Caribbean steel drum melodies from Steely Pan drifted through the lobby of the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, setting an island mood. Dressed in breezy floral prints, guests stepped into the summer sun, icy cold drinks in hand. Frothy, fruity and refreshing, the cocktails were the undisputed guests of honor. While cities across the globe celebrate National Piña Colada Day each July, the inaugural festival introduced that tradition in Florida, drawing more than 200 attendees to mark the 72nd anniversary of Puerto Rico’s national drink. “Everybody loves piña coladas,” said Frances Vives, founder of VD Brands and the event’s producer. “There are festivals where the drink was first created in San Juan, and we wanted to bring that multicultural celebration here.” For Vives, the gathering offered the community an immersive way to connect with island culture and culinary heritage. The resort’s pool deck stayed packed through the afternoon with a tiki bar center stage, vendor booths and tasting stations. Sunbathers and swimmers dipped in and out of the water. Others joined a poolside salsa lesson before musical sets by Combo Fusion and DJ Platinum kept the crowd moving.  Cocktails honored the authentic 1954 recipe with presenting sponsor Coco López cream of coconut, whipped smooth with sweet-tart pineapple juice, garnished with a pineapple wedge. Rum tastings flowed from Lakeland’s family-owned, Puerto Rican-run Lugo’s Craft Distillery, operated by Peter Lugo, his wife Ana and master distiller son Christian. “We distill our rums four times, and we go through an aging process,” Peter Lugo said. “None of our rums have artificial flavor, added colors or additives.” Pours included citrus rum steeped in orange and lemon peels and a rum infused with whole Guatemalan coffee beans. Lugo’s coconut rum, aged six months over chopped toasted coconut meat, showed visible oil through the glass. “Our rums are truly getting their color from real fruits and spices,” he noted. Visual art brought another creative dimension. Jing Herman showcased American flag canvases textured with coastal sand and shells. Puerto Rican artist Ed Pérez painted live, capturing a vibrant portrait of a piña colada on canvas. “Most of my paintings are related to my country because of the color,” Pérez said of his expressionist work. “Coming from the island, it’s something I still attach to my youth. It represents my roots in the Caribbean.” To match the beverage lineup, Palmetto Marriott Executive Chef Anthony Castro designed an exclusive Caribbean menu. Castro, who cooked at Miami luxury hotels including the Ritz-Carlton, prepared jerk-seasoned chicken skewers, slow-grilled and served with seasoned rice and black beans. Blackened mahi-mahi remained succulent beneath a savory sear, finished with sweet mango-pineapple salsa. Guests grazed on crispy, twice-fried tostones tossed in garlic-infused olive oil and sea salt, paired with a creamy sofrito aioli.  SRQ