Carnaval On The Mile

I went here this year because a friend of moved loved it least year so we got a group together & went. This is a family friendly, dog friendly event. They close down Miracle Mile for the tents etc. I wish the that there were more places to eat or that the eateries were more evenly distributed throughout the stretch rather than only on both ends. It was a pretty good time. I’d recommend checking it out next year.

My husband & I try to go to Carnaval on the Mile every year. It’s a nice, free family friendly and dog friendly event. Parking is not horrible.
I avoid Calle Ocho like the plague. This, is a totally different atmosphere.
We generally go before sunset when it has cooled off a bit.
There are plenty of food booths or you can choose to dine at one of the many restaurants in the immediate area. The music is great. I discovered Stokeswood this year. Love them! Plenty of art, crafts and stuff to spend money on. Add great Miami weather and you have a great, relatively cheap outing.

Park on Aragon and avoid the headache!
I visited carnaval a few times this year because of the proximity to my apt. It was fileld with music and handcrafted jewlery and art… oh yes, and food. I dint partake in any of the food offerings this time around, but i can honestly say that the lines had to be for a reason. Everything smelled delicious. There was an array of products and artists at the carnaval, that made it such a pleasure to come to this event. I managed to purchase some exotic orchids for $ 25.00. a soy candle that smell ever so divine from pixie dust natural for $ 16.00 and a couple of organic soaps as well. The stores on the mile were also open, and many had sidewalk sales where you could get some great deals! there were even some pieces of antique furniture starting at $ 20.00! Naturally, the alcohol was flowing with bacardi tents as far as the eye could see, as well as heineken. In general the atmosphere was fun, family friendly and jam packed with independent business owners that need our support. Will be back next year!

This was our first time on Carnaval on the Mile.
Miracle Mile this weekend was decorated with Beautiful Art and Music.
There were lots of people but a nice crowd. Also there was plenty of food to choose from either from vendors or from restaurants. Parking was not a problem at all we used valet parking from one of the open restaurants. Definitely we’ll go back next year.

Hadn’t been here since I was younger so we thought what the heck lets do little something different. Great time and definitely a much better crowd than what will be going on at calle ocho next weekend.
Food, drinks, vendors, music. Make sure to bring cash for parking and try out one of those restaurants you’ve had bookmarked on Unilocal for a while :)

Carnaval on the Mile takes place the Sunday before the biggest Latino party in the USA., the Carnaval on Calle Ocho. Unlike the party on Calle Ocho, which brings out residents from the surrounding areas like Little Havana, Little Honduras, and even Little Vietnam, this party brings out the glitzy residents of Coral Gables, as well as their swanky neighbors, creating a very different environment for the attendees. Just pay attention to the name Carnaval on the Mile. It makes reference to Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, a long standing shopping area where exclusivity, fine dinning and upscale shopping are everyday business. The area spans for about ten blocks long and it’s sometimes referred as Downtown Coral Gables.
On the 2013 edition of the festival, things were turned up a notch by bringing more booths from local restaurants and local artists. Eateries like the famed Catharsis was present, rubbing elbows with Power Pizza, Azucar Ice Cream, and Fritz and Franz among others. Carnival foods were also available with places selling kabobs, grilled meats, corn, and candy. My favorite this year was the booth selling caramel apples and chocolate covered fruits. Even though the sweets were almost gourmet, they were really good, specially the candy apple which was a tad below the best ones available at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, but still fresh, crisp, sweet and nonexistent in Miami.
Among the vendors dispensing alcohol, Bacardi and Heineken had the biggest presence in the festival. They were located on several areas, although their bigger locations were near Ponce de Leon, where they had lounges and chairs under a big tent, and where Latin beats and Latin rock was playing. My favorite this year was the booth from Wolfe’s Wines, with many boutique wines to sample at $ 5, which I thought was a steal since this wine shop only carries wine from select wineries around the country. If you don’t know Wolfe’s Wines you need to check them out, they are a few doors down from Pasha’s, the best yuppie reference I could come up with.
This festival, however, is all about the music and the arts. Many of the musicians playing are regular fixtures year in and year out. This year I really enjoyed Poncho Sanchez on congas, as well as other up and coming musicians. Also playing this year, Suenalo, Locos por Juana, Joe Donato and closing the festivities, Ed Calle, the great Venezuelan saxophone player. As far as the visual arts, many artists have booths set up and everything is for sale. I was very exited to meet this years’ creator of the poster for the Carnaval on the Mile, Tony Mendoza, who happens to be the cousin of an old friend of mine, also named Tony, and of striking resemblance to the aforementioned Tony Mendoza.
This event is a great event to come out with the family. It spans between Saturday and Sunday so if you missed a musical act, chances are they will be playing both days. Also, all the restaurants around Downtown Coral Gables will be happy to welcome you, and you can enjoy a moment of peace at Barnes & Nobles or Books & Books. This festival is the best way to catch up on your Latin culture, if you are somewhat interested, or behind.