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More Than One Thousand People Attend Sunny Isles Birthday Event 

“I didn’t bring my bathing suit, but I want to go in the water slide and the bouncing house!” 

By Elisa L. Rineheart
Contributing Writer 

An unprecedented 1,100 people attended Sunny Isles Beach Sixth Anniversary Birthday Bash, which featured free food, water games, live music fireworks and a cake cutting at Gilbert Samson Park, Sunday.

“We had a much larger turnout this year,” said Sylvia Arias, program coordinator for the city and an organizer of the event. “I think that people remembered previous parties.”

The city of Sunny Isles Beach was incorporated on June 16, 1997. In the past six years, Sunny Isles Beach has evolved from a motel row to an upscale neighborhood fostering the creation of four new parks, among them Gilbert Samson Ocean Front Park. The 2.1-acre passive outdoor recreational site is located at 17425 Collins Avenue and features, amid other amenities, a pavilion with tables and benches, a playground area and a volleyball court.

This facility is publicly owned and operated and was acquired with grant funding from the Florida Communities Trust Preservation 2000 Program and from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, said city officials.

Despite the heavy rains, which marked the first half of the day and threaten to spoil the fun, the festivities kicked off at 5 p.m. as expected.

“We came in at 3 p.m. to save our seats,” said Sonia Lederman, a Sunny Isles Beach resident, who attended the party with her husband Abraham. “It’s going to be a nice party, just like the one we had for the Fourth of July last year. I hope it doesn’t rain again, so we can see the fireworks.”

Arias and Susan Simpson, cultural and human resources director, the organizers of the Hawaiian theme party, aimed to provide entertainment for residents of all ages. However, the children seemed to be having the most fun.

“I didn’t bring my bathing suit, but I want to go in the water slide and the bouncing house!” said Amanda Sherman, age 4.

Rock climbing, water games, bouncing houses, carnival rides and water slides were just some of the attractions available. All this was accompanied by a barbecue style dinner with the traditional hot dogs, salads, soft drinks and burgers and a cake cutting ceremony. All of it free for Sunny Isles residents and at a cost of $5 per person for non-residents.

“It was a tremendous success,” said Vice Mayor Edelcup. “We had enough birthday cake for everybody.”       

Live music, food and plenty of outdoor activities made the city’s birthday bash a perfect event to enjoy with the family. Mayor David Samson, members of the city commission and city employees joined the celebration. Some city officials such as Sunny Isles Beach Planning and Zoning Director, Jorge Vera, arrived early with his wife and children to take advantage of the fun under the sun.

The highlight of the night was a fireworks display, which started around 9 p.m. and marked the end of what has become a Sunny Isles Beach party tradition.