Miami Celebrates its Rich 125 Year History with Miami 125
Miami has always been a city proud of its rich history and diversity while simultaneously embracing innovation to propel the city forward. And this year, history, culture, and the future collide in an exciting celebration of the Magic City’s founding 125 years ago on July 28, 1896.
The City of Miami will toast the city’s 125th anniversary with Miami 125, a weeklong festival of food, fun, culture, and innovation. The celebration runs from July 26-31 and features various free and ticketed events that the public is invited to attend.
According to Miami’s mayor Francis Suarez, the city’s 125th anniversary provides a tremendous opportunity to honor the city's historic trailblazers while embracing today's social and entrepreneurial innovators who are positioning Miami as a world-class city now and in the future.
“I invite all residents of Miami to join me in celebrating Miami’s rich history and cultural diversity as we celebrate the city’s founding 125 years ago,” said Mayor Suarez. “Miami 125 will provide many exciting and fun opportunities for residents to celebrate the Magic City by exploring our history, diversity, cultural venues, parks, and more. This milestone also gives us a time to revisit the past as we look to shape the next hundred years and beyond of Miami’s enduring story.”
Featured events in the six-day celebration include:
July 26, Miami Innovation Luncheon at the Rusty Pelican
July 27, NFT Workshop and local Artist Highlight at the Bakehouse Art Complex
July 28, City of Miami 125thAnniversary Celebration at the Perez Art Museum
July 30, Little Havana Fridays at Domino Park Plaza
July 31, Miami Day at various city locations to include Grove Heritage Day at Coconut Grove’s Village Center and Village West
In keeping with the theme of honoring Miami's history while embracing the future, the City of Miami is also recognizing city residents who have had a significant impact on Miami's history and progress. Honorees are:
Dr. Enid Curtis Pinkney, notable preservationist, community leader, and humanitarian
Arva Moore Parks McCabe, Miami historian, author, and preservationist
Dr. Paul S. George, Miami’s lauded resident historian and prolific author and scholar
Dr. Dorothy Fields, who has been instrumental in documenting Miami’s African American history through manuscripts and photography.
Dr. Marvin Dunn, author, educator, and historian.
Larry Gautier, Co-chair, “When Mayor Suarez asked me to co-chair with him representing the founding families of Miami. I jumped at the opportunity. For this celebration, we want to do two things. We want to make sure we honor the past. We also want to embrace the future. We want to make sure the past is connected with the future. We want to do our part to connect the dots, to honor the past while embracing the future.”
Sponsorships are also available for the event and can be made through the Dade Heritage Trust, which is serving as the fiscal agent for Miami 125. Contributions can be made online on the Dade Heritage Trust’s website or contact Larry Gautier, Co-Chair City of Miami 125th Anniversary Committee at lgautier@naimiami.com.
About Miami 125
Miami 125 is a weeklong celebration of Miami’s 125th anniversary. The event is spearheaded by the City of Miami 125th Anniversary Celebration Committee. It features an exciting schedule of historical, cultural, culinary, and music events celebrating the city's diverse and rich history while embracing Miami's future. To learn more about Miami 125, visit https://mia125.org/.
For more information about Miami 125 or for media inquiries, please contact, KeChi Okpala at KeChi@thinkclarke.com or by phone at 954-342-9040.