Virginia Key Beach Park in Miami to celebrate 80th anniversary with 3-day festival

Source: https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/news/local-news/virginia-key-beach-park-in-miami-to-celebrate-80th-anniversary-with-3-day-festival/

ByJoanne Clark

A beloved symbol of Miami’s Black history and environmental legacy is gearing up for a milestone celebration. Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (HVKBP) will mark its 80th anniversary with a three-day community bash from August 1–3, 2025, commemorating its founding as Miami’s “Colored Only” beach and honoring its ongoing role as a site of cultural resilience and natural preservation.

Themed “From Coastlines to Communities: A Legacy in the Sand,” the celebration will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 1, at 4020 Virginia Beach Drive in Miami. The weekend coincides with Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Day, officially recognized by the State of Florida.

“This 80th anniversary is more than a birthday—it’s a homecoming for all who cherish the park’s past, present, and future,” said Athalie Edwards, Executive Director and CEO of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust. “We invite everyone to celebrate this living legacy and help shape its next chapter.”

Founded on August 1, 1945, during the Jim Crow era, Virginia Key Beach Park became a vital gathering space for Miami’s Black community. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a powerful symbol of inclusion and environmental stewardship, especially for Black residents and Caribbean-Americans in Miami and South Florida.

Event highlights:

• Friday, August 1 – Museum Project Commencement Ceremony | 10 a.m.
  The anniversary kicks off with a ceremonial launch of the park’s new museum project, aimed at preserving and sharing its rich history for generations to come. Park admission is free with RSVP.
• Saturday, August 2 – Community Fun Day | 12 p.m.
  A family-friendly afternoon packed with games, live mural painting, oral history sessions, icy treats, and a giant waterslide. Free tours and community art activities promise fun for all ages.
• Sunday, August 3 – Poetry Potluck | 3 p.m.
  The weekend closes with an open-air gathering of food, storytelling, and spoken word—a grassroots celebration of culture, connection, and shared heritage.

Residents and visitors alike are invited to mark their calendars and be part of this historic moment. To RSVP or learn more, visit https://HVKBP80.eventbrite.com.