Labor Day Weekend events mark start of fall fun

Team from Gold Diggers pictured at Coconut Grove Bed Races.

Fall has arrived and kicking off the season were some crazy fun events beginning with a Pajama Pub Crawl on Saturday, Sept. 1, and the Coconut Grove Bed Races on Sunday, Sept. 2.

A record 31 beds were created and pushed along Grand Avenue in this year’s races. Thousands were on hand to enjoy the antics of some very creative people competing for awards in six categories. Best of all, race organizer Daisy Lewis-Salazar noted that proceeds benefit Grove Charities and the Girls and Boys Clubs of Miami.

Race teams not only constructed racing beds by attaching wheels onto frames but also created some great costumes, especially the period outfits donned by the team from The Olfactory Company.

Sandbar Sports Grill team prepares for Bed Races.

The good times continued well after the races as Barracuda Bar and Grill’s new owner Lee Kessler hosted the after party with music and good times closing down Fuller Street as people partied through the evening after a long day preparing for the races.

Kudos to Barracuda, voted “Crowd Favorite” with its massive campaign garnering more than 800 texted votes. Other winners included best overall: The Olfactory Company Bed Bearers; funniest: Brotherhood of Mustaches and Beards; fastest women’s team: Sandbar; fastest men’s team: The Grove Spot; fastest co-ed: Mountain Bike Maniacs, and fastest corporate: Grove 5-0. The American Heart Association’s Heart Walk will take place at Florida International University’s Maidique Campus on Oct. 6, with an expected crowd of 12,000 walkers. For more information on that event, visit www.miamidadeheartwalk.org.

PIctured at Barracuda Bar before bed races are team member Eric Mertens with supporters Cathie and Christina Burns.

In other news, the Shops at Sunset Place invites girls of all ages to come out for a night of fashion and fun on Thursday, Oct. 11, 6-9 p.m. Enjoy an entertaining evening presented by Woolite and sponsored by Diet Coke. Vendor space is available and those interested in participating or purchasing a table to advertise their business should contact Tatiana Vidales, assistant director of marketing and business development, at 305-663-0482 or send email to tvidales@simon.com

Until next time, keep making each day count.

If you want to submit information for this column, please send your news via email to gloriagalburns@aol.com


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A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.