Coolinary & The Parched Pig, Ela Curry & Cocktails, Okeechobee Prime Barbecue, Tropical Smokehouse and more coming to West Palm Beach Waterfront Festival
Above: Okeechobee Prime Barbecue
(West Palm Beach, FLA.) – As SunFest celebrates its 40th anniversary, the iconic waterfront festival is elevating the experience with new culinary offerings that promise to satisfy fan cravings. From May 3-5, 2024, downtown West Palm Beach will become a haven of delight, spotlighting an array of flavors from local restaurant stars such as Coolinary & The Parched Pig, Ela Curry & Cocktails, Okeechobee Prime Barbecue, Tropical Smokehouse and more. Each restaurant and chef have received acclaim for being recognized as the “Best of” by The Palm Beach Post. In addition, the James Beard Foundation nominated both Chefs Pushkar Marathe and Rick Mace for “Best Chef: South” in 2023. These fan favorites and more will be available to the public all weekend long.
“This year, SunFest is not just about great music and art; it’s a full sensory experience,” said Dianna Craven, Executive Director of SunFest. “We’re spicing up our 40th anniversary with the flavors of Palm Beach County’s vibrant local cuisine, available to general admission guests or as an upgraded 3-hour all-inclusive VIP culinary experience.”
SunFest’s new, themed dining VIP experiences will be available in The Palm and are designed to offer something unique for everyone, ensuring that our festivalgoers can enjoy their favorite food alongside their favorite musicians.
The festival will kick off on Friday with a showcase of Street Food at The Palm VIP section featuring an eclectic blend of craft beer and wine as well as dishes from Coolinary & The Parched Pig, Draft House Bar and Grille and Ela Curry & Cocktails. This day will allow attendees to embark on a global culinary journey, sampling innovative fusion dishes along with traditional favorites while sampling wines from JaM Cellars and local craft brews from Civic Society Brewing.
“Opening Coolinary and later, The Parched Pig, was just the beginning; being part of SunFest’s 40th anniversary highlights our journey from a beloved local eatery to participating in Palm Beach’s favorite waterfront festival,” said owner and executive chef Tim Lipman. “It’s an honor to celebrate with the community that has embraced us, reflecting our shared history and future in culinary and cultural innovation. This milestone isn’t just a celebration of SunFest’s legacy, but a moment for us to showcase our commitment to excellence and community connection on a grand stage.”
The culinary adventure continues at The Palm VIP section with Saturday’s Barbecue, Bourbon and Beats, featuring a mouth-watering mix from local favorites such as NEVS Barbecue, Okeechobee Prime Barbecue and Tropical Smokehouse. This day will offer savory smoked meats paired with the rich, robust flavors of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, creating a perfect blend of tastes and aromas.
“SunFest is our stage to share the art of BBQ,” said James Beard-nominated Chef Rick Mace, the owner and executive chef of the Tropical Smokehouse. “We’re bringing our A-game to the waterfront, serving up dishes that reflect the soul of our cuisine. It’s about more than just food; it’s a celebration of community and culture.”
Sunday’s Tacos and Tequila event celebrates Cinco de Mayo at The Palm VIP section with a feast prepared by 5 Star Hospitality and Catering. This event promises a lively and flavorful close to the festival, blending the festive spirit of Cinco de Mayo with the communal joy of SunFest. And what better way to enhance the festivities than by savoring the smooth and distinctive flavors of Herradura Tequila, renowned for its exceptional quality and rich heritage.
Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a Culinary Pop-Up VIP Experience for $125 on Friday or $145 on Saturday or Sunday for a three-hour all-inclusive VIP experience along with views of the Ideal Nutrition Stage and VIP amenities all day long. This premium ticket offers an intimate, elevated dining adventure, allowing guests to indulge in local gourmet offerings and signature cocktails. For more information and tickets visit www.sunfest.com/thepalm.
General admission tickets include food options from regional vendor SWARM and local restaurants, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. A floating cocktail barge will also be on the festival grounds featuring DJ’s for SunFest guests over 21.
The lineup for SunFest 2024 includes Nelly, Cole Swindell, Rebelution, Third Eye Blind, Billy Idol, Yung Gravy, The Revivalists, Elle King, Shaggy, Dashboard Confessional, Dylan Scott, and many more! The SunFest 2024 experience will also include the Creative Arts Village, floating barge, VIP culinary experiences and the Sandbar Community Stage powered by the F-150 Lighting.
SunFest is produced by SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc., a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. SunFest of Palm Beach County, Inc. consists of a 21-member board of directors; 21 committees; over 2,100 volunteers; a full-time, year-round staff of 4; and approximately 70 corporate sponsors. SunFest is funded in part by the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council through the Palm Beach County Cultural Council. SunFest is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, through the Division of Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
To purchase tickets or for more information on ticket pricing, visit www.sunfest.com/tickets. To join the SunFest email list and stay up to date on all things SunFest, visit www.sunfest.com/join-our-email-list. For questions or comments email info@sunfest.com.