Rain, Power Outage Couldn't Dampen Spirits at Calle Ocho Festival

MIAMI, FL — Miamians literally danced in the streets on Sunday at the 40th Annual Calle Ocho Festival or “El Festival de la Calle Ocho.”

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Thousands of festival goers partied through a rainstorm and even a power failure along parts of SW 8 Street as hip-shaking Latin music kept spirits dry on eight dedicated stages.

When the rain ended, festival goers were treated to a double rainbow as their reward for not letting a little bad weather dampen their spirits.

Organized by the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, the event featured food from across Latin America and even pina coladas served in pineapples.

A wild peacock also made a surprise visit to the party.

Many people came prepared for the rain, while others took shelter wherever they could.

Miss Carnaval Miami posed for photos as local television personalities mingled with festival goers.

In a city known for its electricity and multicultural events, the Calle Ocho Festival kicked things up a notch with a conga line and Cuban sandwich "smackdown."

There were also plenty of colorful faces in the crowd.

While Calle Ocho is a classic Miami experience, the festival is also an important fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, which awards a number of scholarships to area young people and funds numerous community programs.

Photos by Paul Scicchitano