Fifty-two contestants are in town for Miss America
Plus a late-night Clematis event and two city announcements worth watching
Miss America week is underway, and the rest of West Palm's calendar is filling in behind it. Here's what's happening around town this week.
West Palm Beach is officially the new home of the Miss America pageant. Fifty-two contestants from across the country gathered here for opening ceremonies, where Mayor Keith James welcomed them to the city.
The contestants introduced themselves and highlighted their education, community-service work and the causes they hope to champion. Miss Florida Alexandra de Roos is competing in her home state; Florida last produced a Miss America winner in 2004.
The new Miss America will be crowned September 6 in West Palm Beach. Discover the Palm Beaches expects the week to bring additional activity to restaurants, hotels and venues across the county as contestants, families, pageant officials and visitors gather here.
Duffy's goes late on September 5
Duffy's After Dark runs from 11 p.m. September 5 to 3 a.m. September 6 at Duffy's Sports Grill on Clematis Street.
The free event includes a live DJ, music, late-night bites, drinks and a dance floor. It is part of a Saturday-night series rather than a one-off event.
Duffy's Sports Grill is at 225 Clematis Street. The four-hour event is indoors and carries no admission charge.
Fuku has opened its first Palm Beach County location
Fuku has opened its first Palm Beach County restaurant at CityPlace. It is the fried-chicken concept's second standalone South Florida location and grew out of David Chang's Momofuku family of restaurants.
The 1,617-square-foot restaurant at 407 S. Rosemary Avenue offers dine-in, takeout and delivery. Its menu centers on hand-breaded chicken, including sandwiches, tenders, Party Fries, Chicken Garlic Rice, salads and house-made sides.
Two items are exclusive to the CityPlace location: a Chicken Rice Bowl and the grape-lime Transfusion Slushie with fresh ginger. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Downtown's operating budget rises less than 1%
The Downtown Development Authority approved a fiscal 2026–27 operating budget with an increase of less than 1%. Funding covers maintenance, public safety, communications, economic development, placemaking, transportation and operations.
Priorities include supporting the city's new on-demand transportation service and expanding the Ambassador Program along the waterfront. The expansion covers cleaning, hospitality, visitor assistance and place management.
The board also reviewed a proposed 22-story mixed-use project at 400 Hibiscus Street with 88 homes, about 11,300 square feet of restaurant and lounge space, public open space and 183 parking spaces.
A separate five-year strategic-planning process for 2026–2031 has begun. Additional board workshops and opportunities for community and stakeholder input are planned after the schedule is finalized.
BBQ, Brews and Blues returns for an 11th year
The 11th annual BBQ, Brews and Blues is returning to West Palm Beach.
The city has confirmed another edition of the local festival, continuing a series built around barbecue, brews and live blues.
A date, time, venue and price have not yet been published. The festival is confirmed, while the scheduling and admission details remain pending.
National Dance Day is set for September 19
National Dance Day is scheduled for September 19 at 11 a.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts.
The Saturday program is devoted to dance, with performances and activities at the West Palm Beach venue.
A more detailed program has not yet been announced, but the date, start time and Kravis Center location are set.