It’s been a good couple of months for parties. First, we kicked off 2010 with plenty of New Year’s soireees all across the land. Then there were plenty of throw downs with the Super Bowl, where Miami hotels were packed out for weeks with tourists enjoying the festivities as much as the big game. And of course there’s Mardi Gras, the biggest party of them all. With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it really has been quite a party in the U.S.A. (heavens to betsy, did I really just quote a Miley Cyrus song here? What was I thinking??? It’s not like I’m a fan or anything. No really, I’m serious).
And then there’s the fiesta in the place known as the Gateway to the Americas because of all the flights and travel routes that funnel the U.S. to the rest of Latin America. It takes place on SW Eighth Street in Miami, which just happens to be the name of this event as well. But because it’s a celebration of the Cuban culture in the heart of Little Havana, it’s called Calle Ocho. Known as the biggest street party around that attracts more than 1 million people from all over the world, Calle Ocho is a Miami vacation hot spot that has it all: dancing, eating, costumes, street performers, famous Latin music stars, and the longest conga line of which you’ll ever be a part—it’s a whole lotta loco fun.
While it takes place in Little Havana, it’s not just Cuban heritage that is celebrated, with many different Carribean, Central and South American, and even European cultures represented throughout the day—you’ll hear the sounds of reggae, salsa, and good old American rock n’ roll. The blending of cultures is what first inspired the event, when, in 1977 racial tensions were reaching a boiling point in the multi-ethnic South Florida heat. So the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana created a block party where everyone could come together and appreciate all that these different cultures had to offer in terms of food, festivities, and fun. When Calle Ocho set the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s longest conga line in 1988, there’s no telling how many different ethnicities were represented among the 119,986 participants, so to say the event has been a success would be an understatement.
Sunday, March 14 is the big date with the bulk of events, and all kinds of activities will be taking place during the days leading up to it. This includes a domino tournament—a traditional Cuban passion second only to beisbol, as well as an 18-hole golf tournament. But Sunday is what you don’t want to miss, as the city shuts down 24 blocks of SW Eighth Street to open things up for the throngs of people to enjoy everything, from the hundreds of street vendors to more than 30 stages set up for performers.
While it’s well know for the festival, you can get quite the taste of Cuban culture year-round on Calle Ocho, where the heart of Little Havana lies between 12th and 27th Avenues. It’s almost like being on the island itself, where you can shop for hand-rolled cigars; hear authentic Latin jazz; and enjoy boliche, flan, and some cafe Cubano. There is also the great Cuban tradition of playing dominoes where older generations throw down tiles at Maximo Gomez Park.
But it’s the party in South F-L-A that brings them all out to Eighth Street. Maybe even Miley.
Image credit: Southbeach.com
