Did you know that Homestead, the second oldest city in Dade-County, is celebrating its Centennial on February 2nd, 2013? To kick off the next six months of events that will lead up to the big birthday in February, Homestead Mayor Steven C. Bateman and the City Council, invite the public to a weekend of history and celebration this coming Friday the 17 and Saturday the 18 of August. Families of Homestead’s earliest pioneers will be present to meet the press and share with the public their stories of challenges faced during the early days of homesteading in South Florida, as well as during Hurricane Andrew 20 years ago, an important point in Homestead’s history that will be recognized at both events.
On Friday, August 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., there will be a ticketed cocktail reception open to the public at the Homestead Community Center honoring pioneer families and elected officials who have been part of the history of Homestead. Tickets are available to purchase at $10.00 per person at the Community Center located at 1601 N. Krome Avenue. Space is limited so please get your tickets early if you are planning on attending. The evening program includes music by the City Church String Quartet; a welcome by the Mayor of Homestead and recognition of guests; historical entertainment; and a salute to our pioneer families.
On Saturday, August 18, the community is invited to a free festival in the Historic Downtown District of Homestead from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Historical re-enactors will be bringing characters from the past back to life; a variety of music genres will be performed live by Bryan Gonzales’ Band on the Losner stage; the Main Street organization’s Food Truck Invasion will be offering an amazing variety of international dishes with over 18 food trucks present; a Children’s Corner presented by Atala Montessori School will be doing face painting and games, and many more surprises will take place at this event where the Homestead community will gather to celebrate its unique history.
Rangers from Homestead’s National Park neighbors, the Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park, will be present at the event to blow out the candles of a giant cake in celebration of National Parks Founders Day. The park rangers will be interacting with the community and recounting the parks’ history and relation to Homestead.
Stop by the Centennial booth, meet the Centennial team and chat with Homestead’s pioneer families many of them who have traveled back to Homestead to be part of the celebration. Limited edition commemorative Homestead Centennial t-shirts, caps and pins will be for sale and information about upcoming Centennial events will be distributed to the public. In addition, there will be a special commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew. Information on hurricane preparedness will be available at the Red Cross tent. Homestead has come a long way since that terrible day. Come early, grab a table and join the celebration of the history and the future of Homestead.
For more information, contact the Homestead Centennial Steering Committee Chair Yvonne C. Knowles at 305 323 6564 or via email at ycknowles@aol.com.