Festival Heritage & History
ABOUT THE JENSEN BEACH PINEAPPLE FESTIVAL
The signature event of Jensen Beach, the Pineapple Festival, is one of the largest festivals in the region and one of the few remaining true street festivals in South Florida. Growing in popularity over its 30-year history, the weekend-long festival salutes the community’s rich pineapple heritage and features events for the entire family: world-class concerts, arts, crafts, street performers, local bands, and midway rides.
A main component of the Festival is the Bahamian Market. A delegation from Eleuthera, Bahamas creates an authentic Bahamian Market featuring island music, crafts, authentic Bahamian flavors, and the heart-pounding sounds of the Junkanoo parade.
THE EVENT HISTORY
The inaugural Pineapple Festival was held in the fall of 1988 in conjunction with the Jensen Beach Centennial Celebration and featured a memorable concert by Marie Osmond. Celebrating 25 years in 2012, the weekend-long festival celebrates Jensen Beach and salutes the community's rich agricultural tradition when Jensen Beach was once proudly hailed as the "Pineapple Capital of the World."
In 1990, Jensen Beach and Gregory Town, Eleuthera, Bahamas established an official sister city relationship. A popular attraction at the festival each year is an authentic Bahamian Market from Eleuthera that features island music, native crafts, and the heart-pounding rush of the Junkanoo parade.
CHAMBER & COMMUNITY MISSION
The Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business membership organization with more than 500 business members dedicated to the economic betterment of the Jensen Beach, Rio, and Hutchinson Island areas.
The Chamber produces and organizes the Pineapple Festival in close cooperation with Martin County and with the support of generous sponsors and hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Proceeds from the Pineapple Festival help support the Chamber and other charitable nonprofit organizations such as the Entrepreneurship Foundation and the History Museum of Jensen Beach.
Over the past two decades, the Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival local economic impact has surpassed one million dollars, leaving a lasting legacy of community enrichment.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Enjoy world-class concerts, entertainment, parades, and street performers all weekend without paying an admission fee.
All concerts will be held in Pineapple Field on the Kai Kai Farm Stage next to Tako Tiki in Downtown Jensen Beach. Festivalgoers are welcome to bring their own seating.
Parking near the festival is limited. Several parking lots are within walking distance, and a large public parking lot is located immediately north on Indian River Drive and Pineapple Avenue.
One-price wristbands for unlimited midway rides are available for $20: Friday (6-10pm), Saturday (12pm-6pm), and Sunday (12pm-6pm).
Saturday from 10am to 9pm and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Explore handcrafted wares, fine art, and pineapple-inspired works by regional artists.
Downtown restaurants and festival vendors offer pineapple-inspired culinary creations, tropical drinks, and longtime carnival favorites.
Experience the heart-pounding sounds of Junkanoo, authentic island market crafts, and the Pineapple Eating Contest Friday (8pm), Saturday (8:30pm), and Sunday (4pm).
Held in downtown Jensen Beach along Ricou Terrace and Jensen Beach Blvd. From US-1, turn east onto Jensen Beach Blvd and proceed 3 miles.