Read us online at PalmsWestJournal.com
Palms West Journal • January 2022 • Page 1
Palms West Journal WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • WEST PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE GROVES • THE ACREAGE • LAKE WORTH Volume 1, Number 4
Palms West Journal goes digital: We have launched our new website, podcast, and newsletter. See more on page 8.
Scan Here!
PalmsWestJournal.com
FREE • January 2022
South Florida Fair returns to the fairgrounds
Morikami Museum offers Art of Bonsai classes
Learn more about the art of bonsai and the interesting story behind the first Japanese settlers in South Florida.
PAGE 4
The South Florida Fair located at the West Palm Beach fairgrounds. By Sharon Penn PALMS WEST JOURNAL
University of Florida campus planned for downtown West Palm Beach Palm Beach County and the city of West Palm Beach approved plans for the new campus, which would offer executive, professional, and graduate degrees.
PAGE 6
The South Florida Fair returns to the West Palm Beach fairgrounds on Southern Boulevard, west of the turnpike, from Jan. 14 to 30 with activities for the entire family, including stage shows, concert performances, midway rides, shopping, and, of course, food. The fair encourages people to sign up for newsletters with updated information about scheduled entertainment. Past competitions include the Miss South Florida Fair Scholarship Pageant, open auditions at the Stars of the Future showcase for aspiring talent, creative crafts and skills, a culinary competition, a beautiful baby contest, and a rock tribute. The South Florida Fair dates back to 1912, and it is the largest and oldest event in the community. “I have been blessed to be a part of the South Florida Fair and Palm Beach County Expositions for over 35 years,” said Vicki Chouris, the president and CEO of the South Florida Fair. “The memories that have been made are too
numerous to recount.” This year’s fair highlights the “Rockin’ Robots” exposition with demonstrations of interactive robotic activities and bot battles. Robots show how they are used in fields such as education, science, and manufacturing. Rock-It the Robot, a 9-foot-tall galactic ambassador of goodwill that walks, talks, and rocks, mingles with as many earthlings as he can while lip-synching to fairgoers. The 5,000-square-foot Robot Zoo exhibit allows children of all ages to explore the biomechanics of complex animal robots. They learn how chameleons change colors, how a giant squid can propel itself, and how a fly can walk on the ceiling. Fairgoers will see Oscar the Robot, who knows how to entertain crowds, along with “Lumia,” a high-energy visual show from Las Vegas. “As always, we will continue to operate with safety in mind and will encourage best practices as it relates to COVID-19,” Chouris said. Cleaning activities have been ramped up, and hand sanitizers and hand-washing
Invasive Burmese python seen in the Loxahatchee Refuge
An invasive Burmese python was recently spotted at the Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge. See what is being done to control the species.
PAGE 12
Comedy hypnotist Brad Matchett brings his Vegas style hypnosis show to the fair. Photo by South Florida Fair
stations are located throughout the facility, just as they were in 2021. The fair marks the completion of Kids’ Mile, a 12-week training program that enables kids to complete a full, 26.2mile marathon by running about 2 miles per week. Participants will run the final mile of the marathon Saturday, Jan. 15. The Palm Beach County School District endorses the South Florida Fair Kids’ Mile and encourages all elementary schools to participate. An unusual cultural attraction is Yesteryear Village, where you can experience Florida life before 1940. The living history park features early original and replica Florida structures, such as a schoolhouse, a general store, a blacksmith shop, and homes. Events scheduled at Yesteryear Village include an old-time fiddlin’ contest and performances by the Low Ground Band and the Lubben Brothers, an acoustic group of triplets. “We are change agents. Although we continue to have some of the traditional aspects of the fair, we do work hard to create displays and showcase entertainment that is new and contemporary,” said Chouris. Live entertainment is offered at the Lift Your Spirits Beer & Wine Garden. Check the newsletter to see the performance schedule. The Kubota South Florida Agriplex at the fairgrounds features 51,000 square feet of exhibit space to accommodate more than 150 exhibition booths. The Agricadabra show “Going Green with Ag” emphasizes the fundamentals of recycling, reducing and reusing.
Photo by Doreen Poreba
“We have all the traditional fair offerings, including the chance to see live farm animals up close and personal,” said Chouris. Advance general admission tickets to the fair are $10 online. Children under 10 are free. An advance ride voucher can be purchased for $20. It’s good for $25 in ride coupons any day of the fair or one allyou-ride wristband valid one day Monday through Friday. For an additional $15, the voucher can be upgraded to a wristband valid on Saturday or Sunday. The Jan. 15 Kids’ Mile general admission ticket is $10. Purchase advance general admission tickets, advance ride vouchers and Kids’ Mile general admission tickets at southfloridafair.com/p/buy-tickets. The South Florida Fair is held at 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach. For further information, call 561-793-0333, or email fairnews@southfloridafair.com.