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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (January 30, 2025) – The  community is invited to shine their light and immerse themselves in a joyous celebration of hope that brings together tradition and culture as the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) hosts Downtown West Palm Beach’s first-ever  Lantern Festival on Saturday, February 15 from Noon – 3 p.m. at the CityZen Garden, located at 400 Datura Street.

For Chinese and other Asian communities around the world, the Lantern Festival marks the culmination of a two-week period to usher in new beginnings, prosperity, and good luck. Each new year is associated with the unique characteristics of an animal (similar to Zodiac signs), with 2025 being the Year of the Snake, symbolizing wise and intuitive energy, wisdom and transformation.

The idea of hosting the West Palm Beach Lantern Festival was created by Lanzhi Wang. Lanzhi is a local college student, artist, and entrepreneur with a passion for cultural exploration. Her project was awarded a Placemaking Mini-Grant from the DDA to help bring the Lunar New Year celebrations to life.

“Working with the community to create the Lantern Festival brings us together in a meaningful way to celebrate cultural traditions,” said Sherryl Muriente, public realm director of the West Palm Beach DDA. “This placemaking activation showcases how art and collaboration can illuminate not just our streets but also the connections that make our city unique.”

Leading up to the February 15 event, the DDA partnered with Lanzhi and other local artists to conduct free monthly workshops starting last November for the community to design and personalize paper lanterns for display at this year’s festival.  Attendees will also have a chance to create their very own lanterns onsite to take home a piece of the festival magic.

In addition to the community lantern display, the DDA will welcome Asian community groups from throughout Palm Beach County to regale residents with an afternoon of cultural shows and activities that honor ancient customs, including:

• Writing out new year wishes on traditional Chinese New Year red envelopes to hang on bamboo trees
• The Lunar New Year Lion Dance and action-packed kung fu demonstrations by Palm Beach Wing Chun Kung Fu performers
• Dance performances by members of the Florida Rising Stars Chinese Performing Arts Troupe
• Lessons in elegant Chinese block printing by Buddha’s’ Light International Association
• Delectable traditional Asian cuisine samplings (while supplies last)
• A collaborative art project celebrating the Year of the Snake—perfect for all ages

“West Palm Beach’s first-ever Lantern Festival will be a celebration of community, creativity, and the joy of discovering new traditions,” said Teneka James-Feaman, executive director of the West Palm Beach DDA. “This event is a way for everyone to experience the rich heritage of Asian culture and come together in the spirit of light, prosperity, and unity.”

This project is made possible through the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority’s Placemaking Mini Grant program for 2024; in partnership with the West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District.

For more information about the West Palm Beach Lantern Festival, please visit DowntownWPB.com/LanternFestivalWPB.

 

About the Downtown Development Authority 
The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.

For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.

West Palm Beach, Florida (November 4, 2024) — The 2024 Garden of Life Palm Beaches Marathon, benefiting Special Olympics Florida, will return December 14-15 with another family-friendly, action-packed weekend of five races set at distances to accommodate runners of all levels. 

The five-race event, certified by USA Track & Field, includes a marathon (Boston Marathon qualifier), half marathon, marathon relay, 10K and SunRun 5K. The Garden of Life Palm Beaches Marathon is also supported by the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority. 

“The Palm Beaches Marathon race weekend continues to grow as we gain traction locally and internationally as a family-friendly running event on a special course,” race owner Kenneth R. Kennerly said. “Combining the allure of the Palm Beaches brand with the stunning downtown waterfront and its dining, cultural and business footprint, the race offers a truly unique experience for our community. This is an iconic destination no matter what distance each runner is ready to conquer.” 

Runners representing 38 states and 17 countries have already registered. Spectators can cheer on their runners passing by the start and finish lines multiple times near the Meyer Amphitheatre. Runners will be met with a finisher medal, a Sunday post-race buffet and a live performance by the band Replica, as well as an award ceremony for all winners. 

“Garden of Life is proud to be the title sponsor of the Palm Beaches Marathon for the fifth consecutive year,” said Heather Storms, Senior Director of Brand Marketing, Garden of Life® brand. “Our commitment to empowering health drives us, and we’re excited to celebrate these athletes and support the important work of Special Olympics Florida during this fantastic weekend.” 

The SunRun 5K and 10K races will be held Saturday, Dec.14 at 7:30 a.m. The marathon, half marathon and marathon relay will be held Sunday, Dec. 15 at 6 a.m.  

The course will take runners through the lively West Palm Beach downtown area with its historic sites and quaint neighborhoods. Much of the race will be run on shaded city streets and on majestic palm-lined Flagler Drive along the waterfront. 

Runners can qualify for the Boston Marathon and often turn in their personal best times with the absence of bridges to climb or hills on the course.  

Packet pickup will be held during the Health and Wellness Expo at the Meyer Amphitheater from Friday, Dec. 13, 12-6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. All runners will receive a generous gift bag of Garden of Life products at the Expo, where health and fitness products and services, running apparel and upcoming race information will be featured.  

Special Olympics Florida, which serves over 60,000 athletes statewide, will have volunteers onsite with athletes participating in the race event weekend.  

“The leaders of the Garden of Life Palm Beaches Marathon and SunRun have been incredibly supportive of our athletes and our mission,” Special Olympics Florida President and CEO Sherry Wheelock said. “We are so grateful to its organizers, sponsors, and participants for everything they have done to help our athletes live out their dreams. They make it possible for Special Olympics Florida to provide year-rounds sports competitions, crucial health screenings, and life-changing leadership programs – all at no cost to our athletes or their families. Their commitment to building communities where people with intellectual disabilities are treated with dignity and respect is truly inspiring.” 

The Wacky Water Station competition will return, creating a fun course-wide atmosphere as area charities, homeowners and community groups show their spirit with themed water stations. The winners will receive a $1,000 prize and all other participating groups will receive $200 toward their charity. Criteria will include theme, music, costumes, decorations and energy level. 

Baptist Health will provide all medical services. 

 

Registration is open at $140 for the marathon, $110 for the half marathon, $65 for the 10K and $50 for the SunRun 5K. A marathon relay team of four is $270. Virtual and multi-race packages are also available. 

 

For more information on the weekend and registration, visit gardenoflifemarathon.com.  

 

ABOUT GARDEN OF LIFE® 

Garden of Life® is today’s recognized leader and innovator in whole food, Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified nutrition. Headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, we offer more than 400 time-tested supplements by leading scientists – all to Empower Extraordinary Health®. Whether we’re making a vitamin or a probiotic or a protein powder, we believe in whole food ingredients, traceability, third-party certifications, and accountability. From there, our formulas that give people of all ages the power to be their best. Visit gardenoflife.com to learn more. 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 22, 2024) – The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has been named as the recipient of 26 different industry awards for its innovative events and programs in Downtown West Palm Beach. The awards were granted from the International Downtown Association (IDA), the International Festival and Events Association (IFEA) and the Florida Festival and Events Association (FFEA).

“These programs are an example of the high standards we strive to achieve when implementing our mission to enhance quality of life, support cultural initiatives, and drive economic development in Downtown West Palm Beach, said DDA Executive Director Teneka James-Feaman.

The DDA’s Trojan Rocking Horses community engagement project earned the Award of Excellence from the IDA in the Public Space Management and Operation category. The project consisted of eight life-sized rocking horses, each designed by local children and fabricated locally under the guidance of world-renowned Finnish artist and architect, Marco Casagrande. Inspired by the stories of the Barefoot Mailman, the horses traveled throughout local neighborhoods, collecting over 1,300 messages from citizens about their hopes and aspirations for the city and downtown district.

The IFEA selected the DDA as the recipient of 16 gold, silver and bronze awards, recognizing the DDA for Best Organization Web Site, Best Full-Length TV Program, and Best Event/Organization E-Newsletter, among others.

The FFEA selected the DDA for nine SUNsational awards including Best Website for its Black Art Matters project and Best Community Outreach Program for the Queens Night Out event at the Fern Street Chess Park. The agency’s X (Twitter) and Instagram channels also received recognition for multiple awards.

“The SUNsational Awards have recognized and celebrated the talents of our members for more than two decades,” said Suzanne Neve, CEO of the FFEA.  “We’re proud of our members and their events – and excited to recognize them in this way each year. This year in particular was incredibly rewarding as we showcased the innovation and resilience of festival and event organizers throughout the state during this unprecedented time.”

The recent awards earned by the DDA include:

International Downtown Association

• Public Space Management and Operations: Trojan Rocking Horses

 

Florida Festivals & Events Association SUNsational Awards

1^st Place

• Website – Black Art Matters

• Event Recap / Annual Report

 

2^nd Place

• Twitter – Downtown West Palm Beach

• Radio – Que Bacano Dance Contest

• Community Outreach Program – Queens Night Out

 

3^rd Place

• Television – Black Art Matters

• Radio – Queens Night Out

• Instagram – West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District

• Twitter – West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District

 

 

2024 IFEA/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Award

Gold 

• Best TV Promotion

• Best Full-Length TV Program: Wake Up West Palm

• Best Organization Website:  DowntownWPB.com

• Best Single Digital/Social Ad: Que Bacano Holiday

• Best Event / Organization E-Newsletter: Downtown West Palm Beach Update

• Best Printed Materials (Multiple Page) Brochure: Queens Night Out

• Best Single Newspaper Display Ad: Black Art Matters

 

Silver

• Best Event Website: Black Art Matters

• Best Digital/Social Ad Series

• Best Printed Materials (Multiple Page) Annual Report

• Best Single Newspaper Display Ad: Tiny Door Hunt

 

Bronze

• Best Video Promotion: Que Bacano Dance Contest

• Best Radio Promotion: Que Bacano

• Best Facebook Site: Downtown West Palm Beach

• Best Digital/Social Ad Series

• Best Community Outreach Program: Let’s Vibe

 

About the Downtown Development Authority
The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.

For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.

Downtown West Palm Beach becomes latest city to host unique initiative aimed at breaking down stereotypes and prejudices through “human books” 

 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 16, 2024) — Never before will the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” ring truer than when the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) welcomes the Human Library® to the Mandel Public Library on Saturday, October 19, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

The DDA is inviting residents to sit down with a stranger and “read a chapter of their life” to gain better understanding and engage in meaningful conversation with volunteers willing to share their personal connections on a variety of topics.  

What is The Human Library®?
The DDA, Mandel Public Library, and West Palm Beach Arts & Entertainment District joined forces to ensure West Palm Beach would be the latest city to partner with the Human Library® Organisation – a registered international not-for-profit based in Copenhagen, Denmark, that curates a “library of people” who volunteer to speak to their experiences and insights on difficult topics with local residents in cities all over the world. 

According to organizers, every “human book” from their bookshelf represents a group in society that is often subjected to prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination. Through the Human Library®, participants are “on loan” to host conversations in a safe space where topics subject to taboo, marginalization, or stigmatization can be openly addressed without condemnation.  

“For nearly 130 years and through various iterations, the Mandel Public Library has been a cornerstone of learning and inspiration expanding the minds and hearts of those in our community,” said Teneka James-Feaman, DDA Executive Director. “Bringing the Human Library® to Downtown West Palm Beach is a unique extension of that objective, as local figures offer to tell their stories and facilitate public dialogue on issues of great importance to the people of our city.” 

Registering for West Palm Beach’s Collection of Human Books
While residents will not need a library card or have to worry about late return fees, they will need to register to borrow one of these human books from West Palm Beach’s Human Library® catalog of topics. Each reading lasts no more than 30 minutes and can accommodate up to seven (7) readers at a time. 

“The Human Library’s® slogan is to UNjudge someone in the hopes of turning the page on prejudice,” said James-Freeman. “Through this event, we hope people embrace the chance to challenge their assumptions about others so that no one is reduced to a footnote in society.” 

For more information or to register for a reading at the Human Library®, visit: DowntownWPB.com/HumanLibrary. 

 

About the Downtown Development Authority 
The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities.  For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.   

About the Arts & Entertainment District
The West Palm Beach A&E District is a centralized collection of inspiring arts and entertainment venues; art and history museums; galleries; libraries; performing arts companies; and art education institutions. Situated in the heart of South Florida’s most progressive city, the District includes more than 20 distinct and distinguished cultural destinations that form a defining industry cluster. The A&E District enhances the appeal of West Palm Beach as a visitor destination, drawing attention to its status as a vibrant city illuminated by its beauty and range of creative expression. For more information about the A&E District, please visit DowntownWPBArts.com. 

About the Human Library Organisation
The Human Library Organisation is a registered international not for profit headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, dedicated to ensuring a global implementation of the Human Library® as a learning platform for diversity and inclusion.  The Human Library® is operational on six continents in more than 80 countries hosting events virtually and in libraries, museums, festivals, conferences, schools, universities, and for the private sector.  To learn more about the Human Library Organisation, visit: https://humanlibrary.org.