WCOM NEWS

5-07-04

Miramar Day attracts thousands of participants, spectators

MIRAMAR--At times, South Florida life can seem crowded and impersonal and overwhelming. But amid all the hubbub, people in Miramar have found the secret to living a happy life.

Residents come together for Miramar Day every year and manage to create a small-town atmosphere in a fast-growing city with a multitude of cultural backgrounds.

Miramar Day, which commemorated the 49th anniversary of the city's founding, began May 1 with an old-fashioned, main street parade with cheering residents lining the route. It featured marching bands, antique fire engines, clowns, horses, floats, children's costumed characters and pageant winners from the 2003 Miramar Day celebration.

Gayle Gulotta, the city's recreation superintendent, said this year's parade exceeded expectations with more than 2,000 participants and up to 2,200 spectators. In fact, an additional street had to be opened up to accommodate the parade, she said.

"Each year I come to this festival, and every year I get more and more joy out of it," said Beverly Dixon, who has lived in Miramar for 15 years.

The event continued with a carnival at Lakeshore Park that drew about 2,700 people, Gulotta said. The bash included free activities for children, including a bounce house with inflated dinosaurs, a bumpy Rascal Rocket ride, double bungee-jump ride, swing rides, free face painting, arts and crafts and other carnival-style games.

Miramar Day marked the end of a month's worth of related activities, including pageant preliminaries and vocal contests.

The winners of the adult and children's vocal contests, which had been judged earlier, performed.

Rhonda Stone stood by teary-eyed as her daughter, Angel Guppy, 11, one of the winners, wowed the crowd with her powerful voice. Angel received a standing ovation after her performance.

"It feels fabulous to see your own child perform," said Stone, of Miramar. "I got goose bumps just listening to her."

The pageant's winners were announced at the event. The children, who competed in eight categories, were crowned, and proudly went onstage to receive scepters, sashes and gift certificates.

Giovanni Betty, 5, who won Little Mr. Miramar, walked about proud as a peacock, with chest out and a big grin, as he showed off his shiny new crown.

"I think this is great. It's wonderful to see everyone coming together," said Giovanni's mother, Liset Acosta. "A lot of people forget how important it is to get out and interact with your own community.

"I love Miramar, I came up from [Miami-Dade County] three years ago. It's so different here, smaller. There's more community involvement, and I know my neighbors."

Martin Gallardo, of Miramar, was very proud of his son, Sebastian Gallardo, 22 months, for taking the Mr. Top Toddler title.

"It was incredible ... besides being extremely good-looking, he has such an exuberant personality. I think that's what won the judges over," said Gallardo, with a chuckle.

A fireworks show topped off the festivities.

Leona Phelps and Beverly Dixon, both of Miramar, stood near the grandstand, engaged in lively conversation.

"This is so nice, I'm impressed to see how the city went to so much trouble to make it fun for the children," said Phelps, who has lived in Miramar for three years. "It's like a small town here."

(source) Sun Sentinel (Marcia Freidenreich) 5-07-04