HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-21-0270City of Miami
Resolution R-21-0270
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 9292 Final Action Date: 6/24/2021
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION SPONSORING THE
GOOMBAY FESTIVAL; FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO
WORK WITH THE NECESSARY CITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENTS AND LOCAL
ORGANIZATIONS TO BRING BACK THE GOOMBAY FESTIVAL TO
COCONUT GROVE.
SPONSOR(S): Commissioner Ken Russell, Commissioner Manolo Reyes,
Commissioner Jeffrey Watson
WHEREAS, historically, Coconut Grove has been the host of the annual Goombay
Festival; and
WHEREAS, Coconut Grove was first settled by Bahamians in the 1880s who came to
work in the area and ended up establishing the Village West neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, these Bahamians stayed and raised their families for generations becoming
an integral part of the diverse community that is the City of Miami ("City") as a whole; and
WHEREAS, in May 2020, on what would have been the 39th anniversary of the festival
and parade, the Goombay Festival had to be canceled due to the Novel Coronavirus pandemic;
and
WHEREAS, the Goombay Festival has always been a treasured celebration of
Bahamian food, culture, music, and people; and
WHEREAS, the festival includes pre -festival luncheons and lectures, art contests, and
fundraising which then leads to a festival day with junkanoo bands, costumed dancers, stilt
walkers, and the Royal Bahamian Police Force Band; and
WHEREAS, the Goombay Festival has been an integral part of life in Coconut Grove
and greater Miami -Dade County for almost four (4) decades that has been on hiatus for two (2)
years; and
WHEREAS, restarting the Goombay Festival is in the best interests of the residents of
the City and all of our surrounding communities and the City should lead the way; and
WHEREAS, the scope of the City's sponsorship and necessary waivers will be approved
by subsequent Resolution; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 2-33(f) of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida,
as amended, the City Commission, by a majority vote, hereby deems this Resolution to be of an
emergency nature;
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 9292 (Revision:) Printed On: 5/27/2025
File ID: 9292 Enactment Number: R-21-0270
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble of this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission hereby sponsors the Goombay Festival.
Section 3. The City Manager is directed to work with the necessary City departments
and local organizations to restart the Goombay Festival.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ndez, ity Attor
ey 6/28/2021
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 9292 (Revision:) Printed on: 5/27/2025