Treasure Coast Sun

The grand opening of The Port District, Port St. Lucie's new riverfront destination, is set to be marked by a free event for families. Port Fest will take place on Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at 2454 SE Westmoreland Blvd. and Lyngate Park.

Due to limited parking at the event sites, attendees are advised to park at the MIDFLORIDA Event Center located at 9221 SE Event Center Place. Free, air-conditioned motorcoaches will transport attendees to the event in a continuous loop throughout the day. These motorcoaches will make stops at the Lyngate Park car show until 3 p.m. and at the event entrance south of the Botanical Gardens.

Designated rideshare areas are available on Veterans Memorial Parkway for the Classic Car Show at Lyngate Park and on SE Westmoreland Boulevard for Port Fest at Pioneer Park, with appropriate signage provided.

For safety and convenience, one southbound lane on Westmoreland Boulevard will be closed from just south of the Bridge Plaza service entrance to the park site entrance. Police officers will manage traffic flow to facilitate U-turns for motorcoaches at the park entrance while both northbound lanes will remain open during the event.

Boat slips will be closed on June 15 for safety reasons related to both boaters and attendees.

Attendees can enjoy various activities throughout the day:

- From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., there will be a car show presented by the Port St. Lucie Historical Society at Lyngate Park.

- At 11 a.m., a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place by the banyan tree.

- A dance party with DJ Alexis Rose is scheduled from 1-2:30 p.m.

- Retro Radio Band will perform from 3:30-5 p.m.

- The Wailers will give a free concert from 7-8:30 p.m.

Family-friendly experiences include performances by aerial artists, stilt walkers, jugglers, face painting, fairy hair and glitter tattoos, bubble artistry, and sand sculpture displays. Free souvenirs will be distributed while supplies last. Food and drinks can be purchased from various mobile food trucks and bars.

The Port District features Pioneer Park, an interactive playground covering approximately 41,200 square feet with water play areas, pathways, public art elements inspired by nature and the St. Lucie River. Additional attractions include Swing & Swirl Slough, Pioneer Perch, Gator Gulch among others.

The district also offers an event lawn, overwater stage, canoe and kayak launch facilities along with a boardwalk along North Fork of St. Lucie River providing about 3,300 feet of walkway under construction beneath Port St. Lucie Boulevard Bridge.

A waterfront restaurant is under development alongside walking trails planned within a wooded preserve in The Port District's southern portion.