MVB misses the annual King Orange Bowl Parade down Biscayne Boulevard. It put the world's spotlight on Miami and brought families and the community together for 62-years until it was canned in 2002 because of dwindling numbers disappointed by cut-rate floats and no-name entertainment.MVB thinks we should bring it back re-dressed (or undressed) as "Carnival Miami Orange Bowl Parade" with the floats and most of the marchers representing Rio's winning samba schools.
If done right, it could pay for itself and maybe make a few bucks that could be channeled back into an affordable housing fund. Realistically, to bring the winning floats and dancers here would require a massive amount of logistical planning which won't be cheap-- but if positioned properly with sponsors picking up the tab and securing TV rights, it would become the only viable sexy alternative to America's more traditional parades which probably is enough for it to find big bucks advertisers. As an example, the dancers from the "Paraiso do Tuiuti" samba school and their float could be flown in and sponsored by Burger King or Bacardi. DHL, with its North American base in Broward, could trade off flying in floats for "free" advertising along the parade route in the form of banners hung from streetlights. Or, for "naming rights:" DHL Carnival Miami Orange Bowl Parade. Hey, it might be a mouthful, but it works for us. This would be the "Americanization" of Carnival-- and there is nothing wrong with that if that's what it takes to bring it here-- especially if it helps fund affordable housing. The many membered schools would get a free vacation in Miami/Orlando-- which is pretty good when you consider this may be the only way some of the impoverished Brazilians might ever get to see America.
And, really, Carnival is so much more reflective of multi-cultural south Florida's youthful, fun-loving, sensuous lifestyle. With just a little effort this could be the most famous exciting parade in north America if not the world with randy earthlings from all over racing to get to Miami to spend their money to cop a seat along the parade route and to participate in other "official" events we're sure the Chamber of Commerce, the county, the city, and the private sector will dream up.
MVB says, let's embrace the girl from Ipanema and never let her go (especially the one in the picture).
8 comments:
Verticus,
This is your best idea yet! I bet when it comes to the floats, shipping them in will be cheaper than having them built here. Getting the people here will be the problem.
Thanks for the compliment. You're right about getting the dancers considering many of the schools have hundreds of members. Maybe the winning samba school members could be limited to a certain number, a number imposed by the schools themselves based on their own criteria.
Why stop at Brazil? The carnival tradition is also rich in the Caribbean and used to be in Cuba. There already is a Caribbean Carnival event here every year. The two could be promoted together. I think it's a great idea, especially since Bahia was just named Miami's sister city.
"Bahia." I haven't heard that name since I was dating this Brazilian bombshell. That's all she could talk about. It was Bahia this and Bahia that. According to her it's really quite beautiful. But you're right, Ms. B, why stop at Brazil?
Sign me up, baby! I can see Bicentennial and Bayfront Parks becoming part of the event with concerts, food, etc. Great idea!
That's the last thing we need in Miami-- more half naked women behaving badly in the streets.
You can never have enough "half naked women behaving badly in the streets."
Not so sure about all the flying people and stuff in. Back when I was in the orange bowl parade as part of the Orange bowl honor marching band for 3 years and one year with my high schools Marching band and my father before with his high schools. It was about showcasing South Florida not other countries. Not to say it shouldn't be culturally diverse as S. Florida is, just bring back the tradition of what the parade was also. It make me sick that now my son is being robbed of the opportunity, experience and memories that I had. Maybe that is why I have left Miami and moved up the state. nobody in Miami knows anything about tradition any more. Bring back the parade! I think the country and sponsors is ready for it again. It has been missed!
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