Category: Pier Park

My day at Pier Park – Madonnaro Street Painting Festival

I believe this is the first time I’ve spent almost all afternoon at Pier Park.  The weather was perfect, people were everywhere, kids were laughing, it was a great time.

Today and tomorrow is the Madonnaro Street Painting Festival, hosted by the Visual Arts Center of Panama City.  Local artists and a few from out of town gathered on Panama City Beach to create art that will inevitably wash away, only to be preserved in pictures and video.

The day started out cool and overcast, but around noon, I watched the clouds be pushed away by crystal clear blue sky.  The air warmed to nearly 80 degrees.  Artists shed layers as they crouched on their knees smoothing and blending fresh chalk with their hands.

Lunch time brought an original Viking Hot Dog.  Stuffed in a fresh baget with a hole in the middle the all natural dog had a crunchy skin, and perfect inside.  The flavor was exceptional, but the price for how it filled my belly was twice too much at $5. The cart was from Seaside, out here for the weekend.

As the day wore on, the artists knees and backs grew sore, but the paintings grew more vivid and elaborate.

Tracy Stums flew in from California to share her talent with The Beach.  Last year, she created an interactive piece of the Dali Lama that, when looked at from a specific angle, appeared to be sitting next to her.  This year, she is painting an Alice in Wonderland scene.  Other paintings include Jack and the Bean Stalk, Iron Man, and a dinosaur excavation site to name just a few.

The street painting festival brings out an interesting culture, something I was very glad to be a part of.  Who knows, maybe next year, I’ll paint something.

Last night rain washed away most of what was created yesterday, but tonight, all that threatens is cold, expected to get in the high 30’s tonight.  All afternoon, we could feel the temperature dropping, most likely a 25 degree change from this afternoon to 5 this evening.

Tomorrow, the artists will all return to finish off their paintings.  Provided we don’t get any rain, many will last for a couple weeks.

Madonnaro has begun!

This weekend’s street painting festival at Pier Park in Panama City Beach began yesterday with artists from around the county and around the country.  High school students started their paintings yesterday, despite the threat of rain, and the two signature artists are beginning their paintings as I write this.

As they cordoned off their square many of the artists spoke their concern of rain, as it threatened the entire festival this weekend.  Today is overcast with a chance of rain.  The temperature is a almost perfect, but a little chilly 65.

The artists will be out all day, painting in various spots around the main boardwalk area of Pier Park, and bring the kids, as there will be a special kids painting section.

The Modannaro Street Painting Festival is put on by the Visual Arts Center of Panama City.

Tracy Stum to Paint the Streets of Pier Park

This weekend, at the Madonnaro Street Painting Festival in Pier Park will feature returning artist Tracy Stum.  Tracy painted the portrait of the Dalai Lama that when looked at from a specific angle, it appears as though he is actually sitting next to Tracy.

You guys should all come out to Pier Park this weekend to see all the awesome art. Tracy will begin her painting, along with Jeanie Burns, on Friday, and everyone else begins painting on Saturday at 9 am.

Here is some of her other work.

Painting Streets of Pier Park

For the first time, Madonnaro 2008, Emerald Coast’s Street Painting Festival will be held at Pier Park on Panama City Beach.  Painting will be November 14 – 16 and is sponsored by the Visual Arts Center of Panama City.

Street painting has been popular all throughout Europe since the 16th century.  Street painters in Italy were known as madonnari because they often created pictures representing The Madonna, one of the central icons of Christianity.

Madonnari were nomad artists who traveled from town to town, festivity to festivity to cover the streets with their art.  Historically, using bits of broken roof tiles, charcoal and chalk, the artists would paint images, sometimes larger than life that would wash away at the first rain.  When the festivities were over, the artists and paintings would vanish.

Today, “street-artists” use varying shades of chalk to depict their creations and several forms of media, including digital photography, video and blogs to share their work with the world.

Be sure to support this unique form of art at Pier Park in this weekend.

Pier Park adds Nike, Crocs, Runway Collection and More

Simon Property Group, Inc. (NYSE:SPG) is pleased to announce several specialty shops scheduled to open before the holidays at Pier Park, the 900,000-square-foot retail and entertainment lifestyle center located on 93 acres that covers land from Front Beach Road (at the City Pier) to the heavily traveled Highway 98 (Back Beach Road) in Panama City Beach. Simon Property Group is the country’s largest owner, developer and manager of high-quality retail real estate.

Retailers scheduled to debut in time for holiday shopping include the following:

  • Aqua Gallery
  • AT&T
  • Crocs
  • Emerald Coast Mirror Maze
  • Nike
  • Polka-dots, toys and gifts
  • Runway Collection

Aqua Gallery offers an eclectic mix of gifts based on works of art. The store will carry prints, books, carpets, electronics and more. Aqua Gallery is scheduled to open in the Boardwalk area in early November.

AT&T is the nation’s largest wireless company and the premier telecommunications company in the world. With the largest digital wireless voice and data network in the country, exclusive devices like the iPhone, unlimited calling to the largest Mobile to Mobile calling community and advantages like Rollover Minutes, AT&T helps connect people to their worlds wherever they live and work. AT&T is scheduled to open at Pier Park during the first week of December.

Crocs, Inc. is a rapidly growing designer, manufacturer and retailer of footwear for men, women and children under the Crocs brand. Crocs is committed to making a lightweight, comfortable, slip-resistant, fashionable and functional shoe, which can be produced quickly and at an affordable price to customers. Crocs shoes are sold in more than 100 countries and come in a wide array of colors and styles. Crocs is scheduled to open at Pier Park during the first week of December.

Emerald Coast Mirror Maze and Laser Craze are scheduled to open at Pier Park in late November. This is a family activity that challenges both the young and “young at heart” at Pier Park. Mirror Maze is exclusive to Pier Park in Florida and one of only four in the Southeast. Along with getting lost in the labyrinth of mirrored passages and dead ends within the mirror maze, the visitors to Emerald Coast Mirror Maze can experience the thrill of traversing the Laser Craze, a corridor of laser beams crisscrossing in a black room. Emerald Coast Mirror Maze will make your visit to Pier Park a memorable one for years to come.

The Nike swoosh is recognized and respected worldwide and will debut at Pier Park in mid-November. Nike, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Nike is dedicated to developing products that help athletes of every level of ability reach their potential.

Polka-dots, toys and gifts, opened on the boardwalk on October 17. Owners Deb and Gary Pruitt choose products for Polka-dots that they feel will be remembered for a lifetime–products that promote creativity and imagination and toys that make learning an adventure. You won’t find this unique selection of European and American-made toys anywhere else. Polka-dots also offers gifts, featuring items such as wine accessories, French soaps, soy candles, music, gourmet foods, cookbooks, seasonal items and much more. There is sure to be something for everyone on your list this holiday season.

Runway Collection is a men’s and women’s fashion boutique which offers high-end designer options in a range of prices. Runway Collection is scheduled to open in the Boardwalk area at Pier Park in late November.

Pier Park, which boasts eight anchors and more than 100 retailers currently open, is continuously expanding to offer the Emerald Coast and tourists a more enhanced shopping experience.

“We’re very pleased to see the mix of stores and entertainment options growing at Pier Park,” said Felicia Cook, director of mall marketing at Pier Park. “The arrival of retailers that are exclusive to the market, such as Mirror Maze, and retailers who already have presence, such as Polka-dots, further validate Pier Park as the premier shopping destination in the Southeast.”

Cook also noted that more store and restaurant openings will be announced in the next few months.

Total List of Stores currently open in Pier Park include the following:

Anchors

  • Borders
  • Dillard’s
  • JCPenney
  • Margaritaville
  • Old Navy
  • Ron Jon Surf Shop
  • Target
  • The Grand 16 Theatres

Specialty Shops

  • A.M. Cafe Accessories On The Boardwalk
  • Aeropostale
  • Alltel Wireless
  • American Eagle Outfitters
  • Ann Taylor Loft
  • As Seen On TV & More
  • Ava Blue Boutique
  • Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House
  • Baja Grille
  • Bath & Body Works
  • Beach Scene
  • BeBo’z
  • Bellies & Babies
  • Blender Clothing, a fusion boutique
  • Bootleg Barbeque
  • Buffalo Wild Wings
  • Caché
  • Camille’s Sidewalk Café
  • Candy Maker
  • Carlyle & Co.
  • Carter’s Clothing
  • Chico’s
  • Claire’s
  • Coldwater Creek
  • Cost Cutters
  • Counts Oakes Resort Properties
  • Déjà vu
  • Del Sol
  • Emerald Coast Photography
  • Fish Tales
  • Five Guys Famous Hamburgers & Fries
  • Footprints Coastal Decor
  • GameStop
  • GNC
  • Great American Cookies PretzelMaker
  • Guglielmo’s Italian Restaurant
  • Hana Japan
  • Hofbrau Beer Garden
  • Hollister Co.
  • Jake at the Beach (Life is Good)
  • Jos. A. Bank
  • Journeys
  • Justice
  • Kay Jewelers
  • Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream
  • Lane Bryant/Cacique
  • Lids
  • LongHorn Steakhouse
  • Marble Slab Creamery
  • Massage Envy
  • Maurices
  • Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio
  • Mermaid Trading Co.
  • Motherhood Maternity
  • Nails So Happy
  • New York & Company
  • No Regrets Stationery and Gifts
  • Olive Garden
  • PacSun
  • Paint’n Place
  • Panera Bread
  • Paradise Found
  • Payless ShoesSource
  • Peace Frogs
  • Perfumania
  • Polka-dots, toys and gifts
  • Popcorn Kingdom
  • Rack Room Shoes
  • Red Brick Pizza
  • Reggae J’s Island Grill
  • Regions Bank
  • Rocky’s South Philly Cheesesteaks
  • Shimmering Seas Jewelry and Gifts
  • Smoothie King
  • Solace Day Spa & Salon
  • Southern Waters Outfitters
  • Starbucks
  • Sunglass Hut
  • Sunglass World
  • Sunsights by Solstice
  • Tatoe Tots
  • The Eye Gallery
  • The Walking Company
  • Tilly’s
  • Tootsies Orchid Lounge
  • Trader Tom’s
  • Tran Fashion
  • Ulta Beauty
  • Unique Boutique by Irene & Co.
  • Verizon
  • Victoria’s Secret
  • Yankee Candle
  • Zales

About Pier Park
Located in the heart of Panama City Beach, Pier Park is destined to become the region’s premier shopping address.  Developed by Simon Property Group and comprising nearly 900,000 square feet, the open-air regional lifestyle center is anchored by Borders, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Old Navy, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Target and The Grand 16 Theatres. Pier Park is also comprised of fashion and specialty retailers, including exciting new-to-market choices such as Ann Taylor Loft, Caché, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, Hollister Co., Jos. A. Bank, Lane Bryant and Ulta Beauty. In addition, the center embraces many unique dining options such as Hofbrau Beer Garden, Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House, Bootleg Barbeque, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Longhorn Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Reggae J’s Island Grill, Tootsies Orchid Lounge and many more. Shoppers can also enjoy movies at The Grand 16 Theatres, which features stadium seating, digital sound, advance ticketing over the Internet, three concession areas, a specialty café and game room. For more information about Pier Park, please visit http://www.simon.com

About Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest public U.S. real estate company. Simon is a fully integrated real estate company which operates from five retail real estate platforms: regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers®, The Mills®, community/lifestyle centers and international properties. It currently owns or has an interest in 385 properties comprising 262 million square feet of gross leasable area in North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. Simon Property Group, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG. For further information, visit the Company’s website at http://www.simon.com

Halloween Fun for the Little Ones

There are great options for Halloween this year.

Before heading out the door remember to grab your camera, video camera, flashlight(s), glow sticks, candy bags, an extra tube of face paint and wet wipes. Where would we be without those wet wipes?

‘Malloween’ at Pier Park
From 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31
Bring the kids out for trick or treating, a costume competition, festival maze and special treats.
Sign up at 6 p.m. for the costume contest. There are three age categories, as well “scariest,” “most creative” and “best-all-around” categories. So get out that glue gun and get creative!

Panama City Mall
Let the little ones terrorize the Panama City Mall in their quest for candy.
Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m.

Monstrous Halloween Celebration at Rosemary Beach
(Not located in PCB, but just across the bridge for those who live on the West end)
Trick-or-Treat, from 4-6 p.m.
Let the little goblins trick-or-treat in downtown Rosemary Beach. Visit Gigi’s Fabulous Kids’ Fashion and Toys and have their Halloween photo taken.
Monster Bash, from 6-8 p.m.
Join the fun at The Summer Kitchen restaurant. Children $5, adults, $10. Cost includes scary food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Two other restaurants, Wild Olives and Cowgirl Kitchen are hosting Halloween specials for the big (21 and older) kids.

‘ZooBoo’ at ZooWorld
From 4:30-8 p.m. on Nov. 1
Free, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Probably one of the most anticipated events of the year (at least in my house). What is spookier than trick-or-treating with lions and tigers? Get ready for a wild night of fun.
The costume contest begins at:
6 p.m. = ages 3 and younger
6:15-6:30 p.m. = ages 4-10
6:45 p.m. = ages 11-15
7 p.m. = 16 and older

If I left out your favorite event, please let me know!

Photo credit: Euart by a Creative Commons License.

Boo in Pier Park Pictures

I took the kids to Boo in the Park at Pier Park in Panama City Beach today.  The weather has been crumby for the last couple of days, but overnight, everything cleared up and today, was just flat-out gorgeous, we totally live in paradise.  Of course, the fact that Pier Park is just so dang beautiful helps a lot too.

They had pumpkin carving today, a pet parade, arts and crafts supported by the Visual Arts Center of Panama City (suppor the arts!), pine-straw bale mazes, bouncey houses, a helicopter display, and tons more.  It was a blast, the kids had a blast, everyone was having a blast.  And did I say that today was so absolutely beautiful?  Man, I love Panama City Beach.

Check the pix.

Baja Grill Grand Opening in Pier Park

Baja Grill will be holding their official Grand Opening this weekend at Pier Park in Panama City Beach.  In addition to live entertainment from Friday through Sunday this weekend, Baja will also have specials on food and drinks.

Baja Grille/Pier Park offers a relaxing and warm experience with Southwest and Caribbean influenced menu selections. Known for exceptional dishes with the freshest ingredients, Baja Grille’s menu ranges from oh-so-tasty fruit smoothies to fresh seafood and deliciously grilled steak.

Entertainment Schedule

Chris Godber – Smooth Jazz Saxophonist
Friday, October 24, 2008     5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

“The Classics with Wayne and Joey” – Singing Duo
Saturday, October 25, 2008     6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 26, 2008     6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Baja Grill is located in the same shopping block as Panera Bread in Pier Park.  Their number is 850-230-6881.

A Pier Park Summer – Video

Throughout the summer, I spent considerable time at Pier Park capturing varying aspects of life at Pier Park.  Mall management was gracious enough to allow me roof access to gain some of these stunning shots.  I spent over a cumulative 12 hours capturing and several hours editing to complete this timelapse of Pier Park in Panama City Beach.

The process included setting up my Canon Digital Rebel EOS Xti 10.1 on a tripod with a timer set at varying intervals between 1 to 3 seconds.  In other words, every second or few, the camera would automatically take a picture while I sat with my headlamp pointing towards a good book.  Often passersby would inquire as to what I was doing.

Some shots would take up to 60 minutes to capture and the final video utilizes over 6,000 still photographs.  In true time-lapse fashion, some shots may seem to linger, use this time to enjoy the nuances of seeing thousands of people pass in just seconds.

I created the whole production in full HD 1080i, but the online version is a much paired down 1280×720.  The full version is available for purchase on a DVD for $12.  Email me at jason(at)pcbdaily.com if you would like to purchase the full-sized version.

View in HD

Boo in the Park – Pier Park, that is.

Ghoulish ghouls and creepy crawlies should be expected at Pier Park on October 25th for the first annual Boo in the Park at Pier Park in Panama City Beach.  In partnership with the Visual Arts Center of Panama City, Pier Park will bring spooky stories, and arts and crafts for the kids.

From 10 am to 4 pm, visitors can wander the hay-bale maze, and kids can explore the Panama City Beach Mosquito Helicopter.  Audiences will be dazzled by performances by the Rosenwald Cheerleaders, Arnold High School Choir and the Bay Haven Chorus.

From 1 to 3 pm, Magic Broadcasting will feature live radio remotes at various locations in Pier Park.

In celebration of the Halloween holiday, the Visual Arts Center will install the commemorative hand-painted children’s tiles.