Grove's 4th of July includes Circus and Gallery Walk

This year, Fourth of July weekend in Coconut Grove will be more than the usual Coconut Hunt, Hot Dog Eating Contest, Lechon Cook-off, music, drinks, fun in the park and fireworks, as if that wasn't enough.

The long weekend starts on Friday, July 2 and Saturday July 3, with the Cirque du Grove: A Busker's Carnival which is coming to the streets -- literally -- Grand Avenue will be closed off and the rigging will be going up.

Busking is an American tradition where street performers take to the stage, sidewalks and plazas to perform their various acts. The Grove has them July 4th weekend.

On Friday, July 2, at 9:00 pm, Supernova will start their fire routines, this goes until midnight, right on Grand Avenue, near the Bookstore. On Saturday July 3, the all-day circus begins at 11 am. Will Soto, famed wire-walker from Key West's Mallory Square will perform and former Cirque du Soleil hand balancer Cory Tabino will join Will.

A free-standing aerial rig will also cover the street where the Rainbow Circus performs trapeze, hoop and stilt acts. Some of the industry's youngest child performers will be part of the act.

Magicians, balloon artists, face painters, jugglers and buskers will perform all day until 7 pm, when the Coconut Grove Gallery Walk takes over the Grove.

The Gallery Walk, along with the Art Stroll will showcase art from all the Grove galleries and then some. Stop in, enjoy complimentary food, drinks and lots of art at each of the Grove's galleries and at the Mayfair Promenade, the Art Stroll offers outdoor art up and down the Promenade along with complimentary food, drinks and music.

And all this of course leads up to a full day of Fourth of July activities in Coconut Grove including the famous Coconut Scavenger Hunt, Hot Dog Eating Contest, Lechon Cook-off, picnic at The Barnacle, music, food and drinks in Peacock Park and of course the incredible fireworks display to cap off the day at 9:30 pm.

Please click on the poster to see it larger.

Top photo courtesy Cory Tabino