I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what to write in this week’s column. There are so many things to talk about. Anti-American unrest in the Middle East. The nasty presidential election. High gas prices.
No, these are all too grim. I’d really like to comment on what a great job Boca Raton and the sponsors did planning and executing the “Boca and Brazil meet to celebrate the Brazilian Beat” for Brazilian Independence Day earlier this month.
I hate to say it, but this was the first “Friday Night LIVE!” event that my wife and I were able to attend. We brought a couple of friends and we all enjoyed the great music and the terrific ambiance.
I saw an item on Facebook that said the crowd numbered around 10,000. I didn’t think Sanborn Square could accommodate such a crowd. Admittedly, the festival was jammed, but there was still lots of room to move around.
I was particularly impressed by the orderly crowd. Everyone was enjoying the evening without causing any undue behavior problems.
Since I work with Douglas Heizer and his family at the Tribune, I obviously was aware of the event long before it was held. I remember Douglas and Carlo Barbieri visiting Miami with Mayor Susan Whelchel, Councilwoman Constance Scott and others to meet with officials at the Brazilian Consulate.
In just the past couple of months, I have learned a lot about the importance of Brazil to the economy of the world and, in particular, the United States. A lot of Brazilian business people have set up shop in the US, even within the greater Boca Raton area.
I’ve discovered that Brazilians are a cordial people who love their work, but also love to party – and that was clear on the streets of Boca Raton the night of the Independence Day celebration.
We heard a lot of great music coming from the stage set up on Federal Highway next to Sanborn Square. Entertainers were singer Rose Max and Batuke Samba Funk along with a Capoeira and Carnival show and Zumba demonstration and DJ Fred.
I passed one of the gourmet food trucks along the way and sniffed my way toward. My wife stopped me at that point and noted that we had stopped for dinner on the way to the event, so there was no need for more munching. I simply told her I wanted to explore Brazilian cuisine. I think her response was “Yeah, right.” (She quickly sees through my phony stories.)
I just wanted to emphasize what a great job everyone did, and I’m glad the Tribune was among the sponsors, along with the Consultate General of Brazil, the Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Rotary Club of West Boca Raton, Leblon, Café Brasil 88.9 FM, Gazeta Brazilian News, Acontece Magazine and others.
Next Stop, Meet Me On The Promenade
Following up on the Brazilian Beat festivities I discussed above, Downtown Boca is readying for its second annual Meet Me On The Promenade free two-night, one-day community festival set for Friday, October 26th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, October 27th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This is another great event that shows downtown Boca Raton is alive and well. My wife and I went last year, and since then, I’ve been telling everyone in City Hall to please, please schedule another one this year. I guess they heard my pleading.
According to Boca Raton Downtown Manager Ruby Childers (not to be confused with Ruby Tuesday), a “Stroll, Shop & Savor” downtown Boca self-guided tour program will help attendees navigate easily through the community’s assets: dining, shopping, fashion, culture, family fun, living, and nightlife and all the Meet Me On The Promenade scheduled activities and programming, entertainment, retail and dining discounts, and giveaway offerings.
Participating retailers and restaurants will remain open late, and trolleys will run continually during Meet Me on the Promenade activities.
Check page B-1 of today’s edition for more information about this event.