The Fort Pierce Street Festival That Wasn't

There is a column in the Stuart News each week featuring the weekend's "Top 5 events on the Treasure Coast. " Last week, one of them was Fort20 Fest, which was to take place in downtown Fort Pierce, Florida on 2nd Street this past Saturday from 3:00 P.M. until midnight. It would feature live music, local vendors, food, drinks, and live art. Yes! Live art! And no, I have no idea what that is. In any case, I assumed it was going to be a street festival, since no specific business was mentioned. However, when I arrived in Fort Pierce precisely at 3:00, I was able to find a parking space immediately, which was an early warning sign. I walked to 2nd Street and found - nothing! There was an address given in the paper, and it turned out to be a place called Bottom's Up Public House. Evidently the yard next to that bar was where the event was taking place, as seen in the photograph on the left. There were indeed local vendors, food, and drinks available, although I did not see any "live art" taking place. As for music, there was a stage in the back that was still being set up, but no music was playing yet. Plus, there were very few people around. Evidently, this was a nightclub, and most of the action would probably be taking place later in the evening, and so I left soon after I arrived.

However, as I walked back to my car, I passed by Sailfish Brewing, which was packed with people having a good time, and seen in the photograph on the right. They were evidently celebrating both their 12th anniversary and also having a Y2K party. Yes! A Y2K party. It has indeed been 25 years since Y2K, and I remember it well. All the managers at the University of Denver Bookstore met early on New Year's Day to see if the computers, cash registers, toasters, microwaves, etc. still worked. And sadly, they did. It would be back to work and the same boring routine the very next day. But that was it - Y2K was long forgotten by January 2nd, 2000. So why celebrate Y2K's anniversary on April 19th? Once again, I have no answer to that question. All I can say is, Florida is weird. And that is NOT new news.