Cocktail Crawl is part of Poinciana Fiesta this year

The Royal Poinciana Fiesta, Miami’s oldest continuously running festival is this weekend and the beautiful Royal Poinciana trees are being celebrated with events from trolley tours, the crowning of the Royal Poinciana Queen and Court, a picnic, jazz music and many other events.

This year, there’s a new event, the edible South Florida Cocktail Crawl and competition in Coconut Grove. Some of the top restaurants and bars have created Royal Poinciana-inspired cocktails to sell from June 10 through June 19. Customers will vote on their favorites via the ChallengeStar app and on social media, and the winners will be featured in edible South Florida to bring awareness to this long-running festival.

Participants so far include Glass & Vine; Ariete; Jaguar; Peacock Garden Cafe; GreenStreet Cafe; Lulu’s in the Grove; and Taurus Beer & Whiskey House. Bianco Natural and Organic Gelato is creating the Mother Earth Gelato, a special flavor in honor of the Royal Poinciana.

Sponsored by the Tropical Flowering Tree Society, the Fiesta features two days of activities:

The Fiesta agenda:

SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2016

11:30 am
Bring a picnic lunch and explore the Kampong, former home of David Fairchild, located at 4013 Douglas Road.

1:00 pm
Boarding for a narrated bus tour of the area’s most dazzling royal poincianas and other exceptional trees.  Reservations are required--limited seating!  Please register on the websitewww.tfts.org, or email TFTSMiami@yahoo.com.  The fee is $25 per person.

Tours will be narrated by Larry Schokman, Director Emeritus of the Kampong;  and Steve Pearson, Director of the Gifford Arboretum at the U of M.  Refreshments will be served after the tour at the Kampong.

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

6:30 pm
Reception in the Garden House at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road.  Use the south entrance.

7:00 pm
1st of two tram tours of the Garden.  Inside, enjoy the jazz music of Joe Donato, and take the opportunity to purchase items from the talented artists.  The 79th Royal Poinciana queen and her Court will be announced and presented with scholarship funds.  Learn the winner of the Larry Schokman book award, presented to a community member exemplifying the Tropical Flowering Tree Society’s goal to “Color the Horizon.”  Enjoy wine and cheese, the famous Royal Poinciana punch, and cake.

Admission: free for TFTS members; $5 for non-members.

For more information about the Royal Poinciana Fiesta Cocktail Crawl, contact Gretchen
Schmidt at gretchen@ediblesouthflorida.com