Memorial Day Weekend 2017 Around Miami

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Even with our endless summer, Miamians still celebrate Memorial Day weekend with a day at the beach, a barbecue or a trip to one of our many local attractions. This year, Miami Beach has added the Air & Sea Show to the mix, which could become a new favorite tradition. A number of area hotels are also offering discounts for Miami-Dade County residents.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to our tropical metropolis — from near and far — as we remember and honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives for this great nation,” said Miami Beach City Manager Jimmy L. Morales.

With hundreds of thousands of people expected to hit the beaches and take in the Air & Sea Show, Miami Beach city officials plan to impose temporary measures to ease traffic congestion and boost security. Last year, Miami Beach police reported 153 arrests over the holiday weekend and 115 the previous year, according to news accounts at the time.

"The city will be implementing a comprehensive and coordinated major events plan to ensure the safety and enjoyment of visitors and residents alike. As part of the plan, dozens of friendly goodwill ambassadors wearing bright green shirts will be deployed throughout South Beach to answer visitor questions and provide directions," according to the city's Melissa Berthier. (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Miami Beach Patch.)

"There will also be a 24-hour traffic loop along Washington Avenue and Collins Avenue from Fifth to 17 streets where Collins Avenue will be one-way northbound and Washington Avenue will be one-way southbound beginning Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. through Monday, May 29 at 7 a.m," she added. "Access to east/west streets between Fifth and 17 streets will be restricted to residents carrying a valid photo ID."

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Air & Sea Show

Don't be alarmed if you happen to look up this Memorial Day weekend and see a number of war planes over South Florida and Miami Beach in particular. The Air Force will be taking over our skies with an F-16 fighter jet, B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, B-1 Lancer Bomber and B-52 Bomber among many others.

Meanwhile, the Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team promises to make a dramatic entrance from above.

"We’re trying to bring the patriotic back to Memorial Day weekend because that’s what the weekend is supposed to be about," the show's Maria Scott told Patch. "There really is no national event for Memorial Day."

The U.S. Coast Guard has also established a "safety zone" that will be in effect from Friday to Sunday if you were hoping to catch the show from your super yacht.

Sea events take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. followed by air events from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

Sea events include jet ski racing and freestyle exhibitions, Hoverboard demonstrations and powerboat racing exhibitions.

The VIP viewing area is located between 12 Street and Ocean Drive on the beach up to 14 Street. The Army and Air Force bands are scheduled to play on a stage just south of 12 Street on the beach.

"It's an Air & Sea show so you see it from everywhere," said Scott. But the best public viewing area will be between Government Cut in South Beach up to 19 Street and the beach, according to Scott, who said that the free event features the largest collection of military equipment of any show in the United States.

"There's probably planes at this one that a lot of people either have never seen or haven't seen in a long time," she said. "Very few air shows in the country can say that they have three bombers."

She said that an F-16 jet will be parked along South Beach in a large display area where the public can pose for photos and experience a number of interactive exhibits from all branches of the military represented in the show. There will also be concessions in that area.

"They're going to be amazed and wowed," she said of the thousands of people who are expected to attend the tw0-day event. 

Participating aircraft include USAF F-35 Lightning II, USAF F-22 Raptor, USN F-18 Hornet, USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon, USAF F-15 Eagle, USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II, USMC V-22 Osprey, USAF B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, USAF B-1 Lancer Bomber, USAF B-52 Bomber, USAF KC-135 Stratotanker, USAF C-130 Hercules, USAF HH60 Blackhawk Helicopter, USN USS Forrest Sherman Ship and USAF Heritage Flight.

Parking

Download the free Park Me—Miami Beach app before you head to the event. This mobile app can help locate available parking and rates in lots and garages, including real-time occupancy information for some facilities.

You can also reach Miami Beach from the mainland by riding Water Taxi Miami and skip the traffic completely in favor of a more scenic route across Biscayne Bay.

There are numerous ways to get around Miami Beach on public transportation once you arrive, including the free Miami Beach trolleys, South Beach Local and Citi Bike.

Kid Zone at Lummus Park

The City of Miami Beach will also be hosting a Kids Zone at Lummus Park on Ocean Drive between 12 and 13 streets on that Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children and their parents can participate in themed arts and crafts, yoga, a team scavenger hunt, dance-a-thon and the opportunity to write letters to our service men and women.

As an additional security measure, the Miami Beach Police and Emergency Management departments will launch a wristband ID program known as K.I.D.S.(Kid I D Station). This program is designed to add another level of security by voluntarily issuing an ID wristband to children of all ages, their guardians and/or adults with special needs. The wristband will contain the child’s name, guardian’s name and contact information.

Kid ID Stations will be operational on that Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. at Fifth, Eighth, 10 and 13 streets at Lummus Park. Each station will have a City of Miami Beach tent, portable sign and will be staffed with Goodwill Ambassadors. Ambassadors will maintain a spreadsheet with the names of each child registered, in addition to the guardian’s contact information. This program is a free service for visitors and residents.

What's not welcome

• No one likes litter. Stash your trash.
• Due to the Air & Sea Show, drones are not permitted.
• Turn down the loud music.
• Keep glass containers and Styrofoam off the beach.
• Helium balloons pose a danger to the airplanes flying in the Air & Sea Show, and are not permitted on the beach.

Monday's Events

Miami Beach: The city honors veterans on Memorial Day with a wreath-laying ceremony and 21 gun salute in partnership with the American Legion Miami Beach Post and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Miami Beach Post 3559.

The event commences at 7:45 a.m. at the War Memorial Cenotaph in front of Miami Beach Police Headquarters. Invited guests include Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine and city commissioners as well as representatives of the American Legion Miami Beach Post and VFW Miami Beach Post 3559.

Miami Beach Girl Scout Paloma Baeumler with Troop 1239 will also be handing our “Buddy Poppies,” the official memorial flower of the VFW.

The Miami Beach police station is located at 1100 Washington Avenue

Miami Gardens: The city of Miami Gardens will host a Memorial Day breakfast from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, 3000 NW 199th Street.

For more information call 305-914-9070.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano