🌅🚗Fort Pierce Free Rides

Good Morning, Sunland!

It’s Wednesday! Thank you all for the feedback on the recent logo polls. After 120 votes, the orange Sunland logo ultimately won out—by literally one vote! All hope isn’t lost for the runner-up, though. I plan to find some use for it, maybe as a dark mode option on the website or something like that. Thank you again! Alright…

👀 Caught My Eye: Taco Dive opened up in Saint Lucie West, and they also opened a location in Melbourne. One thing to note—the Melbourne location is actually a franchise, which got me wondering: is something still considered local after it starts franchising?

📬 A Look Ahead in 5 Seconds
🚗 Freebee Expands
🎉 Weekend Highlights
🦃 Thanksgiving Meal Drive-Thru

Ja’Min Brown
Writer, Filmmaker, and Publisher

🎶 What It Sounds Like: "Rainy Night in Georgia" by rook Benton

☀️ Day: High of 77°F with overcast skies and rain showers at times. Thunderstorms possible. Winds SSW at 10-15 mph. 70% chance of rain.

🌙 Night: Low of 63°F with evening rain showers clearing overnight. Higher wind gusts possible with winds WNW at 15-25 mph. 50% chance of rain.

🌡️ Check Full Weather Report Here 
🚗 Check The Traffic Before You Leave

🏛️ Join the Fort Pierce Board of Adjustment

The Fort Pierce City Commission is looking for residents to join the Board of Adjustment! This important board reviews variances, special exceptions, and appeals to help guide the city’s growth.

📅 Meetings: 4th Thursday of each month at 2 PM
✅ Eligibility: Must be a City of Fort Pierce resident

Get involved, make a difference, and help shape Fort Pierce’s future.

🔗 Apply Here

🦃 Thanksgiving Meal Distribution Drive-Thru

The City of Fort Pierce, in partnership with the Treasure Coast Food Bank, is hosting its Annual Thanksgiving Meal Distribution to support families this holiday season.

📅 When: Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, 8 AM – 12 PM (or until supplies last)
📍 Where: Percy Peak Gymnasium, 2902 Avenue D, Fort Pierce, FL 34947
📦 Details: Drive-thru distribution, first-come, first-served. Approximately 500 turkeys and holiday meal boxes are available (limit 1 per vehicle).

🔗 Learn More

Freebee Adds Wheels 🚗

The buzz around Fort Pierce’s electric rideshare darling, Freebee, just got louder—literally. The Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency (FPRA) voted to add a fifth vehicle to the service to tackle wait times that have grown along with its wild popularity.

The backstory

• Freebee, Fort Pierce's free, on-demand rideshare, launched in early 2023 and has quickly become a local favorite.

• In July alone, ridership surged 358% compared to the previous year, with over 5,100 passengers hopping on. But this popularity came with growing pains—30-minute-plus waits for over 1,000 riders in August.

What’s new

• After some back-and-forth, the FPRA approved adding a fifth vehicle to the fleet for at least five months, potentially longer if demand stays high.

• The cost: $10,833 per month, plus a one-time $1,250 fee for charger installation. A Department of Transportation grant will cover most of the expenses.

• The extra ride is expected to hit the streets in time for Fort Pierce’s busy winter season—just in time for downtown businesses to cash in.

The debate

• Board members questioned whether to keep the fifth car just for peak season or year-round. Some argued for a more permanent fix, while others pushed for cost efficiency.

• The service has its challenges—drivers say expanded territories have stretched them thin, and wait times often spike during rush hours.

What’s next

The new car is expected to roll out by mid-December, pending charger installation and driver onboarding. The FPRA will monitor demand over the next few months to decide if Freebee needs to go all-in with a five-car fleet permanently.

Why it matters

Freebee isn’t just about convenience—it’s driving economic development, connecting residents to local businesses, and solving mobility gaps in Fort Pierce. Scaling up could make it an even stronger asset, especially for downtown businesses during the bustling holiday season.

Big picture

Fort Pierce is betting on Freebee to keep its streets moving and its economy humming. But with surging demand and a growing price tag, balancing the budget with the buzz will be the ultimate test.

Things To Know, Before You Go 🧠

St. Lucie County Swears In New Commissioners
The new county commissioners were officially sworn in, marking the start of a new chapter in local governance.

Draft House Celebrates 30 Years
Raise a glass! Draft House commemorates three decades of serving up great food, drinks, and memories in the community.

This is Sunland 📸

One of my favorite things to do is document local restaurants. You have to truly love what you do to even consider going down the path of owning a restaurant. Seeing that passion through the lens will never get old. Alright… see you tomorrow!

With love,
Ja’Min

Weekend Events Ahead⏳ 

Night of a Warrior
🗓️ Sat, Nov 23 | 🕗 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM | 📍 Havert L. Fenn Center, Fort Pierce
The ultimate MMA experience featuring top fighters. Winners head to the big leagues. Dress to impress and enjoy the action!
🎟️ Tickets Available Online

Badfish – Sweaty Reggae Party Tour
🗓️ Sat, Nov 23 | 🕗 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | 📍 Terra Fermata, Stuart
Badfish pays tribute to Sublime with their energetic reggae beats. A night of live music you won’t forget!
🎟️ Tickets: $25

2024 Thanksgiving Family Day Market
🗓️ Sat, Nov 23 | 🕗 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | 📍 Memorial Park, Stuart
Shop local vendors and enjoy family-friendly activities at the Thanksgiving Family Day Market. A perfect way to get into the holiday spirit!
🛍️ Free Entry

Port St. Lucie International Fest
🗓️ Sat, Nov 23 | 🕗 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 📍 MIDFLORIDA Event Center, Port St. Lucie
Celebrate cultures from around the world with food, music, and arts. Headliner Tito Puente Jr. will take the stage at 7 PM.
🎟️ Free Entry

Saturday Drive-In Movie Nights | The Wizard of Oz
🗓️ Sat, Nov 23 | 🕗 7:00 PM | 📍 601 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce
Bring the family for a movie night under the stars. Ice cream and milkshakes are available!
🎥 Tickets: $10 per car

Soulful Saturday
🗓️ Sat, Nov 23 | 🕗 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | 📍 Sweet Desires Dessert Lounge, Vero Beach
Live music and handcrafted cocktails await! Reserve your table for an unforgettable evening.
🎶 Free Entry, Reservation Recommended

Tradition Neighborhood Market
🗓️ Sun, Nov 24 | 🕗 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM | 📍 Tradition Square, Port St. Lucie
Stroll the square, grab a bite, and shop local vendors. A perfect way to spend your Sunday supporting small businesses.
🎟️ Free Entry

If you have an event, send it to me here

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🌴 All tip jar proceeds for October will be donated to Reviving Anointed Word (RAW) Ministries