If the success of a picnic can be measured by the number of hot dogs served, Palmetto
Bay’s Sixth Annual Celebration was definitely a big wiener – with more than 3,000 dogs devoured.

Great food, fun, games – and perfect weather – greeted residents and friends of Palmetto Bay at its sixth annual picnic, March 1, 2008, at Coral Reef Park. The celebration is sponsored each year by the Village as a way of sharing in the warm spirit of Palmetto Bay as a great place to live, work and play. It is estimated that more than 4,000 were in attendance.

The event featured all that an old-fashioned picnic should offer, including hot dogs, sno-cones, roasted corn, ice cold sodas, and more than 700 pizzas! Kids, and the young at heart, also enjoyed games, rides, a cheerleading demonstration, and dance troop and choral ensemble performances. Children’s activities were expanded this year to include a bubble-gum blowing contest, a sack race, tug-o-war, and a hula hoop contest.

This year also saw two major new events to the picnic: The first-ever Battle in the Bay with the Mayor's Cup awarded to the winner of the championship baseball game between fierce rivals - Coral Reef and Palmetto Senior High School. Palmetto Bay H.S. won the big game - six to four.

The other new – and very popular – event was “Dunk the Mayor,” where Eugene Flinn literally fell victim to playful pitches delivered by eagle-eyed residents. When the softball hit the target, down went Mayor Flinn into the cold water tank – all for a great cause. More than $720 in donations was raised in this wet-and-wild way for Autism Speaks, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting autism. Special thanks to Cutler Bay Mayor Paul Vrooman for also spending time in the tank for this worthwhile charity.

While there are so many people and organizations to recognize for their part in making this day a great success, a special thanks goes to the following:

• Vice Mayor Linda Robinson and Special Events Committee members Donna Coughlin, Dottie Barton, Chris Berdion, Pat Gladieux, Tracey Kealy, Robert Pozo, and Victor Vincent;
• Waste Management for sponsoring the cost of the dunk tank;
• Grant and Michael Miller, of the Community News, for their assistance in the “ Battle in the Bay;”
• Players, parents, staff, coaches, and school administrators of Coral Reef and Palmetto Senior High Schools;
• Village Public Works department for providing IBUS shuttle service to/from off site parking locations;
• And, of course, the Village Parks & Recreation Department.

In one of his more dry moments, Mayor Flinn extended a special thanks to everyone who attended and supported the annual village picnic. “It was a great day and a great success. We look for all Palmetto Bay residents to join us for this special celebration each year.”