MIAMI – Traffic will be slow in Miami this President’s Day weekend, as the city hosts more visitors than usual with an international boat show, a street festival, and an art fair.
Nearby, The Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, which attracts over 100,000 visitors, opened some of the in-water exhibits at the Herald Plaza, Venetian Marina, and the Museum Park Marina. There is another on Watson Island and rows of inland exhibits at the Miami Beach Convention Center and Pride Park in South Beach.
With more than 1,000 vendors at the Miami Beach Convention Center, the event’s organizers expect more than 100,000 visitors from approximately 35 countries around the world.
The Miami Beach Convention Center is going to be one of many venues that will be displaying vessels of all varieties at the event.
Another venue where visitors can view boats on land is Pride Park.
Attendees like Bob Macleod said he’s in the market for a new boat as he laid eyes on the 27 Scout LXF.
“Most of our boating in Miami Beach is just kind of hanging out and this is a little wider and longer (with) more features,” said Macleod.
Don Herzog, who is attending the boat show told Local 10 News that he is looking for an electric boat to put in the back of his house.
Event organizers say an estimated 1.34 billion dollars is expected to be generated for the state and part of the ticket sales will support the mission to preserve Biscayne Bay.
In downtown, Art Wynwood, a contemporary and modern art fair, opened Friday just east of the intersection of Northeast 14 Street and Biscayne Boulevard. Julian Navarro, the director of the fair, expects about 29,000 visitors to walk through their more than 50 galleries.
With the experience of 55 galleries, the event is the 10th edition of this winter art fair produced by Art Miami running until Sunday right off Biscayne Bay.
“I think this is great not only for the galleries and art collectors but the whole Miami Community,” said Julian Navarro, Director of Art Winwood.
The work on display will feature artists from Miami and all around the world.
The Coconut Grove Art Festival attracts more than 120,000 visitors to South Bayshore Drive, Regatta Park, Peacock Park, and its surrounding areas.
“We have everything from music, culinary arts, visual arts-- so we really want to invite everyone down to enjoy this amazing art festival that continues to grow every single year,” said Michelle Barton King, with the Coconut Grove Art Festival.
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ART WYNWOOD
Tickets: General admission is $36.50 for adults and $25 for seniors and students
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Sunday.
Location: One Herald Plaza
DISCOVER BOATING
Tickets: General admission is $42 for adults and $16 for children
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Locations: There are retail pavilions at the Miami Beach Convention Center and at Herald Plaza. Pride Park has entertainment, food, and seminars. The sea trial vessels are at the Venetian Marina. There are sailboats and catamarans at the Museum Park Marina. The largest yachts will be at the Yacht Haven Grande Miami at Island Gardens.
COCONUT GROVE FESTIVAL
Tickets: General admission is about $25 for adults and free for children under 12.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Monday.
Locations: The festival runs along the streets of McFarlane Road, South Bayshore Drive, and Pan American Drive.