Events
South Florida Fair Thrills West Palm Beach Again
Back with rides, food, games and performances, the South Florida Fair presents a wonderful experience for all ages.
January 14th, 2022
by Jenna Lee
There is no missing the South Florida Fair. When driving along Southern Blvd, the towering Ferris wheel, dizzily rotating thrill rides and — at night — multicolored flashing lights provide an atmosphere that practically drags you in.
The South Florida Fair is an annual event, thrilling guests each year at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. This year, the event opened on January 14th and will run through January 22nd. Each year, the fair follows a different theme and this year’s theme is Rockin’ Robots. The fair features rides adorned with flashing, LED lights, food carts and games on the 100 acres of amusement.
Before you are inundated with the unmistakable smell of funnel cakes and the hallmark screams of patrons on roller coaster drops, the fair takes you through an indoor expo displaying the theme as well as featuring stands with various businesses that sponsor the fair. The most striking part of the expo is the colossal sand sculpture, reflecting the annual theme of the fair. This year’s sculpture had a fittingly mechanical vibe with sized-up robot heads and gears frozen in motion. Being the first thing you see as you walk in, it leaves a strong impression. The expo also featured other robot-themed parts, including an actual dancing robot and a robot fighting arena.
This year’s sand sculpture, reflecting the theme of “Rockin’ Robots.”
Jacqueline Molestina, a representative for Paradise Exteriors, which sponsors the fair, said that her favorite part of the fair is “talking to people.”
“It’s a fair where you generate people from all different areas, so you get to talk to people and you build a rapport with them,” Molestina said. “You’re talking not just about our product, but you’re getting to know a little bit about their background as you’re communicating with them… It’s a good atmosphere.”
Amidst the crowds of people, you can see rides flipping, spinning and amusing guests. They’re met with a mix of screams and laughter, along with a sense of dizziness upon stepping off the ride. They range in level of thrill, allowing many generations to experience the rides together. There was also a wide range in the type of rides such as Ferris wheels, dark rides, carousels and roller coasters.
A thrill ride at the South Florida Fair flips patrons upside-down.
In order to ride, you must purchase a ride wristband, which is $25 Monday through Friday and $40 Saturday and Sunday. However, to skip the long lines, guests can purchase the Gold Access Pass for an additional $12 Monday through Thursday and $20 Friday through Sunday.
Still, if rides aren’t your choice of fun, the fair also holds numerous games and food vendors. The games include ball toss, water balloons, balancing on ladders and so much more. If you’re lucky enough, you could win a giant stuffed prize to take home. But, if your entertainment is simply the food, then rest assure you have a wide range of options. There are the classic vendors serving staples like fries, funnel cake, pizza, cotton candy, roasted corn, candy apples, fried snacks and things on a stick, but there were also stands that served barbecue and mac & cheese combinations. There really are options for everyone at the fair, allowing for anyone to be satisfied.
Every year, one of the highlights of the fair is its extravagant and varied performances. Ranging from ice skating shows to concerts to comedians, the fair has varied entertainment to satisfy everybody. In particular, the ice-skating shows are always dazzling with charismatic performers doing seemingly impossible tricks on the ice. They never fail to get the crowd, including me, pumped during their performances.
Just a perfect weekend activity for the family, the South Florida Fair accommodates all age groups with a little something for everyone. It is truly a unique experience that captures the essence of the classic carnival with modern Florida culture. If you live in South Florida, it is a can’t miss event.
The glamour of the French Riviera arrived in Miami Beach as Melissa Odabash presented Riviera: La Côte d’Azur during PARAISO Miami Swim Week.
May 29, 2026
Before the runway began, guests explored sponsor activations throughout the venue, including cocktails from Empress 1908 Gin, pours from Maker’s Mark, refreshments from LaCroix, Australian Gold sun care products, and sweet treats from Tony’s Chocolonely. A crystal-covered MINI convertible featuring a sparkling pink palm tree quickly became one of the evening’s most photographed attractions.
As guests settled into their seats, the atmosphere shifted from Miami Beach to the Mediterranean coast.
Inspired by the timeless elegance and relaxed luxury of the French Riviera, the runway showcased the effortless resort style that has become synonymous with the Melissa Odabash brand. Models floated down the catwalk in sophisticated swimwear, airy coverups, crochet pieces, flowing dresses, and polished resort looks that felt equally at home in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, or Miami Beach.
A palette of crisp whites, soft neutrals, shimmering metallics, and ocean-inspired blues reinforced the coastal aesthetic, while lightweight fabrics and elegant silhouettes captured the ease of luxury vacation dressing.
The presentation celebrated more than swimwear. It embraced an entire lifestyle centered around sunshine, travel, seaside glamour, and effortless sophistication. Each look reflected the idea that great resort fashion should feel both elevated and wearable, whether spent poolside at a beach club or dining waterfront at sunset.
By blending timeless resort pieces with the romantic spirit of the Côte d’Azur, Melissa Odabash delivered one of the week’s most transportive runway experiences. For a few moments inside the PARAISO Fashion Tent, guests were no longer on Collins Avenue. They were somewhere along the sun-soaked shores of the French Riviera.
Feeling inspired to plan your next getaway? The looks featured on the runway and additional resort wear styles can be purchased through MelissaOdabash.com, offering shoppers the opportunity to bring a touch of Côte d’Azur elegance to their own summer travels.
Events
Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party Brought SPF and Swim Week Energy to Strawberry Moon
The Miami Swim Week® The Shows event mixed model casting, poolside glamour, sunscreen touch-ups, and a very South Beach kind of scene.
May 26, 2026
Miami Swim Week® The Shows is known for runway lights, bold swimwear, and a little bit of beautiful chaos, but Neutrogena brought the action poolside with its Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party at Strawberry Moon.
Set against the hotel’s dreamy pastel pool deck, the event felt less like a traditional casting call and more like a sun-soaked Swim Week hangout with a purpose. Models moved around the pool in swimwear, guests mingled under turquoise umbrellas, and the whole scene had that perfect Miami mix of fashion, beauty, heat, and “wait, is this a casting or a party?” energy.
The pool became the runway for the afternoon, with models walking along the water in front of Miami Swim Week® The Shows signage. It was casual, but still camera-ready. Instead of a stiff casting room, Neutrogena created a setting that felt alive, social, and very on-brand for Miami. There were bikinis, heels, palm trees, pool reflections, and enough sunlight to make the SPF message feel extremely relevant.
At the center of the event was Neutrogena’s bright activation area, complete with Ultra Sheer sunscreen products, yellow-and-white towels, and the perfect pool party reminder: “Arrive. Apply. Unwind.” Guests could check out the sunscreen lineup while taking in the casting atmosphere around them. It gave the whole afternoon a smart beauty angle without taking away from the fun.
The best part was how naturally everything fit together. Miami Swim Week is all about swimwear, bodies, beach culture, and confidence, so a sunblock casting pool party made perfect sense. Neutrogena did not just set up a table and call it a day. The brand turned SPF into part of the event experience, making sunscreen feel like the accessory everyone actually needed.
The atmosphere was playful and relaxed, with guests moving between the pool, the Neutrogena station, and nearby brand activations. Liquid Youth also added to the beauty-meets-wellness vibe with colorful collagen drinks, giving attendees another reason to stop, sip, and stay a little longer.
By moving the casting call into a pool party setting, Neutrogena gave Miami Swim Week a daytime moment that felt fresh, social, and easy to enjoy. It had the structure of a fashion event, the vibe of a South Beach pool day, and just enough glam to remind everyone that this was still Swim Week.
In a city where the sun is basically a main character, Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party was a natural fit. It brought together models, beauty lovers, swimwear energy, and SPF in one bright, splashy afternoon.
At Strawberry Moon, the message was simple: show up, get seen, protect the glow, and maybe get cast while you’re at it.
Veggies Made Great helped fuel a family-friendly weekend of free workouts, paddleboarding, coffee, small bites, and feel-good fun at 96th Street Park.
May 18, 2026
Surfside brought the good vibes this weekend with Paddletopia 2026, a two-day wellness and outdoor lifestyle event that turned 96th Street Park into a sunny little hub for movement, community, and family-friendly fun.
Held on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event welcomed kids, adults, fitness lovers, coffee drinkers, paddleboarders, and anyone looking for a fresh-air weekend by the water. The best part? So many of the experiences were free, making it easy for families and locals to drop in, move around, and enjoy the day without overthinking it.
The workout classes were a highlight, bringing plenty of energy to the park with approachable, upbeat sessions that made wellness feel fun instead of intimidating. Between the fitness classes, paddleboarding, live music, wellness activations, and relaxed outdoor atmosphere, Paddletopia had that perfect South Florida mix of active and easygoing.
Of course, no great weekend event is complete without good bites. Veggies Made Great, an official event partner, kept guests fueled with complimentary samples of their veggie-packed favorites, including the Spinach Egg White Frittata and Lemon Blueberry Muffin. The samples were a smart fit for the day: light, wholesome, tasty, and easy to enjoy between activities. Paired with coffee and other small bites available throughout the event, it made for the kind of simple, satisfying spread that both kids and adults could get behind.
The event also had a thoughtful environmental angle through the “Paddle for Plastic” initiative with Plastic Fisherman, encouraging attendees to help clean Surfside canals in exchange for eco-friendly rewards. It added a meaningful layer to the weekend, blending wellness, community, and environmental care in a way that felt natural for a coastal town like Surfside.
Overall, Paddletopia 2026 felt like exactly what a South Florida weekend should be: outdoorsy, welcoming, active, delicious, and just a little bit sun-kissed. From free fitness classes to better-for-you snacks and community-focused fun, Surfside gave families a reason to get outside and enjoy the best of wellness by the water.
To bring a little of that Paddletopia feel-good energy home, check out more of the veggie-packed muffins, frittatas, and easy breakfast favorites from Veggies Made Great at https://www.veggiesmadegreat.com/
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