Eight reasons to go to Calle 8
This Sunday one million people will flock to Eighth Street in Little Havana for Miami’s hottest street party, Calle Ocho. The event brings together tourists and locals, exiles and expats, salsa lovers and fried food connoisseurs in a celebration of Latin food, music and culture. Here are the eight reasons why you shouldn’t sit this one out.
1. Carnaval King Jencarlos Canela. Miami native, New World School of the Arts graduate and one hunk of a telenovela star, Jencarlos Canela brings the smoulder to the festival as this year’s Carnaval King. He made the girls swoon on Más Sabe el Diablo, Telemundo’s hit telenovela where he actually found love with his co-star Gaby Espino, who gave birth to the couple’s first son in February. Oh well, it’s always fun to look. For the guys, beauty queen Melissa Ramirez, who won the Miss Carnaval 2012 title at the pageant in February, will be there as well representing all that is lovely about Miami.
2. World Records. Carnaval Miami loves set records: In 1988 it was the longest conga line (119,986 people shaking their hips in unison); in 1990, the festival recorded the largest piñata (measuring 27 feet and weighing 10,000 lbs.); in 2000, the largest cigar ever rolled. This year at 2 p.m. they plan to deploy 287 flags of different countries lined up as the number 1, in order to break the Guinness record for the largest flag in the world at 300 feet long and 15 wide.
3. Mr. 305. Once again, Pitbull will take over the stage at 23rd Avenue. The Planet Pit Megastage is sure to have an awesome line-up of talent, but we plan to just stand around and wait to see Mr. Worldwide himself.
4. Swag. As you meander the streets keep your eyes out for the cute girls wearing tank tops with corporate logos. They may be handing out free samples of goodies like juice, yogurt, pizza, soup and plenty of other random things that, when combined, could make up a free meal. Also, visit the Home Depot pavilion, AT&T, USA Track & Field and Chase Bank areas because they will host raffles and giveaways periodically throughout the day.
5. Food. Bring the Tums, because your stomach may not be prepared for the international smorgasbord that is available at Calle 8. We’re talking Venezuelan arepas, Caribbean jerk chicken, meat skewers, chicharrones de puerco, fresh lemonade, shaved ice and all kinds of treats that your doctor warns you about offered by more than 300 vendors.
6. Flo Rida. For those that overdo it with the arepas, head over to the Power 96 stage at 17th Avenue, where Flo Rida will perform his infectious hits that make you want to do an hour on a treadmill.
7. Recycling. Bring together one million people and you’re going to have plenty of basura (between 60-100 tons of trash, to be exact). The Kiwanis of Little Havana wants to minimize Calle Ocho’s impact on the environment with a huge recycling initiative. So make sure that those empty soda cans find their way into one of the 200 recycling bins that will be positioned throughout the fair courtesy of Coca Cola.
8. Daredevils. Monster Energy Drink presents pro BMX riders and stunt teams at their pavilion located at 22nd Avenue. Watch crazy feats of athleticism and wild acts of reckless abandon on bicycles throughout the day. But after watching the Red Bull base jumpers fly off the Espiritu Santo building, nothing scares us anymore.
This story was originally published March 4, 2012 at 8:03 PM.