Miami’s Independence Day Celebrations

CocoWalk

CocoWalk's All-Day 4th of July Celebration

July 4, 12:30pm-9:30pm. An all-day 4th of July Celebration at CocoWalk! Live Caribbean music from 12:30pm-3:30pm by entertainer Peter Berbard. The kids will enjoy the balloon twisting, face painting and 4th of July freebies from 2pm-5pm. The annual Hot Dog Eating Competition takes place at 5pm in the Courtyard, followed by Beer Pong at 6pm. Watch the fireworks at 9pm from one of the great restaurants with a view! At CocoWalk, 3015 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove, 305-444-0777. www.cocowalk.net

Miami Beach 4th of July Celebration: Fire On The 4th

July 4, noon-9:30pm. The City of Miami Beach proudly presents its annual patriotic 4th of July celebration of music and fireworks. There will be a DJ performing throughout the day starting at noon, followed by live jazz from 6pm-9pm. The fireworks get started at 9pm, but many people show up early to snag a spot on the beach and set up beach towels and chairs. No coolers or bottles will be permitted on the beach. The event is free and open to the public. At 8 Street and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, 305-673-7577. www.miamibeachfl.gov

The view from Bayfront Park

America’s Birthday Bash at Bayfront Park 

July 4, 3pm-9:30pm. Bring the whole family to celebrate the birth of this great nation! Enjoy music, food and beverages, a free Kids’ Zone, and one of the largest fireworks displays in South Florida. The park is open all day. Free Kids’ Zone from 3pm-7pm; fireworks at 9pm. Free admission. At Bayfront Park 301 N. Biscayne Blvd., downtown Miami, 305-358-7550. www.bayfrontparkmiami.com

The Biscayne Lady

4th of July Dinner Cruise with Island Queen

July 4, 8pm-10pm. This special 4th of July dinner cruise aboard the Biscayne Lady includes an unlimited buffet and full open bar. There will be a professional DJ onboard playing dance music until the spectacular fireworks display over downtown Miami begins. Patriotic music will be played during the fireworks show. The Biscayne Lady features two ideal areas to view the fireworks, the sky deck and the front bow of the yacht. Please arrive one-hour prior to departure. The cruise departs from Bayside Marketplace, 401 Biscayne Blvd., downtown Miami. Info at 305-379-5119, Ext. 2001. www.islandqueencruises.com

Jungle Island’s 4th of July Fireworks Bash

July 4, 10am-6:30pm. This 4th of July, join Jungle Island’s salute to America’s Armed Forces with a fireworks and BBQ bash! Escape the heat and watch the City of Miami’s fireworks spectacular from the terrace of Jungle Island’s Treetop Ballroom. You will also enjoy an all-you-can-eat mouthwatering BBQ buffet, family entertainment including music and dancing, and last but not least, interactive visits from some of Jungle Island’s animal friends! Ticket info can be found here. At Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, 305-400-7000. www.jungleisland.com

The Miami Children's Museum

Miami Children’s Museum 4th of July Celebration 

July 4, 11am-3pm. Celebrate the 4th of July in style at the Miami Children’s Museum! There will be art, food, water games and more. There will even be a signing of the Declaration of Independence with Ben Franklin. At the Miami Children’s Museum, 980 MacArthur Cswy., Miami, 305-373-5437. www.miamichildrensmuseum.org

The Key Biscayne Parade

Key Biscayne’s 4th of July Celebration

July 4, 11am-9:30pm. The parade will start at 11am with a flyover of jets, and proceed south on Crandon Boulevard from Harbor Drive to West Enid Drive. There will be patriotic-themed floats and marching groups. A picnic at Village Green Park (450 Crandon Blvd.) will follow at noon with food and rides for the kids, culminating with fireworks at the beach at 9pm. All events are free of charge. At locations throughout Key Biscayne, 305-361-8557. www.kb4.org

4th of July in the Grove

July 4, 4pm-11pm. Don’t miss the annual July 4th celebration and fireworks display at Peacock Park in Coconut Grove! Plan on having a fabulous time filled with food, music and patriotic cheer. At Peacock Park 2820 McFarlane Rd., Coconut Grove, 305-444-7270. www.coconutgrovechamber.com

The Barnacle Historic State Park

Old Fashioned July 4th Picnic 

July 4, 11am-4pm. Kids can participate in a historical scavenger hunt and make their own kites, toy boats and paper dolls in order to understand how different children’s lives were 100 years ago. Live music by singer/songwriter Joel Zoss from 11:30am-3pm. Pack a picnic or buy burgers, hot dogs and veggie dogs on-site. At The Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Hwy., Miami, 305-442-6866. www.floridastateparks.org

Sail Biscayne Bay On RA Charters' Unique 45-Foot Yacht

RA Charters owns and operates the sailing vessel RA, a 45-foot sailing yacht, out of Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove. Dinner Key Marina, located at 3400 Pan American Drive (Pier 7, Slip 8), is the largest marina in South Florida. It is located in the heart of the historic village of Coconut Grove. 

RA Charters provides sailing yachts for group events and sailing regattas for corporate team building. Each sailing yacht accommodates up to six guests and is properly equipped, insured and licensed for commercial operations. RA Charters also offers day sails or sunset cruises on Biscayne Bay for individuals, families, office parties, wedding proposals, birthdays and large corporate events.

The RA on the water

Captain Asaad N. Masoud was born in Egypt where he sailed on the Nile and the Mediterranean as a youngster. He lived and studied in Germany, Sweden, Canada and the U.S. where he completed his Ph.D. degree. He held academic positions for almost 20 years at universities in Oregon, Florida, Mississippi, Nebraska and Maryland. He spent the last three years of his scientific career at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he fell in love with sailing on Chesapeake Bay and owned his first yacht, the RA. Capt. Asaad realized that he enjoys people and sailing so much that he decided to have a mid-career change. He became a Coast Guard licensed captain in 1983. Since then he has been chartering RA on the waters of Chesapeake Bay, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys.

Capt. Assad

In addition to Capt. Assad, all RA Charters are operated by professional, Coast Guard-licensed captains. 


The RA was originally built by Bayfield boat yards. After Hurricane Andrew his South Florida in 1992, a total refurbishing was completed by the owner, Capt. Asaad, in 1994. He took a nightmare and built a dream. He spared no effort or money to build his dream boat. Everything he always wanted on a boat is now on RA. He exceeded all industry standards and specifications in the design, construction, equipment, and amenities on board.

Take a virtual tour of the RA and see it for yourself!!

The air conditioned accommodations include two quarter berths, port and starboard, which can be made completely private by closing the sliding doors and raising the bulkhead panels. Each berth is large enough for a couple. The oversized settee converts to an equally oversized double berth. For light and ventilation below there are a total of twelve openings ports, four opening hatches and a large double-opening skylight. The cabins are also equipped with fluorescent light, spot light fixtures and small 12v fans. 


For your entertainment aboard there is a TV/VCR and a stereo AM/FM/disc player with speakers on deck and below deck. The head is forward with a large vanity and a stall shower with molded-in seat and lots of room to move around. The galley is equipped with a stainless steal sink, hot and cold pressure water, state of the art electric/alcohol stove, a microwave oven, a refrigerator/freezer, and a large deep freeze on the forward deck. The stove, microwave, and refrigeration are available for use dockside and at sea. Also available on deck is a propane grill for that special barbecue.

View from the helm on the RA

The cockpit has a unique Bimini/dodger for shade and safety, the two forward sails are equipped with Profurl systems. The main sail is fully battened, and is equipped with Harken Bat Cars, Harken reefing systems, and a Dutchman for unequaled ease and safety in handling. The electrical system is equipped with eight group 27 batteries, separated as five battery banks, a 2,400 watt inverter/charger and a 4.2kW diesel generator. The state of the art electronics on board include a GPS, autopilot, radar, electronic navigation system, knot meter, depth sounder, wind machine and three VHF radios, one in the cockpit, one in the navigation station and a hand held unit. Other equipment on board includes a windlass, a bow thruster, a desalinator, and a nine-foot Boston Whaler dinghy with an outboard engine mounted on davits for easy storage and accessibility.

To book the RA for charter please call 305-989-3959 or 305-666-7979 or visit the website, www.racharters.com.


Welcome to Miami and the Beaches
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Bacardi Cup Regatta Kicks Off Bacardi Miami Sailing Week

With more than 95 boats registered, the 84th edition of the iconic Bacardi Cup is set to see one of the fiercest title battles in recent years as some of the most recognizable athletes in the sport return to the waters of Biscayne Bay for the headline event of Bacardi Miami Sailing Week. To date, competitors from 25 countries are entered to race from March 7-12, in one of five classes – Melges 20, Melges 24, J/24, Star and Viper 640 – that will see action throughout the weeklong series.

“We are all looking forward to a great week,” said Bill Allen, President of the International Star Class Association, explaining that the class was very excited to be part of the expanded Bacardi Miami Sailing Week. “ Bacardi and the Star Class have been partners for 84 years – first in Cuba and in Miami since the 1960s. The Bacardi Cup is one of the premier events on our racing calendar; only the world championship has a more talented field.”

(Photo by Cory Silken) 

Star action on Biscayne Bay during the

2010 Bacardi Miami Sailing Week.

The Olympics being little more than a year away is sure to be a factor driving these elite sailors, as Allen counted off 15 teams with the potential to end up on the podium. 

“We will have at least five world champions and 10 to 15 continental champions,” Allen said. “At least 10 of the top 20 in the world rankings will be competing, and picking the medal winners among these outstanding sailors would be impossible.”

Among the elite field is Mark Reynolds (San Diego, Calif.), often referred to as the “Star of the Star Class,” who has a resumé that includes two world championship titles (1995, 2000) and three Olympic medals (1992 Gold, 1988 Silver, 2000 Gold) in arguably the most competitive one-design class in the world. Additional Olympians in the fleet include Mateusz Kusznierewicz of Poland, who won Olympic gold and bronze in the Finn class (1996 and 2004) before switching to the Star for the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he finished fourth; New Zealand’s three-time Olympian (1996, 2004, 2008) Hamish Pepper; and Ireland’s 2008 Olympian Peter O’Leary.  

The Bacardi Cup was conceived in 1927 as a three-day event with sailors competing for the Trofeo Bacardi as part of the Cup of Cuba’s Mid-Winter Championship. In 1962 political unrest forced the Bacardi Cup to move from Havana to Coconut Grove, Fla., where it has since been hosted by the Coral Reef Yacht Club, the organizing authority for the Bacardi Cup.  

In its second year, Bacardi Miami Sailing Week is building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, again offering six days of remarkable sailing competition. The 84th running of the Bacardi Cup for the Star class will be the marquee event of Bacardi Miami Sailing Week, with racing from Monday, March 7 through Saturday, March 12. Competition for the Melges 20, Melges 24, J/24 and Viper 640 classes takes place Thursday, March 10, through Saturday, March 12, with the Melges 20s also competing for their Winter Series and the Viper 640s also competing for their Pan American Championship.   Racing will take place on three courses approximately two miles out on Biscayne Bay. Co-hosts for Bacardi Miami Sailing Week are Coral Reef Yacht Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, the U.S. Sailing Center Miami and Shake-A-Leg.

Nightly social events will feature award presentations, entertainment and art displays including exhibits by, among others, renowned Italian maritime photographer Franco Pace and Miami pop artist Stephen Gamson, designer of the official event poster.  The art exhibits will be located in the North Hall of the Coconut Grove Convention Center, along with “100 years of the Star Boat,” a collection of information, photos and artifacts detailing the path of the Star boat from the original design in 1911 to the present day.  

For more information on the 84th Bacardi Cup and 2nd annual Bacardi Miami Sailing Week please visit www.BacardiCup.com and www.MiamiSailingWeek.com.

Welcome to Miami and the Beaches Magazine
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Who Are Collins and Flagler Anyway?

A Brief Guide to Miami Street Names
Flagler Street: Henry Flager's East Coast Railway made Miami possible. Before 1896, there was no easy way to move goods and people in and out of Miami. The railroad arrived in April, 1896, and Miami was incorporated in May. Henry Flagler is known as the "father of Miami" and his name graces many places in South Florida.

Collins Avenue: John Collins was a farmer and land developer who built the first wooden bridge from Miami to Miami Beach in 1913. The opening of the bridge is seen here. Collins Avenue is also referred to as A1A - it stretches from the southern tip of the island that is Miami Beach all the way north to Broward County. John Collins and his son-in-law owned most of Miami Beach at one time, and eventually sold their property to the Lummus brothers, whose names grace Miami Beach's Lummus Park. 

Biscayne Blvd.: Named for Biscayne Bay.

Brickell Avenue: William and Mary Brickell owned a trading post on the south side of the Miami River in the late 1800s. Everything south of the river was called Brickell for many years.

Julia Tuttle Causeway: Julia Tuttle was the "mother of Miami." It was she who persuaded (badgered some say) Henry Flagler into expanding his rail line south from Palm Beach to Miami. Flagler wanted to stop in Palm Beach and did until the great freeze of 1895, which spared Miami. Tuttle sent him fruit from Miami to prove that the crops down here were still fine and Flagler changed his mind.

Rickenbacker Causeway: Named after WW1 ace pilot and Medal of Honor winner Eddie Rickenbacker. He later became the president of Eastern Air Lines, which was based in Miami. He had a home for many years in Coconut Grove, not far from Key Biscayne, which is connected to the mainland by the Rickenbacker Causeway.

Don Shula Expressway: Don Shula IS the coach of the Miami Dolphins to many, no matter who else has held the job since his retirement in 1997. Shula holds the coaching record for most wins in the NFL (347) and coached the perfect season 1972 Dolphins.

Killian Drive: Named for pioneer Dan Killian, who had a country store south of what is now Coral Gables and was responsible for the first schools, streetlights and churches in this area.
Kendall Drive: Named for Henry John Broughton Kendall, a director of the Florida Land and Mortgage Company, which bought the land that is now Kendall (a census-designated but unincorporated part of Miami-Dade County) from the state of Florida in 1883.

Ives Dairy Rd. & Milam Dairy Rd.: At one time, these actually went to (you guessed it!) dairy farms. Now Ives Dairy Rd. runs out to Sun Life Stadium and becomes Dan Marino Blvd. and Milam Dairy Rd. goes to Miami Lakes. The Milam family name still graces their chain of local upscale grocery stores, Milam's.