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Latin Cafe 2000 recently hosted its seventh annual Pig Pardoning Ceremony, putting a distinctive South Florida spin on holiday traditions with an event that celebrates the region’s vibrant multicultural heritage.
The event, which has become a beloved Miami tradition, honored the rich traditions of Miami-Dade’s diverse communities, including Cuban, Latin American, Haitian, and Brazilian cultures, where roast pig often takes center stage at holiday gatherings. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava granted two lucky pigs — Glinda and Elphaba — an official reprieve from their potential holiday dinner table fate.
In a ceremony that perfectly encapsulates Miami’s unique cultural fabric, the two pigs, named after the beloved characters from the musical Wicked, received their official pardons amid the aroma of freshly brewed Cuban coffee (cafecito) and spinach croquetas (traditional Cuban fritters).
The ceremony offered a playful twist on the presidential turkey pardon, adapted for Miami’s unique cultural landscape. The event drew a diverse crowd of spectators, from local families to curious tourists, all united in celebrating this distinctly Miami moment.
“The pig pardon has evolved into Miami’s official kickoff to peak lechón season,” said Eric Castellanos, owner of Latin Cafe 2000. “What started as a lighthearted response to watching the White House turkey pardon has blossomed into a cherished local tradition that brings together people from Kendall to Aventura, from all backgrounds. In Miami, nothing unites us quite like saving a pig before we collectively enjoy thousands of others during our traditional holiday celebrations.”
The pardoned pigs will join their predecessors at Bonanza Equestrian Center, trading their potential caja china fate for a life of luxury. The Berrio family — Alfonso and Lina Marena Berrio, along with their daughters Valerie and Melanie — will ensure these fortunate pigs enjoy a life of comfort and care alongside 13 previously pardoned animals.
The ceremony highlights the cultural significance of Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) in South Florida, where lechón (roast pork) takes center stage at holiday gatherings, much like turkey does at Thanksgiving celebrations across the United States. The pork is traditionally prepared in a caja china, a Cuban roasting box that has become a fixture of South Florida holiday celebrations. Latin Cafe 2000 alone serves between 15,000 to 20,000 pounds of lechón during the holiday season, demonstrating the central role this tradition plays in local celebrations.
“This event represents the best of Miami — our ability to blend tradition with innovation, to celebrate our diverse heritage while creating new customs that bring our community together,” said Mayor Levine Cava during the ceremony. “It’s a perfect example of how Miami-Dade continues to reimagine and reinvent itself while honoring our cultural roots.”
The annual ceremony, which began in 2018, has grown from a fun concept to an anticipated holiday event that captures Miami’s unique spirit. As guests enjoyed their complimentary Cuban coffee and croquetas they enjoyed the cherished tradition that reflects the warmth, diversity, and creativity of Miami’s community.
For more information about Latin Cafe 2000 visit www.latincafe.com.
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