach might include a morning at the beach and an evening at the theater; a morning on the pickleball court and an evening at a fine restaurant; or perhaps a morning volunteering and an evening at a nonprofit organization’s elegant gala.

Vero Beach Municipal Marina

Each resident enjoys the luxury of customizing his or her own Vero Beach lifestyle, with as much peace and quiet or hustle and bustle as desired. Outdoor activities are popular virtually all year round, the arts are a mainstay of local life, and a plethora of nonprofits offer endless opportunities to pitch in and serve the community.

Indian River County’s barrier island, not called often enough by its true name, Orchid Island, boasts 22 miles of expansive, uncrowded, easily accessible beaches, as well as scores of boutiques, galleries, and local restaurants.

The mainland is home to a thriving design district and a historic downtown area filled with art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, and cafés.

The western part of the county provides the pleasant contrast of farms, ranches, and equestrian facilities.

Life in Vero Beach and the surrounding region is primarily one characteristic of a small city or suburban area. And while there is much here to keep us occupied, sometimes excursions to the “big city,” major attractions, or wide-open natural spaces make for a nice change of pace. For these occasions, Vero Beach is quite strategically located. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and all the other Orlando-area destinations are just an hour and a half away, as are Kennedy Space Center to our north and Bok Tower Gardens to our west. A day trip to Miami is well within reach, and you may even want to catch a Dolphins or Marlins game while you’re down that way!

Wherever you’re from and whatever your interests, you’ve come to the right place!

Indian River County at a Glance

Of Florida’s 67 counties, Indian River is among the smallest, coming in at No. 59 by land area; but with a population ranking at No. 31, it is relatively densely populated.

The population of Indian River County is 163,662. Of those, fewer than 17,000 actually reside within the city limits of Vero Beach. All others who are not within the city limits of Sebastian or Fellsmere are in unincorporated areas of the county, some of which are named (for example, Wabasso, Winter Beach, and Gifford).

Yes, we are one of the more “senior” counties, ranking sixth, with a median age of about 54. We are also one of the safest, with a rate of violent crime among the lowest in the state.

Indian River County

FLORIDA TURNPIKE

60 Blue Cypress Lake

Upper St. Johns River Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area

FLORIDA TURNPIKE

Fellsmere Rd 512

Fellsmere

Sebastian Inlet

95

505

R o s e l a n d R d

Sebastian

Sebastian Blvd

t h A v e 9 0

85th St 510 Indian River Lagoon A1A

Sebastian River Medical Center

512

1 North Beach

Wabasso Bridge

Orchid

Wabasso

613

1

508

8 t h A v e 5

Winter Beach A1A

Sebastian Municipal Airport

Atlantic Ocean

Indian River Shores

20th Street 60

Gifford

41st St 630

Vero Beach

Indian Ri ver Blvd

1

60

Barber Bridge

20th Street

82 n d A v e

9th St SW 606

5 8 t h A v e 60

r d A v e 3 4 8th St

t h A v e 2 7 Ol d Di xi e Hw y 1

Alma Lee Loy Bridge

Vero Beach South

611

Florida Ridge

1

Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital

Vero Beach Regional Airport

South Beach

A1A

Welcome Weather Report

Avg Low Avg High Record Low Record High Avg Precip Avg Humid Avg Snowfall JANUARY 51° 73° 21° 88° 2.0” 69% 0” FEBRUARY 55° 76° 28° 90° 1.9” 67% 0” MARCH 58° 79° 26° 93° 2.4” 65% 0” APRIL 63° 82° 36° 97° 2.7” 64% 0” MAY 68° 86° 46° 99° 4.3” 67% 0’’ JUNE 73° 89° 57° 102° 6.4” 77% 0’’ JULY 74° 90° 62° 99° 5.7” 79% 0’’ AUGUST 74° 91° 63° 98° 6.9” 81% 0’’ SEPTEMBER 74° 89° 61° 97° 7.4” 81% 0’’ OCTOBER 69° 85° 45° 94° 5.0” 73% 0’’ NOVEMBER 61° 79° 31° 92° 2.9” 70% 0’’ DECEMBER 57° 76° 23° 89° 2.6” 72% 0’’

Be Sun Smart

Life in the Sunshine State is glorious. The sun boosts our spirits and our vitamin D levels. But it also delivers UV radiation, which can take a toll on our skin, causing premature aging and skin cancer. The key is to use good sun sense.

The highest UV levels occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so it’s a good idea to avoid these hours when planning outdoor activities.

Clothing is our first line of defense. Long sleeves, pants, and hats shield us from the sun, and many lines of outdoor apparel even carry a UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor.

There are many types of sunscreens to choose from. Look for one with an SPF of at least 15, and explore both mineral and chemical options. Apply 20 to 30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply generously about every two hours, especially if swimming or perspiring.

Look! Up in the Sky!

In the absence of the bright lights of big cities, Vero Beach and the surrounding area are wonderful places to view such natural phenomena as meteor showers and close approaches of other planets. Not only that, our proximity to Kennedy Space Center gives us a prime vantage point for viewing rocket launches. Launches Unlike the astronomical phenomena listed here, launches cannot be predicted many months in advance. Even after a launch is scheduled, changes can occur due to weather or mechanical issues up until the last minute. Keep an eye on nasa.gov, kennedyspacecenter.com, and spacex.com for launch plans and mission information.

International Space Station The International Space Station is readily visible to the naked eye, if one knows where to look and when. Just go to spotthestation.nasa.gov and enter your location, and a list of viewing opportunities will appear. Using the dates, times, durations, and maximum heights above the horizon, you can determine the best times to look for the ISS. There is nothing else like it in the sky: The ISS is the only object that is bright, in motion, and not blinking. And even though it is traveling at 17,500 mph, it can be visible for several minutes as it arcs across the sky. Astronomical Events in 2023

January 3.....Peak of Quadrantid Meteor Shower March 20..................................................Vernal Equinox April 22........................Peak of Lyrid Meteor Shower May 6..........Peak of Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower June 21..................................................Summer Solstice

August 1............................................................Supermoon August 12.............Peak of Perseid Meteor Shower August 27...................Saturn at Closest Approach September 23...............................Autumnal Equinox September 29..............................................Supermoon October 21..........Peak of Orionid Meteor Shower

October 14....................................Partial Solar Eclipse November 3............Jupiter at Closest Approach November 17......Peak of Leonid Meteor Shower

December 13..Peak of Geminid Meteor Shower

December 22.........................................Winter Solstice

Welcome Fun Facts

KING CHARLES III is no stranger to Vero Beach. In both 1989 and 1990, as the Prince of Wales, Charles visited to play charity polo matches at the newly founded Windsor. The name coincidence is not random: Both his family name and the community’s derive from the English town of Windsor.

The INDIAN RIVER MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT, established in 1925, was the first mosquito control program in Florida. A multipronged approach is taken to control the annoying and potentially dangerous insects, including aerial larviciding. If you have been startled by a yellow airplane flying terrifyingly low and performing somewhat acrobatic maneuvers, you have probably witnessed aerial mosquito control in action. The beloved “First Lady of Vero Beach,” ALMA LEE LOY, carried the Olympic torch half a mile as it made its way through Florida prior to the 1996 Summer Games, which were held in Atlanta.

Welcome Fun Facts

Indian River County is right in the heart of one of the most active sea turtle nesting sites in the world, and 2022 was a record-breaking season. Nesting season, which runs March 1–October 31, got off to an auspicious start when a leatherback came onshore in February to deposit her eggs. The total number of loggerhead, green, and leatherback nests exceeded 9,000 for the first time since the county’s SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION PROGRAM began monitoring the nests in 2005.

FIVE U.S. PRESIDENTS have visited Vero Beach: Warren G. Harding (as president-elect), Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. The first PUBLIX SUPERMARKET in Vero Beach opened in Miracle Mile shopping center (in the current location of The Fresh Market) April 28, 1960, nearly 30 years after the first Publix store was established in Winter Haven, just over 90 miles away. Today, Vero Beach is home to six Publix stores.

Vero Beach is the seat of Indian River County, but it was not originally intended to be—that would be FELLSMERE, which was incorporated eight years earlier. Nor is it the most populous town in Indian River County—that would be Sebastian, which boasts a 50 percent higher population than the city of Vero Beach, the smallest of the county’s three incorporated municipalities.

Welcome A Sampling of Annual Events

JANUARY

Gifford Youth Achievement Center Gala Vero Beach Museum of Art Gala Youth Guidance King of the Hill Tennis Tournament

FEBRUARY

Camp Haven Diamonds in the Rough Gala Childcare Resources Starfest Gardenfest! McKee Botanical Garden Motorcar Exhibit Mental Health Association MHA Rocks! The Source Night of Hope VBMA Fashion Meets Art

MARCH

Boys & Girls Clubs Angels Dinner Senior Resource Association Bingo Luncheon Under the Oaks Arts & Crafts Show VBMA Art in Bloom Vero Beach Opera Rising Stars Vocal Competition

APRIL

Laura (Riding) Jackson Foundation Poetry BBQ Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Pro Circuit Tournament Saint Edward’s Pirate Ball

MAY

Cleveland Clinic Indian River Foundation May Pops IRSC Foundation Golf Tournament Healthy Start Coalition Dancing with Vero’s Stars

JUNE

McKee Botanical Garden Waterlily Celebration United Against Poverty Burgers & Brews

JULY

City of Sebastian Fourth of July Celebration City of Vero Beach Fourth of July Celebration Vero Beach Lifeguard Association Race to the Wreck

AUGUST

Keep Indian River Beautiful Paddle Dash

SEPTEMBER

Keep Indian River Beautiful Coastal Cleanup

OCTOBER

The Buggy Bunch Pumpkin Patch Military Moms Prayer Group Holidays for Heroes Drive United Way Day of Caring Treasure Coast Food Bank Pack the House Treasure Coast Community Health Duck Derby Youth Guidance Tropical Night Luau

NOVEMBER

Alzheimer & Parkinson Association Walk to Remember Care Net Pregnancy Center Banquet Gold Star Moms Walk-A-Thon Indian River Land Trust Benefit National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum Muster The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign Samaritan Center Soup Bowl St. Helen’s Harvest Festival United Against Poverty Trot Against Poverty

DECEMBER

Ballet Vero Beach Nutcracker on the Indian River Crossover Mission Gala Hibiscus Children’s Center Candlelight Ball McKee Botanical Garden Festival of Lights Women’s Refuge Christmas Banquet

Welcome What’s in a Name?

Roads, bridges, parks, and other landmarks often bear the names of prominent local residents who have helped shape our area’s history. Keep an eye out for the following names as you travel around Indian River County.

The MERRILL P. BARBER BRIDGE is named for a local businessman who served as the eighth mayor of Vero Beach and went on to serve two terms in Tallahassee as a state senator. His two daughters were the first to wield shovels at the 1993 groundbreaking for the current Barber Bridge.

While the name of VERO BEACH is believed to have been derived from the Latin word for “truth,” its neighboring towns are both named after people: SEBASTIAN after third-century Christian martyr ST. SEBASTIAN and FELLSMERE after the town’s founder, EDWARD NELSON FELL. The community of GIFFORD is named for pioneer Vero Beach settlers HENRY and SARAH GIFFORD and their family.

Vero Beach’s other bridge, known for over 30 years as the 17TH STREET BRIDGE, was renamed the ALMA LEE LOY BRIDGE in 2011, in honor of the businesswoman and Indian River County commissioner who was instrumental in bringing the bridge into existence. A Vero Beach native and tireless public servant, Loy died in April 2020 at the age of 90.

SEXTON PLAZA and its adjacent beach bear the name of pioneer Vero Beach resident WALDO E. SEXTON—entrepreneur, rancher, and antique collector extraordinaire.

Nestled in a residential area on the western side of the Indian River Lagoon is A.W. YOUNG PARK, which is named after the first mayor of Vero Beach, ANTHONY W. YOUNG. If you look closely, you may come across a reference to STATE ROAD 60 as OSCEOLA BOULEVARD. Vero Beach is also home to Osceola Magnet School, and our neighboring county to the west is Osceola County. Born BILLY POWELL in Alabama in 1804, Osceola became a prominent Seminole leader in Florida.

Speaking of State Road 60, you may have noticed a sign indicating that the 5-mile segment between 43rd Avenue and I-95 is called “THE RICHARD RACZKOWSKI MEMORIAL HIGHWAY.” This designation was made in 2009 in memory of the only member of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office ever to have been killed in the line of duty. The 29-year-old deputy was shot by a suspect in 1986. A. W. Young Park

The small, circular TROY MOODY PARK, found in the MCANSH PARK neighborhood, is named in honor of 1943 Vero Beach High School graduate TROY MOODY, who joined the U.S. Army and perished in the Korean War at the age of 25. Bonus: The neighborhood itself bears the name of its developer, ANDREW MCANSH.

MACWILLIAM PARK, located near the eastern end of the Barber Bridge, has a familiar Vero Beach name that goes back to ALEXANDER MACWILLIAM SR.—World War I veteran, three-time mayor of Vero Beach, and member of the Florida House of Representatives.

The “JOHN” of JOHN’S ISLAND is believed to be JOHN LAROCHE, the Merritt Island citrus grower who, along with his brothers, first purchased land on the island in the late nineteenth century. MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN was founded as McKee Jungle Gardens by Cleveland industrialist and plant lover ARTHUR MCKEE, in partnership with WALDO SEXTON, in 1932.

The northernmost bridge in Indian River County, the WABASSO CAUSEWAY BRIDGE, is also known as the A.B. MICHAEL BRIDGE, after Orchid Island pioneer resident and citrus grower ALFRED BENJAMIN “A.B.” MICHAEL.

The beachside HUMISTON PARK is named in honor of DR. W.H. HUMISTON, who relocated from Ohio to Vero Beach in 1919 and played a key role in town beautification efforts until his death in 1943.

A.B. Michael Bridge