🌅🌞 A New PSL Market Is Here!

Good Afternoon, Sunland

It's Tuesday! And while the rest of the country is freezing right now, we’re lucky to avoid the frostbite (for now). Good news, though: it gets brighter from here. No, seriously. We’re stepping out of the darkest days of the year, and the sun is setting a little later now.

As a filmmaker, I’m always tracking the sun. Fun fact: there’s an app for that. If you’ve never used Sun Surveyor, it’s pretty cool—it’ll show you exactly where the sun will be at any given time. Alright…

🌴 Coming Soon: Juici Patties is bringing Jamaican patties to PSL Boulevard and Darwin. While we wait, Jerk City on US-1 has you covered with amazing Jamaican food—I’ve been going there for years. Check it out!

🎸 Shout-out: Local rock favorite 21 to Burn has a new drummer—Brendan Scarlett! If you’ve been to Guitar Center in the past few years, you’ve probably met him. Brendan’s always been super cool and helpful, and now he’s it full-time with the band. Love to see it!

❓ Poll Question: Does Florida have a food we are known for? Please explain, after answer…

🍋 The Main Squeeze: New Market Alert!

Quick Take 🌞
Port St. Lucie is getting a brand-new Sunday market at the Mid-Florida Events Center. The grand opening is set for February 2nd, and it will feature local vendors, food trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities.

Key Details 🛍️
Here’s where things stand with markets in St. Lucie County:

• Downtown Fort Pierce Market: Saturdays, split into the Jazz Market (arts and crafts) and the Food Market.

• Olive Branch Market: Every other Saturday at IRSC Pruitt Campus.

• Tradition Market: Sundays in Tradition Square.

Now, the Mid-Florida Events Center is adding to the mix. Their new market will be weekly on Sundays, directly competing with the well-established Tradition Market, which has grown into a local favorite with over 11,000 Facebook followers.

Community Impact 🌍
Tradition Market has become such a hit that founder Catherine Castillo recently opened Artisan Market, a brick-and-mortar version of the Sunday market, on Gatlin Blvd. Open Monday–Saturday, 9 AM–7 PM. This new market, located in the eastern part of Port St. Lucie, fills a gap in the area, offering residents closer access to local vendors, live music, and family-friendly fun.

Looking Ahead 🔮
The big question: how will this new market stack up against Tradition Market’s success? With dozens of vendors already lined up, live performances planned, and a focus on family and pets, it’s got potential. Plus, having a market on this side of PSL feels overdue.

🎸Live Music: 10 - ish Music Events This Week

Sunrise City Bluegrass Jam
📅 Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Pierced Cider, Fort Pierce
Bring your instrument or enjoy the show as South Florida's best bluegrass artists jam the night away.
👉 Check it out!

Music Bingo
📅 Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Hop Life Brewing Company, Port St. Lucie
Enjoy a fun night of Music Bingo! Seating is first-come, first-serve. Prizes awarded to winners each round.
👉 Learn more!

Class Act Acoustics with Vince Love
📅 Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge, Vero Beach
Enjoy an evening of smooth acoustic vibes and timeless classics with Vince Love. Songs from America, The Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, The Temptations.
👉 Don’t miss it!

SURROUND-SCREEN Karaoke & Chill
📅 Thursday, January 23, 2025 | 8:30 PM - 12:00 AM
📍 Don Marcós, 8765 S US Highway 1, Port St. Lucie
Sing along to your favorite hits with a surround-screen karaoke experience!
👉 Check it out!

Music Bingo @ Crabby’s Dockside Ft. Pierce
📅 Thursday, January 23, 2025 | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
📍 Crabby’s Dockside, Fort Pierce
Enjoy fun, music, and bingo with great food and drinks.
👉 Join the fun!

Spamilton - An American Parody
📅 Thursday, January 23, 2025 | 7:30 PM
📍 Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce
Check out this witty Broadway parody of the massive Hamilton Play. Tickets start at $54.50.
👉 Get tickets!

Dirty Crumbums - Punk Night
📅 Thursday, January 23, 2025 | 8:00 PM
📍 Boozgeois Saloon, Fort Pierce
A night of raw energy and punk featuring Dirty Crumbums, Revenge Bodies, and Ten Pound Test. Admission is free for this 21+ event.
👉 Check it out!

Soulful Saturday
📅 Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge, Vero Beach
Relax to smooth melodies while enjoying gourmet desserts and drinks.
👉 Don’t miss it!

The Beat Goes On - A Tribute to Cher
📅 Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 8:00 PM
📍 Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce
Lisa McClowry delivers a performance as Cher in this tribute to one of pop music’s icons. Tickets start at $64.50.
👉 Get tickets!

Live Music Happy Hour - Don Marcós Cantina
📅 Friday, January 31, 2025 | 5:15 PM - 7:00 PM
📍 Port St. Lucie
Enjoy live music by Latin guitarist and singer Xavier during this vibrant happy hour. Advance tickets: $6.50 | At the door: $9.
👉 Get your ticket!

If you have an event, send it to me here

💭 Your Turn... Results, Feedback, & Follow-Up

Why This Newsletter Works
This newsletter is a break from politics and crime—a filter from the noise. And it’s free!
And it will always be that way.

Deeper Reporting
I’m considering doing deeper local reporting, but only if it’s something you’d value. For example, I attended the sheriff’s office media day last week. Beyond the event, it was a snapshot of who represents the community in these spaces.

This kind of reporting wouldn’t be in the newsletter but potentially behind a paywall.

What Do You Think?
Would you want this kind of reporting? Vote below—yes or no. No hard feelings if it’s not for you!

🍹The Refill: MLK DAY and some History!

📸 What I Saw Yesterday
Yesterday’s MLK Day Parade on 25th Street was a vibrant celebration of community and unity. Families lined the street, waving as floats passed by, while local groups marched proudly, honoring Dr. King’s legacy. The atmosphere was filled with music, laughter, and a shared sense of pride—especially among Black families who gathered to commemorate his vision of justice and equality.

📜 Why This Street Matters
25th Street, officially designated as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, holds special significance in our community. While many still refer to it by its original name, the renaming serves as a daily tribute to Dr. King’s contributions and a reminder of his enduring impact. Observing the parade along this historic route underscores its role as a gathering place for remembrance and celebration.

🕊️ A Brief History of MLK Parades in St. Lucie County
The tradition of honoring Dr. King with parades has deep roots in St. Lucie County. For example, the 36th annual Grand Parade took place in 2020, indicating the inaugural parade likely occurred in 1984, shortly after the federal holiday was established. These parades have become a cornerstone of local celebrations, reflecting the community's commitment to honoring Dr. King's legacy.

👉 See the Full Gallery
I captured plenty of moments from yesterday’s parade—click here to view all the photos and relive the celebration. Yesterday’s event truly embodied Dr. King’s legacy.

💼 Business Alert: Become a Sunland Sponsor Today! 📢 

One of my goals this year is to connect more with local businesses and build long-term partnerships. Sunland News offers the perfect platform for businesses to connect with the community. Whether you're a local restaurant, service provider, or retailer, we can help your brand stand out with crafted, impactful ads in our newsletter.

👉 Ready to get started? Book a call with us today to learn more about how we can support your business!

Last Drop: 📸 Photos for the Road!

Fort Pierce Legend Albert Wilson stopped by the Sunland Bookstore and showed so much love! Alright…

See you tomorrow!
With Love,
Ja’Min

How was today’s newsletter?

👋 Thanks for reading! If you found it useful, consider sharing it with a friend.

📱 Keep up with the Sunland News on Instagram. Send comments & suggestions to [email protected]

🙋‍♂️ Did someone forward you this? Subscribe Below!