Historic Northwest BBQ, Brews & Blues Fires Up the Fun for July 4th Weekend

June 14, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:                
Diane G. Papadakos, Director of Communications
City of West Palm Beach – Mayor’s Office
dpapadakos@wpb.org
561-822-1411 (TTY: 800-955-8771) 

Historic Northwest BBQ, Brews & Blues Fires Up the Fun for the 4th of July Weekend
Free Family-Friendly Event Also Welcomes New Neighborhood Businesses and Opportunities

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (WPBCRA) is turning up the heat this Independence Day weekend with the return of BBQ, Brews & Blues in the City’s Historic Northwest. Local pit bosses will be firing up their grills to create all your summer barbeque favorites, while South Florida’s best blues bands play the hottest licks! This event will also welcome new businesses to the area and showcase current opportunities to become part of this vibrant community. The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 1, 2023, at the Heart & Soul Park, 825 N Rosemary Avenue, from 4 – 9 p.m. Be sure to register here.

“BBQ, Brews & Blues is the perfect opportunity to kick off Independence Day weekend with friends and family while celebrating all the incredibly positive things happening in our community,” said Chris Roog, executive director of the WPBCRA “In addition to all the fun, this event is an important showcase for the new businesses growth and all the investment in the Historic Northwest, and we are very proud of that.”

During the day, guests will welcome owners of the new businesses opening in The Styx, including Eat N’ Cake, Camille’s Florist & Gifts, Wild Rose Wine & Daiquiri Bar, and A Better Way Home Care.  The Styx is an architecturally award-winning development that includes several buildings reminiscent of the shotgun-style homes that were once seen throughout the area. The development was named in honor of the Black community of Palm Beach, whose residents worked for Henry Flagler’s hotels. From the early 1890s until about 1912, as many as 2,000 African Americans lived in an area near what is currently the intersection of North County Road and Royal Poinciana Way. These residents were later forced from their homes and many resettled in the Historic Northwest. This new development pays homage to this community’s resilience by increasing awareness about the past while focusing on the incredible achievements of today.

During the event, the CRA will also showcase ten local projects that are either under development or under construction. These projects offer multiple opportunities for local businesses to invest in this energetic and prosperous community.

Guided tours will also be available for the Sunset Lounge, the completely renovated jazz-era ballroom which featured acts including Duke Ellington and Count Basie in the 1940s and 1950s. Tours at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. require pre-registration, via the add-ons section of the event page.

All the fun takes place at the beautifully designed Heart & Soul Park, which opened in 2021. The park will be pulsating with plenty of kid-friendly activities including sports and carnival games, but the music and the BBQ will undoubtedly take center stage. The sizzling BBQ competition will continue this year with several contestants vying for the coveted crown, and throughout the day, guests will be able to purchase delicious southern soul food by local vendors, while supplies last. Early arrival is recommended to partake in summer barbeque favorites including pulled pork, boiled peanuts, barbecue ribs and chicken, and more.

After enjoying all the delicious food, get ready to dance to the blues bands!  Mojo Ike and the Val Woods Blues Band are a Grammy-nominated duo acclaimed for their high energy and electrifying show. Todd Hunter & the Groove Band bring an eclectic mix of R&B with southern soul. And closing out the night, The Old Skool Gang is a group of individually renowned musical artists whose combined efforts create a show you will never forget! Known for their distinctive style and smooth choreographed moves, this group will be playing “The Best Music of Yesteryear.”

Parking will be available at the County parking garage located on N. Rosemary Avenue just north of Banyan Boulevard (505 Banyan Boulevard). Rose Trolley Service will provide electric vehicle rides to shuttle event attendees as needed to and from the event site. Additional on-street parking is available on a limited basis near the event site.

For more information about this event call (561) 822-1550 (TTY: 800-955-8771).

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About the City of West Palm Beach:
The City of West Palm Beach is a vibrant and dynamic City located on the Atlantic coast of Florida. With a rich history, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and a commitment to sustainability, the City of West Palm Beach is a great place to live, work, and play. As one of the three largest cities making up the South Florida region, and the central City of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach is a vibrant, growing, waterfront City that offers the business advantages available in the region, combined with a more refined and relaxed environment for living and working. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, visit us on our official website, or follow us on our social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Linked-in.

About the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency:

Nationally recognized as one of the most innovative CRAs in the state, the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) sets the standard for redevelopment through award-winning projects and attractive business incentive programs that completely reposition blighted areas into thriving commercial and residential districts. The mission of the CRA is to enhance the viability, long‐term stability, and overall economic health of the Downtown City Center and Northwood Pleasant City districts, the core of the City of West Palm Beach. For more about the Community Redevelopment Agency, visit wpb.org/cra.