By Lee Ann Leonard
Many know Pier Park as Panama City Beach’s unofficial downtown. Millions gather at the mall for iconic events like the “New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop” and to shop, dine and play. How well do you know your friendly, neighborhood mall? Find a few fun facts below…
- Pier Park celebrates its birthday every Valentine’s Day! The mall opened in 2008 and has been feeling the love ever since.
- The City of Panama City Beach’s first city planner, Mel Leonard, named one of the Pier Park Roads. The Sea Monkey Way street sign continues to elicit snickers—especially from me, his wife!
- The “New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop” ball was originally lowered from a crane! The current 80-foot Celebration Tower that replaced it was first enjoyed at the 2016 event.
- In 2023, the “New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop” took the top spot in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice poll for the best ball drop. The mall team was thrilled to be recognized for the center’s final year of funding and executing the popular celebration. Visit Panama City Beach now runs the event. Last year, the ball drop attracted more than 60,000 attendees—a record breaker!
- Also in 2023, Pier Park unveiled the City of Panama City Beach’s first privately-funded public art project. The mall team hired an artist with local ties, Kollet Hardeman, to transform the breezeway between Smoothie King and Kilwins Chocolate & Ice Cream into an “underwater tunnel” featuring native fish and marine life. Simon/Pier Park and SkyWheel Panama City Beach funded the educational mural.
- Pier Park boasts more than eight photo ops! One of them, “Sunny the Seahorse,” was painted by a Pier Park team member as part of the City of Panama City Beach’s SeeLife 2 public art program. Find him by the mall’s Back Beach Road archway.
Visit https://www.simon.com/mall/pier-park for the latest Pier Park news. While there, become a Mall Insider to stay updated on current trends, deals, store openings, events and more! You could win a $1,000 shopping spree!
