SUNNY ISLES BEACH CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WITH A BIG SPLASH

On June 22, 2008 the City of Sunny Isles Beach turned 11 and what better way to commemorate than with an off-shore boat race. Almost 2,000 people joined the festivities at Samson Oceanfront Park on a beautiful sunny afternoon. There was music, dancers, games, sand-sculpting artists, free B.B.Q lunch, and a cake cutting ceremony.

''People had a chance to watch the final day of the three-day race from the beach and join in the party as well,'' said Susan Simpson, the city's director of Cultural and Human Services.

Known as the NASCAR on the water, the powerboat racing event revives classic powerboat racing from the '60s and '70s and is meant to draw more tourists to the compact 2 ½-miles long and 1 mile wide City.

Mayor Norman S. Edelcup said the city has a lot to celebrate this year: Its first public school will open in August and a new jazz festival is planned for October 17-19. “It’s quite a thrill to bring back OSS racing to South Florida, and hopefully this will be the beginning of an annual event,” said Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Norman Edelcup, adding that the event will bring good publicity. “It’s a good way to bring exposure to the city and its beaches, and it should attract a lot of fans of the sport.”