The weeklong celebration honors Miami’s heritage while imagining the city’s possibilities for the
next century
MIAMI, Fla. (July 05, 2021)—Miami has always been a city proud of its rich history and diversity
while simultaneously embracing innovation to propel the city forward. And this year, history,
culture, and the future collide in an exciting celebration of the Magic City’s founding 125 years ago
on July 28, 1896.
The City of Miami will toast the city’s 125th anniversary with Miami 125, a weeklong festival of food, fun, culture, and
innovation. The celebration runs from July 26-31 and features various free and ticketed events that the public is invited to
attend. According to Miami’s mayor Francis Suarez, the city’s 125th anniversary provides a tremendous opportunity to honor the
city’s historic trailblazers while embracing today’s social and entrepreneurial innovators who are
positioning Miami as a world-class city now and in the future.
“I invite all residents of Miami to join me in celebrating Miami’s rich history and cultural diversity
as we celebrate the city’s founding 125 years ago,” said Mayor Suarez. “Miami 125 will provide
many exciting and fun opportunities for residents to celebrate the Magic City by exploring our
history, diversity, cultural venues, parks, and more. This milestone also gives us a time to revisit the
past as we look to shape the next hundred years and beyond of Miami’s enduring story.”
Featured events in the six-day celebration include:
• July 26, Miami Innovation Luncheon at the Rusty Pelican
• July 27, NFT Workshop and Local Artist Highlight at the Bakehouse Art Complex
• July 28, City of Miami 125th Anniversary Celebration at the Perez Art Museum
• July 30, Little Havana Fridays at Domino Park Plaza
• July 31, Miami Day at various city locations to include Grove Heritage Day at Coconut
Grove’s Village Center and Village West
In keeping with the theme of honoring Miami’s history while embracing the future, the City of
Miami is also recognizing city residents who have had a significant impact on Miami’s history and
progress. Honorees are:
• Dr. Enid Curtis Pinkney, notable preservationist, community leader, and humanitarian
• Arva Moore Parks McCabe, Miami historian, author, and preservationist
• Dr. Paul S. George, Miami’s lauded resident historian and prolific author and scholar
• Dr. Dorothy Fields, who has been instrumental in documenting Miami’s African American
history through manuscripts and photography.
• Dr. Marvin Dunn, author, educator, and historian.
Larry Gautier, Co-chair, “When Mayor Suarez asked me to co-chair with him representing the
founding families of Miami. I jumped at the opportunity. For this celebration, we want to do two
things. We want to make sure we honor the past. We also want to embrace the future. We want to
make sure the past is connected with the future. We want to do our part to connect the dots, to honor
the past while embracing the future.”
Sponsorships are also available for the event and can be made through the Dade Heritage Trust,
which is serving as the fiscal agent for Miami 125. Contributions can be made online on the Dade
Heritage Trust’s website or contact Larry Gautier, Co-Chair City of Miami 125th Anniversary
Committee at [email protected].
About Miami 125
Miami 125 is a weeklong celebration of Miami’s 125th anniversary. The event is spearheaded by the
City of Miami 125th Anniversary Celebration Committee. It features an exciting schedule of
historical, cultural, culinary, and music events celebrating the city’s diverse and rich history while
embracing Miami’s future. To learn more about Miami 125, visit https://mia125.org/.