The 50th annual River City Festival starts Friday, April 14, in Miami Springs.
From April 14 to 16, the festival features live entertainment, food, fun activities, and more. Volunteers and donations within the community are put together to make the event happen.
Executive Director Juliana Arias, who also oversaw the festival last year, says her committee brought back old favorites and some new acts to this year’s festival.
“There are some musicians that are coming back from last year but we always try to change it up every year so that we give local bands the opportunity to showcase their development,” Arias said. “We do have acts that are repeats but the majority of them are new again this year”
For the first time, the festival will host the River Cities Comedy Night, presented by Pun House Comedy. Headlining will be Carlos Hernandez, a former American Idol contestant and Only in Dade comic who was voted 2022 Best Miami Comedian by Miami New Times readers. Another Only in Dade featured comedian, Jay Moreno, also will be featured. Apart from the comedy acts, Cuban guitarist and Latin Grammy Nominee Renesito Avich will perform with other local comedians Friday at the Canal stage.
At the circle stage, the River Cities Car Show will start on Saturday along with local bands such as BackBeat, Jab Street, Bic Band, Out of the Ashes, Associate Band and Loui Daniels. The live music happens from 3:30 to 11 p.m. There will be belly dancers performing from 5:45 to 6:05 p.m.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., renowned salsa bachata DJ Mike Calderon will perform on the canal stage. Salsa classes start at 3 p.m. with professional dancers interacting with the audience. Doral Academy will also be participating this year at the circle stage, where they will perform a mini-version of the musical Grease.
The festival also features an area called Children’s World, where kids can enjoy various carnival rides, a rock climbing wall, and trampolines. For the first time, the festival will include Moshe Inflatable World, an area filled with obstacle courses. To purchase your Inflatable World wristbands, click on this link River Cities Festival Moche Inflatable Word.
The biggest event in Miami Springs this month, celebrating its 50th anniversary, is held each year providing a great opportunity for vendors to showcase their products, experience live music, enjoy good-tasting food, and have a family-friendly experience.
