The FAIR is here! It’s the LAST WEEKEND for the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition (aka the Dade County Youth Fair) held each year at the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center, Coral Way (SW 24th Street) at 112th Avenue, in Miami. Still a bargain at $9, the Fair offers 100 spectacular rides, nearly 170 food vendors, 50 games, souvenir and gift shopping, close to 50,000 student and adult exhibits, the World of Agriculture, competitions, a daily Mardi Gras parade and free live entertainment. Children 5 and under are free. Call 305-223-7060 for more information. This is the final year for the Doppel Looping coaster which will have a permanent home elsewhere.
Mmmmm! Elephant ears . . . fried Oreos . . . cotton candy! The Fair opens at 3:00 PM on Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday at 12:00 noon, and closes at 10:00 PM. Parking is free but you need to purchase ride coupons: 34-Coupon Ride Card $30.00, 22-Coupon Ride Card $20.00, Single Coupon $1.00. Rides vary in the number of coupons required.
What’s better than Beer and BBQ?
Upscale beer and BBQ! Every Friday, the chef at North One 10 (11052 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami) offers a fixed-price menu on a three-course meal featuring a variety of selections from the grill creatively paired with imported and domestic beers. $50.00 per person. Grillin’ and Chillin’!
Dewey LoSasso, a chef of the 1980’s era labelled “Mango Gang” who created “New World” cuisine, has created what he calls “comfort food with an edge,” a menu both familiar and evocative, infused with tropical ingredients from Florida, and nuances of international haute cuisine. To Make a Reservation Online – Click Here.
Should we go to the MOVIES or go on a PICNIC? Now you can do both! . . . Here’s another excellent idea from Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden! Through May 29th, Fairchild will be open AT NIGHT! on Thursdays ONLY from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM for your enjoyment as the garden goes from dusk into night, but, wait, there’s more . . . each Thursday features a special program. In April, at 8:00 PM each Thursday, enjoy a major motion picture on their resplendent lawn. Guests are invited to use the provided chairs or picnic tables, and you can bring picnic food (alcohol and glass are permitted), or purchase snacks from one of the garden’s three restaurants. On Thursdsay, April 17th, see the critically lauded “Juno”, and on Thursday, April 24th the hilarious animated feature “Madagascar”.
WHAT YOU GET Admission to Fairchild includes all garden exhibits, a narrated tram tour of the 83-acre site, and seasonal guided walking tours. Fairchild is a tropical paradise offering taxonomically arranged plants featuring cycads, flowering trees, fruit trees, the world’s largest collection of palm trees, a rainforest section, vine pergola, and conservatory. Come early and explore the Garden before the Movie starts! Your entrance fee also includes the sculpture exhibitions on display by Botero and Lichtenstein, and the amazing glass works by Chihuly. Fairhchild’s gift shop, The Shop at Fairchild is open late on Thursdays.
WHAT IT COSTS Thursday Nights at Fairchild Admission Fees are: Members: Adults $20, Children 6-17 $10. For Non-Members: Adults $30, Children 6-17 $15; all Children 5 and under are Free. Call 305-667-1651 for more information.
HOW TO GET THERE Fairchild is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road (near where Kendall Drive, going east, dead ends at Old Cutler (turn right at that intersection). Fairchild is adjacent to Matheson Hammock Park, about 20 minutes from downtown Miami. After I-95 South turns into US-1 South, turn left at Le Juene Road (SW 42nd Street) and go to the traffic circle, take Old Cutler Road and keep going until you see the signs for Matheson Hammock. Fairchild is next on your left–follow the signs to park free at the large Visitor Center lot.