News Flash Home
The original item was published from 2/6/2013 1:47:49 PM to 2/7/2016 12:10:00 AM.

News Flash

City of Homestead News

Posted on: February 6, 2013

[ARCHIVED] Thousands Enjoy City of Homestead Centennial Celebration

People came from all over South Florida to Harris Field on Saturday, February 2nd to celebrate the 100th birthday of the City of Homestead. The successful event attracted over 5,000 people; throughout the day crowds could be seen all over Harris Field enjoying the free concert, children’s rides, vendors exhibits, food trucks, and the historical show “The Homestead Story.” The City of Homestead City Council and Centennial Steering Committee invited everyone to enjoy free birthday cake after a grand firework display lit up the Homestead sky when people finished singing Happy Birthday to Homestead!

The free outdoor festival and concert opened up at 2pm with a show for children by “The Dean of Green” that promotes Homestead’s agricultural, cultural and natural history. The group performed again at the Kids Zone at 4:30 pm. The concert kicked-off at 3:00 pm with Miami’s favorite R&B band Ike and Val, followed by South Florida’s hottest classic and contemporary rock bands Mr. Nice Guy and Deck 52.

Throughout the day, thousands of children could be seen in the Kids Zone enjoying free bounce houses, rides, rock climbing, face painting, carnival games, and free books donated by Kiwanis Club of Homestead. Dozens of community groups, nonprofit organization, and vendors offered festival goers products, information, giveaways, and free services. With over a dozen food trucks to choose in one location everyone in the family got to visit their favorite food truck and eat their favorite meal.

At 4:30pm the Harris Field Pavilion was packed with hundreds of people who were entertained by a Historical play called “The Homestead Story” a comedic and musical representation of the last 100 years of the history of Homestead. When 7pm rolled around the Centennial Steering Committee along with the Mayor Steven C. Bateman, Vice-Mayor Jon Burgess, Councilwoman Judy Waldman, Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough-McCormick, Councilman Elvis Maldonado, Councilman Stephen Shelley and Councilman Jimmie L. Williams recalled the history of the City and spoke about their own experiences living in Homestead. Commissioner Lynda Bell, also on stage, read to the audience a letter by Governor Rick Scott congratulating the residents of Homestead on their Centennial Anniversary. Afterwards everyone sang “Happy Birthday to Homestead” followed by a grand fireworks display that decorated the sky with a light show that could be seen all over the beautiful City. At 9pm Tejano sensation and international recording artist Eddie Gonzalez gave an impressive performance to wrap up an amazing celebration and 100 years for the City of Homestead.

As the second oldest city in Miami-Dade County Homestead was originally opened to homesteaders in 1898, and the only way in and out of the area was through a path called the “Homesteaders Trail.” In 1904, Henry Flagler decided to extend the railroad from Miami to Key West, and farmers were able to transport their fruits and vegetables to Miami and other parts of the state. Many of the workers who helped build the railroad stayed in the area and founded the City of Homestead in 1913. Today, Homestead has gone from its original population of 121 to over 60,000 residents and the little railroad town has blossomed into a thriving city of diverse cultures and heritage. Celebrate Homestead’s historic Centennial at this free festival!

The Homestead Centennial Celebration was made possible with the help of the following sponsors: The City of Homestead, Homestead Hospital, Florida Power Light, Turkey Point, Value Place Lodging, Preferred Medical, Community Bank, Mr. Bill Losner, Redland Tropical Gardens, Sinatra Productions, The Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald, DJ106.7 fm, El Zol 95.7 fm, Cima 106.3 fm, Zeta 92.3 fm, and Max Axe Guitars, Publix Supermarkets. The Homestead Centennial fireworks display is sponsored by Sylvia and Carlos Bautista from Value Place Lodging, Firepower, Homestead Miami Speedway, City of Homestead Tourism Committee, Community Bank, and the Centennial Steering Committee.

Feb 2nd CentennialFeb 2nd CentennialFeb 2nd Centennial City CouncilFeb 2nd Centennial

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in City of Homestead News

CDBG Survey

CDBG Plan Meeting

Posted on: March 7, 2023
Solid Waste Schedule Flyer - Featuring Garbage Truck Picking Up trash

HPS Solid Waste Schedule

Posted on: March 2, 2023
Turkey Point Siren Testing

Turkey Point Siren Testing March 3rd, 2023

Posted on: February 28, 2023
Flyer describing Surplus Auction on Saturday Feb. 18 2023 at 9 A.M.

Homestead Surplus Auction

Posted on: February 17, 2023
Flyer for SW 328 St Miami-Dade County Project

New Roadway Project Along SW 328 ST

Posted on: February 16, 2023
CDBG Survey

CDBG Plan Meeting

Posted on: February 1, 2023
Pink and White City of Homestead Breast Cancer flyer January_February

Free Breast Cancer Screening Information

Posted on: January 25, 2023
SW 4th ST repaving flyer

SW 4th ST Repaving Project

Posted on: January 13, 2023
Roby George Park Pool

Roby George Park Pool Closed

Posted on: January 3, 2023
HPS Sanitation

2023 Solid Waste Schedule

Posted on: January 3, 2023
Town Hall with Vice Mayor Guzman (Orange Flyer)

Town Hall Meeting with Vice Mayor Guzman

Posted on: December 27, 2022
Colleague Helping Research Grant

Homestead CRA Industry Day

Posted on: December 2, 2022
Hurricane Ian Update Graphic 9.28

Hurricane Ian Updates

Posted on: September 28, 2022
Hurricane Ian Solid Waste

Hurricane Ian Updates: Solid Waste

Posted on: September 27, 2022
Hurricane Ian Graphic

Hurricane Ian Updates

Posted on: September 27, 2022
Hurricane Ian Updates Graphic

Hurricane Ian Updates

Posted on: September 26, 2022
Truck Bypass Flyer

Krome Avenue Truck Bypass in Effect

Posted on: November 12, 2021
Inside Homestead

Inside Homestead October 2021

Posted on: October 19, 2021
Election Results

2021 Homestead Primary Election Results

Posted on: October 5, 2021
2021 Tribute to City Staff

2021 Tribute to City Staff

Posted on: September 14, 2021
Labor Day Hours

Labor Day City Closures

Posted on: September 3, 2021
Inside Homestead

Inside Homestead August 2021

Posted on: August 17, 2021
Inside Homestead

Inside Homestead July 2021

Posted on: July 13, 2021
Inside Homestead

Inside Homestead June 2021

Posted on: June 10, 2021