Historic Virginia Key Beach Park official 70th Anniversary Party Celebration
Saturday – August 1, 2015 from 11am to 7pm
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
4020 Virginia Beach Drive
Miami, FL 33149
www.virginiakeybeachpark.net

To celebrate the rich 70 years of history of this once segregated “colored only” beach & park. Festivities include exciting time-line exhibits from the 1940’s to present day, classic car show, live music performances, 60’s Motown review featuring “Maryel Epps”, Latin retro music, disco dancers, Junkanoo band, retro prices on most food & beverage items, unlimited free rides on the mini train and carousel and so much more.

August 1, 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, this special beach located on Virginia Key, known as “Bears Cut” became an official “colored only” recreation site as a direct response to a bold protest, led by the late Judge Thomas. The community is invited to attend a day of celebrations, music, a classic car show, live performances, prizes and giveaways. Activities start at 11am. This is a free event for the community with an $8 vehicle entry charge.

“South Florida is in a new renaissance period of expansion and continued population growth,” shared Guy Forchion, Executive Director for the park. “It’s important that we share the rich cultural history, contributions and historic locations that are the building blocks of our great diverse city. African-American pioneers and Bahamian settlers played a vitally important role in the creation of Miami and building the communities and neighborhoods we live in today. For Forchion, those achievements, contributions, struggles and successes must be recognized and honored. “We’re celebrating the 70th anniversary of Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, a cherished, sacred place for Miami’s people of color and a symbol of segregation in the past that now welcomes everyone.”

Throughout the day there will be a variety of entertainment with something for everyone. Community members who can remember the fun times they spent at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park in the 40’s thru 70’s are encouraged to bring copies of pictures to the event and post them on the “Memory Board” for all to see. For those who have stories to tell of their experience during the “segregated years”, they are invited to visit the “Time Tunnel Video Booth” and record their stories for the park’s historic archives.

In addition to a Classic Car Show and Motown Review, there will also be a (best dressed) contest for those who can replicate the fashion of their favorite era in the 40’s through 90’s, winning prizes for originality.