As the first night of spring break for many has rolled in, many are here enjoying our beaches. I would think it safe to say that most are here to remain completely inebriated for the duration of their stay, but I have to remember that they pump tons of money into our area. But it doesn’t mean that I have to like how they do it.
The streets weren’t as packed as I had expected, but perhaps everyone was in the “club.” There were a good number of kids walking up and down the “strip”, yelling cat-calls at the ladies and profanities at the guys. I was flicked off at least twice in my travels down the main thoroughfares for doing nothing other than driving by – lovely representation for the college crowd. It would seem that a few bad apples sure can leave a nasty and lasting taste.
The night scene isn’t really my thing.
Starting tomorrow, the beach will be alive and crawling with college-age kids doing anything from playing beach tennis to doing whatever they have going on down at The Boardwalk Beach Resort. This week, there will be over 1.8 million kids out on spring break, making it the second largest spring break of the season. Next week there will be over 2.1 million out on spring break.
I’ll be out from time to time next week capturing all the activity, look forward to the updates.
Courtesy of Tripsmarter.com, below is a list of schools out on spring break this week (be warned, it’s like a million rows long):
|
|
|
|
College / University |
Enrollment |
|
Alabama A&M University |
6,047 |
|
Albion College |
1,970 |
|
Albright College |
1,650 |
|
Alcorn State University |
3,668 |
|
American University |
9,749 |
|
Appalachian State University |
15,117 |
|
Arizona State University |
64,394 |
|
Army, West Point |
4,000 |
|
Aurora University |
6,000 |
|
Austin Peay State University |
9,192 |
|
Baldwin-Wallace College |
4,260 |
|
Ball State University |
20,113 |
|
Baylor University |
13,886 |
|
Belmont University |
4,765 |
|
Bentley College |
5,557 |
|
Bowling Green State University |
22,882 |
|
Brock University, Canada |
12,889 |
|
Bryn Mawr College |
1,799 |
|
Bucknell University |
3,555 |
|
Butler University |
8,367 |
|
Campbell University |
10,471 |
|
Carroll College |
3,292 |
|
Claflin University |
1,800 |
|
College of Mount St. Joseph |
2,300 |
|
College of William and Mary |
7,709 |
|
College of Wooster |
1,827 |
|
Colorado State University-Pueblo |
3,951 |
|
Columbus State University |
7,593 |
|
Concordia University, Saint Paul |
2,069 |
|
Connecticut College |
1,910 |
|
Covenant College |
1,007 |
|
Creighton University |
6,992 |
|
Dalton State College |
4,532 |
|
Daytona Beach Community College |
32,088 |
|
Duke University |
12,991 |
|
East Carolina University |
25,990 |
|
East Tennessee State University |
13,389 |
|
Eastern Kentucky University |
15,839 |
|
Emerson College |
3,800 |
|
Emory & Henry College |
981 |
|
Ferris State University |
13,000 |
|
Florida Memorial University |
1,867 |
|
Florida State University |
41,575 |
|
George Mason University |
30,332 |
|
Georgetown University |
14,148 |
|
Gonzaga University |
6,503 |
|
Hampton University |
5,117 |
|
Hastings College of the Law |
1,300 |
|
Hendrix College |
1,095 |
|
IUPU, Fort Wayne |
4,927 |
|
Illinois State University |
20,757 |
|
Indiana State University |
10,568 |
|
James Madison University |
17,918 |
|
Kennesaw State University |
20,603 |
|
Lamar State College |
2,000 |
|
Lamar State College at Port Arthur |
3,000 |
|
Lewis and Clark Community College |
20,252 |
|
Liberty University |
14,438 |
|
Longwood University |
4,479 |
|
Loyola Marymount University |
8,972 |
|
Macon State College |
6,464 |
|
Malone College |
2,385 |
|
Marquette University |
11,548 |
|
Miami University (OH) |
20,126 |
|
Michigan State University |
46,045 |
|
Minnesota State University |
13,841 |
|
Monmouth College |
1,360 |
|
Morehouse College |
2,933 |
|
Northeastern University |
20,605 |
|
Northern Illinois University |
25,313 |
|
Northern VA Community College |
60,000 |
|
Notre Dame de Namur University |
1,600 |
|
Occidental College |
1,839 |
|
Old Dominion University |
21,625 |
|
Pellissippi State Technical Community College |
7,001 |
|
Penn State University |
83,721 |
|
Purdue University North Central |
3,724 |
|
Queens University |
13,500 |
|
Quinnipiac University |
7,400 |
|
Radford University |
9,552 |
|
Saint John’s University |
20,346 |
|
Saint Joseph’s University |
7,542 |
|
Sam Houston State University |
16,416 |
|
Simmons College |
4,700 |
|
Southern Illinois University Carbondale |
20,983 |
|
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville |
13,449 |
|
Southern Methodist University |
10,901 |
|
St. Louis University |
11,823 |
|
St. Mary’s College |
1,871 |
|
Stephen F. Austin State University |
10,822 |
|
Syracuse University |
19,082 |
|
Temple University |
34,218 |
|
Tennessee State University |
8,748 |
|
Thomas More College |
1,416 |
|
Texas State University |
28,132 |
|
Université de Montréal |
55,791 |
|
University Laval |
28,902 |
|
University of Central Florida |
48,497 |
|
University of Detroit Mercy |
5,600 |
|
University of Florida |
49,693 |
|
University of Georgia |
33,831 |
|
University of Memphis |
20,000 |
|
University of North Carolina |
28,136 |
|
University of North Carolina at Wilmington |
11,840 |
|
University of Notre Dame |
11,603 |
|
University of Pittsburgh |
27,020 |
|
University of South Carolina |
27,390 |
|
University of South Dakota |
11,582 |
|
University of Southern Indiana |
10,040 |
|
University of Tampa |
5,600 |
|
University of Tennessee at Martin |
6,504 |
|
University of Toledo |
19,706 |
|
University of West Florida |
10,358 |
|
Utah State University |
17,027 |
|
Valencia Community College |
51,551 |
|
Virginia Tech |
29,898 |
|
Weber State University |
18,300 |
|
Western Kentucky University |
19,215 |
|
Wilmington College |
11,500 |
|
Yale University |
11,398 |
|
Youngstown State University |
11,803 |
|
TOTAL |
1,834,258 |
PCBDaily 
Tripsmarter forgot Troy University.
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Jason, you just reminded me of why we’re so glad we bought chose to buy property where we did! It’s funny. We were there last year, exactly 1 year ago today! And you’d never know it was spring break where our place is. Plus we strictly use Back Beach to get quickly from West to East. We use Front Beach Road only when the kids are “sleeping it off”! It’s all good. In fact, anytime in PCB is great! Love the photos, now I’m really homesick. Except for the drunks! 😉
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Yes, we “have to remember that they pump tons of money into our area.” However, we also have to remember that the windfall profits from college spring break primarily go to very few businesses. Only a few of our accomodations can get away with ripping off the college students by charging them the highest rates of the year during this shoulder month.
Also, we have to remember that we need to make PCB a great place to live too. Will a potential resident overlook the type of behavior that Jason experienced OR will they just decide to live somewhere else where they don’t have to put up with this? I wonder how many people who moved to the beach based on the promised, but never delivered, “change” are looking to find a new hometown where they can feel more comfortable.
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Panama City Beach would do itself a big favor if they completely stopped marketing to the spring break “kids” and focused completely on marketing to the folks who enjoy the nice lifestyle and vacation year round. Reading about inebriated kids is not going to help us attract tourists and visitors to PCB.
That would be a big boost to the PCB economy
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Hey Lori, I live at the West End too. Do you know that there’s condo developments slated for “the quiet end of the beach” too? Even down here we have to witness the obligatory pile of beer cans and garbage left on the beach by spring breakers. Put some condos up, and it will get worse (besides the eyesore). The West Beaches Neighborhood Defense Fund needs all the help we can get.
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I too live in an area tucked away, near the navy base. I havent been here long enough to have learned to stay away from Wal Mart pretty much at all times, but have found that out, and will go to the one in Chipley if I must!
I agree with the post about changing to a more year-round type of atmosphere, more family friendly. I havent always been 40 years old, and can remember actually enjoying “cruising the strip” up in Ocean City, MD but the level of disrespect in young people today is astonishing. I can only keep my own kids far away from the beach for the next 5 weeks, at least they have the pool!
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We are Snow Birds at the west end of the beach and we usually dread Spring Break. This year is different. We have seen more respectful and polite Spring Breakers than we ever knew existed. We’ve encounted nice kids even at Wal-Mart. I think sometimes the kids get a bad rap because a few make it bad for the good kids. Remember folks…a couple of bad apples don’t spoil the whole bushel.
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Cheryl,
Its only the first week, give it time!
Nah, im kidding…im glad you have run into respectful kids, it is increasingly not the norm, not when the alcohol is flowing, typically later in the evening/night time.
Enjoy this gorgeous weather! We sure are!
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Where are the new condos supposed to go up? I hadn’t heard that. Goodness, with all the repos and foreclosures around one would think it’s a horrid time to build a new one. I know it won’t be right next to us because we have beach homes already right there, and nothing but state park on the other. Phew!
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Go to this link and it will list the condos that have been approved for development. http://westbeaches.com/resort_condos.htm
We challenged, and won, the development order for the Mayan in February of ’08. Quoting then Judge Hess, “Only in Wonderland could it be said that this development complies with even the nebulous wording of the Comprehensive Plan”. We are again having to defend that decision with an oral argument this month. It sounds like you are at Pinnacle Port. Yes? I worked there back in ’02. Even that place was in danger of having another condo built just to it’s north. Pinnacle Port sells it’s rentals partly by the virtue of having a lake view AND Gulf view along with it’s remoteness. That would all be lost with another condo in the vicinity. Even with the rapid slowing of the market, developers still have a lot riding on these speculated properties. You can count on the law getting bent into funny shapes to see their visions become reality.
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We are also snowbirds and spend alot of money in PCB. We come towards the end of December and stay only till the end of February. We were offered a good price on our condo to stay in March and would have except we remember last year how bad it got so we left in the middle of March. I know what I and alot of other people spend in the winter months when we are their. I can only see a few businesses making any revenue when the breakers are their. They pay for the condos and about 10-12 pile in and destroy them. They buy a little food and buy alot of alcohol and a few t-shirts. The authorities turn a blind eye towards the under aged kids walking around with an open drink. I know alot of these kids are still in high school and not of age to be drinking but lets think of the revenue it brings in. Alot of the snowbirds would stay in March and spend alot more money if they did not have to put up with the blatant disrespect and obnoxious behavior some of these kids show. It’s not all of the kids but the bad ones spoil it for the rest.
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I would love to see a marketing campaign themed around the romantic pastel sunsets of PCB. Virginia isn’t the only place for lovers! It seems to me that adults without children would be the group with the highest disposable income. Why is the conversation usually spring break versus families? Why not grown ups on vacation? They come in all ages, not just Snowbirds, and they may or may not have children at home. Typically they do no damage and they spend a lot of money.
I see weddings on the beach at sunset all summer long. That obviously speaks to the romance people want. Where are pictures of those weddings in the marketing brochures?
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Jellen,
Good point. I believe a lot of us speak about college students versus families because our destination’s infatuation with college spring break creates an atmosphere that is not appropriate for families. Even though adults do not need to be sheltered from inappropriate behavior, I believe that the excessive number of college students also leads to reduced number of other tourist groups such as couples and winter residents. Your comment is very pertinent when considering Destin and South Walton. They appear to do just fine in March without any major influx of college students. Even though most children are in school this March, there are many other tourist groups that are visiting our competitors. And there are plenty of families visiting our competitors on the weekends.
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If u are easily offended and already think u know everything just skip this post.
I’m not out to offend anyone but these comments are so biased and one sided that I feel the need to put my 2 cents in.
I understand that the beach is beautiful and everyone wants to live in a fantasy style paradise but you should have known where u were moving and been comfortable with what PCB is. I get it, I promise I do. I am in the prime age group for spring breakers and I still hate how they come and take over our town and trash the place too, but u don’t move to Vegas and then expect them to close down all the casinos. Spring break feeds our economy and gets a lot of people like me through. When ur young and trying to get through college and don’t have a degree who hires u in town but restaurants and little shops that treat u like ur disposable anyway. Many of us get laid off in the off season and struggle till its spring break again. Some of u don’t get this because ur older and have actual careers and ur kids aren’t old enough for this to affect ur loved ones yet but this affects u too. Some people seem to think spring break only helps the cheap restaurants, liquor stores, t-shirt shops, etc, but u need to look at the bigger picture. The owners of such businesses make money off the spring breakers and then feed ur lively hood with it. They buy advertising, they pay accountants, they pay taxes, some of which are used to keep up roads and pump sand back on the beach so that u have a beach to go to. The money they spend pays local peoples salaries and they spend it which pays someone elses salary. Eventually this affects u no matter what u do.
I know some are saying well if we had year around family tourism it would be better. Great idea! Our town is obviously working on it. They knocked down tons of cheap hotels and filled the beach with condos so it cost more to come here. This was supposed to stop college kids and bring in families but all it really did was make it so we have less tourist because people can’t afford to come here. Y’all are mad about the condos anyway even though they are supposed to make it a nicer, more family oriented place like u want. They built pier park where they expect me to buy a sun dress for $100. I won’t pay that and most of u won’t either. Even if it all works out and u get the family environment ur looking for, what is supposed to feed our economy in the mean time?
I know ur saying “okay, the local economic perspective does make some kind of sense but I still don’t want my children exposed to this kind of behavior and environment”. I understand, but once again u chose to move here. Sorry. Plus if u raise ur kids right, even if they are exposed to all this it won’t ruin them. I was raised in PCB and I don’t flash for beads even though I was exposed to it. I don’t sleep around just because they spring breakers do it. I don’t flip off cars and shout obscenities at random strangers. Ur teaching ur kids to know better and they will turn out great even if ur drive down front beach with them in the car.
Also spring breakers don’t act like this cause they drink here. They drink at home too and don’t act like that because they live there and have some kind of respect for their town. Drinking doesn’t change who they are either, I hate to tell u. A man doesn’t get drunk, turn into a different person, and beat his wife. He has thought about it many times, his inhibitions are down, and thoughts finally turned into actions. Sorry, but its true. Alcohol is not the reason for their behavior.
I know u guys just want PCB to be a nice place but there are people who think YOU wrecked the place. I know people who have lived here for 20 or 40 years and talk about how much better it was when it was this little tiny beach town. Before back beach road was even there, before Walmart, before so many people lived here. They wish u weren’t here. Are they right? Heck no, I’m glad ur all here even if I disagree with ur thoughts on the place. But r y’all right to hate on all the spring breakers because some of them cause trouble? I personally don’t think so. Ur judging everyone who comes during spring break based on the worst spring breakers.
Whether u think I’m right or wrong, I hope ur not offended but more than that, I hope u think about what I’ve said and rethink ur comments.
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Samantha,
Whether you are a minimum wage employee or someone who has invested millions of dollars in PCB, we all just want PCB to be the best place it can be to live and work. I really think many of us newcomers would prefer PCB if it was the way it was 50 years ago too. In a way, I think that’s what most people on this thread are trying to accomplish.
Not to be snide, but were there so many “tobacco” pipe and adult superstores lined along Front Beach back then? Were there advertisments for XXX movies spattered all over town? Were there clubs that had wet-T, foam, sweetest ass in the world, and S&M costume parties? Did they put provacative advertisments in prominent tourist areas? Did businesses regulary encourage overconsumption of alcohol?
Did any of this happen back in the good old days? Is it us new folks who are peddling the smut for personal profit? No. It’s the people who have been here forever. Maybe us newcomers would be better custodians of the town you all profess to love so much. Actions speak louder than words.
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I dont know about any one else, but I am quite comfortable living here. I like being off the beaten path; the breakers really dont effect me/mine. Like I said, I have learned to just stay away from the beaches this time of year. The only thing that REALLY gets under my skin is, WHY do vacationers, breakers, snow birds, what have you, have to be out during the full’timers rush hour? lol, sleep in a little longer, keep the roads clear! I would be, if I didnt HAVE to be out that early! 😀 (said in good fun, i only get mildly aggravated)
Anyway, back to the spring breakers…im not sure im getting what you are saying, Samantha. Drinking most certainly DOES change a young persons behavior. And I guarantee you, they do NOT drink like that “at home”. As a parent of three age ranges, I know a bit about what I speak.
Anyway, you sound like you have a good head on your shoulders, good for you! You make valid points although I dont know if you are actually saying that I should allow my kids to be in the midst of it, even if i teach them different values. Not gonna happen. I will keep them far removed from it…no big deal. have a great weekend all!
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Samatha,
I understand your point and, like you, I don’t feel I already know everything. Like me, I’m sure you will consider all points of view. Unlike you, I am older than the “prime age group for spring breakers” and, BTW, so are my kids now. But that should not discount my opinions. I knew PCB before the decision was made to begin marketing to college spring breakers — which happened because Ft. Lauderdale made a very public announcement to stop marketing to them due to the trashing of Ft. Lauderdale every spring break. It was a conscious decision on the part of PCB to become the spring break mecca. It worked very well (they began by paying for buses to pick up northern college kids on campus in order to get them familiar with PCB). The change also worked very well for Ft. Lauderdale — which still attracts tourist money. I’m saying that now is the time for PCB to take another cue from Ft. Lauderdale and get out of the trashy spring break business. Tourism will grow and not stop if we do that.
I’m tired of having to stay away from Front Beach Road and the beaches all apring due to people who think their personal time in the sun is more important than the joy other people lose. Inconsiderate behavior is not a good thing. Neither is illegal behavior or destructive behavior. You may not have seen the results of tourism other than a college spring break overkill, but it does exist and it does bring money to the areas where it is encouraged. That’s what I want to see here, for the benefit of all demographic groups and all special interest businesses (with the exception of a few night clubs which may have to book different events).
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Samantha,
For someone that sounds like they have a general idea of life, and the situations around you…. You don’t sound very smart when you say that alcohol doesn’t affect the way that people act. I am in PRIME spring break age, and I am also smart enough to know that alcohol DEFINATLY changes the way that you act. Alcohol puts people, especially in mass amounts like the college spring breakers take in, in compromising positions and makes them do things that otherwise they would not have done. I am not trying to be rude, but i think that was a pretty ignorant statement coming from what seems like a smart person.
Also i think college kids are old enough to act the way that they want to act, regardless of how they were brought up. Ever heard of the stereotypical “preachers daughter”. I know many people that were brought up very well by their parents and still choose to live the life that they want to live. College kids and spring breakers alike act pretty much like disrespectful drunk idiots.
Maybe people chose to move to PCB, maybe it brought them jobs or opportunities and i don’t think anywhere you live that you should have to be subject to fearing for peoples lives for 6 weeks out of the year. It is insane. Adults spend way more money than drunk college kids. So why wouldn’t anyone want to make the environment safer, not only for the residents of PCB, but for the tourists and visitors that spend their money. To have fun, and not die in the process.
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