SunFest 2022: Clear skies, smaller crowds make for fantastic Sunday finale

WEST PALM BEACH — Sunday brought a bit of sun back to SunFest as revelers enjoyed the final day of a festival that had been canceled for two straight years because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Organizers said attendance figures won't be available for several days, but many of those who went said crowds weren't as big or boisterous as in years past.

Some of that could be blamed on the rain. And some of that was by design, as organizers decided that this year, unlike in previous years, event-goers would need to declare which day they wanted to attend.

Those who decided to attend on, say, Saturday, but were unable for some reason to go, couldn't use the same ticket on Sunday.

The goal, organizers said, was to have manageable crowds each day of the four-day festival.

The rain and new ticket policy might have put a dent in attendance numbers, but some event-goers said that wasn't a problem for them.

Jorge and Daniela Fachine of Palm Springs said they thoroughly enjoyed coming out on Sunday.

"No hassle, no problems," Daniela Fachine, 44, said. "Before, we were thinking with the crowds, it would be too much. But it's nice. It's not too much."

Daniela's husband, 47-year old Jorge Fachine, agreed.

"Very well organized," Jorge Fachine, 47, said. "Parking is good, too. Lots of choices. Very safe."

Organizers had worried that cell phone thieves who had targeted festivals in Miami and Fort Lauderdale would set their sights on the revelers at SunFest.

They did.

But as of early Sunday evening, at least one person suspected of stealing cell phones was arrested.

Eight of the 20 cell phones reported stolen during the event were recovered, West Palm Beach Police Chief Frank Adderley said early Sunday evening.

"Crime-wise, I think we did pretty good," he said. "We were kind of prepared for it."

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SunFest 2022: COVID not a big concern for festival goers

Fear of spiking coronavirus numbers led organizers to cancel SunFest in 2020 and in 2021.

On Sunday, most of those in attendance were not wearing masks. Many said they felt the danger posed by the virus had been minimized by the fact the festival was an outdoor event and by the fact that vaccines and treatment is now widely available.

"We're vaccinated," Jorge Fachine said. "I think it is safe. The vaccines really helped. If you feel it's unsafe, you can wear a mask."

The Cload Family of Naples, who drove to Palm Beach County on Friday for the festival, said they also felt safe.

"I think it could have been done last year," Rick Cload, 36, said. "Everything's good."

Rick Cload said this is the third year he and his family have attended SunFest. 

His son, 13-year old Jonathan Cload, was attending his second festival. His first was in 2019, the last time SunFest had been held before it was shut down.

"It's been big and bright," he said. "It's definitely coming back."

Jonathan's mother, 33-year old Jennifer Abrew, said she was happy the crowds weren't as big as they have been in the  past.

"I didn't want a huge crowd because it can be chaotic," she said. "It can be dangerous."

While the Cloads said they enjoyed SunFest 2022, they did have a couple quibbles.

The first is the musical lineup. 

Abrew said she felt the lineup didn't offer enough musical diversity.

"We like the different genres," she said.

Abrew said she also would have liked to have seen more events geared toward young children. She suggested a bean bag toss.

"Something they can participate in," she said.

Those quibbles, the Cloads said, do not mean they aren't happy the festival returned.

As day turned to evening, they had a spot near the stage and waited for the final musical acts to perform.

Paul Jamieson, executive director of SunFest, said organizers were modest in their hopes for this year's event.

"Coming off two years of bad weather and the uncertainty of COVID, we have definitely approached this year’s event more conservatively than we might have in years past," he said. "But walking the site in the sunshine today, it really feels like old times."

Jamieson praised volunteers whom he said "make SunFest special."

He added: "Even on the days where we had terrible weather, the energy at the festival has been amazing. I think our fans are just happy to be back with their friends on the waterfront, and we are certainly happy to see them!”

wwashington@pbpost.com