Plenty of beach, restaurants and parties..but check out the "other" Miami this Summer

Ok, so you have been to every restaurant and partied Monday  - Sunday.  And you're feeling like a vampire because you never see the sun (or don't remember except for that sunburn line from falling asleep at the beach...ouch!) 

We decided to look at the "other" face of Miami this summer..."Bed Races"??  Mark your calendars!  Ok... you can keep the shades on...

June

• American Black Film Festival: Film executives, directors, actors, and the public gather for screenings staged throughout the city. Call (212) 966-2411 for more information.

• Fete De La Musique Coconut Grove: Celebrated around the world, Coconut Grove’s Fete De La Musique provides a day of free entertainment with more than 65 bands on multiple stages with jazz, rock, pop, soul, classics, and more. Call (305) 495-9655 for more information.

• Florida Dance Festival: For more than a quarter century, the Florida Dance Festival has thrilled audiences with new themes and talents from classic ballet to dance for people with disabilities. Call (305) 867-7111 for more information.

• Tropical Ag Fiesta: At Fruit and Spice Park in the Homestead Redland area, adults sip lychee, carambola, or passion fruit wine while children can partake in old fashioned Florida farm activities, including a watermelon eating contest and hayrides. Parking is free. (305) 247-5727 for info.

• Lizard Day: Children are invited to bring their favorite lizard to the Miami Museum of Science & Planetarium for fun and games, and competitions with other lizards. Call (305) 646-4200 for more information.Miami / Bahamas Goombay Festival

• Miami / Bahamas Goombay Festival: Coconut Grove's summer street party celebrates the life and times of early Bahamian and Keys residents.

July

• International Mango Festival: Mangos star at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s International Mango Festival, a weekend of tree sales, tastings and evaluations, lectures, food demos, kid’s activities, music and more. The Veranda Restaurant serves snacks, lunch and – best of all -- mango smoothies. Call (305) 667-1651, ext. 3311 for more information.

• 4th of July Coral Gables: The venerable Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables serves as a setting for fireworks, music and more. Call (305) 273-7687 for more information.

• 4th of July Miami Beach: Live music and fireworks take place near the sand at Collins Avenue near 72nd Street. Call (305) 539-3063 for more information.

• International Swimwear Fashion Show: Hosted by the Samuel Financial Group, the International Swimwear Convention closes annual Investment Convention and Economic Summit of Miami as an opportunity for the fashion, entertainment, luxury goods industries to achieve high visibility. Call at (312)927-0839 or (305) 948-6006 for more information.

• Parade of Beds & Races: From Peacock Park this zany event with the Parade of Beds, bed races and more rolls through streets of Coconut Grove along with music and fireworks. Call (305) 221-9395 for more information.

• Peruvian Independence Day Festival: The Fair Expo Center hosts Peruvian music along with food, arts and crafts. Call (305) 223-7060 for more information.

August

• Homestead Main Street Fest: On the first Friday in August, artists and chefs of Homestead host a street party along Krome and Washington avenues.

• Summer Splash Wet Fete: At Bayside Hut, the all-inclusive Summer Splash includes a rum punch tasting, wet t-shirt competition and more. Call (305) 233-0697 for more information.

• Snake Day: Slithery fun takes place with the Miami Museum of Science & Planetarium inviting guests and their snakes for a day of games and learning. Call (305) 646-4200 for more information.

• Super Sand Blast: On Ocean Drive, between 9th and 10th streets, kids and guests can enjoy a sand castle building competition, live music from the Islands, face painting and free food. Call (305) 673-7030 for more information. 

For more events and info: http://miami.eventguide.com/annual_events_overview.html