Photo of Community Maritime Park from the water

Pensacola to Host Premiere Sailing League Exhibition Series

Premiere Sailing League has announced plans to debut stadium sailing on Pensacola Bay during the PSL Winter Exhibition Series between Jan. 3 and April 5, 2020, bringing opportunities for the public to watch teams compete in exhibition stadium-style racing.

The PSL Winter Exhibition Series will consist of a pre-series test regatta followed by four invitational regattas. Teams can charter a boat from the supplied fleet of identical RS21 keelboats for the racing which will take place on courses set just off the Pensacola waterfront at either Plaza de Luna or the nearby Vince Whibbs Community Maritime Park. Spectators can watch the teams compete in multiple exhibition stadium style races directly in front of the festive venues. Dates have been chosen to coordinate with other activities in the two parks to introduce stadium sailing to the non-sailing public.

The first PSL Winter Exhibition is scheduled for Jan. 3-5, 2020, off Plaza de Luna at the foot of historic South Palafox Place adjacent to the Pensacola Marina. Subsequent PSL Winter Exhibitions are planned in early 2020.

Learn more about the events in our official news release.

Pensacola Seafood Festival Takes Over Downtown Starting Tomorrow

There aren't any laws when you're eating the claws.

Well, actually there are, but don't let that stop you from visiting Pensacola Seafood Festival in downtown this weekend.

The festival runs Friday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 29 from 11 p.m. to 5 p.m.

City of Pensacola is a proud sponsor of the annual event, and Pensacola Energy hosts the Fiesta Seafood Grille, where 10 local chefs each do an hour-long cooking demonstration. The schedule is as follows:

Friday, Sept. 27

5:30 p.m. - The Wine Bar

Saturday, Sept. 28
Noon - Constant Tea and Coffee

1 p.m. – South Market

2 p.m. - Big Top Brewery
3 p.m. - IQ Eatery
4 p.m. - Boneheads Fire Grilled

Sunday, Sept. 29

Noon - Culinary Productions
1 p.m. - Alcaniz Kitchen and Tap
2 p.m. - Classic City Catering
3 p.m. - Sabai Thai

Pensacola Seafood Festival is put on by Fiesta of Five Flags. More than 100,000 people are expected to stroll the streets during this three-day event and enjoy delicious creations from the area’s top restaurants. The event also hosts live cooking demonstrations, traditional festival vendors, arts and crafts and live music.

For more information, visit the official website for the event.

screenshot of 850 business magazine website page featuring picture of port of pensacola

Learn about Port of Pensacola in 850 Business Magazine

In a Sept. 5 article, 850 Business Magazine profiled Port of Pensacola for being part of Pensacola's past, present and future. Some of the highlights include the port being home to Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin ship, the port hosting New York Yacht Club's American Magic sailing team while they trained in the winter and the opportunities on the horizon.

"The Port of Pensacola has been part of the city’s culture and community since the first commercial dock was built in 1784. But the need for deep-water access is now blending traditional port functions with 21st-century “blue economy” activities."

Read the article on 850 Business Magazine's website.

Mayor Robinson Presents ESPN Hometown Hero Jaila Roberts with a Key to the City

Mayor Grover Robinson joined other local leaders last week at his alma mater Booker T. Washington High School to celebrate ESPN Hometown Hero Jaila Roberts and present her with a key to the City of Pensacola. Jaila was chosen as a hometown hero based on her game-winning shot last year against Pine Forest High School, which made #9 on ESPN Top Ten plays on Jan. 9. ESPN was at Washington filming the festivities, which are scheduled to air Thursday, Oct. 10.

Jaila is a 2019 graduate of Washington and is currently attending the University of North Alabama on a basketball scholarship. Congratulations to Jaila and go Wildcats!

Mayor Grover Robinson presents ESPN Hometown Hero Jaila Roberts a key to the city of Pensacola

Mayor Grover Robinson joins for a group photo with ESPN Hometown Hero Jaila Roberts a key to the city of Pensacola

Reminder: TSA Pre-Check Temporary Enrollment Center is at PNS

The Transportation Security Administration Pre-Check® Temporary Enrollment Center is back at Pensacola International Airport and will be here until Friday, Sept. 27. Eligible travelers can sign up for TSA Pre-Check® and save time in airport security lines.

Hours of operation for the Temporary Enrollment Center at PNS are 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. The center will be located in the airport administration office on the second floor of Pensacola International Airport, 2430 Airport Blvd.

Learn how to apply in our news release.

Congratulations to our September Employee of the Month

Mayor Robinson and Shannon Foster take picture with Employee of the Month plaque

Shannon Foster of Public Works

It's Time to Sign Your Kids up for Youth Recreation Basketball Leagues

Fall is here (despite what the weather feels like), and that means it is time to sign your kids up for our basketball leagues. We have two leagues to choose from and a Basketball Boot Camp to prepare your little baller for the upcoming season.

The City of Pensacola's recreation basketball league at Vickrey Resource Center is for players ages 5 to 14 and will run January through February 2020. Registration begins Oct. 1 and continues through Nov. 27. The cost to participate is $72 for city residents and $83 for non-city residents. There are three ways to register: online, in person at the Vickrey Resource Center or by mailing registration to the Athletics division at Exchange Park, 3200 E. Lakeview Ave., Pensacola, FL 32503. Registration forms are available online at PlayPensacola.com.

Cobb, Fricker and Woodland Heights Resource Centers have partnered to offer a Youth Recreational Basketball Training League for ages 5-14. Registration begins Oct. 1 and participants can register through Dec. 6 at any of those locations or online. The league will begin practices Dec. 18, and league play will be in January and February 2020. The cost is $25 for ages 5-7, $35 for ages 8-10 and 11-12, and $50 for ages 13-14.

Looking for a great way to prep for the upcoming basketball season? Join us at Woodland Heights Resource Center for Basketball Bootcamp every Tuesday and Thursday in October! The boot camp is free, but you must register with the Woodland Heights Resource Center.

For more more details visit the Youth Basketball page.

Welcome aboard: 2019 OSHKOSH Striker – “ARFF 112”

photo of the new striker at the pensacola international airport

Last week, the ARFF Station #7 bid farewell to an old Titan. This 1989 E-ONE Titan 2 served the Pensacola International Airport and Pensacola Fire Department faithfully for 15 years before being placed in a reserve status in 2004. Since 2004, the ol’ Titan has been called up to serve a few times and now has officially reached 30 years of service.

INSTAGRAM: Photo of the Week

Be sure to tag us using @cityofpensacola so we see your pic!

Photo of the outside of the Pensacola International Airport

Photo Credit: @wuwf