Create Fun Stuff to Do: How We Turn Port St. Lucie Into the Entertainment Capital of the Treasure Coast 🎉

Let me ask you something. When was the last time you had an amazing night out right here in Port St. Lucie? I mean a really great night—live music, great food, maybe a festival or event that made you think, "Wow, I can't believe this is happening in my city"?

If you're struggling to remember, you're not alone. 😕

Look, I love this city. I've raised my family here. I've built my career here. I've spent 17 years in public service protecting this community. But I'm not going to sugarcoat it: we have a fun problem. And by "fun problem," I mean we don't have enough of it.

We're a city of over 200,000 people—the eighth-largest in Florida, for crying out loud—and yet most weekends, families are packing up their cars and driving to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, or Orlando just to find something interesting to do. That's not just sad. It's a missed opportunity. And I'm here to fix it.

What We've Got: The Good Stuff 🌟

Let me start by giving credit where credit is due. Port St. Lucie isn't some boring wasteland. We actually have some pretty solid attractions:

• Clover Park and the Mets Spring Training—There's nothing quite like watching major league baseball in your own backyard. The energy, the crowds, the economic boost—it proves we can host big events when we put our minds to it. ⚾
• PGA Village—Three championship golf courses that draw visitors from around the world. Golfers know PSL, even if the rest of the country hasn't caught on yet. 🏌️
• Our Beaches—We're a short drive from some of the most beautiful coastline in America. Hutchinson Island, Jensen Beach, Fort Pierce Inlet—the ocean is basically our backyard. 🏖️
• The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens—A hidden gem with beautiful trails, native plants, and a peaceful atmosphere that's perfect for a weekend stroll. 🌺
• Spruce Bluff Preserve and Other Parks—We've got green space. We've got trails. We've got nature. For outdoor lovers, there's plenty to explore. 🥾

So what's the problem? The problem is that variety is the spice of life, and right now, PSL is serving up the same few dishes over and over again. Don't get me wrong—I love baseball and beaches as much as the next guy. But you can't build a thriving, vibrant community on sports and sand alone.

What We're Missing: The Entertainment Gap 🎭

Let me paint you a picture of what life could be like—and then we'll talk about why it isn't. Imagine a Port St. Lucie where:

Sounds amazing, right? Now here's the kicker: none of this is impossible. These aren't pipe dreams. These are standard amenities that cities our size have all across America. The only thing standing between us and this reality is leadership with vision and the guts to make it happen.

Why This Matters (And Not Just for Your Weekend Plans) 💪

I know what some of you are thinking. "Steven, we've got bigger problems than entertainment. What about the roads? What about taxes? What about jobs?" And you're absolutely right—we do have bigger problems. But here's the thing: they're all connected.

This is about economic development. Companies don't want to relocate to cities where their employees will be bored. Young professionals—the very people we need to build our future—are choosing cities with vibrant cultural scenes. When we create fun stuff to do, we're not just entertaining residents; we're attracting the businesses and talent that drive economic growth.

This is about keeping families together. How many of your kids have moved away to Orlando, Miami, or Tampa because they wanted "more to do"? How many young families have you watched leave because they wanted a city with better amenities? Every person who leaves takes their tax dollars, their talent, and their future with them. We need to give them reasons to stay.

This is about community safety. Idle hands are the devil's workshop, as my grandmother used to say. When teenagers have nowhere to go and nothing to do, they find trouble. When adults have no positive outlets, stress builds. A city with abundant activities is a city with stronger social bonds and less crime.

This is about quality of life. Life isn't just about working and paying bills. It's about joy, connection, and making memories. When I'm Mayor, I want every family in PSL to have so many options for fun that they can't possibly do them all. That's the mark of a city that truly cares about its people.

Steven's Plan: Eight Ways We Create Fun Stuff to Do 🚀

Alright, enough talk about the problem. Let's talk solutions. Here's exactly how we're going to turn Port St. Lucie into the entertainment destination of the Treasure Coast:

1. Expand the MIDFLORIDA Event Center—Make It a True Destination 🎤

We already have the MIDFLORIDA Event Center, and it's a great venue. But are we using it to its full potential? Not even close. As Mayor, I'll work to attract bigger concerts, comedy shows, cultural festivals, and events that draw people from all over the region.

We're going to create a dedicated events team whose sole job is to book talent, coordinate with promoters, and market our venue to regional and national acts. Why should people drive to West Palm when they can see great shows right here in PSL? We're going to make sure they don't have to.

2. Pop-Up Events Program—Bring the Fun to the People 🎪

Not every great event needs a massive venue. Sometimes the best fun happens in neighborhoods, parks, and unexpected places. We're creating a city program that makes it easy for organizers to host festivals, markets, block parties, and community gatherings.

Streamlined permitting. City support for logistics. Marketing assistance to get the word out. We're removing the red tape that stops good ideas from happening and replacing it with a green light that says, "Let's do this." Whether it's a neighborhood cookout or a city-wide festival, we're here to help make it happen.

3. Youth Activity Grants—Invest in Our Kids' Future 👦👧

Our young people are our most precious resource, and they deserve more than just school and sports. We're establishing a grant program to fund local organizations that create after-school programs, weekend activities, and summer camps for kids and teens.

Robotics clubs. Art classes. Music lessons. Coding camps. Sports leagues. Drama programs. Whatever sparks a kid's interest, we want to make sure there's a program for it. These grants will prioritize organizations that serve underserved communities and provide free or low-cost options for families who need them.

4. Public Art Initiative—Make Every Street Interesting 🎨

You know what makes a city feel alive? Art. Murals that stop you in your tracks. Sculptures that become landmarks. Interactive installations that kids can play on. We're launching a public art initiative that transforms PSL from a collection of streets into a gallery of creativity.

We'll commission local artists to create murals throughout the city. We'll install sculptures in parks and public spaces. We'll create photo opportunities that people actually want to share on social media. And we'll do it all with community input, so the art reflects who we are and what we value.

5. Food Truck Fridays—Good Eats and Good Times 🌮

Food trucks aren't just about food—they're about community. They're about gathering places where families can try new cuisines, listen to live music, and connect with neighbors. We're establishing regular rotating food truck gatherings at city parks throughout PSL.

Each event will feature a rotating lineup of food vendors, local musicians performing live, family activities like face painting and games, and a welcoming atmosphere that brings people together. We're talking monthly events that become the highlight of your family's calendar.

6. Movie Nights in the Park—Free Family Fun Under the Stars 🎬

Remember drive-in movies? There's something magical about watching a film outdoors with your neighbors, sharing popcorn and laughs under the night sky. We're bringing that magic back with free outdoor movie screenings at different parks throughout the year.

We'll show family favorites, classic films, and new releases on big screens in beautiful park settings. Bring your blankets, bring your chairs, bring your snacks. These events will be completely free because quality family time shouldn't cost a fortune.

7. Adult Sports Leagues—Play Like You Mean It ⚽

Fun isn't just for kids. Adults need play time too! We're expanding city-run adult sports leagues to include softball, volleyball, pickleball (the fastest-growing sport in America), soccer, basketball, and more.

These leagues will be organized by skill level, so whether you're a former athlete looking for competition or a beginner just wanting to have fun, there's a place for you. We'll provide the facilities, the organization, and the referees. You bring the team spirit and the competitive fire.

8. Waterfront Development—Unlock Our Riverfront Potential 🚣

We live on the Treasure Coast, for crying out loud! We should be taking full advantage of our waterways. We're going to improve riverfront access for kayaking, paddleboarding, and waterfront dining.

Picture this: kayak launches that make it easy to get on the water. Paddleboard rentals for spontaneous adventures. Waterfront restaurants where you can watch the sunset over the river while enjoying fresh seafood. Our riverfront should be a destination, not an afterthought.

Events We Want to Create: The PSL Entertainment Calendar 📅

Here's a taste of what life in Port St. Lucie could look like once we get rolling. These are the events I want to see on our community calendar:

• Monthly Street Festivals—In Tradition, downtown, and emerging neighborhoods. Live music, local vendors, food trucks, and activities for all ages. Each month with a different theme.
• Annual Food and Wine Festival—Showcasing local restaurants, breweries, and wineries. A celebration of our growing culinary scene that draws foodies from across the region.
• Summer Concert Series—Weekly outdoor concerts at city parks featuring local bands, regional acts, and the occasional big-name headliner. Free admission, bring your own chair.
• Holiday Light Displays—Neighborhood competitions, city-sponsored displays, and seasonal celebrations that make PSL magical during the holidays.
• Community Sports Tournaments—Basketball tournaments, soccer championships, pickleball showdowns, and more. Local bragging rights on the line.
• Art Walks—Monthly events where local artists display their work, galleries open their doors, and the streets become a celebration of creativity.
• Cultural Heritage Festivals—Celebrating the diverse communities that make up PSL. Latin festivals, Caribbean celebrations, Asian heritage events, and more.
• Teen Takeover Nights—Safe, supervised events where teenagers can socialize, dance, play games, and just be kids without pressure or danger.

Imagine checking your calendar and seeing three or four amazing events happening every single weekend. Imagine your friends from other cities asking YOU what's fun to do because PSL has become the place to be. That's the future we're building.

The Bottom Line: A City That Works Hard and Plays Harder 💯

I'm not running for Mayor to maintain the status quo. I'm running to transform Port St. Lucie into a city where families thrive, young people stay, and visitors want to come back again and again.

A great city isn't just about good roads and low taxes—though those matter too. It's about quality of life. It's about waking up on a Saturday morning and having so many options for fun that you can't decide what to do first. It's about creating memories with your family, connecting with your neighbors, and feeling proud to call this place home.

When I'm Mayor, I will work tirelessly to make Port St. Lucie a place where there's always something fun to do, whether you're 8 or 80. We're going to turn PSL into the entertainment destination of the Treasure Coast. We're going to give our kids reasons to stay and our visitors reasons to return.

That's not just a campaign promise. That's a commitment. 🎯

Drop me a line at stevengiordanoformayor@aol.com or call me at (772) 812-3930. Let's brainstorm together. Let's dream big together. Let's build a Port St. Lucie that's not just a great place to live, but a great place to love living.

Together, we're going to create so much fun stuff to do that people will be talking about Port St. Lucie for all the right reasons. Who's with me? 🙌