Panama City In The News

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – The Market at St. Andrews celebrated more than its 18 birthday Saturday morning. It held its first farmer’s market at Oaks by the Bay Park in Panama City. It used to be in the parking lot of the C.S.S. Yacht Basin along Beck Avenue. Management said the new location will allow for less wind and more space, parking, and greenery for people and pets alike. “On Saturdays, it gives families a pretty cost-friendly thing to do for a few hours,” said Kelsey Douds, the Market Manager for the Market at St. Andrews. “It’s a safe place to hang out.”

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — The Panama City Center of the Arts opened an Asian and Pacific Islander art exhibit on Friday. The work is a collection of Asian and Pacific artifacts from people who live in Bay County. The exhibit features Chinese and Japanese watercolor paintings, textiles from Kazakhstan and Nepal and outfits and dolls from Korea.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — This Cinco de Mayo is the one-year anniversary of the opening of a local taco truck. Buddies Seth Carpenter and Ian Weber are celebrating the special milestone. “Thought about who else would do it with me… Got Ian to help out and he’s been doing great, so we’ve just been running it together and things have been going fairly smoothly,” Carpenter said. “Especially for a first year, a lot of learning experiences, but we’re getting there slowly but surely.”

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — Comic book fans and collectors of all ages are in for a treat Saturday. It’s the 20th annual ‘Free Comic Book Day’. There will be comics for young readers, teens and adults at Comic Emporium, Arena Comics and at the Bay County Public Library. The comic shops will have comics available on a first come first serve basis. The library will have blind bags containing several age-appropriate comics.

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)– Bay County residents have a saying, “I live where you vacation.” Tourism is the number one industry in the area, and several local organizations are taking the time to celebrate the opportunities the industry brings to the area. National Tourism Week takes place from May 1st through 7th, but the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and Destination Panama City are collaborating to host events all month long for locals to enjoy.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – When you think of tourism in Bay County, it’s easy to think of the world’s most beautiful beaches. But Panama City Beach isn’t the only area people are visiting when they come to town. Bay County wouldn’t be what it is today without tourism. “One in six people in Bay County are directly or indirectly associated with the tourism industry. And it brings in more than $3 billion worth of outside revenue to this area every year,” Destination Panama City President Jennifer Vigil said. And it isn’t just the white sandy beaches bringing people in.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)– If you’re still in need of a gift for Mother’s Day, never fear the St. Andrews has plenty of options for a gift for mom. The market will also be relocating from its current location at the CSS Yacht Basin to Oaks by the Bay Park, located at 2715 W. 10th St, Panama City, FL. 32401. The first day for the new Market will be May 7th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. President of the Historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership, Janis Boatright said the vendors are excited. There will be more access to shade, grass, and electricity.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — Panama City held its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration Thursday afternoon. Dozens of residents gathered at Oakland Terrace Park from 4-7 pm. A DJ played music and chips and salsa were served at the free event. A food truck sold food and ice cream to attendees.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Bay Arts Alliance held its second annual Star Wars Day in downtown Panama City Wednesday. “Last year we had about 300 people that responded to the event. We had about 500 show up. This year we had 1500 people respond before the event and I think you see it,” event organizer Aaron Rich said. The event featured Star Wars-themed crafts, soundscapes, and even a lightsaber battle.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Are you looking for a perfect Derby Day or Mother’s Day hat? The perfect one may be just a DIY project away. Hats on Harrison is being hosted by local businesses in historic downtown Panama City. It is a ladies-only event where you can enjoy getting a hat and stopping by different shops to customize your hat. The event will start at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022, and end at 12:00 p.m.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — Live music will soon be coming to Panama City! Tom Smith with the Shaddai Shriners joined us in studio to tell us about the event. Saturday, May 14 musician Chad Street will be performing at the Shaddai Shriners located at 1101 West 19th Street in Panama City.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — Seeing a growing need, 24 new inpatient beds are now available at HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital. CEO Brad Griffin said he’s thrilled for this expansion. “As this community continues to grow and develop and need more healthcare, HCA Florida Gulf Coast is answering that need by expanding our services, adding space for those patients to come here,” Griffin said.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — A new restaurant named after one of the most prominent streets in Panama City will open in the fall. “Harrison’s”, owned by The St. Joe Company is being built next to Hotel Indigo on the Bay. “It’s important to us, for us to do our part to do our part in the revitalization,” St. Joe Company Corporate Director Matt Moore said. “We have a lot of small business, private business around here that we’ve seen grow, we’ve seen the streetscape grow.”

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Shaddai Shriners are cooking up some delicious barbecue for their Pig Roast Luau at the No Name Lounge in Panama City. This family-friendly event takes place May 14 at 1:00 p.m.. Those who attend will be treated to a pork plate and will have the opportunity to take part in the cornhole tournament or axe-throwing.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – There’s more visible signs of progress in the Harrison Avenue StreetScape project on Tuesday. City crews planted 20-foot tall Highrise Live Oak trees along Harrison, in conjunction with the ReTree PC program and National Arbor Day. 10 of the 49 trees are now in place.