How does Miami celebrate 305 Day? A block party, cafecito and a gator in a caja china
Proud to live in Miami? Think your area code is da best? Don’t care that we have car sized cockroaches, terrifying hurricanes and traffic from hell?
You can show it — on 305 Day.
Technically, 305 Day is March 5, but who’s really keeping track here?
Seriously, though: This “holiday” has cred: Local radio star Lucy Lopez will host the official 305 Day Block Party in the Leah Arts District in Hialeah.
The event is two days after the fact, on March 7. But again, if you are keeping track of this stuff, you need to get a hobby.
305 Day was created by the founders of 3:05 Cafecito, who worked diligently to make the time on the clock the “official” cafecito break in the Magic City.
“The idea came about to unify the Cuban coffee culture and create an on-line community of devotees who enjoy sharing their mutual love for Miami’s nectar through social media,” said founder JennyLee Molina. “At 3:05, Miami pauses to stop and smell the cafecito.”
The first celebration was held at the iconic Cafe Versailles on March 5, 2013, as a “little ventanita event,” say organizers. It has since grown to this huge, raucous block party with about 8,000 attendees.
Expect live music with a very Miami playlist by such artists as Locos Por Juana, DJ Laz, Otto Von Schirach, Jason, Joshua and the Beholders, Apache Dragon, Hip Hop Kidz, Miami Brass Band Collective and Power 96’s DJ Zog. There will be vendors, food trucks, a kids’ corner, board games and more. The pet friendly, coffee fueled fiesta starts at noon and goes until 10 p.m.
On the freebies side: Jim Beam will provide complimentary pork sliders and plant-based fritas (that’s vegan to you and me, but don’t let that turn you off, we’ve heard they taste pretty good). And of course, there will be coladas by Cafe La Llave everywhere.
Another local place is actually celebrating 305 Day on March 5 (at 3:05 p.m. on the dot).
At La Cocina Hialeah cocktail bar at 1000 E 16th Street in Hialeah, they will be cooking up an entire gator, yes, in a “caja china” for your selfie or eating enjoyment.
Also on premises at La Cocina will be cigar rollers, a domino tournament, and drink specials from Pitbull’s Voli vodka and MIA Beer Co. The food is free, the vodka shots will be $3.05. No Mr. 305 won’t be there, though that would be awesome.
If you go:
What: 305 Day Block Party
When: noon to 10 p.m. March 7
Where: Leah Arts District, 1501 E 10th Ave., Hialeah
RSVP for free tickets at 305day.eventbrite.com
This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
